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St Barts day trip from St Martin: ferry, flight or jet ski

Published on · 4 min read · Also in français, español

St Barts sits about 25 kilometers (15 miles) southeast of St Martin. Plenty of visitors want to spend a day there, for Gustavia, St Jean bay and the beaches. There are three ways to get across: a short flight, the ferry, or, if you want the crossing itself to be the highlight of your day, a jet ski. Here's what you need to know about each, based on the St Barts tourism office and the operators themselves.

By plane or by ferry, and you can do the round trip in a day. Regional airlines fly from Princess Juliana airport and Grand Case airport; ferries leave from Marigot and Philipsburg and reach Gustavia harbor in under an hour, according to the tourism office. And from Marina Royale in Marigot, our VIP Saint Barth Tour makes the crossing by jet ski, with a guide.

The St Barts tourism office lists several airlines connecting the two islands:

On arrival, Rémy de Haenen airport is famous for its short runway, 650 meters long, squeezed between the hill and the sea on St Jean bay: the landing is part of the trip. If you're planning a day trip, note its hours: it opens at 7 am and closes 15 minutes after sunset, between 6 and 7 pm depending on the season.

Two ferry companies listed by the tourism office run to Gustavia harbor:

The crossing takes less than an hour, and the tourism office says the approach to Gustavia comes with beautiful views of the island. Great Bay Express asks passengers to arrive at least 45 minutes before departure to check in. Schedules vary by day and season, so check each company's website before you book.

Do you need a passport to go to St Barts?

The tourism office says every traveler needs a valid passport to enter St Barts, and some nationalities also need a visa, since St Barts is not part of the Schengen area. Great Bay Express requires a passport for every passenger as well. Check the rules that apply to you before you go.

It's the most unexpected way to reach St Barts, and the only one where you're the one driving. The VIP Saint Barth Tour is a full-day jet ski tour from Marina Royale in Marigot, in three parts:

  1. The crossing: you leave the marina and ride across to the neighboring island.
  2. Nikki Beach and St Jean bay: the idyllic beaches of St Barts, seen from the water.
  3. Lorient bay: more wonders before heading back to St Martin.

Like all our tours, it's open with or without a boating license, from age 16, with a certified guide from start to finish. Two people can share one jet ski for the same price. You'll find the price and the deposit on the tour page.

This isn't a transfer for a stay on St Barts: the day ends with the ride back to St Martin. It's an excursion, made for people who'd rather see the neighboring island's beaches from the sea than through a plane window.

A full day at sea all the way to St Barts is a real adventure. If you'd rather stay around St Martin, two of our tours come close:

Fly if you're in a hurry, take the ferry from Marigot or Philipsburg for a day in Gustavia, or ride a jet ski and make the crossing itself the memory of your trip. To head from Marigot to the beaches of St Barts, book your VIP Saint Barth Tour.

Seven tours leaving from Marina Royale, from €70, no licence needed.

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