Getting around
Anguilla, Saba and Saint Barth need more planning than a generic ferry ticket.
The short answer
Plan each crossing as a separate journey with its own operator, terminal, check-in and entry requirements. The tourism bureau lists ferries and island-hopping options, but that does not mean every route departs from the same port or runs on your chosen day.
Use the exact departure address on the operator’s confirmation. Include the transfer from your hotel and arrive according to its check-in instructions. A private boat transfer and a public ferry can have different terminals and baggage arrangements; compare the whole journey before choosing the lower headline price.
Check the current passport, visa and entry guidance for the island you will visit and for your return. Ask which port charges or transfer costs are outside the ticket price. Keep the day’s documents and confirmations accessible offline; do not assume your hotel Wi-Fi or mobile bundle will follow you.
Confirm the last suitable return, the cancellation policy and what help is available if weather interrupts service. For a short stay, one well-planned island day may be more useful than several tight connections. Our suggestion is to sleep on your international departure island before a flight that you cannot afford to miss.
Related guide: St. Maarten: rainy season is not the same as hurricane season
A day trip gives you a limited window between check-in and the return crossing. An overnight can create more useful time, but also adds accommodation, baggage and onward planning. Make that choice before buying transport. Do not use the duration of the crossing alone to estimate how much of the destination you will experience.
For Anguilla, Saba or Saint Barth, identify one main reason to visit and build the local arrangement around it. A beach booking, guided walk or town outing each needs its own transport and timing. Arriving at a port does not mean you have reached the place shown in the excursion photograph.
List any baggage, port charges, local transfers and activities outside the quoted fare. Check whether the booking is a transport service or a complete excursion and who handles changes. A package with pickup and a guided day may be more suitable than a cheaper crossing if independent logistics would absorb your limited time.
Keep the operator's actual confirmation rather than relying on an old timetable image. Departure ports and schedules can differ between services. Reconfirm the arrangements close to travel and establish how you will receive a cancellation message when away from your accommodation.
Our suggested sequence puts a desired island outing earlier in the stay and reserves the final full day for the main island. If the crossing changes, first check your real alternatives before adding another non-refundable booking. A backup only works if it exists on your date and accepts your luggage and documents.
If your schedule cannot absorb a delayed return, a mainland beach or cultural day may be the more comfortable choice. The objective is to enjoy the next island, not spend the visit calculating whether you can still catch the international flight.
Sources reviewed on 11 October 2026. The references below support the factual details; trip suggestions are editorial choices. This is a desk-researched guide, not an on-site inspection. Conditions and provider terms can change.
Our method & correctionsFrom inspiration to island time
Choose a place. Compare your options. Make the trip your own.
Plan your trip