Ferry from Gustavia to Marigot

Gustavia Guide

Gustavia Ferry Port

On the warm western coast of Saint Barthélemy, a French-owned island in the West Indies more commonly known as St Barts, is the port town of Gustavia. Named after King Gustav III of Sweden who was granted the town in the 1700’s in exchange for French trading access to Gothenburg, Gustavia has become a fashionable summer destination blessed with a year-round tropical climate. The town is built in a horse-shoe arc that surrounds a rectangular bay of the Caribbean Sea. It’s collection of red-roofed buildings rise and fall upon the vista of hills that mark the coast, their rough faces coloured by the deep green hues of succulent plants and palm trees. Despite its modern revival as a deluxe shopping centre of boutique clothing and jewellery stores, vestiges of the town’s historic Swedish-style architecture still remains. This includes the famous Wall House museum and the lofty ramparts of Fort Gustave that sits atop a hillside on the outskirts of the suburbs. The port of Gustavia is located by the mouth of the bay, just beside the town’s industrial zone. It’s a small facility that consists of little more than a ferry docking area and a check-in terminal staffed by multi-lingual staff. Though there are no public buses in town, the island’s only airport is just a 20-minute walk away from the harbour, with flights heading to the other islands across the West Indies. Taxi services regularly operate from outside the port too. They take passengers deeper into town along the Rue de la Republique and towards the beautiful stretches of gold-sand beaches that line the crystalline shallows of the sea. Three passenger routes currently leave from the port a number of times throughout the week. Voyager line ferries sail the short distance north to the towns of Marigot and Oyster Pond on the island of Saint-Martin, while another daily service hosted by Great Bay Express travels to Philipsburg. All of these routes skirt the cliff-lined shores of St Barts’ north-eastern peninsula before skimming across the deep-blue waters of Saint-Barthelemy Channel.

Marigot Guide

Marigot Ferry Port

Found on the west coast of Saint Martin, a French island residing in the Caribbean, Marigot is the capital city of the island. The only ferry route out of Marigot is to Gustavia on the island of Saint Barthelemy, with around six crossings per week, typically lasting around one hour. For a sample of French culture in a hot Caribbean climate, Marigot is the ideal destination. The food on the island is particularly sumptuous; the French element is combined with the fresh waters surrounding Saint Martin, meaning that the seafood is a popular choice. Before enjoying the delicious food in the evening, there are numerous beaches dotted around offering picturesque views from beautiful white sands. Away from the shoreline and restaurants, Fort Louis is a highlight for any visitor. For those who are unaware, Fort Louis is a tall hill on the north of the city, but it provides spectacular views and the hike up it is relatively comfortable. After climbing up Marigot’s most famous attraction, it is worthwhile heading to the souvenir stalls and public markets for a chance to browse what the locals have to offer. Parking spaces in Marigot are incredibly hard to find, therefore it is best to leave the car behind and explore the city on foot.