First time st barths fly or ferry?

[IVAN.TREVINO@LYONDELLBASE]

first timer here! plan on going mid 2027, whats best budget friendly commute from St. Maarten to ST Barths? plane or ferry? the ferry ive read and checked is cheaper but whats the catch? hope to hear from someone thank you!

 

[Beachcomber]

The ferry is less expensive but the commuter flight over is part of the experience. What you could do is take the plane over initially and then ferry back to SXM on the way back.

 

[steelpe]

What's the catch? I have never been on the ferry, but you would have to get there (via taxi.... added cost) and then take the 1 hour trip to St Barts over what people say can be very rough waters.

The plane ride is only about 15 min and you don't need to take a taxi to the ferry terminal. Personally, I don't think I would ever take the ferry unless I had to. I would look into flights on St Barts Commuter and then WinAir and only use the ferry as a last resort. It might be a little more expensive to take the plane, but I think it's money well spent.

 

[KevinS]

When looking at flights, Winair has more flights, and St Barth Commuter (SBC) has fewer but less expensive flights. When looking at SBC flights you want to look at flights out of SXM, the airport that you’re flying into, not SFG, the small French-side airport which is a taxi ride (in traffic) away.

 

[NancySC]

Never took the ferry, most trips on Winair till changed to Tradewind from SJU to SBH r/t. Isn't St Barth Commuter 1 pilot while the other 2 I know have 2 pilots. Maybe knowing this will be helpful in decision making?

 

[acatlin]

We took the ferry on our first time to SB. It was just after the crash that killed 19 on approach to SBH and that had a lot to do with our decision.
The ferry was at sunset from Marigot. Had to taxi 30-40 minutes to the dock. The ferry took well over an hour in very rough seas, in darkness. People turned green and some were puking. Got into Gustavia and within 10 minutes everyone was picked up and gone. No taxies, no transportation to the hotel. (this was before international cell phone coverage) I had incorrectly assumed a taxi would be available. I believe taxi service has since improved. We took a Winair flight back to SXM and have never used the ferry in 10 trips back. We use St Barts Commuter.

 

[Bruza93]

Ferry is a coin toss if the crossing is calm or rough. It is nicknamed "the ----- comet" for a reason. We prefer SBC but Winair is a good option. Been chartering SBC the last few years. They REALLY helped getting wedding items back to SXM in April.

 

[cec1]

We took the ferry on our first time to SB. It was just after the crash that killed 19 on approach to SBH and that had a lot to do with our decision.
The ferry was at sunset from Marigot. Had to taxi 30-40 minutes to the dock. The ferry took well over an hour in very rough seas, in darkness. People turned green and some were puking. Got into Gustavia and within 10 minutes everyone was picked up and gone. No taxies, no transportation to the hotel. (this was before international cell phone coverage) I had incorrectly assumed a taxi would be available. I believe taxi service has since improved. We took a Winair flight back to SXM and have never used the ferry in 10 trips back. We use St Barts Commuter.

There shouldn't be any problem in getting a taxi upon SBH arrival at the ferry in "mid 2027." Ivan, meanwhile, doesn't mention where he will be staying . . . in this regard, Villa rental agencies and Hotels generally are able to arrange taxi meetings at the ferry. Most (probably all) car rental companies also will meet incoming ferries for clients with reservations.

 

[le_reve]

If it were me, I would definitely recommend the flight for a multitude of reasons. But, I have friends that love the ferry, so I guess it's what you make of it!

 

[amyb]

If it were me, I would definitely recommend the flight for a multitude of reasons. But, I have friends that love the ferry, so I guess it's what you make of it!

To each his own. I valued every moment on treasured SBH land, so arriving by plane rather than ferry was the easy choice.