When planning a vacation to St Barts, one first needs to decide do I want to fly there on a small plane flying from a nearby island to St Barts, or do I want to get to St Barts by boat from St Martin.
For those who decide to get to St Barts by boat, the question then becomes “Which ferry services should I use?” or “What city is most convenient to set sail from?”. If you prefer a speedy private boat option over a trip on a ferry, there are several companies to choose from.
We will lay out all the options for you, public and private, so by the time you finish reading this page you will have a good idea which boat service option is the best for you.
Using a high speed ferry or private boat charter to travel from St Martin to St Barts is a great option for people who do not like flying, or whose flights don't get into St Martin until after sunset as boats can leave the island later in the day than planes. This way, you don't have to worry about your flight being delayed and missing your connection into St Barts. Another benefit of traveling by boat is that you can bring more luggage than you can on the small planes servicing St Barts.
The WIMCO Villas Air Department can set up your flights from the US or Europe into St Martin / Sint Maarten’s Princess Juliana Airport, then make ferry and private boat charter reservations for you that will get you into St Barts.
Ready to book your boat trip? Send an email to [email protected] or call 1-800-449-1553 to set up your ferry or private yacht service to St Barths.
After arriving at St Maarten’s Airport (SXM) you can take the ferry to St Barts. There are two routes that public ferries take when traveling by ferry from St Martin to St Barts.
Great Bay Express operates from the dutch side city of Philipsburg (close to the Princess Juliana Airport). The trip to St. Barts takes 45 minutes one way. The service runs 3 times a day in peak season (November - April).
Great Bay Express operates two ferry boats, Pride of St Barth, a 68 foot long boat that carries 99 Passengers, and Big B, a 120 foot long boat that carries 150 Passengers. Both boats have AC, and bathrooms.
The total capacity is 130 passengers and the ride takes a short 45 minutes
A second company, Voyager, operates from the French side city of Marigot. The trip to St Barts takes 60 minutes one way. The service runs 3 times a day in peak season (November - April).
You will travel on a 93 foot hydrofoil catamaran called The Voyager 3 Dreamliner, that can carry up to 164 passengers. While on board, relax on a sun or shade decks and enjoy complimentary drinks offered by the professional and friendly crew.
Travelers should note that taking a ferry or private boat charter from St Martin to St Barts requires a 15 mile trip across open ocean. While the waters are often relatively calm, on occasion the waves can be large, and when that happens the voyage can be rough.
Those travelers who are worried about getting motion sickness may want to consider flying from St Martin to St Barts.
Great Bay Express Ferry offers ferry service to St Barts from docks in Philippsburg, close to the Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM).
Travel time: approximately 45 minutes one way
| Booked in advance | Same day price | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult round trip (open return) | €90 | €95 |
| Adult round trip (same day return) | €56 | €60 |
| Adult one way | €55 | €60 |
| Child (4 to 12 years) round trip (open return) | €45 | €50 |
| Child (4 to 12 years) round trip (same day return) | €40 | €45 |
| Child (4 to 12 years) one way | €35 | €40 |
Children 3 years old and under are traveling for free.
* NOTE: the ferry companies may change rates at their discretion, and rates vary by season, so call to check rates when you are ready to book.
|
Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:30am | 7:15am | 7:15am | 7:15am | 7:15am | 7:15am | 7:15am |
| 3:45pm | 9:30am | 9:30am | 9:30am | 9:30am | 9:30am | 9:30am |
| 5:45pm | 1:30pm | 1:30pm | 1:30pm | 1:30pm | 1:30pm | 1:30pm |
| 3:45pm | 3:45pm | 3:45pm | 3:45pm | 3:45pm | 3:45pm | |
| 5:45pm | 5:45pm | 5:45pm | 5:45pm | 5:45pm | 5:45pm |
|
Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:30am | 8:15am | 8:15am | 8:15am | 8:15am | 8:15am | 8:15am |
| 5:00pm | 10:30am | 10:30am | 10:30am | 10:30am | 10:30am | 10:30am |
| 6:45pm | 2:30pm | 2:30pm | 2:30pm | 2:30pm | 2:30pm | 2:30pm |
| 5:00pm | 5:00pm | 5:00pm | 5:00pm | 5:00pm | 5:00pm | |
| 6:45pm | 6:45pm | 6:45pm | 6:45pm | 6:45pm | 6:45pm |
Voyager offers ferry service from the town docks at Marigot, Saint Martin. Tickets can be bought in advance (Contact us and we’ll be happy to book this for you for the same price you would book it at Voyager Ferry Company or call them directly at +590-590-871-068), or you can walk up and buy tickets at the desk.
WIMCO’s Insider Tip: If you arrive in Marigot early, consider trying out one of the excellent French restaurants near the ferry dock, or window shopping in the square in front of the ferry dock.
| ECO Flex Class | SMART Wifi Class | BUSINESS Class | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (12+ yrs) | Child (2-11 yrs) | Adult (12+ yrs) | Child (2-11 yrs) | Adult (12+ yrs) | Child (2-11 yrs) | |
| Same-day Round Trip (price per trip) | €36 | €24 | €46 | €24 | €63 | €63 |
| Round Trip (price per trip) | €46 | €24 | €46 | €24 | €68 | €68 |
| Open Ticket Round Trip (price per trip) | €46 | €24 | €63 | €24 | €76 | €76 |
| One Way | €63 | €38 | €72 | €38 | €112 | €112 |
| Open Ticket One Way | €83 | €39 | €92 | €39 | €132 | €132 |
*Departure Taxes/Port Fees: when travelling between St. Maarten / St. Martin and Barts, a departure tax must be paid at check-in before departure. The rate is US $15 / one way or return trip.
*NOTE: the ferry companies may change rates at their discretion, and that rates vary by season, so call to check rates when you are ready to book.
| Voyager Schedule | SBH - Marigot (1h30) | SBH - Oyster Pond (45 min) | Marigot - SBH (1h30) | Oyster Pond - SBH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 7:25am & 5:15pm | 10:15am | 8:50am & 6:45pm | |
| Tuesday | 8:00am, 10:15am & 5:45 | 9:15am, 4:45pm & 6:45pm | ||
| Wednesday | 8:00am, 10:15am & 5:45 | 9:15am & 4:45pm & 6:45pm | ||
| Thursday | 8:00am, 10:15am & 5:45 | 9:15am, 4:45pm & 6:45pm | ||
| Friday | 7:25am & 5:15pm | 10:15am | 8:50am & 6:45pm | |
| Saturday | 7:25am & 5:15pm | 10:15am | 8:50am & 6:45pm | 4:00pm |
| Sunday | 8:15am, 10:15am & 5:45 | 9:15am, 4:45pm & 6:45pm |
There are several private boat charter companies that provide a high-speed boat trip from St Martin to St Barts for those travelers who are willing to pay a premium to get on a boat as soon as they land in St Martin.
If you are not familiar with one or more of the private boat charter companies, contact WIMCO’s Travel Services team at [email protected] for a recommendation and pricing. WIMCO can also book your passage, and has a best rate guarantee. Here are several options for last minute high-speed charter service from St Martin to St Barts.
Water taxi service between St Martin and St Barts, and between Anguilla and St Barts. In St Martin they can pick you up near the airport in Philipsburg, or at the town dock in Marigot.
Tel: +590-590-279-179
Water taxi service from Sint Maarten to St Barts. They can pick you up near the Princess Juliana International Airport in Philipsburg, or at the town dock in Marigot. Their prices are starting at 1300 € for 10 passengers, including: fuel, crew, open bar, beach towel and snorkeling gear.
There is a charter tax, 10 € / person. Please note that prices vary by time of day and season and may be changed based on demand, so contact WIMCO for the most up to date pricing.
Tel: +590-590-277-034
Ready to book your ferry boat or private boat charter trip? Send an email to WIMCO’s travel services team at [email protected] or call 1-800-449-1553.
Travelers taking a ferry or high-speed private boat charter from St Martin to St Barts will arrive at the ferry dock in Gustavia. There is an immigration desk at the ferry dock office where you will present your passport.
Once you clear immigration, you are ready to experience St Barts! If you are staying in a villa, a representative from your local villa rental agency will meet you at the arrivals door at the ferry station.
WIMCO’s Insiders Tip: Ask your local villa rental agency to have your rental car waiting for you at the ferry station parking lot in Gustavia.
Your local representative will load your luggage into your rental car, and will escort you up to your villa. If you are staying in a hotel, a hotel minivan will be waiting for you when you clear immigration and will take you directly to your hotel.
