These Are the 7 Caribbean Islands You Can Reach by Ferry From St Maarten, From Anguilla to Nevis

Take the public ferry to Anguilla, dock in the middle of Gustavia in St Barth, or follow the longer route through Saba and Statia to St Kitts and Nevis. Here’s where to board and which islands are worth an overnight.

The boat to Anguilla leaves from a terminal beside the market in Marigot. Twenty minutes later, you’re at Blowing Point, where you can get a taxi to Shoal Bay East and spend the day on one of the Caribbean’s great white-sand beaches. On the other side of St Maarten, a ferry leaves Philipsburg for Saba, where the road from the dock climbs toward red-roofed villages and the cloud forest on Mount Scenery. Both crossings start on the same island. They make for very different vacations.

From Dutch St Maarten and French Saint Martin, you can take scheduled boats to Anguilla, St Barth, Saba, Statia, St Kitts and tiny Pinel Island. Add a ferry connection in St Kitts and you can reach Nevis, too. The departure port is the first thing to check. The second is the return sailing, especially once you get beyond Anguilla and St Barth.

Anguilla, the 20-Minute Beach Hop

The public ferry runs from the Marigot Ferry Terminal on the French side to Blowing Point, Anguilla. Buy your ticket at the terminal and bring your passport. There are multiple departures each day, and Marigot’s published schedule lists the last boat back from Anguilla at 5:15 p.m. If you’re arriving at Princess Juliana International Airport and heading straight to Anguilla, book a shared or private boat transfer from the airport-area dock on the Dutch side. Calypso Charters and Funtime Charters are among the operators.

Pick one beach if you’re going for the day. Shoal Bay East gives you a long stretch of powdery sand, bright turquoise water and places to stop for lunch. Rendezvous Bay is a good choice if you want a long walk with St Martin in view across the channel. Sandy Island has its own short boat shuttle from Sandy Ground. If you add it to your day, give yourself time for both boats on the way back.

St Barth, Straight Into Gustavia

Great Bay Express leaves from Bobby’s Marina in Philipsburg, and Voyager sails from Marigot. Both take you into Gustavia. The Marigot crossing is about 50 minutes. Aqua Mania also lists an Edge service from Simpson Bay to St Barth. Confirm availability for your dates if you want to leave from Simpson Bay. Book both directions in advance if you’re going for the day, and double-check your departure dock when you reserve.

Gustavia is one of the easiest ports on this list to explore on foot. You can walk the harbor, stop for lunch and spend the afternoon at Shell Beach, a small cove a short walk from the waterfront. If you want to watch the planes come in over St Jean and swim on the other side of the island, take a taxi from Gustavia and arrange your ride back.

Saba, From Fort Bay to the Cloud Forest

Makana sails from Bobby’s Marina to Fort Bay in about one hour and 40 minutes on its published timetable. The ferry docks well below Saba’s villages, so arrange a taxi before you arrive. Windwardside is a good base for a night on the island and a hike up Mount Scenery. If you’re here to dive, give yourself a separate morning for the reefs and offshore pinnacles.

Several of Makana’s published sailings from St Maarten arrive in the afternoon or early evening. Start with an overnight plan, then see whether the boats on your dates allow for a day visit. Older guides may still point you to the Edge from Simpson Bay. The Edge route to Saba ended in April 2026.

Statia, a Volcano Above an Old Trading Port

Makana also sails from Bobby’s Marina to Gallows Bay in St Eustatius, better known as Statia. The published crossing takes about one hour and 45 minutes on the nonstop sailing and about three hours on sailings with a stop. Check the itinerary for your date when you book.

Start in Lower Town along the waterfront, then go up to Oranjestad for Fort Oranje and the view over the harbor. Give the Quill, Statia’s dormant volcano, a morning of its own. An overnight also gives you time to get on the water with a dive operator. Makana sells sailings between Saba and Statia, so you can pair the two islands without returning to Philipsburg.

St Kitts, the Longest Crossing From Philipsburg

Makana calls at Port Zante Marina in Basseterre. The published sailings from Philipsburg take from three hours and 15 minutes to four hours and 30 minutes, depending on the stops. Outbound boats on the published schedule arrive in the late afternoon or evening. Plan to stay overnight.

Give yourself a day for Basseterre and Brimstone Hill Fortress, where the ramparts look out over the coast. If you’re continuing to Nevis, book the next ferry separately. Check both docks when planning the transfer, especially if your Nevis boat leaves from the southeast peninsula.

Nevis, One Ferry Beyond St Kitts

The passenger ferry from Basseterre Ferry Terminal to Charlestown takes about 45 minutes. You can also take a road transfer to Reggae Beach on the southeast peninsula of St Kitts and catch a water taxi to Oualie Bay. Charlestown makes sense if you want to start in town and continue to Pinney’s Beach for a long lunch by the water. Oualie puts you on the northwestern coast. If your Makana boat into Basseterre arrives late, spend the night on St Kitts and take the morning ferry.

Pinel Island, a 10-Minute Ride From Cul-de-Sac

On the French side, a small shuttle runs from Cul-de-Sac to Pinel Island. Buy a round-trip ticket at the dock, bring cash and ask when the last boat leaves. You can spend the day in the shallow water and at the beach restaurants or walk over to the quieter side of the island. It’s the shortest crossing in this guide.

The Other Islands You Can Visit by Boat

Tintamarre, off French Saint Martin, is a water-taxi or excursion stop. Bring water and food if you plan to spend time ashore. Around Anguilla, look for excursions to the Prickly Pear Cays or Dog Island. Scilly Cay has a short boat ride from Island Harbour when its restaurant is operating. Confirm whether an excursion lands on the island or stops offshore for snorkeling.

How to Put the Crossings Together

Use St Maarten as a base for separate days in Anguilla, St Barth and Pinel. If you have several nights, look for a Makana itinerary from Philipsburg to Saba, Statia and St Kitts, then add Nevis from Basseterre.

Start by checking each leg for your actual dates. Makana’s sailings vary by day and season. In early November 2026, a temporary timetable was in effect while a substitute vessel served the route, so use the sailings shown for your dates when booking. Weather can change departure times across the region. Carry your passport on the inter-island routes, check each operator’s check-in cutoff and give yourself a night back on St Maarten before a flight home.