How long is the ferry from St. Martin to St. Barts?

It depends on where you leave from. Voyager takes about 60 minutes from Marigot and about 30 minutes from Oyster Pond, which is the fastest crossing on the route. Great Bay Express runs the Shantiwa from Philipsburg in about 45 minutes. All three arrive in Gustavia.

How much is the ferry to St. Barts?

Reported one-way fares run roughly $75 to $99 depending on operator and season, and one operator page cites round trips from 69 euros. Voyager sells smart and business tiers, so the spread partly reflects which ticket you buy rather than only which day you sail.

Where does the St. Barts ferry leave from?

Three departure points. Voyager runs from Marigot Ferry Terminal on the French side and from Captain Oliver's Marina at Oyster Pond on the east coast. Great Bay Express runs from Philipsburg on the Dutch side, which saves a cross-island trip if you are staying nearby.

Do you need a passport for the St. Barts ferry?

Yes. Bring a passport even though both islands are French territory. Check-in opens an hour before departure and closes 15 to 20 minutes before, and Voyager allows up to 30kg of baggage per passenger, notably more than the small commuter airlines flying the same route.

Ferry to St. Barts from St. Maarten: Times and Prices

Two operators, two departure points

Voyager is the larger, more established operator (carrying over 1 million passengers since 1995), running a fleet of three vessels. Great Bay Express is the other main option, running the Shantiwa, a 65-foot mono-hull.

St. Martin-side departures come from two different points depending on operator and route:

Marigot Ferry Terminal (Voyager’s main departure point)
Captain Oliver’s Marina, Oyster Pond (Voyager’s second departure point, on the French side’s east coast, and a genuinely faster crossing, around 30 minutes versus 60 from Marigot)
Philipsburg (Great Bay Express’s departure point, Dutch side)

All routes arrive in Gustavia, St. Barts’ capital harbor.

Voyager

Fleet: Voyager 1, Voyager 2, and the newer Voyager 3 Dreamliner (up to 164 passengers, two outside decks), making up to 3 crossings a day
Crossing time: about 60 minutes from Marigot, about 30 minutes from Oyster Pond
Fare: reported one-way prices range from about $75 to $99 depending on source and season; one operator page cites round-trip fares “from €69”
Amenities: onboard Wi-Fi, bar service, air-conditioned cabin, smart and business class ticket tiers
Check-in: starts 1 hour before departure, closes 15-20 minutes before departure depending on source
Baggage: up to 30kg per passenger, notably more generous than St. Barts’ small commuter airlines, which cap around 17kg

Great Bay Express

Vessel: the Shantiwa, a 65-foot mono-hull
Departure: Philipsburg (Dutch side), several trips daily
Crossing time: about 45 minutes

Which departure point to choose

If you’re staying on the Dutch side near Philipsburg, Great Bay Express saves you a cross-island trip. If you’re on the French side, Oyster Pond (when Voyager is running that route) is the fastest crossing available on this route, worth checking specifically since it cuts the trip roughly in half versus Marigot.

Gustavia harbour at dusk, the town lights coming on along the waterfront and yachts silhouetted against a fading sky — Gustavia after dark. Worth knowing that the ferries do not run at this hour, so an evening here means staying the night.

What to expect on arrival

Ferries dock in Gustavia, St. Barts’ main harbor and capital, surrounded by luxury boutiques, restaurants, and megayachts. Car rental kiosks are available right at the port if you want to explore the island independently, a rental car is a common add-on since St. Barts rewards exploring beyond the harbor.

Passport required.

Back to the transportation hub for every other way around the island, or the plan your trip hub for the rest of the trip.

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