Ferry day trip to St Barths

The scheduled boat from Philipsburg is Great Bay Express, from Bobby's Marina, and it is about 45 minutes to Gustavia. It sails in the early morning and again late in the afternoon, which is what makes a day trip work. On the French side, the Voyager boats leave Marigot or Oyster Pond and take about an hour, and another fast boat runs from Simpson Bay. The crossing is open sea and can be rough.

Everyone needs a passport, and you must check in at the ferry office at least 45 minutes before sailing. St Barths is French but outside the Schengen area, so a Schengen visa does not cover it, and some nationalities need a separate French visa. Tickets are non-refundable but a missed sailing stays valid as credit for a year.

Gustavia is a small harbour town of shops, restaurants and superyachts, with old stone buildings and three forts; Shell Beach is close to the port. There is no public transport, so for Saint-Jean or Saline take a taxi from the port or rent a small car or scooter, and remember the island uses euros.