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About SXM Saint-Martin / Sint Maarten
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A ferry from St. Maarten arriving in Gustavia harbor, St. Barths

From St. Maarten

Nearby Islands

Anguilla, St. Barths, Saba, Statia, St. Kitts: five islands on the horizon, five ways to experience the Caribbean, all a ferry ride or a short flight from St. Maarten.

20 min
by ferry to Anguilla
15 min
flight to St. Barths
3
departure ports in St. Maarten
5
islands to discover

Island hopping made easy

From the hills of St. Maarten you can see them all: Anguilla to the north, flat and ringed with white sand, St. Barths to the east, Saba and Statia to the south, volcano silhouettes rising from the sea. Each has its own country, language and currency, and all are easy to reach.

Anguilla and St. Barths make easy day trips. Saba, Statia and St. Kitts need at least one night, but reward those who take their time.

St. Maarten and its neighbors. Tap an island to read about it.

The destinations

Aerial view of Shoal Bay East, Anguilla, its white sand beach and turquoise water

Turquoise water, twenty minutes away

Anguilla

Flat and ringed with white sand, Anguilla is the island you see from St. Maarten’s north coast, from Baie Rouge to Fort Louis. This British territory moves to the rhythm of its beaches, villas and toes-in-the-sand restaurants, far from any bustle.

It is the easiest neighbor to reach: twenty to twenty-five minutes by ferry, with departures from morning to evening.

Don’t miss

  • Shoal Bay East, its long white sand beach and clear water
  • Meads Bay and Rendezvous Bay, for a quiet beach day
  • Sandy Ground, the little harbor and its beach bars
Aerial view of Gustavia, its harbor and anchored sailboats in St. Barths

Gustavia and its coves

St. Barths

A French territory like St. Martin, St. Barths is the island of sailboats, Gustavia boutiques and small sheltered coves. French is spoken, the euro is the currency, and the mood is effortlessly chic.

Get there in 45 minutes to 1 hour by boat, or in about fifteen minutes by plane, with a short landing over the hill that is part of the adventure.

Don’t miss

  • Gustavia, its harbor, lanes and boutiques
  • Shell Beach, the seashell beach steps from downtown
  • St. Jean, its bay and the end of the airport runway
  • Colombier, a cove reached on foot by a trail or by boat
Saba island, a forest-covered volcano, at sunset

The Unspoiled Queen

Saba

A green volcano rising from the sea: Saba has almost no beaches, but it has rainforest trails, villages of white houses with red roofs, and underwater life protected by a marine park.

Hikers and divers love it. Everyone else comes for the peace and quiet, the dramatic arrival and the road that winds from one village to the next.

Don’t miss

  • Mount Scenery, 2,910 feet, the highest point in the Netherlands
  • The Road, built by hand across the island
  • Diving in the Saba Marine Park
The Quill volcano above Oranjestad and Fort Oranje

Sint Eustatius, The Golden Rock

Statia

A quiet little Dutch island, Statia was one of the busiest ports in the Caribbean in the 18th century, hence its nickname, The Golden Rock. It is still famous for saluting the American flag as early as 1776, from Fort Oranje.

Today, visitors come to hike into the crater of The Quill, dive its wrecks and reefs, and enjoy an island where time seems to stand still.

Don’t miss

  • Oranjestad, Fort Oranje and Lower Town by the water
  • The Quill, the volcano and its forested crater
  • Diving in the Statia Marine Park
The ramparts of Brimstone Hill Fortress in St. Kitts

With Nevis, its sister island

St. Kitts

Farther south, St. Kitts and Nevis form an independent, English-speaking country. Forested mountains, old plantations and a capital, Basseterre, make it the largest of the neighbors.

It is a destination for a stay of a few days, best combined with Nevis, reached by boat from Basseterre.

Don’t miss

  • Brimstone Hill, the fortress listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Basseterre and the Port Zante harbor
  • Nevis, the sister island, a short crossing away

Which island for which trip?

Island Best for By boat Day trip Currency
Anguilla Beaches and relaxing 20 to 25 min Yes EC dollar and US dollar
St. Barths Chic, shopping, coves 45 min to 1 hr Yes Euro
Saba Hiking and diving 1 hr 40 No US dollar
Statia History, diving, quiet Via Saba No US dollar
St. Kitts Longer stay, fortress, Nevis Via Statia No EC dollar

Where the boats leave from

Three ports depending on the company and destination. Detailed schedules and fares are in our ferry guide.

The Marigot waterfront and its ferry terminal

Marigot ferry terminal

The public ferry to Anguilla and Voyager to St. Barths.

Boats moored at Bobby’s Marina, Philipsburg

Bobby’s Marina, Philipsburg

Great Bay Express to St. Barths and Makana Ferry to Saba, Statia and St. Kitts.

The Simpson Bay marina

Simpson Bay

GB Ferries to Anguilla, near Princess Juliana Airport.

No passport needed: St. Martin’s islets

Not up for a crossing? Three islets are just minutes away, without leaving St. Martin.

Pinel Island
About 1,600 feet off Cul-de-Sac, a shuttle boat drops visitors in front of two beach restaurants.
Tintamarre
A flat, wild island reached only by boat, on a day excursion or a private rental.
Green Cay
Off Orient Bay, reached by kayak or paddleboard.

See them from St. Maarten

  • Pic Paradis, the highest point, with a 360-degree view of the island and its neighbors
  • Rainforest Adventures on Sentry Hill, with views of Saba, Statia, St. Barths and Anguilla
  • Fort Louis, above Marigot, facing Anguilla
  • Baie Rouge, for a sunset facing Anguilla

Frequently asked questions

Which nearby island is best for a day trip?

Anguilla and St. Barths. Ferries leave in the morning and return late afternoon, which leaves a full day on the island. For Saba, Statia and St. Kitts, plan at least one night.

Do I need a passport?

Yes for Anguilla, Saba, Statia and St. Kitts, whatever your nationality. For St. Barths, EU citizens can travel with their national ID card, everyone else with a passport.

Boat or plane to St. Barths?

The boat (45 minutes to 1 hour) is the easiest option for a day trip and leaves from Marigot or Philipsburg. The plane (about 15 minutes) is faster, but limits luggage and costs more.

Can the sea be rough?

Yes, especially from December to March. Crossings can be canceled in bad weather: check with the ferry company before you go. See our ferry guide.

Should I book ahead?

In high season, from December to April, book your tickets in advance, online or with the ferry company.