Travel Information
Getting Here / By Air
Airlines providing flights from the US mainland are as follows
The B.V.I. is reached through Antigua, St. Maarten and Puerto Rico to the international airport on Beef Island (airport code EIS).
Seaborne Airlines, the St. Thomas seaplane company, also flies between San Juan, St. Thomas and Tortola.
Click here for connecting flights from San Juan.
Meeting your Yacht and Crew
The location that you’ll meet your yacht and crew is determined during the booking process. It could be in the USVI or the BVI. Due to the US “6 pack law”, yachts may not pick up more than 6 guests in US waters. We have been trying to get this changed for years!
The typical pick up locations in the USVI are Charlotte Amalie (downtown) and Red Hook (East End) on St. Thomas and Cruz Bay on St. John. In the BVI, the locations are Beef Island (international airport)/ Trellis Bay, Road Town and West End (Soper’s Hole) on Tortola.
If you have a preference, the captain will try to accommodate you but their schedule and turnaround times may dictate the starting or departure points. Often, the captain will arrange for himself, a crew member or taxi service to meet you at the airport or ferry terminal and deliver you directly to your yacht.
If your final destination is St. Thomas but you are meeting your yacht in Tortola or St. John, it’s best to plan your arrival on St. Thomas to allow sufficient time to collect your luggage at the airport and for the taxi ride to the ferry terminal (downtown Charlotte Amalie or East End/ Red Hook) as the last ferries to St. John and Tortola leave around 5:00 PM.
If your flight arrangements do not allow you to catch the last ferry, you can hire a private water taxi that operates out of East End/ Red Hook, St. Thomas to take you to your destination. They will even help you go through Immigration and deliver you to your yacht. Contact Dohm’s Water Taxi at www.watertaxi-vi.com. Another option is to make your connection through San Juan from where you should have many flight options into Beef Island, Tortola. St. John does not have an airport so water taxi or ferry from St. Thomas is your only connection.
As well, you could come a day or two earlier and enjoy some land exploring while staying at one of the wide variety of hotels or villas in the area before you begin your sea adventure. We can help you locate a shoreside “room with a view” sure to please. Our personal favorite is a cozy, laid back hotel with honor bar and an exquisite view run by a really fun couple – Island View
Getting Around / By Land
By Taxi - Rates on St. Thomas
Occasionally, the captain, a crew member or taxi service will be there at the airport or ferry terminal to deliver you to your yacht. It’s always best to inquire. Taxis are everywhere in all shapes and sizes from a standard sedan to large vans and open air “safari” buses. Most are air-conditioned. Rates are based on one person one way with additional charges for luggage, radio-call and late night pick ups.
There are no metered taxis but the rates are government regulated. Look for the dome “taxi” light and license plates that begin with TP for registered drivers. “Gypsy Taxis” may not use the same fee schedule.
Only multi-destination vans service the airport. They may carry 8 to 12 passengers, many going to different locations which may require several stops before yours. Consider it a mini island tour. Private taxis from the airport can be arranged in advance. Below are the current rates, as always, subject to change especially due to increases in fuel costs.
http://st-thomas.com/taxi.html
By Taxi - Rates on Tortola
Taxis are always plentiful at the ferry terminals and airport. The rates are government regulated and not metered.
BVI Taxi Contact Info
Car Rentals - St. Thomas
If you have some time to explore, there are many local and national car rental agencies to choose from. Remember that, although our cars have left-handed steering as on the mainland US, we drive on the left. Also, drive carefully and watch for chickens, goats and other livestock that occasionally wander into the road. A U.S. driver’s license is valid for 90 days and international travelers can get a temporary permit at the rental agencies. Below are the major stateside rental agencies.
These major car rental companies have booking centers at the Cyril King Airport on St. Thomas. In addition, there are many locally owned car rental companies.
Car Rentals – Tortola
Driving is on the left. A temporary driver’s license must be purchased for $ 10.00 and is good for 6 months. It may be obtained from any car rental agency. You must be 25 years old and have a valid original license to be issued a temporary license and rent a car.
The major car rental companies are:
Avis Rent-A-Car
Botanic Gardens (Road Town), Tortola
Phone: (284) 494-3322 (ask for car rentals)
National Car Rental
Duffs Bottom & Long Bay, Tortola
Phone: (284) 494-3197
e-mail: national@surfbvi.com
e-mail: aspnapa@surfbvi.com
Hertz Car Rental
Road Town & West End, Tortola
Phone: (284) 495-4405 or 494-6228
e-mail: hertzbvi@hotmail.com
Dollar Rent A Car
Prospect Reef Resort & Long Bay Resort, Tortola
Phone: (284) 494-6093
e-mail: dollar@surfbvi.com
By Local Bus
Air-conditioned VITRAN (340.774.5678) buses operate in both the downtown area and in the country. Country Buses travel between downtown Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook every hour. They start running at 5.15am from town and end at 8.00pm from Red Hook. City buses travel between the Schneider Regional Medical Center bus stop to town starting at 6.15am until 8:00pm. The first bus from the Airport to town is at 6am and the last is 8:00pm. The public bus system is not recommended for people on a tight or limited time schedule.
Getting Around / By Sea
By Private Water Taxi
Dohm’s Water Taxi
will pick you up from the airport and deliver you onto the deck of your yacht. They will also help you through Immigration. This is sometimes your only option if your flight arrives too late to catch the last ferry of the day and you must meet your yacht other than on St. Thomas.
By Public Passenger Ferry
St. John Ferry – St. Thomas to St. John, USVI
Passenger ferries operate between St. Thomas (Red Hook & Charlotte Amalie) and St. John (Cruz Bay). There is a charge of $ 3/piece for luggage/boxes.
Transportation Services (340.776.6282) and Varlack Ventures (340.776.6412 and www.varlack-ventures.com ) operate 3 ferries each from downtown Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook/East End to Cruz Bay, St. John, USVI.
Time and rate information are subject to change. It’s always best to contact the companies prior to your departure to confirm your reservation.
British Virgin Islands Ferry: St. Thomas – Tortola
Here are two ferry operators offering service between St. Thomas (Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook) and Tortola (West End and Road Town).
Note: Clearing immigration is necessary and the trip may take longer than approximated. Proof of citizenship is required. A valid passport is always the best form of I.D. although US and Canadian citizens may be able to clear immigration with a birth certificate AND picture I.D.
www.tortolafastferry.com or 340.777.2800
This is a 50 minute ferry from downtown Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas, USVI direct to Road Town on Tortola, BVI. There are no intermediate stops.
www.smithsferry.com or 340.775.7292
They operate 6 vessels out of downtown Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook/East End, St. Thomas, USVI to West End/ Soper’s Hole and Road Town, Tortola, BVI. They also go to Virgin Gorda and Anegada, BVI.
Getting Around / By Air
Local airlines provide service from San Juan, Puerto Rico to St. Thomas and other islands in both the US and British Virgin Islands and down island.
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