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Luxury Villas & Yacht Charters in the British Virgin Islands |
British Virgin Islands BVI/USVI Ferry Schedules & FAQs |
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How do I contact the ferry companies? Contact information for ferry companies serving the British Virgin Islands is listed below: |
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Are the ferries reliable? On the whole, yes, they are reliable. However, it is advisable to contact the ferry company a few days before your intended travel dates as schedules can change at short notice. |
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The schedules are confusing. How do I work out which ferry to take? - Check the schedule that lists your route. - Check what day you are travelling. Some ferries only run on certain days of the week. - Look at the times to see which is most convenient. NB: If there is no direct ferry on the day you are travelling, you will need to take two ferries (e.g. St Thomas to Virgin Gorda - take a ferry from St Thomas to Road Town, Tortola and then take the ferry from there to Virgin Gorda). TIP: At the larger docks, especially Charlotte Amalie, porters will attempt to take your luggage from you so you travel with their ferry company. It is advisable to resist and check out which ferry you want to travel on before handing your bags over. |
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Some schedules show two different times. What does that mean? Native Son and Smith's alternate some of their routes weekly. For example, if a time is shown as 16:00/16:30 it indicates that on week 1 Native Son will depart at 16:00 and Smith's will depart at 16:30; week 2, Smith's will depart at 16:00 and Native Son will depart at 16:30. |
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My flight arrives into St Thomas (STT) at 15:30. Will I have enough time to make the last ferry to the BVI? The last ferry of the day usually departs at approx 16:30/17:00 (see schedules). If you arrive into STT at 15:30 and are not delayed, you should have no problem making the ferry. |
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My flight arrives into St Thomas (STT) after the last ferry departs. What do I do? You can either take a private water taxi with Ocean Dreams, Foxy's Charters, or Dolphin Shuttle. Alternatively, make arrangements to stay overnight on St Thomas and then catch the ferry across the next day. |
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Do the ferries go direct or do they stop off at another dock/island en route? Some ferries go direct; some will stop en route - see schedules for individual routes. Allow additional time if the ferry does not travel direct. |
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I'm travelling to the BVI from St Thomas. Do I need to take the ferry from Charlotte Amalie or 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 in rush hour. |
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I'm travelling from St Thomas to Tortola. Do I take a ferry to West End or Road Town? If your final destination is west of Cane Garden Bay, then it is recommended to disembark at West End. If your final destination is east of Cane Garden Bay then Road Town would be closer to your final destination. |
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I've noticed there are two 'fast' ferries: Road Town Fast Ferry and Tortola Fast Ferry. Are they one and the same company? No, Road Town Fast Ferry is the only ferry that travels direct between Charlotte Amalie and Road Town, Tortola. ‘Tortola Fast Ferry’ is the same as Smith’s Ferry and their schedules apply. |
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Why do all ferries travelling from the BVI to Red Hook (St Thomas) stop at Cruz Bay (St John)? There is no facility to clear customs and immigration in Red Hook. Therefore, all passengers are required to clear customs and immigration in Cruz Bay (St John) before re-boarding the ferry and proceeding to Red Hook (St Thomas). Please allow additional time if travelling this route. |
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I want to travel between Tortola-St John but the schedule only lists one ferry service. Do any other ferries travel between these two islands? Yes, take a look at the schedule 'Tortola - St Thomas (RH)' as all ferries clear customs and immigration in Cruz Bay (St John) before continuing to Red Hook (St Thomas). |
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How long is the ferry ride? Approximate times are listed below. All times are for direct ferry unless stated otherwise. |
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I want to travel from St Thomas to Virgin Gorda but the ferry only goes on Tues/Thurs. How do I get there on other days of the week? Take a ferry to Road Town (Tortola) and then continue the journey from Road Town to Spanish Town (Virgin Gorda). |
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I'm flying into Tortola (EIS) and my final destination is Virgin Gorda. Do I take Speedy's ferry from Trellis Bay or do I take a taxi to Road Town and take a ferry from there? Speedy's ferry departs from Trellis Bay which is within walking distance of the airport (EIS). It will be far quicker to take this ferry rather than the take a 25 mins' taxi ride to Road Town and then getting a ferry from there. |
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I'm flying into Tortola (EIS) and my final destination is Jost van Dyke. How do I get there? The ferry to Jost van Dyke departs from West End. You will need to take a taxi from the airport to the West End ferry dock which will take approx 45 mins. |
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Do ferries run to Cooper Island? Cooper Island Beach Club's boat runs between Port Purcell, Tortola and Cooper Island. Contact Cooper Island for further information. |
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Do I need to make reservations? Reservations are generally not required except for the following: Between Virgin Gorda - Anegada (Road Town Fast Ferry) Between Tortola - Cooper Island St Thomas - Tortola: If your timing is tight and you are unsure whether you will make the last ferry from St Thomas to Tortola, it is possible to contact Smith's Ferry who can arrange a taxi to meet you at the airport and speed you to the ferry dock. Sometimes, they will hold the ferry for 5-10 mins but this is not guaranteed. |
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What is the cost of the ferry? Prices are listed on the schedules or on the individual ferry companies' websites. Alternatively, contact the ferry company direct. |
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Do the ferry companies accept credit card? Yes, credit cards are generally accepted except for the ferry between Tortola-Jost van Dyke (New Horizon Ferry Service) which accepts cash only. However, there are occasions when there may be a power outage and credit cards cannot be processed. It is therefore advisable to carry cash as well. |
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Do I have to pay arrival and departure tax? An Environmental and Tourism levy of $10/pp will be collected on arrival in the BVI at all ports of entry. If you are departing the BVI by ferry, a departure tax of $20/pp ($15/pp for residents) is payable whether it be for a day trip or returning home. |
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Do I purchase single (one-way) or return (round-trip) tickets? Take a look at the schedules to see if the same ferry company is returning at a convenient day/time. If not, then it is recommended to purchase one-way tickets so it doesn't tie you in to any particular ferry company on your return journey. On the whole, this does not apply to day trips. Also, please be aware that ferries can be cancelled at short notice so it is advisable to contact the ferry company a couple of days before your intended travel dates. |
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Where is the ferry dock? See Ferry Route Map |
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Anegada - Setting Point Beef Island, Tortola - Trellis Bay Jost van Dyke - Great Harbour Marina Cay Peter Island - Spratt Bay Saba Rock |
St John - Cruz Bay St Thomas - Charlotte Amalie St Thomas - Red Hook Tortola - Baugher's Bay Tortola, Beef Island - Trellis Bay |
Tortola - West End Tortola, Waterfront Dr, Road Town Virgin Gorda - Gun Creek Virgin Gorda - Leverick Bay Virgin Gorda - Spanish Town |
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How long will it take to get to the ferry dock? The following times are approximate. Please allow extra time during rush hour on the larger islands and also to purchase tickets. Anegada - Setting Point From: Loblolly - 20 mins; Cow Wreck - 15 mins NB: The Anegada - Tortola ferry can sometimes leave a few minutes early so it is advisable to arrive in plenty of time. St Thomas - Charlotte Amalie From: the airport (STT) - 10 mins; Red Hook - 25 mins St Thomas - Red Hook From: the airport (STT) - 25 mins Tortola - Baugher's Bay From: Beef Island (airport) - 20 mins; Cane Garden Bay - 25 mins; Soper's Hole/West End - 35 mins Tortola, Beef Island - Trellis Bay From: Beef Island (airport) - 5 mins; Cane Garden Bay - 45 mins; Soper's Hole/West End - 55 mins Tortola - West End From: Beef Island (airport) - 50 mins; Cane Garden Bay - 20 mins; Soper's Hole/West End - 5 mins Tortola, Waterfront Dr, Road Town From: Beef Island (airport) - 30 mins; Cane Garden Bay - 20 mins; Soper's Hole/West End - 20 mins Virgin Gorda - Spanish Town From: the top of The Baths - 10 mins; Leverick Bay - 25 mins; Mahoe Bay - 10 mins |
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Is there a car park near the ferry dock? | ||||||||||||
Road Town, Tortola There is a large car park to the west of the ferry dock. West End, Tortola Parking is available either side of the road leading to the terminal. |
Trellis Bay, Beef Island, Tortola You can usually park behind the coffee shop or along the unpaved road leading to it. Baugher's Bay, Tortola There is a car park adjacent. |
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Is there a bar/restaurant near the ferry dock? | ||||||||||||
Anegada, Setting Point Potters-by-the-Sea Jost van Dyke, Great Harbour Corsairs Marina Cay Pusser's St Thomas, Charlotte Amalie The Petite Pump Room Restaurant is located upstairs above the terminal |
St Thomas, Red Hook Mollly Molone's Tortola, Baugher's Bay Chillin' Café behind the ferry terminal Tortola, Beef Island, Trellis Bay Jeremy's Kitchen, Mache coffee shop, De Loose Mongoose Tortola, Waterfront Dr, Road Town Pusser's and Capriccio di Mar are across the road from the ferry dock |
Tortola, West End Jolly Roger is 5 mins' walk west of the terminal Virgin Gorda, Leverick Bay Leverick Bay Resort Virgin Gorda, Spanish Town Bath & Turtle at Spanish Town Ferry Dock |
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Are taxis available at the ferry docks? Yes, taxis are readily available on Anegada, St John, St Thomas, Tortola and Virgin Gorda. |
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Can I rent a jeep at the ferry dock? Yes, jeep rental is readily available. Contact the car rental company direct to reserve your jeep. If requested, the majority of car rental agencies will meet you off the ferry. Recommended companies are listed below: |
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Tortola: DeDe's Car Rental Tel: (284) 495-2041/2780 Jerry's Car Rental Tel: (284) 495-4111 Denzil Clyne Car Rental Tel: (284) 495-4900 Bix Sexy Rentals Tel: (284) 544-9141 D&D Car Rental Tel: (284) 495-7676 Hertz Car Rental Tel: (284) 495-6600 (Airport) Tel: (284) 494-6228 (Road Town) |
Virgin Gorda: Mahogany Rentals Tel: (284) 495-5469 Speedy's Car Rental Tel: (284) 495-5235 / 5779 / 5240 |
Anegada: D W Jeep Rental Tel: (284) 495-9677 Jost van Dyke: Paradise Jeep Rental Tel: (284) 495-9477 |
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How long will it take me to go through customs and immigration? Between 10-30 mins depending on island and number of passengers arriving at the same time. |
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I am a US citizen and will be staying in the USVI but would like to take a day trip to the BVI. Do I need a passport? All US citizens require a valid passport to travel between the USVI and BVI. |
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I am staying in the BVI. Do I require a passport to visit the USVI? All travellers require a valid passport to travel between the BVI and USVI. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) International travelers who are seeking to travel to/from the British Virgin Islands via the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are now subject to enhanced security requirements and will be required to pay an administrative fee. Applications can be made online. ESTA application Please remember to bring a printout of the authorisation with you. |
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I am staying in the BVI and plan to take a day trip to Anegada/Jost van Dyke/Virgin Gorda etc. Do I need a passport to travel from one British Virgin Island to another? No, a passport is not required for travel within the British Virgin Islands. |
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