Saint-Barthélemy — St Barths, St Barts or St-Barth — is a small, hilly, arid island about 30 kilometres south-east of Sint Maarten, visible from the east coast on any clear day. It is French, like the northern half of Saint-Martin, but spent almost a century under the Swedish crown (1784–1878), which is why its capital is called Gustavia and some streets still carry Swedish names.
In the second half of the 20th century it became a retreat for the very rich, and it remains the most exclusive island in the region: designer boutiques, superyachts stern-to on the quay, villas on every hill. But it is also simply beautiful — red roofs, white beaches, clean and safe — and a day trip from Sint Maarten lets you enjoy all of that for the price of a ferry ticket and a lunch.
Top things to do: St Barths (Saint-Barthélemy)
Wander Gustavia
The capital wraps around three sides of a rectangular harbour. Stroll the quay to look at the yachts, climb to the remains of Fort Karl or Fort Gustav for the view, visit the little Swedish-era clock tower and Anglican church, and window-shop along the Rue de la République. Everything is within ten minutes’ walk of the ferry dock.
Swim at Shell Beach
Anse de Grands Galets, a five-minute walk from the centre of Gustavia, is a small cove whose shore is made of millions of tiny shells rather than sand. The water is calm and there is a beach restaurant: the obvious swim for a day-tripper without transport.
See the planes at St-Jean
The island’s airstrip ends on the beach at St-Jean, and aircraft must clear a hilltop roundabout and dive steeply to land — one of the world’s more hair-raising approaches, best watched from the Col de la Tourmente above the runway. The beach itself is the island’s social centre, with beach clubs and shops. It is a short taxi ride or a hilly 25-minute walk from Gustavia.
Rent a car for the outer beaches
With a small rental car or scooter for the day you can reach Gouverneur and Saline, two glorious undeveloped beaches on the south coast, and the lagoon of Grand Cul-de-Sac. Roads are steep and narrow; reserve the vehicle ahead in high season.
Have lunch
St Barths has a formidable restaurant scene. A set lunch at a harbourside bistro is the affordable way in; beach-club lunches at St-Jean are an event and are priced like one.
How to get to St Barths (Saint-Barthélemy)
- Ferry from Philipsburg: a fast ferry runs from Bobby’s Marina, at the eastern end of Philipsburg, to Gustavia in about 45 minutes, usually several times a day.
- Ferry from Marigot: another operator sails from the Marigot waterfront; the crossing takes about an hour. Some sailings have operated from Oyster Pond in the past — check the current departure point when you book.
- By air: small aircraft fly from Princess Juliana (SXM) and from Grand Case to St Barths in about 15 minutes — more expensive, much smoother, and with that landing.
- By private boat: the only St Barths product we found on GetYourGuide is a private day charter for a group; scheduled ferry tickets are sold by the ferry companies themselves.
Insider tips
- The crossing is open Atlantic and often rough, particularly on the way out against the wind. If you get seasick, take medication beforehand, sit at the back and look at the horizon — or fly one way.
- Take your passport. You are travelling between different jurisdictions and documents are checked.
- Book ferries a few days ahead in high season and check in early; boats do sell out and occasionally cancel in bad weather.
- Almost everything in Gustavia closes for lunch from about noon to two or three, and on Sundays. Shop first, then eat and swim.
- The euro is the currency. Prices are high even by Saint-Martin standards — budget accordingly.
Best tours for St Barths (Saint-Barthélemy)
These well-reviewed experiences are the easiest way to see St Barths (Saint-Barthélemy):
Private charter from US$2000 per group Private Charter to St. Barth
A private boat for the day to St Barths, priced per group of up to eight, with an open bar on board. The only St Barths trip from Sint Maarten we found on GetYourGuide; no reviews yet.
- Your own boat for up to eight
- Open bar and snacks on board
- A full day to St Barths
