Saturday, April 12, 2008

Day Trips to St Barth

There are several options for making a trip to St Barth from St Maarten. All the ferries arrive at Gustavia, St Barth.

The Rapid Explorer Sea Shuttle is a 73.8’ semi-planing, hydro-supported foil catamaran with a capacity for 86 passengers. The Sea Shuttle departs Captain Oliver’s Marina, Oyster Bay at 8:30 am and 5:00 pm on Monday-Saturday and at 9:30 am on Sunday. It departs St Barth at 9:30 am and 6:00 pm on Monday-Saturday and at 10:30 am on Sunday. The crossing takes a short 40 minutes. The enclosed, air conditioned vessel features on board snack and beverage services, as well as audio and video entertainment, Round-trip fare is $125 for adults and $86 for children between 3 and 12 years. Please visit
www.rapidexplorer.com for all details and to make reservations.
The Voyager is a high-speed catamaran that departs from Marigot, St Martin and from Captain Oliver’s Marina at Oyster Bay three to four times a day, depending on the day. The crossing from Marigot takes 1 hour 15 minutes; the crossing from Oyster Bay takes 45 minutes. The fares are comparable to those of the Rapid Explorer. Visit their web site at http://www.voyager-st-barths.com/ for full details.


The Edge is a 62' motorized catamaran, wave-piercer high-speed ferry that departs Pelican Key (the Simpson Bay area on the Dutch side of the island) every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The Edge leaves at 9:00 am and returns at 5:00 pm; check-in time is 8:00 am. The crossing time is 45 minutes. Round-trip fare for adults is $60 and $33 for children between 2 and 12 years.

The Swalgia II is a motorized catamaran that departs from Great Bay Marina – Chesterfield in Philipsburg, St Maarten on Wednesday and Friday. The ferry leaves at 9:00 am and returns at 5:00 pm, with check-in at 8:40 am. Sailing time is one hour. The round-trip fare for adults is $92 and $56 for children between 2 and 12 years. In addition, a $15 port fee will be charged per person at check-in. The Swalgia II has a free bar and snacks and offers complimentary use of snorkel gear. The trip includes a stop on the return trip for a relaxing swim and snorkeling in the clear waters of Ile Fourche off of St Barth.