Day Trips from St Barts: Ferries, Nearby Islands & Boat Days
The best day trips from St Barts are a ferry to St. Martin / Sint Maarten (about 45–60 minutes from Gustavia), a two-ferry hop on to Anguilla via Marigot, and a chartered boat day to Colombier Bay or Île Fourchue in the Saint-Barthélemy nature reserve. Scheduled ferries leave from Gustavia Harbor, so you can be across the channel by mid-morning and back for dinner, but you need a passport and a booked return.
This guide covers each day trip from St. Barthélemy: how to get there, how long it takes, what to check before you go and when a private charter beats the public ferry. Ferry details are as of October 2026. Timetables change by season, so confirm with the operator before you book.
Plan a Boat Day from Gustavia
Compare catamaran and motor-yacht day charters to Colombier, Île Fourchue and St. Martin.
Browse Day Charters →Day Trips from St Barts at a Glance
The table below compares the main off-island options from Gustavia, St. Barthélemy. Crossing times are approximate and depend on sea conditions.
| Day trip | How to get there | Approx. crossing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philipsburg, Sint Maarten (Dutch side) | Great Bay Express ferry from Gustavia | ~45 min | Shopping, a change of pace, an easy first trip |
| Marigot, Saint-Martin (French side) | Voyager ferry from Gustavia | ~60 min | French-side lunch, connecting on to Anguilla |
| Anguilla | Ferry to Marigot, then the Marigot–Blowing Point ferry | Two crossings each way | A full day on a second island if you start early |
| Île Fourchue | Private or shared boat charter from Gustavia | Short boat ride | Snorkeling, an uninhabited islet, swimming at anchor |
| Colombier Bay | Boat charter (or a hike on land) | Short boat ride | Calm-water snorkeling and a lunch-at-anchor day |
Day Trip to St. Martin / Sint Maarten by Ferry
St. Martin is the easiest day trip from St Barts. The island is split between French Saint-Martin and Dutch Sint Maarten, and a ferry runs from Gustavia to each side, so pick the port that matches your plans.
Great Bay Express: Gustavia ↔ Philipsburg
Great Bay Express sails between Gustavia and Bobby’s Marina in Philipsburg, the Dutch-side capital. Its website advertises day trips as well as one-way and round-trip tickets, and it posts a 2026 schedule. As of October 2026, Ferryscanner lists the crossing at about 45 minutes. Its company timetable was last updated in February 2026. That October search showed fares of roughly €70–75; check whether a fare is one-way or a same-day return before you pay.
- Passport: Great Bay Express says a passport is required for all passengers.
- Check-in: arrive at the ferry office at least 45 minutes before departure. Check-in closes 15 minutes before sailing.
- Luggage: the operator says it charges no extra baggage fees, which helps if you’re shopping.
Voyager: Gustavia ↔ Marigot
Voyager is the high-speed ferry linking Gustavia with French Saint-Martin. Booking agents list the Marigot crossing at about 60 minutes as of 2026. Voyager’s own site shows departure times only once you enter a travel date in its booking system, so check the exact times for your day there. The operator also sells packages for St. Martin visitors coming to St Barts, such as island tours and car rental. Those are worth knowing about if friends from St. Martin want to visit you for the day.
Choosing between the two sides, or thinking about splitting a trip? Our St Barts vs St Martin island comparison explains how different the two islands feel.
Can You Do a Day Trip from St Barts to Anguilla?
Yes, but it takes planning. We found no direct scheduled Gustavia–Anguilla ferry on the operator sites we checked, so by public ferry you go Gustavia → Marigot on Voyager, then Marigot → Blowing Point, Anguilla, and do the same in reverse to get home.
The Government of Anguilla’s Blowing Point Ferry Terminal page lists several daily departures in each direction. From Marigot, the first leaves at 9:30 AM and the last at 6:00 PM. It shows a regular one-way fare of US$30, plus departure fees that are lower for day trippers than for visitors staying more than 12 hours. The page gives no effective date, so treat those figures as a guide and confirm before you travel.
- Tight connections: you need an early Gustavia departure and a return to Marigot in time for the last Voyager back to St Barts. Check both timetables for the same date.
- Passports and fees: you’ll cross into British Anguilla and back, so carry your passport and cash or cards for departure fees.
- The easier way: for a group, a private boat charter from Gustavia saves the Marigot connection and lets you choose your beaches.
Boat Day to Île Fourchue and Colombier
For many visitors, the best day trip from St Barts never leaves Saint-Barthélemy waters. Île Fourchue, an uninhabited islet, and Colombier Bay are both part of the Réserve Naturelle de Saint-Barthélemy. The reserve is managed by the Agence Territoriale de l’Environnement in Gustavia, which maintains visitor moorings in both bays to protect seagrass from anchors. Fishing and commercial activity in the reserve are regulated.
In practice, a licensed charter from Gustavia is the way to go. The skipper handles moorings and reserve rules while you snorkel, swim and have lunch at anchor. You can’t reach Île Fourchue on foot. Colombier also has a walking trail, but arriving by boat is the relaxed option. Read more in our Île Fourchue island guide. For boat types and what’s included, see the St Barts yacht charter guide.
What to bring on a boat day
- Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and a light cover-up, since shade on a boat day can be limited.
- Your own mask if you prefer it, though most charters supply snorkel gear (confirm when booking).
- Cash for tips and a dry bag for phones and passports.
Tips for Planning Day Trips from St Barts
- Book the return first. The last boat back to Gustavia sets the shape of your whole day.
- Watch the weather. The channel between St Barts and St. Martin can be choppy. Sailings may be changed in rough seas, especially during the June–November hurricane season.
- Plan the dock run. A drop-off at the Gustavia ferry dock by your villa, hotel or a taxi saves leaving a rental car in town all day.
- Keep ID on you. Carry your passport on any off-island day, even for a few hours away.
Base Yourself Near Gustavia Harbor
Staying close to the ferry dock makes early sailings and boat days easy. Browse villas within reach of Gustavia.
Browse St. Barts Villas →Day Trips from St Barts: FAQ
What is the best day trip from St Barts?
For most visitors, the best day trip from St Barts is a chartered boat day from Gustavia to Colombier Bay or Île Fourchue, which are both in the Saint-Barthélemy nature reserve. For a change of island, the ferry from Gustavia to St. Martin / Sint Maarten is the simplest choice.
How long is the ferry from St Barts to St. Martin?
The Great Bay Express ferry from Gustavia, St Barts to Philipsburg, Sint Maarten takes about 45 minutes. The Voyager ferry from Gustavia to Marigot, French Saint-Martin takes about 60 minutes (as of October 2026).
Do I need a passport for a day trip from St Barts to St. Martin?
Yes. Great Bay Express says a passport is required for all passengers on its St Barts–Sint Maarten ferry. Carry your passport on any ferry day trip from St Barts.
How do you get from St Barts to Anguilla by ferry?
The standard public-ferry route from St Barts to Anguilla goes through St. Martin: travelers take the Voyager ferry from Gustavia to Marigot, Saint-Martin, then the public ferry from Marigot to Blowing Point, Anguilla. A private boat charter from Gustavia is the direct alternative.
Can you visit Île Fourchue from St Barts?
Yes. Île Fourchue is an uninhabited islet in the Saint-Barthélemy nature reserve that you can only reach by boat. Most visitors book a day charter from Gustavia Harbor that uses the reserve’s visitor moorings.
When is the best time for day trips from St Barts?
December to May falls outside the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. Storms during hurricane season can disrupt ferry and charter schedules from St Barts, so keep plans flexible in those months.
Sources: Great Bay Express (2026 schedule and passenger rules, checked October 2026) · Ferryscanner Gustavia–Philipsburg route (schedule updated February 2026) · Government of Anguilla, Blowing Point Ferry Terminal · Agence Territoriale de l’Environnement de Saint-Barthélemy
*Affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Ferry times, fares and rules change; confirm directly with operators before you travel.
Last updated: October 11, 2026
