St Barth day trip
Take the morning ferry from Philipsburg or Marigot, spend the day in Gustavia and on the beaches, and return in the evening — the classic St Barth day out.
Island destination guide
St Barth & the Northern Caribbean: your complete island guide
Whether you are already on the plane or still dreaming about the trip, this is the region of a lifetime — six extraordinary islands within sight of one another. Discover St Barth, St Maarten, St Martin, Anguilla, Saba and St Eustatius: the beaches, the restaurants, the shopping, the hotels and the day-trips that make this corner of the Caribbean unforgettable — and how the ferry ties it all together.
One region, six islands
Six islands, one extraordinary corner of the Caribbean
Few places on earth pack this much variety into so small a space. From the airport on Sint Maarten you can see the green ridges of neighbouring islands across the water, and within an hour or two by ferry or small plane you can go from designer boutiques in Gustavia to a world-class dive site off Saba, from the culinary strip of Grand Case to the powder-white sand of Anguilla.
St Barth is the jewel — French, chic and famously beautiful — but it sits at the centre of a cluster of islands that each have their own character. St Maarten and St Martin share a single island split between Dutch and French sides, a rare two-nation, two-culture experience. Anguilla is the region's beach paradise; Saba is a dramatic volcanic peak beloved by divers and hikers; and St Eustatius is a quiet, history-rich gem that most travellers have never heard of.
The magic of this region is how easy it is to combine. Most visitors fly into Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on St Maarten and continue to St Barth by ferry — a short, scenic crossing. From there the whole archipelago opens up. St Barth Ferry gets you to the island quickly and comfortably, and this guide will help you decide where to go and what to do once you arrive.
Choose your island
The six islands at a glance
Every island here has its own personality. Tap any one to jump straight to what to see, where to eat and where to stay.
St Barth (Saint-Barthélemy)French chic & barefoot luxuryDesigner boutiques, celebrated restaurants and some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean — the region's glamorous centrepiece.ExploreSt Maarten (Dutch side)The gateway islandThe region's main airport, buzzing beaches, duty-free shopping and famous plane-spotting at Maho Beach.ExploreSt Martin (French side)Cuisine, culture & Orient BayThe French side — the self-styled culinary capital of the Caribbean, plus Marigot's market and the beaches of Orient Bay.ExploreAnguillaThe region's beach paradiseThirty-odd dazzling white-sand beaches, laid-back luxury resorts and a famous Sunday beach-bar music scene.ExploreSabaThe Unspoiled QueenA dramatic volcanic peak with world-class diving, cloud-forest hiking and storybook villages — and almost no crowds.ExploreSt Eustatius (Statia)History beneath the wavesA quiet, history-rich Dutch island with superb diving, a dormant volcano to hike and few other tourists.Explore
French chic & barefoot luxury
St Barth (Saint-Barthélemy)
Saint-Barthélemy — St Barth to everyone who loves it — is a small French island that punches far above its size. Its capital, Gustavia, is a picture-perfect harbour ringed by red-roofed buildings, luxury yachts, designer boutiques and some of the finest restaurants in the Caribbean. Yet a five-minute drive away you can be alone on a wild, undeveloped beach.
St Barth manages to be both a jet-set playground and a laid-back, deeply French island of quiet coves, hillside villas and long lunches. It is the reason most travellers come to this region, and it is the island St Barth Ferry connects you to every day.
See & do
- Gustavia harbour — boutiques, galleries and sunset drinks by the yachts
- Shell Beach — a beach of tiny shells a short walk from town
- St Jean — the island's liveliest beach, below the famous airport approach
- Saline & Gouverneur — wild, undeveloped beaches with no buildings in sight
- Colombier — reached only by boat or a scenic coastal hike
- Corossol — a traditional fishing village with local character
Eat & drink
- World-class dining in Gustavia, from bistros to fine dining
- Beach clubs at Shell Beach and St Jean for long lunches
- Fresh French bakeries and patisseries across the island
- Sunset cocktails overlooking the harbour
- Local seafood, langouste (spiny lobster) and Créole flavours
Where to stay
- Iconic hillside and beachfront hotels (Eden Rock, Cheval Blanc and more)
- Hundreds of private villas with pools and sea views
- Boutique hotels around St Jean and Lorient
- Quiet luxury near Flamands and Gustavia
Getting there: Reach St Barth by ferry with St Barth Ferry — a short, scenic crossing from Philipsburg (Great Bay Express, ~45 minutes) on the Dutch side or from Marigot (Voyager) on the French side. Check times and book on our schedule page.
The gateway island
St Maarten (Dutch side)
Sint Maarten, the Dutch side of the island, is where most journeys to this region begin: Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is the main gateway, and the ferry to St Barth departs from nearby Philipsburg. It is lively, easy and full of things to do before or after your crossing.
Philipsburg, the capital, has a long boardwalk, a great bay beach and streets of duty-free shops. Nearby Simpson Bay and Maho are known for restaurants, marinas, nightlife and the unforgettable sight of jets landing just above the sand.
See & do
- Maho Beach — watch airliners land directly over the sand
- Philipsburg boardwalk and Front Street duty-free shopping
- Great Bay Beach right in the capital
- Mullet Bay — a favourite local beach
- Simpson Bay Lagoon — marinas, boat charters and sunset spots
Eat & drink
- Simpson Bay for restaurants, bars and nightlife
- Fresh seafood and international dining along the marinas
- Beach bars at Maho and Kim Sha
- Casual local eateries and food trucks across the island
Where to stay
- Resorts and hotels around Simpson Bay and Maho
- Beachfront stays near Philipsburg's Great Bay
- Marina and lagoon-side hotels for boaters
- Easy airport-close options for a night before the ferry
Getting there: St Maarten's Princess Juliana Airport (SXM) is the region's main gateway. Most visitors arrive here and continue to St Barth by ferry from Philipsburg — often on the same day. St Barth Ferry and our airport shuttle make the connection simple.
Cuisine, culture & Orient Bay
St Martin (French side)
Cross to the French side and the mood changes: Saint-Martin is all about food, markets and unhurried beach days. Grand Case is famous across the Caribbean for its restaurant-lined street and its 'lolos' — open-air grills serving ribs, chicken and fresh fish.
Marigot, the French capital, has a lively waterfront market, the ruins of Fort Louis above the harbour and a marina full of cafés. Orient Bay, on the east coast, is the island's most famous beach — a long stretch of sand with beach clubs, watersports and a party atmosphere.
See & do
- Grand Case — the culinary strip and its beach
- Orient Bay — beach clubs, watersports and people-watching
- Marigot market and Fort Louis for harbour views
- Pinel Island — a tiny offshore islet reached by a short boat hop
- Loterie Farm — a nature reserve with hiking and ziplines
Eat & drink
- Grand Case restaurants — fine French dining on the beach
- The 'lolos' of Grand Case for grilled ribs and fresh fish
- Marigot cafés and waterfront seafood
- Beach clubs at Orient Bay for long lunches
Where to stay
- Beachfront hotels and villas around Orient Bay
- Boutique stays in and around Grand Case
- Marina and hillside options near Marigot
- Quiet villas in Terres Basses on the western tip
Getting there: The French side connects to St Barth by ferry from Marigot, and it is the departure point for boats to Anguilla. Grand Case and Orient Bay are a short drive from the airport, making St Martin an easy add-on to a St Barth trip.
The region's beach paradise
Anguilla
Quiet, flat and ringed by some of the finest beaches on the planet, Anguilla is the region's beach lover's island. This small British territory has made its name with barefoot luxury: understated resorts, exceptional food and long stretches of blinding-white sand that rarely feel crowded.
Shoal Bay East regularly appears on lists of the world's best beaches, and the island's beach bars — especially on lazy Sundays — are legendary for live music, grilled crayfish and rum punch.
See & do
- Shoal Bay East — a contender for the Caribbean's best beach
- Rendezvous Bay and Meads Bay — long, calm and beautiful
- Sandy Ground — beach bars, live music and boat trips
- Little Bay — a hidden cove reached by boat or rope
- Scilly Cay and Prickly Pear — tiny islets for lunch on the sand
Eat & drink
- Beach bars for grilled crayfish, ribs and rum punch
- Sunday music and barbecue at Sandy Ground
- Acclaimed resort restaurants and beachfront fine dining
- Casual local spots for johnnycakes and fresh seafood
Where to stay
- Landmark luxury resorts along Maundays and Meads Bay
- Beachfront villas and boutique hotels
- Intimate, adults-friendly retreats
- Quiet self-catering options near the beaches
Getting there: Anguilla is reached by ferry or a short flight from St Martin — public ferries run from Marigot and Blowing Point. Pair it with a St Barth ferry trip for an easy two-island escape; contact our team and we'll help you plan the connections.
The Unspoiled Queen
Saba
Saba is like nowhere else in the Caribbean: a single volcanic cone rising steeply from the sea, its slopes dotted with tidy white-and-green cottages and its summit, Mount Scenery, often wrapped in cloud. There are no sprawling resorts and barely a beach — Saba is for divers, hikers and travellers who want somewhere genuinely unspoiled.
The Saba Marine Park protects some of the finest diving in the region, with dramatic underwater pinnacles teeming with life. Above the water, trails climb through rainforest to the highest point in the Dutch Kingdom, and the villages of Windwardside and The Bottom are impossibly charming.
See & do
- Mount Scenery — hike through cloud forest to the summit
- World-class scuba diving in the Saba Marine Park
- The villages of Windwardside and The Bottom
- The Saba Ladder and historic trails
- Tide pools and rugged coastal viewpoints
Eat & drink
- Cosy village restaurants in Windwardside
- Fresh-caught fish and hearty local cooking
- Small cafés with sweeping ocean views
- Saba Spice, the island's homemade rum liqueur
Where to stay
- Small inns and cottages in Windwardside
- Boutique guesthouses with mountain and sea views
- Dive-focused lodges
- Self-catering cottages tucked into the hillside
Getting there: Saba is reached by ferry or a short, spectacular flight from St Maarten (its airport has one of the world's shortest commercial runways). Combine it with St Barth for a week of beaches and world-class diving.
History beneath the waves
St Eustatius (Statia)
St Eustatius — 'Statia' — was once one of the busiest trading ports in the world, nicknamed 'The Golden Rock'. In 1776 it became the first foreign territory to salute the new American flag, and today its historic capital Oranjestad still wears that past in its forts, ruins and cobbled Lower Town.
Now it is one of the Caribbean's best-kept secrets: a peaceful island with excellent diving over 18th-century shipwrecks and coral, and a dormant volcano — The Quill — whose crater you can hike into. If you want history, nature and near-total quiet, Statia delivers.
See & do
- The Quill — hike into the crater of a dormant volcano
- Diving over historic wrecks and reefs in the marine park
- Historic Oranjestad, Fort Oranje and the Lower Town
- Museums telling the 'Golden Rock' and First Salute story
- Quiet black- and golden-sand bays
Eat & drink
- Small local restaurants in Oranjestad
- Fresh seafood and Caribbean home cooking
- Relaxed cafés and dive-lodge dining
- A genuinely local, unhurried food scene
Where to stay
- Guesthouses and small hotels in and near Oranjestad
- Dive-focused lodges
- Quiet apartments and cottages
- Simple, friendly, off-the-beaten-path stays
Getting there: St Eustatius is reached by ferry or a short flight from St Maarten. It makes a quiet, history-rich add-on to a St Barth trip for travellers who love diving and the road less travelled.
Island-hopping & day trips
See more than one island
One of the best things about this region is how easy it is to combine islands. Base yourself on St Barth or St Maarten and add a day trip — or string several islands into one unforgettable journey. Ferries and short flights connect them all.
Anguilla beach day
Ferry across from the French side for a day on Shoal Bay or Meads Bay, with lunch at a legendary beach bar.
Saba dive or hike
A ferry or short flight from St Maarten reaches Saba for a day of diving in the marine park or hiking Mount Scenery.
Grand Case dinner run
Spend the day on St Barth and an evening on the culinary strip of Grand Case — two of the region's best food scenes in one trip.
Plan your trip
Everything you need to arrive smoothly
A little planning turns a great trip into an effortless one. Here are the essentials — from the best time to visit to documents and getting around — and our schedule page has live ferry times and entry-requirement guidance.
Best time to visit
High season runs roughly December to April with sunny, drier weather and lively beaches. May, June and November are quieter and often excellent value. Peak dates and holidays sell out early, so book ferries ahead.
Getting around
Most visitors fly into SXM on St Maarten, then take the ferry to St Barth. On the islands, taxis, rental cars and pre-booked shuttles are the easiest ways to get around; St Barth is small and best explored by car or scooter.
Documents & entry
Carry a valid passport for every passenger. St Barth and St Martin are French territory; the Dutch side (Sint Maarten) has its own online pre-entry form. See our schedule page for current entry-requirement links before you travel.
Money & language
The French islands (St Barth, St Martin) use the euro and speak French, though English and US dollars are widely accepted. The Dutch islands use the US dollar. English is spoken across the region.
Region FAQ
Common questions about visiting the region
Which island should I choose?+
It depends on your style. Choose St Barth for chic beaches, boutiques and celebrated restaurants; St Martin/St Maarten for variety, food and nightlife; Anguilla for the finest beaches and quiet luxury; Saba for diving and hiking; and St Eustatius for history and near-total peace. Many travellers combine two or more.
How are the islands connected?+
Most visitors fly into Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on St Maarten. From there, ferries and short flights connect the region: St Barth by ferry from Philipsburg or Marigot, Anguilla by ferry from the French side, and Saba and St Eustatius by ferry or small plane from St Maarten.
How do I get to St Barth by ferry?+
St Barth Ferry runs crossings from Philipsburg on the Dutch side (about 45 minutes) and from Marigot on the French side. You can check times and book online on our schedule page, and add an airport shuttle so your arrival connects smoothly with the ferry.
Can I visit St Barth as a day trip?+
Yes — a St Barth day trip is very popular. Take a morning ferry, spend the day in Gustavia and on the beaches, and return in the evening. If you can, an overnight stay lets you enjoy the island's restaurants and quieter moments too.
Where are the best beaches?+
Anguilla (Shoal Bay East, Meads Bay) and St Barth (Saline, Gouverneur, St Jean) have some of the Caribbean's most beautiful beaches. Orient Bay on St Martin and Mullet Bay on St Maarten are also favourites. Saba and St Eustatius are better known for diving than for sand.
Where is the best diving?+
Saba and St Eustatius are the region's diving stars, with protected marine parks, dramatic underwater pinnacles and historic wrecks. Anguilla, St Martin and St Barth also offer snorkelling and diving on their reefs.
Is the region good for families?+
Yes. Calm beaches like Orient Bay, Mullet Bay and St Jean are great for families, and the ferries and short crossings make island-hopping easy with children. St Barth Ferry offers reduced or free fares for young children — check the schedule page for details.
When is hurricane season?+
The Atlantic hurricane season runs June to November, with the highest activity late August through October. Most days are still sunny, but travel insurance is recommended and it is wise to keep an eye on the forecast and confirm ferry times before travel.
Your island adventure starts with the ferry
You have seen what is waiting for you. Book your St Barth ferry, add an airport shuttle, and let St Barth Ferry get you there — quickly, comfortably and right into the heart of the Caribbean.