St. Martin day trip to either St. Barts or Anguilla
May 13th, 2011, 07:16 PM
#1
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St. Martin day trip to either St. Barts or Anguilla
Visiting St. Martin in January, would like to take a day trip to either island. Preferences/highlights of either island? Searched air fare - flights are quick and reasonable, but the taxes put the air fare out of our range for a day trip. Taxes and fees are more than the price of the air fare! How long does it take via ferry/boat one way? Recommendations for sailing company, or who to avoid, would be appreciated. Would prefer to leave from Simpson Bay. Looking for tour of island, beach visit and lunch. Would we need to rent a car or are taxis available? I've seen a couple of statements that the water can be rough getting to either, please advise. Thank you in advance.
May 14th, 2011, 03:49 AM
#2
Water rougher and longer on the ferry to St. Barth, only 20 minutes to Anguilla.
Both require transportation, best by rental car (or St. Barth you can rent a mini moke)
Anguilla is completely different from St. Martin, flat and dry, with gorgeous turquoise water.
St. Barth is dramatically hilly, beaches okay, but great people watching/celebrity sightings.
Can't leave from Simpson Bay to either-have to go to Marigot.
Anguilla I would stop and check out Cap Jaluca with its stunning beach, but hang out at Shoal Bay (Gwen's for lunch) Shoal Bay is stunning! Check out Viceroy for the new gorgeous resort. Anguilla is much larger to get around. Check out Bankie Banx place for a drink too.
St. Barth you can shop and eat at Gustavia, and watch airplanes land at the hill at St. Jeans Beach-very dramatic!
St. Barth is more similar to St. Martin (definitely more upscale though), Anguilla has much better beaches.
Both require transportation, best by rental car (or St. Barth you can rent a mini moke)
Anguilla is completely different from St. Martin, flat and dry, with gorgeous turquoise water.
St. Barth is dramatically hilly, beaches okay, but great people watching/celebrity sightings.
Can't leave from Simpson Bay to either-have to go to Marigot.
Anguilla I would stop and check out Cap Jaluca with its stunning beach, but hang out at Shoal Bay (Gwen's for lunch) Shoal Bay is stunning! Check out Viceroy for the new gorgeous resort. Anguilla is much larger to get around. Check out Bankie Banx place for a drink too.
St. Barth you can shop and eat at Gustavia, and watch airplanes land at the hill at St. Jeans Beach-very dramatic!
St. Barth is more similar to St. Martin (definitely more upscale though), Anguilla has much better beaches.
May 27th, 2011, 08:23 AM
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Blamona, you clearly haven't been to St Barts for a while, Mini Mokes came off the rental market over a decade ago.
I am biased towards St Barts, there is more to do, more shops to explore (nada on Anguilla), yachts to admire and people to see. A far far wider choice of bars and restaurants as well.
Anguilla is lovely, but very very (very) quiet.
I am biased towards St Barts, there is more to do, more shops to explore (nada on Anguilla), yachts to admire and people to see. A far far wider choice of bars and restaurants as well.
Anguilla is lovely, but very very (very) quiet.
May 27th, 2011, 11:18 AM
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Hi.
blamona is NOT up to date !
Please take a look at my post regarding ferry possibilities to St Barts and Anguilla on a thread below this one labelled 'Looking to going to St Martin and take a ferry'.
By the way, I fully agree with the comments of J_R_Hartley above !
blamona is NOT up to date !
Please take a look at my post regarding ferry possibilities to St Barts and Anguilla on a thread below this one labelled 'Looking to going to St Martin and take a ferry'.
By the way, I fully agree with the comments of J_R_Hartley above !
May 27th, 2011, 11:40 AM
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To add to that, you can take a 40 minute ferry to St Barts from Philipsburg. The Great Bay.
Last time I was on SXM the Voyager wasn't running out of Marigot at all (temorarily I believe), and had, and still has, regular departures from Oyster Pond, 40 minutes again.
The other point to consider is the immigration people on Anguilla can be very shirty
Last time I was on SXM the Voyager wasn't running out of Marigot at all (temorarily I believe), and had, and still has, regular departures from Oyster Pond, 40 minutes again.
The other point to consider is the immigration people on Anguilla can be very shirty
May 27th, 2011, 12:24 PM
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I think that the ferry to St Barts from Philipsburg to which J_R_Hartley refers is the one which leaves fro Bobbys Marina (opposite the Greenhouse bar / restaurant at the end of Front Street)), mentioned as #4 in my post on the alternative thread to which I referred above.
May 27th, 2011, 01:41 PM
#8
JR, sad about the mini mokes, that was my favorite part!
I may not be up to date, but everyone does have preferences, mine leans towards Anguilla, it's completely different from St. Martin. St. Martin is hilly, Anguilla is flat dry and scrubby. But Anguilla's water is the best of the 3 islands-totally turquoise and crystal clear, with long stretches.
St. Martin and St. Barth have turquoise water, but as water and beaches go, Anguilla's win by a long shot!
As everyone can see, we all have a passion, an opinion.
I liked St. Barth, I LOVED Anguilla. (actually have returned to Anguilla about 7 times. Been to St. Martin about 7 times. St. Barth I'll return so my hubby can see it, but no need for more.)
I may not be up to date, but everyone does have preferences, mine leans towards Anguilla, it's completely different from St. Martin. St. Martin is hilly, Anguilla is flat dry and scrubby. But Anguilla's water is the best of the 3 islands-totally turquoise and crystal clear, with long stretches.
St. Martin and St. Barth have turquoise water, but as water and beaches go, Anguilla's win by a long shot!
As everyone can see, we all have a passion, an opinion.
I liked St. Barth, I LOVED Anguilla. (actually have returned to Anguilla about 7 times. Been to St. Martin about 7 times. St. Barth I'll return so my hubby can see it, but no need for more.)
May 27th, 2011, 03:45 PM
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Go to both.....you can take the ferry to Anguilla from Marigot - cheap - takes 20 minutes - go to Shoal Bay EAST - Elodias or Gwens - and have a fantastic day on one of the prettiest beaches EVER!
Go to St. Barths for eye candy - the island is BEAUTIFUL- rent a car - I used to rent from Budget - which was in a perfume shop in Gustavia - go to St. Jean's Beach - Saline - Governors (sp - not sure how to spell it)....there is a grocery store by the airport - you can stock up with a baguette - some wine - cheese - and enjoy your day - Saline and Governors did not have facilities last time I was there.....St. Jeans does - but it is pricey - that's why I suggest you get the bread, wine, cheese - then end it at Le Select - which is a bar in Gustavia - a great place to watch the beautiful people!And they are beautiful!
Go to St. Barths for eye candy - the island is BEAUTIFUL- rent a car - I used to rent from Budget - which was in a perfume shop in Gustavia - go to St. Jean's Beach - Saline - Governors (sp - not sure how to spell it)....there is a grocery store by the airport - you can stock up with a baguette - some wine - cheese - and enjoy your day - Saline and Governors did not have facilities last time I was there.....St. Jeans does - but it is pricey - that's why I suggest you get the bread, wine, cheese - then end it at Le Select - which is a bar in Gustavia - a great place to watch the beautiful people!And they are beautiful!
May 27th, 2011, 07:36 PM
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Based on the comments, I believe we're going to spend one day at each! Thanks to all. This is what a vacation should be about - take a moment to stop and view the beauty of a paradise!
Jun 1st, 2011, 12:26 PM
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Hi there,
just for info, there is as well a sailing catamaran leaving to both islands. The advantage: It is fully included, drinks, tour on St. Bart, lunch, afternoon snack, and beach and snorkel time as well.
No tour on Anguilla though - nothing really to see and visit inside the island... as mentioned above, beautiful beaches, and that's it !
Have fun
just for info, there is as well a sailing catamaran leaving to both islands. The advantage: It is fully included, drinks, tour on St. Bart, lunch, afternoon snack, and beach and snorkel time as well.
No tour on Anguilla though - nothing really to see and visit inside the island... as mentioned above, beautiful beaches, and that's it !
Have fun
