Ferry from Gustavia to Philipsburg

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.

Philipsburg Guide

What is there to do in Philipsburg?

Reliant on its beautiful beach front to attract tourists, Philipsburg is the quintessential idyllic holiday destination for those in need of a relaxing atmosphere amid beautiful surroundings. The beach off Front Street offers the best water on the island, though it can become very busy in the summer months when the weather is particularly pleasant. Whilst at the beach, it is worthwhile checking out what Front Street has to offer; Philipsburg’s busiest street is lined with shops selling myriad of souvenirs, authentic clothing and art at discounted prices. Away from the beach, the market in the town centre has more leeway when it comes to haggling, which is encouraged for tourists who may be subject to heightened prices. For couples looking to enjoy a romantic experience, there is the opportunity to embark on a horse ride along the beach, which is particularly pleasant in the evening as the sun sets. After a long day in the sun, head to the array of restaurants that serve delicious sea food fresh from the waters.

How do you get around Philipsburg?

Philipsburg is small enough to be covered entirely by foot, which is the desirable option considering the stunning scenery.