I have done it a few times. Never rented a car. We have taken the ferry to and from, walked the town and shops, grabbed a taxi for an island tour and had it drop us st Nikki beach and set a pickup time to get back to the ferry. Another time we flew over, took taxi to town, walked around and then walked to Shell Beach, hung out and walked back to town and took ferry back. Last few times we flew round trip from Grand Case, grabbed taxi for an island tour or to just get us to town, after grabbed another taxi to St Jean Beach (Nikki, Eden Rock, Tom Beach) hung out and walked to the airport. If flying just be there early because If you are there they fly!! Just remember it's an expensive island. But you can hit a grocery (one in Gustavia) and grab food to take to the beach. Not all have restaurants on them