judy84

Trying to decide between Anguilla and St. Barts. We have flights to st. martin and i know getting to st. barts is a little more difficult but is it worth it? We've been to Anguilla once and loved it but we want to try something new - just a little scared of the flight or ferry. Also, we are looking to rent a villa and it seems st. barts has much better deals which surprised me. Any advice on either island and the best and cheapest way to get to st. barts?

RoamsAround

In this case best and cheapest don't go together.

The cheapest way to get from SXM to SBH is to swim! Seriously the cheapest way is by ferry but you run the risk of having an uncomfortable voyage as you'll be crossing "open wateer" and the ride could be rough. There's a reason they call the ferry the "vomit comet".

The best way (meaning quickest and most comfortable) is to fly. The flight from SXM is short (less than 15 minutes) and I enjoy flying in small planes as well as the landing on SBH.

I, for one, think SBH is worth the extra effort it takes to get there. While I think Anguilla has beautiful beaches and a good selection of restaurant I prefer the sophistication of SBH and the fact that it has some of the best French food in the Caribbean.

There are lots of villas for rent on SBH - more so than on Anguilla.

cm318

St. Barts is very classy (in a casual way) - very French - absolutely beautiful. Anguilla has beautiful beaches but (IMO) St. Barts is a much more attractive island. Take the short flight from St. Martin - it is fun. You'll love St. Barts.

welch

I have to agree with the others about St. Barths (no matter how you spell it!). We've done both islands in the same trip and for us, St. Barths is the island we return to- beautiful beaches, great food and a wonderful selection of villas.
The flight isn't so bad. It's short enough that even I don't mind it, and I'm not much of a flier!

blamona

Tastes are relative. I'm all about the beach, and I tend to like the small flat dry islands. I've been to both, (Anguilla numerous times) and keep being drawn to Anguilla.

Both have excellent restaurants.

Anguilla is flat, St. Barth is really hilly.

St. Barth has shopping, Anguilla really doesn't.

St. Barth really seems French, Anguilla seems more "local".

St. Barth has topless, Anguilla a little more conservative.

Both are fairly upscale.

Anguilla has much prettier water!

BUT, since you've been to Anguilla, you could always try something new....;-)