Ferries to St. Barts

As ferries are cheaper than airplanes, they are the preferred method of transport to St. Barts. They depart Sint Maarten or St. Martin daily, beginning as early as 7:15 a.m. A current passport is necessary even for day trips. It may not feel like it, but you are traveling between island nations.

Visas to enter St. Barts are not required for Americans, Canadians or residents of European Schengen countries. All others need a visa. Be aware that Covid requirements at times may be in effect.

Depending on the ferry company and day of the week, the boat may leave either from Marigot in St. Martin, or from Philipsburg or Oyster Pond on St. Maarten.  

The trip takes about 45 minutes and travels over open ocean. The journey sometimes is very rough. Pills for seasickness are strongly advised for most people. And some travelers need to consider whether they truly are up to such a potentially unpleasant trip.

The Great Bay Express leaves from Bobby's Marina daily in Philipsburg. The boat departs St. Maarten at 7:15 a.m., arrive in Gustavia at 8 a.m. and makes the return trip at 8:30 a.m. The last departure from St. Barts is 6:45 p.m.

Shuttle service from the airport to the ferry is offered with advance reservation. Restaurants with outdoor seating & WiFi are available near the Great Bay Express Philipsburg dock. Advance reservations are advised and so is showing up early. Telephone:?1-721-520-5015,?e-mail:?info@greatbayferry.com.

The Voyager is not posting a schedule or any departure information as this is written. Instead, it is requiring passengers to make a reservation to discover what the schedule is. For those interested, a phone call to its Marigot office might yield some information. From France: 0590.87.10.68. From abroad: +590.590.87.10.68. From the USA: 011.590.590.87.10.68

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