St. Barts Day Trip from St. Maarten
What to Know Before You Go, from the Ferry Ride to Budgeting and How to Spend One Day on the Island
RUNAWAY WITH MEL
Melissa Rose Cooper
7/1/20263 min read
St. Barts is cute. Let’s start there.
It is beautiful, polished, and very much giving soft life on an island. But if you’re thinking about taking a day trip to St. Barts from St. Maarten, there are a few things I think you should know before you go.
First, let’s talk about the ferry.
If you’re taking it from St. Maarten to St. Barts, just know the ride can get rough. The water can be choppy, and depending on how your body handles boats, you may want to prepare before you get on. If you get motion sick, you may want to take something like Dramamine. Also, bring a bottle of water, sit where you feel most comfortable, and maybe do not eat the heaviest meal of your life right before boarding.
Would I still go? Absolutely.
St. Barts is beautiful, easy to enjoy for the day, and worth seeing at least once if you’re already nearby. I would just tell you to plan ahead, budget for it, and prepare for that ferry ride.
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DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro for smooth, dynamic shots
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DJI Mic 2 for crisp, clear audio
iPhone 17 Pro Max for quick, handheld shots
DJI Osmo Mobile 6 Smartphone Gimbal for stable walking sequences
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Once you get there, though, St. Barts is beautiful! The harbor views, the blue water, the cute streets, the beach clubs, the whole thing. It’s definitely a place where you can enjoy the day, take your photos, have a drink, sit by the water, and feel like you added a little luxury moment to your trip.
But that brings me to the next thing: St. Barts is not the island to do on a tight budget.
Even if you’re only going for the day, the prices can add up quickly. Think taxis, lunch, drinks, beach chairs, shopping, or a beach club if that’s the route you want to take. You do not have to do the most, but you should go in knowing that St. Barts leans luxury. The prices match the reputation, so plan your day with that in mind.
This is also the kind of day where I like to keep my bag practical, not just cute. St. Barts is hot, and if you’re walking around, going from the ferry to lunch to the beach, you want to feel comfortable the whole day. I’d think about packing sunscreen, sunglasses, a cover-up, comfortable sandals, a small beach bag, wipes, everywhere deodorant, and something light for your skin. A body oil that smells good but does not feel too heavy is perfect for a beach day, especially if you want your skin to have that soft vacation glow without doing too much. Some of my favs to use are from Her Fantasy Box. Everything is made with plant-based ingredients and pretty affordable too.
Now, can you do St. Barts in one day? Yes, especially if you’re already in St. Maarten and want to add another island to your itinerary. You just need to keep the day simple.
You can walk around Gustavia, enjoy the harbor, grab lunch or drinks, do a little shopping, or make it more of a beach day. For me, that’s the best way to think about it. Do not overcomplicate the day trying to squeeze in everything. Think about the kind of St. Barts day you actually want, then build around that.
If you want a quick look at my St. Barts day trip, check out the reel I made below!