coppertone80

My husband and I are vacationing in St. Maarten in a few weeks. We would like to take a day trip to both Anguilla and St. Barths. I have not heard anything bad about the ferry ride to Anguilla, but I have heard some not so great things about the ride to St. Barths. Could anyone give insight on the ferry rides (to both Anguilla and st. Barths) and which ferry you preferred? Thank you.

MaryD

The Anguilla ferry runs every 45 minutes in daylight hours, no reservations -- you just go to the port and sign a register for the next one. It's a 25 minute ride -- some of the ferries are newer and have an outside area on top. The older ferries are closed in. It's a quick ride that can have a few rolls but usually not too bad.

I haven't taken the "St. Barfs" ferry in several years but it was, hands down, the worst ride I've ever had (& I grew up around boats in South Florida). It's god-awful even on clear days (nasty currents). There may be a high speed one that runs from the Dutch side -- you should check it out or fly.

A_Traveller

Mary D's comments about the St. Martin/St. Barth's ferry are accurate. You cross some open water and the ride can be rough. It's not called the "vomit comet" for nothing. If you are prone to seasickness or not an experienced open water sailor consider flying to/from SBH rather than take the ferry. I believe the high speed ferry from the Dutch side of SXM is no longer operating.

The ferry between SXM and AXA is, on the other hand, a piece of cake. - ride is about 25 minutes and ferry leaves about every 30 minutes.

donke71

If you are considering goin to St Barths why don't you fly? The flight is 7-10 mins and usually very affordable. I've never heard anyhting good about the ferry ride from St. Martin to St. Barhts

steviegene

Question, can you take your car on either ferry?

MaryD

NO.

coppertone80

How much is a roundtrip ticket from St. Martin to St. Barths?

caribtraveler

We just booked our flights for a day trip to St. Barthelemy. We're using http://www.stbarthcommuter.com/ leaving out of the airport on the French side. It was 100 Euros per adult.

brenandg

caribtraveler,
Is this the "hot date trip" or is Patrick coming along? Are you staying on St Martin? To OP, sorry for briefly getting off track from your post.

I've seen videos of that flight in and even though I don't much care for flying, that landing looks pretty exciting!

H_X

When I took the ferry from St. Barth to St. Martin, the ride was fairly smooth. I walked around the boat and enjoyed the views.

The next day I took the ferry from Saba to St. Maarten (I flew from St. Maarten to Saba). That was the roughest ride of my life! I don't know if it was the speed of the boat or the waves or a combination of both. Some passengers were throwing up and it was impossible to stand and walk about. The crew didn't seem to be fazed. One told me that he had seen much worse, as if it could get any worse.

caribtraveler

Hi Brenandg: It's a family trip so all 3 of us are going. We're going for Easter break and will be staying on St. Martin. It will definitely be a different experience since last year we went to less built-up islands.

Our "hot date" trip this year will be in June. We're all set to go to Staniel Cay in the Bahamas.

ejcrowe

bren and caribtraveler, I'm so glad that y'all posted. I've been wondering where your next trip would take you, ct. are you staying on the dutch or french side? are you daytripping or overnighting on st. barth?

brenandg

I'll be eagerly waiting for your TR and pictures. Can't wait to see the changes in your little guy. Try not to laugh too hard when the waves kick his butt.

caribtraveler

ejcrowe & brenandg: Well, I'm not particulary thrilled about the island choice for this trip (too built-up, too busy). Why the heck are you going then, you ask?!

It was a combination of things. Besides wanting to go to a new island, we were tied to Continental destinations (we had vouchers from our cancelled October trip to the Exumas). I wanted a non-stop and, Continental had really good prices to SXM at the time of the booking.

My husband, who told me to book whatever I wanted, was not happy when I told him I booked the trip. St. Maarten/St. Martin had never been on top of our list. Oh well. I think he got over it though since now he just wants to get away from work.

We are staying on the French side at L'Esplanade (the Dutch side has truly zero appeal to us). We are, however, truly looking forward to eating at all those great restaurants in Grand Case. St. Barthelemy is just for the day. I've always wanted to go there but my husband has not. The compromise was a day trip instead of a stay. He has this vision of an island filled with 'poseurs'. I think he's seen too many pics of P. Diddy and Jay-Z there. .

I will of course post a trip report with pics when we're back!

coppertone80: So sorry for the thread hijack.

VIOL

Here is information for the Voyager, which I think is a newer ship and may be a little more enjoyable than prior ferries - http://www.caribbean-on-line.com/st-...s_for_the.html

kaugan

We took the ferry in February 07 from St Martin (or the Dutch side I think) to St Barths. It was a terrible ride, people being sick all around us. I was pregnant but made it without needing a plastic bag

On the way back it was just the opposite: great weather, no waves or bumpy ride at all. We were able so sit outside the whole ride and we even saw a turtle.

I think it's all about luck I guess...

A_Traveller

kaugan - It's always rougher on the "upwind" leg and smoother when you go "downwind".

Marbie

Are there 2 or 3 different ferries which you can take to St. Barths?. I'm finding a Rapid Explorer site: http://www.st-barths.com/rapid-explorer/
And also the voyager: www.voyager-st-barths.com). Now the voyager has the regular voyager ferry and the voyager II, which is a catarman. Am I reading this correctly? Wondering which of these gives the smoothest ride??

elisemf

As of today, the Rapid Explorer, now operated by "OM EXPRESS" announced that high season ferry service between St Maarten and St Barths will resume, tentatively on Feb 11th.
They have relocated the terminal to Captain Oliviers Marina and the phone number is 599/580 35 07 or check their website at www.rapidexplorer.com.
Round trip fare is $125.00
($88 one way)

Schedule will be
SXM--SBH
8:30- Mon, Tues, Wed, Thu, Fri DAt
9:30 Sun
17:30 M. T. W. Th. F. SS

celticmoon

My husband and I just returned from St. Martin staying at L'Esplanade in Grand Case on the French side.
We took a catamaran excursion to St. Barths for the day. Upon arriving in SB we wandered around the main area for 1 hour or so meeting up for the taxi-van tour around the island, stopping for photo-ops.
This was all organized by Scoobi-Doo and departed from (the French side) close to Sunset Cafe, in Grand Case (great for breakfasts). Our hotel did tell us the trip took 60 minutes one way, but it turned out to be 2 1/2 hours going and approximately 2 hours return. Yes, the trip was bumpy, but it was great fun. Scoobi-doo provides a nice lunch for the trip.
Regardless of your mode of transportation for the daytrips to Barths, Anguilla etc. remember to take your passport.