Guide · Updated 2026-07-29
SXM to St Barts: Should You Fly or Take the Ferry?
Every trip to St Barts ends with the same short crossing from Sint Maarten. Here’s how the flight and the ferry compare, so you pick the right one.
Why there’s a connection at all
St Barts’ airport (SBH) has a famously short runway and takes only small aircraft, so no long-haul flight lands there. You arrive first at Sint Maarten (SXM), the regional gateway, and cross the last stretch by light plane or boat.
The flight: ten scenic minutes
A small inter-island aircraft covers the hop in about ten minutes, with a dramatic descent into St Barts that’s part of the experience. It’s the fastest option and the easiest if your SXM arrival is tight, though light planes have strict luggage limits.
The ferry: thirty to forty-five minutes
A private or scheduled ferry takes roughly half an hour to forty-five minutes and handles heavy luggage and larger groups comfortably. It’s the relaxed choice, and a good one if you’d rather not add a second flight after a long day.
Which to choose
Solo travellers and couples with tight connections often fly; families and groups with luggage often prefer the ferry. Either way, a concierge can book the leg and meet you at SXM so the handover is seamless.
Questions
How do you get from Sint Maarten to St Barts?
By a ten-minute inter-island flight on a small aircraft, or a private/scheduled ferry of about thirty to forty-five minutes.
Is the flight from SXM to St Barts safe?
Yes — it’s a routine, frequent hop on experienced local carriers, though the short runway means only small aircraft operate it.
Should I fly or take the ferry to St Barts?
Fly if your connection is tight or you’re travelling light; take the ferry with heavy luggage or a larger group. A concierge can arrange either.