Ferry from and to St Thomas USVI

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Arrivals from St Thomas
Several ferry companies offer service between St Thomas and Tortola (Road Town) or Tortola (West End). You can depart from St Thomas Charlotte Amalie or St Thomas Red Hook. 
If you are flying into St Thomas (STT), it will be quicker to take a taxi from the airport to the ferry dock at Charlotte Amalie (10 mins). The journey to Red Hook usually takes 25 mins but can take considerably longer during rush hour.

Please note that the West End ferry dock is still under construction, so all ferries currently operate to Road Town only. The only exception is Aquatic Rentals, which runs a connection from Red Hook to West End. If you plan to use Aquatic Rentals, please consider that a taxi ride from St. Thomas Airport (STT) to Red Hook can take 25 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic. Pelican Peak Villa is located in West End, which is a 25-minute car ride from the Road Town ferry dock and a 10-minute ride from the West End ferry dock.

Ferry schedules are determined by the BVI Ports Authority & are generally posted about a month in advance. It is advisable to book your place on a ferry, especially on weekends! The journey takes about 45 minutes on a ferry from St. Thomas to Tortola West End and about 60 minutes from St Thomas to Road Town. 

Arrivals after 3 pm
Arriving after 3 pm will likely require taking a water taxi, which, while very comfortable, can be quite expensive (around $800 for six people plus a $30 per person customs fee). Please note that private water taxis operate only while customs and immigration in the BVI are open. Alternatively, you can arrange to stay overnight on St. Thomas and catch the ferry across the next day. More information on water taxis is provided below.
Water Taxi and Charter Service
When planning your trip, we highly recommend contacting various companies to compare their prices, service, and availability, as these can vary significantly. The timing of your water taxi can also make a big difference; whether you travel during customs and immigration operating hours or late in the afternoon or evening will impact your experience. Below, we’ve listed some water taxis and charters we’ve had good experiences with.

 

Allure Charters One company we highly recommend is Allure Charters. Several guests have used their services and reported positive experiences. They also offer car rentals, which some guests find convenient for organizing everything with one company from arrival in St. Thomas to Pelican Peak. Check out their website for more information: Allure Charters.

St. Thomas Water Taxi We have also received good reviews about St. Thomas Water Taxi. For more details, visit their website: St. Thomas Water Taxi.

Island Time Water Taxi Another reliable option is Island Time Water Taxi. For further information, visit their website: Island Time Water Taxi.

The Last Mile Water Taxi For a more premium and on-demand service, we recommend The Last Mile Water Taxi. They offer flexible transportation options, such as arranging transport from the baggage claim area at the STT airport. More details are available on their website: The Last Mile Water Taxi.

Dolphin Shuttle Lastly, there is Dolphin Shuttle. While we do not have any feedback or reviews about this company, you can visit their website for further details: Dolphin Shuttle.

Here’s a quick list of the recommended water taxis and charters:


The following companies operate between St Thomas and Tortola
Unfortunately, there isn't a single website that compares all ferry companies, their routes, and schedules. You'll need to check each company's website to find the schedule for your preferred route, and make sure to verify the day of travel. Keep in mind that some ferries only operate on specific days of the week. It's recommended to review the available times and choose the most suitable option.

- Road Town Fast Ferry:
Phone number: +1(284)-494-2323, +1(284) 340-3976 or +1(340) 777-2800

- Native Son Ferry:
Phone numbers: +1(284) 494-5674, +1(284) 495-4617, +1(340) 774-8685 or +1(340) 774-8687

- Smiths Ferry:
Phone numbers: +1(340) 775-7292, +1(340) 774-5532, +1(284) 494-4454, or +1(284) 495-4495

- Aquaticrentals:
Phone numbers: +1(284) 494-1625, +1(284)441-2782 or +1(340) 715-2782

On the whole, the ferry times are reliable. However, contacting the ferry company a day before your intended travel dates is advisable, as schedules can change at short notice.

Your return:
No ferry service is currently departing from West End. You need to travel using the Road Town - St Thomas ferry. The car rental people often allow people to leave the vehicle in the parking area near the Road Town Ferry Dock & leave the keys unlocked & placed under the mat of the driver's seat.