How to Get from St Maarten to St Barts: Every Option Compared (Ferry, Plane, Helicopter, Private Boat)

The four ways to get from St Maarten to St Barts

There is no bridge, no tunnel, and no scheduled cruise route between the two islands. The 24-mile (38 km) channel between Sint Maarten and Saint-Barthélemy has to be crossed by sea or by air, and that's it. Once you understand that, the choice narrows to four categories:

• Public ferry, fixed schedules, lowest price, longest door-to-door time.
• Commuter flight, fast and iconic, but luggage-restricted.
• Helicopter, fastest and most flexible, premium price.
• Private boat charter, door-to-door, customizable, ideal for groups and luxury travelers.

Each option has a sweet spot. A solo backpacker on a budget will not pick the same transfer as a family of six with eight suitcases arriving on a delayed transatlantic flight. The next sections break down each one with real numbers. For a broader destination overview you can also cross-check st-barths.com, which keeps general arrival info up to date.

Option 1: Public ferry (Voyager / Great Bay Express / The Edge)

The public ferry is the cheapest way of getting from St Maarten to St Barts. Three operators run the route from two different ports on the Dutch and French sides:

• Great Bay Express, departs Bobby's Marina, Philipsburg (Dutch side). Crossing time ~45 minutes. See schedules on greatbayexpress.com.
• Voyager, departs Marigot (French side). Crossing time ~75 minutes.
• The Edge, departs Pelican Marina, Simpson Bay (Dutch side). Less frequent.

Price and schedule

Round-trip fares range from €85 to €110 per adult, plus port taxes (~€15 to €20). There are typically 2 to 4 departures per day, with the last sailing usually around 5:00 to 6:00 PM. Miss it and you're sleeping in St Maarten.

Pros

• Lowest cost
• Predictable schedule
• No luggage weight limits

Cons

• Transfer time from SXM airport to either port is 25 to 45 minutes by taxi (€25 to €50)
• Schedules don't sync with international arrivals, long layovers are common
• The crossing can be rough; the channel between the islands is exposed
• Boats are functional, not comfortable, no shaded outdoor deck, basic seating
• Last ferry leaves mid-afternoon, so a late SXM arrival means an overnight in St Maarten

Who it suits

Independent travelers on a budget, day-trippers from St Maarten, anyone who arrives at SXM before noon and doesn't mind the queue. If your inbound flight lands after 3:00 PM, the ferry is realistically off the table.

Option 2: Commuter flights (Winair, St Barth Commuter)

The flight from SXM to SBH (Gustavia airport, also called Rémy de Haenen) takes 12 minutes in the air. The approach into St Barts is famous, a steep dive over the hill at Col de la Tourmente before a short-runway landing on the beach side. It's worth doing once just for the view.

Operators and price

• Winair, multiple daily flights, IATA-coded, bookable like any normal airline. Details at winair.sx.
• St Barth Commuter, privately held, often more flexible on charter slots. See fly-stbarth.com.
• Tradewind Aviation, semi-private service with a separate FBO experience.

One-way scheduled fares run €140 to €220 per person. Last flights generally land before sunset (St Barts has no night landings, the airport closes at dusk).

Pros

• 12-minute flight time
• Iconic experience, the SBH approach is one of the most dramatic in the world
• Frequent rotations during the day

Cons

• Strict luggage limits: typically 10 to 15 kg (22 to 33 lb) per passenger, hard cases often refused. Excess bags get sent on a later flight or by ferry.
• Weight-and-balance can shuffle passengers between flights
• Weather-sensitive, wind shear cancellations happen
• No flights after dark, so late SXM arrivals miss the connection
• Still requires a taxi from SBH airport to your villa or hotel

Who it suits

Couples and solo travelers with light luggage, anyone who wants the postcard landing, and travelers connecting to a midday SXM arrival.

Option 3: Helicopter transfer

A helicopter from SXM to SBH takes about 10 minutes gate-to-gate, and the helipad at Gustavia is right next to the airport. Several operators run on-demand and shared rotations, with options to depart from the FBO at Princess Juliana, which means you can step off your private jet and onto the helicopter in under 15 minutes.

Price

• Shared seat: €180 to €260 per person one-way
• Private charter (3 to 4 pax): €1,200 to €1,800 one-way
• Luggage transfer separately by sea: €50 to €100

For private aviation arrivals, including jet handling, helicopter coordination, and ground services on both sides, concierges like gosbh.com handle the door-to-door logistics so the timing actually works.

Pros

• Fastest option after wheels-down at SXM
• No sea sickness, no port transfer
• Operates later than fixed-wing into SBH on certain days
• Spectacular aerial view of both islands

Cons

• Most expensive per-seat option for solo travelers
• Same luggage constraint as commuter flights (often stricter)
• Weather cancellations possible
• Limited daylight operating hours

Who it suits

Time-poor executives, private jet arrivals, and travelers who simply want zero hassle and have the budget to match.

Option 4: Private boat charter

A private boat transfer is the option most repeat St Barts visitors quietly settle on after trying the others. You're picked up at a marina on St Maarten, usually Simpson Bay, Oyster Pond, or directly at the SXM seaplane dock, and you arrive at the public dock in Gustavia harbor. Crossing time is 45 to 75 minutes depending on boat type and sea state.

Boat types and price

• Shared boat transfer: €150 to €220 per person each way (small group, fixed schedule)
• Private speedboat (up to 8 pax): €1,800 to €2,800 one-way
• Private luxury motor yacht (up to 12 pax): €3,500 to €6,000 one-way
• Day charter combining transfer + beach stops: from €2,500

Pros

• No real luggage limit, bring all the suitcases, the surfboard, the case of wine
• Door-to-door from the SXM airport area; we coordinate the taxi from the terminal to the marina
• Operates after dark, so late international arrivals work
• Air-conditioned cabin, shaded deck, swim platform, drinks onboard
• Can stop at Tintamarre or Île Fourchue on the way for a swim
• Seats up to 12, often cheaper per person than helicopter for groups of 4+
• No commuter-flight cancellations from crosswind at SBH airport

Cons

• More expensive than the public ferry
• Sea state on rough days still affects comfort (though luxury yachts handle it well)
• Slightly slower than flying

Who it suits

Families, friend groups, honeymooners, anyone with serious luggage, late arrivals, and travelers who want the trip to start the moment they board the boat instead of after they reach the villa. Pair it with a pre-arranged ground transfer through driverstbarth.com and your bags go from the dock in Gustavia straight to your villa with zero queueing.

Cost comparison: all options side-by-side

Prices are rough ranges and exclude port taxes, fuel surcharges, and ground transfers. Always confirm at booking.

Which option is best for your travel style?

There isn't one universal answer to "what's the best way to get from St Maarten to St Barts", there's a best answer for your trip.

Solo or a couple with carry-on only

The commuter flight is hard to beat. Twelve minutes, postcard view, predictable price. Book Winair if you want airline-style reliability, St Barth Commuter if you want a more boutique feel.

A family of 4 or a group of friends

A private boat transfer almost always wins on math and on experience. A €2,400 private speedboat split six ways is €400 each, comparable to the helicopter, but you get all your luggage, no flight cancellations, and a 45-minute crossing with drinks on the deck.

Arriving on a late international flight

After about 4:00 PM, your only realistic options are a private boat or staying overnight in St Maarten. Helicopters and commuter flights into SBH stop at sunset; the ferry stops earlier. A private boat keeps running.

On a backpacker budget

Public ferry, no question. Just lock in your SXM arrival before 1:00 PM so you don't miss the boat.

Stepping off a private jet at SXM FBO

Helicopter. Five-minute transfer between the FBO and the helipad, ten minutes in the air, and you're at Gustavia.

If luggage is the deciding factor

Private boat or public ferry. Anything airborne will weigh, measure, and possibly refuse your hard cases.

To match the transfer to the right villa or hotel, it's worth lining up your accommodation first. Resources like yourstbarth.com cover the main areas (Gustavia, Saint-Jean, Lurin, Pointe Milou) so you can pick a base that fits your arrival time and onward logistics.

How far is St Maarten from St Barts?

The straight-line distance between St Maarten and St Barts is 24 miles / 38 kilometers. Measured port-to-port, the most-traveled route, Philipsburg's Bobby's Marina to Gustavia harbor, is closer to 27 nautical miles.

By air, it's a 12-minute flight at low altitude. By boat, a fast 35-knot speedboat covers it in about 45 minutes; a more comfortable 25-knot motor yacht takes about an hour. The channel itself can be lively, Atlantic swell wraps around the eastern tip of St Barts and meets Caribbean current, so morning crossings are usually smoother than afternoon ones.

For trip planning: think of St Barts as a 60-to-90-minute door-to-door commitment from SXM no matter which option you pick once you factor in airport-to-port transfers and check-in times. Only the helicopter beats that.

Tips for a smooth arrival in St Barts

A few specifics that make the difference between a slick arrival and a stressful one:

• Build a buffer. International flights into SXM are routinely delayed 30 to 60 minutes. Don't book the last ferry or last flight of the day with a 90-minute connection, give yourself two hours minimum.
• Pre-book your onward ground transfer in Gustavia or at SBH airport. Taxis at peak times (Saturday afternoons, holiday weekends) can run out. A pre-booked driver waits with your name and takes the bags directly.
• Customs on arrival in St Barts is fast, it's an EU territory but a special status, so border formalities are minimal for most nationalities. Bring your passport.
• Cash and cards. Euro is the official currency; USD is widely accepted at a roughly 1:1 informal rate (which works against you). Use cards or get euros.
• Phone and data. French SIMs and EU roaming work. US carriers usually charge international rates, check before you arrive.
• If you're bringing wine, watches, or anything fragile, the boat is the only mode that won't shake or weight-restrict it.
• Sun, water, light layer. Even on a 45-minute boat ride, the Caribbean sun on open water is no joke.

If you're asking yourself "how do I get from St Martin to St Barts" rather than "St Maarten", same island, French side spelling. The boat options from Marigot (French side) are slightly closer to most villa rentals; the airport-side options are closer to SXM if you're flying in.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to get from St Maarten to St Barts?

For most travelers with luggage or a group, a private boat charter is the best way to get from St Maarten to St Barts. It's door-to-door, runs after dark, has no weight limits, and works out comparable to flying once you're 4+ people. Solo travelers with light bags often prefer the 12-minute commuter flight.

How long does it take to get from St Maarten to St Barts?

Crossing times: helicopter 10 minutes, plane 12 minutes, fast private boat 45 minutes, public ferry 45 to 75 minutes. Door-to-door, including airport transfers and check-in, expect 1 to 3 hours depending on the option.

Can you take a ferry from St Maarten to St Barts?

Yes. Three operators (Great Bay Express, Voyager, The Edge) run scheduled ferries between St Maarten/St Martin and Gustavia. Round-trip tickets are roughly €85 to €110 plus port taxes. The last ferry typically leaves mid-to-late afternoon. We have a complete ferry guide with schedules and operator-by-operator detail.

Is there a direct flight from St Maarten to St Barts?

Yes. Winair, St Barth Commuter, and Tradewind Aviation all fly the SXM to SBH route in 12 minutes. Multiple daily rotations operate during daylight hours; St Barts airport doesn't accept flights after sunset.

How much does a helicopter from St Maarten to St Barts cost?

Shared-seat helicopter transfers run €180 to €260 per person one-way. A private helicopter charter for 3 to 4 passengers is roughly €1,200 to €1,800 one-way. Luggage often has to be sent separately by boat.

What happens if I arrive at SXM late and miss the last flight or ferry?

Your options are a private boat transfer (most operators run into the evening) or an overnight in St Maarten followed by an early morning crossing. Booking a boat transfer in advance is the cleanest way to handle a late international arrival.

Ready to plan your crossing?

The honest summary: light bags and a daytime arrival, take the plane. Tight schedule and big budget, take the helicopter. Backpacker budget and an early arrival, take the ferry. Group, family, late flight, real luggage, or just a desire to start the holiday the second you board, book a private boat. If that last description sounds like your trip, get in touch for a tailored SXM-to-SBH transfer quote and we'll match the boat, schedule, and ground logistics to your arrival.