Saint Barth Tours and Travel
The ferry specialists shuttling savvy travelers between St. Martin and St. Barth
Why Go
Skip the pricey puddle-jumper into St. Barth's famously white-knuckle airport and glide in by sea instead — this Gustavia-based operator has quietly become the go-to link between SXM and SBH, bundling ferry crossings with car rentals and catamaran charters so your island escape starts at the dock, not at baggage claim.
The Experience
Based right on Rue de la République at the Gustavia ferry dock, Saint Barth Tours and Travel runs the crossings that most in-the-know visitors use to sidestep the notorious 10-seat plane hop from St. Martin. The vessels are stable, air-conditioned catamarans built for the open-water stretch between the islands, and the whole operation is refreshingly no-nonsense: book online in French, English, or Spanish, show up with your passport, and you're in Gustavia harbor about 45 minutes later. What separates them from the other ferry operators isn't just the schedule density — three departures a day in each direction — but the way they've stitched together the rest of your ground game. Their AVIS partnership means a rental car is waiting via shuttle the moment you disembark, and their tie-in with Saint Barth Sailor lets you upgrade the return leg to a private speedboat or catamaran day-charter along the coast. For anyone who's ever watched their carry-on get weighed on a bathroom scale at the puddle-jumper counter, this is the civilized alternative.
What to Try
Book the same-day return fare (€80) if you're staying on St. Martin but want a proper day in Gustavia — the 9:45 AM departure gets you in for lunch at Shellona or Bonito and back on the 6:45 PM before dinner. If you're arriving with real luggage or a family, the advance-purchase round trip (€100 non-resident, €60 for kids 4–11, free for under-3s) is the sweet spot. Serious sailors should ask about combining the crossing with a Saint Barth Sailor charter for the return — a legitimate way to see Colombier and Île Fourchue that most ferry passengers never think to book.
Insider Tip
Book online at least a day ahead — the same fare jumps €10 each way if you buy at the dock, and the morning boats fill up fast in high season. Also worth knowing: tickets are non-refundable but stay valid for a full year, so if weather flips the sea state (it happens), you're not out the fare. And there's no Sunday early boat — the 7:15 AM from SXM and 8:30 AM from SBH don't run, which trips up a lot of Monday-morning departures.
The Practical Stuff
Location: Rue de la République, ferry dock, Gustavia 97133, St. Barthélemy. Departures from SBH: 8:30 AM (Mon–Sat), 11:00 AM daily, 6:45 PM daily. Crossings run roughly 45 minutes to Sint Maarten. Passport mandatory — this is an international border crossing, even for day-trippers. Fares: €60–€70 one way, €100–€110 round trip for adults; discounted rates for residents and children 4–11. Booking available online in EN/FR/ES. AVIS car pickup shuttles from the terminal.
Pair It With
- AVIS Saint Barth — Official rental partner — their shuttle meets the ferry so you can drive off the dock straight to your villa without a taxi handoff.
- Saint Barth Sailor — Catamaran and speedboat charter partner — ideal for upgrading the return leg into a Colombier or Île Fourchue day-sail.
- Aéroport de Saint-Barthélemy / Rémy de Haenen Airport Guide — Useful backup: if seas are rough or you miss the last ferry, the short St. Barth Commuter hop to SXM is 10 minutes away by taxi from the Gustavia dock.
- Absolute Hot Yoga Guide — Right in Gustavia, a five-minute walk from the ferry terminal — a perfect way to unwind after the crossing before heading to your accommodation.
