Top Day Trips from St. Maarten: Saba, St. Barts & Anguilla by Ferry
One standout feature is the ease of island-hopping via affordable ferries, perfect for budget-conscious travelers or spontaneous plans. Skip pricey seasonal flights and opt for boats instead. Here are our top day trip recommendations:
For Nature Lovers
Saba, with fewer than 2,000 residents, is a secluded paradise—essentially the peak of a dormant volcano. Renowned for world-class diving amid coral reefs and volcanic pinnacles, it also excels in hiking trails. Catch a morning ferry from St. Maarten ($80 roundtrip per person) and return in the afternoon (1.5 hours each way). Overnight stays? Opt for different-day trips at $110-$116 roundtrip.
For Luxury Seekers
Saint Barthélemy (St. Barts) dazzles with celebrity glamour, especially in winter when mega-yachts crowd Gustavia's harbor. Non-celebs can lounge at Eden Rock beach, dine at Jean-Georges' Sand Bar, or shop luxury boutiques. Ferries depart from both sides of St. Maarten: $70 same-day roundtrip per person (30-45 minutes each way), or $90-$120 for multi-day trips.
For Beach Enthusiasts
Anguilla blends Saba's raw beauty with St. Barts' elegance, boasting pristine beaches like Shoal Bay East, Meads Bay, Rendezvous Bay, and Sandy Ground. Stay at elite resorts such as Zemi Beach, Malliouhana, or Four Seasons, then catch live music at Dune Preserve. Fast ferries (with drinks) from near SXM Airport or public options from Marigot take 20 minutes. Prices: Fast ferry $80-$90 same-day, $129-$165 multi-day; public $40 roundtrip.
Ferries depart from Philipsburg's Great Bay Marina, Simpson Bay, SXM Airport (Dutch side), Marigot (French), or Oyster Pond. Book on arrival or search schedules and prices here. Add departure taxes/security fees: $8-$13 for daytrips, $23-$28 for longer stays.
