What is your definition of "best" when referring to how on gets to St. Barths from SXM? There are basically two ways - 1) fly, which is the quickest but more costly, and 2) ferry takes longer, is less expensive and can be a bit rough. You can find complete information on the different travel options between SXM and SBH at: www.sbh.com

As for shopping you'll find most of it concentrated in Gustavia. No matter where you are on St. Barths you'll never be more than a few minutes from several great restaurants. Your budget and type of cusine will be the limiting factors. You can find a list of restaurants with reviews at the website mentioned above.

As for a day trip to Anguilla that's pretty easy. The ferry to Anguilla leaves from Marigot every 30 minutes starting around 7:00AM. The last return ferry leaves Anguilla around 6:00PM. The trip takes about 20 minutes.

They say if you like St Maarten you'll hate St Barts

You could take the Voyager ferry from Marigot, the ride isn't pleasant but it's practical.

Would suggest the Do Brazil for lunch, on Shell beach behind Gustavia, five minute walk from the shops.

I sure would suggest you do your day trip to Anguilla. It is most beautiful. There are over 30 beaches to choose from. Our favorite is Rendezvous Bay. For lunch i recommend Zurra. It's got an incredible view.
It's an easy ferry ride over. Just hop a taxi once you get there.

Not much shopping to be had on Anguilla.

Shopping in St. Barths is FANTASTIC!!! It is a full day!! And FUN!! I would highly recommend flying there! The ferry is a nightmare, and if you tend to get motion sickness I would NOT take the ferry! It would be terrible if you got there and were sick. The plane ride is quick and a great way to get to the island. I dont like flying at all, and the flight was great. I think it was around 15 min. to get there. If you want a treat, go have Lunch at the Isle De France. It is lovely but a litle pricey. THe view is beautiful! If you like sushi there is a great restaurant in Gustavia! I dont remember the name but it is open air and specializes in sushi. Everyone knows about it and you could ask for the name. Have fun!!

You should go shopping and go to the beach. Take a look on my website and you will go to St. Barths.
www.iledestbarth.com

Ingo

Shopping on SBH will be somewhat limited in October. We have found that many of the "high end" stores are closed, not to reopen until late November or so. There are also restaurants that will be closed during that time...renovations, vacations for owners, etc. We love that time however, and always find plenty to do. As for getting there - your budget will rule here. I would also recommend a trip to Anguilla - we may finally do that this year. Have not made it to that island yet. Enjoy

St Barths shopping is a wonderful experience. I am not going to talk about the global brand stores like Tods, Cartier, Hermes, Armani, Polo, Chopard, MaxMara, Dior etc because you can get that stuff at home. Yes, some prices are slightly less, though not by much unless you’re there during sale season at the end of May when bargains can be had everywhere.

Instead I will focus on my favorite small shops and boutiques. Not knowing your age, what your tastes are or what you look like I can only mention the places I like. But there are so many lovely shops; just browsing will lead you to lots of great and unique finds.

Shops are open from 10:00 a.m. (a few at 9:00 such as the Laurent Effel stores) until 1:00. Gustavia shops close from 1:00 – 4:00. If you're there late October, all stores will be open in the mornings, not all in the afternoons.

Laurent Effel Shops, Gustavia
Anna and Erick have been on the island for 11 or 12 years. They own a very large leather factory in Milan that supplies goods all over the world under different labels. They have four stores, each one a jewel box of delights.

Their main store carries a huge selection of incredible handbags and leather goods, and accessories, all designed by Erick in candy colours, metallics and basics. Fantastic quality, I have over 50 of their pieces. This store also carries casual, inexpensive ladies shoes.

They also own a store on the same street, which carries only Beverly Feldman shoes, many of the styles are made only for them.

They own one of the most exquisite stores I have ever laid eyes on - “the skin store” which carries the most fantastic selection of alligator, crocodile, ostrich, snake luxuries you’ll ever see. Eduard is the extremely knowledgeable manager. You will never see a selection finer than this anywhere in the world.

Finally, their last store caters only to men. Their manager Valery is wonderful and will proudly display a wide array of shoes and linen clothing. My husband owns at least 50 linen shirts in every pattern and colour. They’re his St Barths uniform with jeans or linen shorts or pants. Great prices at this store.

Womenswear
There are little boutiques all over the island for clothing. Here are some of my favorites with prices similar to at home but merchandise you’ll never see at home:

KoKon, Gustavia
Dagmar carries a huge line of Belgian designers. Gorgeous. Lots of linen items. Beautiful selection of underpinnings.

Kristina Popovich, Gustavia
Great clothes by a local designer. Oh how I wish I was taller. Very personalized service.

MiaZia, Gustavia
Fun, colourful, good quality cotton items at good prices.

Ilena, St Jean
I buy all of my lingerie from her. Gorgeous French and Spanish (Sarda) brands.

Black Swan, St Jean and Gustavia but St Jean is a better store – Men, Women and Kids
The place to go for souvenir t-shirts, a fabulous selection of bathing suits, cover ups, flip-flops.

Lilli Belle, St Jean
Lovely European lines, great service, lots of skirts and dresses.

Pain de Sucre, St Jean
Higher end, more interesting bathing suits and cover ups.

Terra, St Jean
Owned by an American and she prices and charges in US dollars. Good selection of island-wear, cotton and linen. Great accessories.

Sabina Zest, St Jean and Gustavia
Local designer. Linen only. Tons of styles and colours. Well priced.

Calypso, Gustavia
Not a store for me (mostly sizes 0, 2, 4) and too junior. But also carry some name brands of shoes and bags. Worth a look for the odd find.

Manuel Canovas, Gustavia
Ok, so this is a brand name but not readily available in US or Canada. Amazingly beautiful selection of tropical ladies bathing suits, cover ups and resortwear.

Menswear
In addition to Laurent Effel’s men’s store:

Blue Coast, St Jean
Linen too but different fit than Laurent Effel’s and higher prices.

Jules, St Jean
Love this store. My husband buys a dozen Kenzo shirts here every year. Cecile the manager is lovely.

Café Coton, Gustavia
Excellent quality men’s dress shirts. Good prices. Huge selection.


Jewelry

Carat, Gustavia
We have purchased all of our many watches on the island as well as lots of my jewelry. Almost all from Carat. Ask for Marie, the manager. Prices are negotiable (usually 10-15% off marked). You won’t get ripped off. Quality is very good and mostly brand name. They also own the store Time a few doors down.

Diamond Genesis, Gustavia
Lovely things here though I don’t like the staff. We have bought my St Barths diamond pendant from them and a few other things over the years. No negotiating here. Prices are high.

Fabienne Miot, Gustavia
Local designer. Not my taste, but lots of people love her pearl creations. Fair prices. Good service.

Donna del Sol, Gustavia
Wowza…gorgeous items…shocking prices. Worth a look.

Les Artisans, Gustavia
This is a combination art gallery, jewelry store owned by a very nice American couple. Beautiful and very unusual eclectic merchandise. Good prices. Trustworthy.


Perfume

Goldfinger, Gustavia
It’s a jewelry store (not great) but go upstairs for a huge selection of perfume at fantastic prices.

Ligne St Barth, sold everywhere including a counter in Manuel Canovas
These skin care products are manufactured on this island and contain all the active ingredients of the plants, fruits and flowers of the Caribbean from which they are extracted. Great products. Great gifts.


Gifts

Genevieve Lethu, Gustavia, 2 stores
French porcelain, china, giftware and linens. Lovely.

M’Bolo, Gustavia
Many get hooked on the delicious vanilla rum and want to take some home…here’s the place to buy it. Plus they have some cute gifts here too.

Have fun. Fly there for sure.