Getting To & Around The BVI

Getting To The BVI

There are several factors that may determine the best airport choice for your BVI yacht charter including your yacht of choice, size of your charter group, and available flights. Contact us for expert guidance on the best choice for you and your group.

Pick Up & Drop Off Locations

Yacht of choice and size of charter group determining factors:

If your charter group consists of 7 or more passengers on one yacht you must start and end your charter in the BVI. This is due to a US Coast Guard regulation which states that charter yachts can only carry 6 paying passengers in US Virgin Island waters.
BVI based yachts may mandate that your charter start and end in Tortola BVI, regardless of your group size.
St. Thomas based yachts may mandate that your charter start and end in St. Thomas USVI, if your group consists of 6 or fewer passengers.

Charters that start and end in Tortola, BVI: If your charter will start and end in Tortola you can fly into Beef Island Airport (EIS) in Tortola, BVI or into Cyril King Airport (STT) in St. Thomas, USVI.

Flights into Tortola will require a connection through The Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, followed by a smaller connecting flight into Tortola.
Flights into St. Thomas are typically more direct as well as more affordable than flights into Tortola. However, for charters that must start and end in Tortola, a round trip ferry will be required from St. Thomas to Tortola and back. Learn more about ferry options.

Charters that start and end in St. Thomas, USVI: If your charter will start and end in St. Thomas you should fly into Cyril King Airport (STT) in St. Thomas, USVI. Charters that start and end in St. Thomas typically spend one night in US waters and the remainder of the charter in the BVI. This charter start will allow you to see the island of St. John, a charming US island with beautiful beaches strung along her northwest coast.

Pick up and drop off time for your charter: Charters start at noon and end at noon. Arriving flights the day prior to boarding and departing flights during the afternoon of your final day typically work best.

Getting Around The BVI

Ferries From St. Thomas To Tortola

There are several ferry companies that offer service from St. Thomas to Tortola and back. The ferries take approximately 45 minutes each way and cost approximately $60 per person round trip (less for children). After you determine your yacht of choice we can assist you with appropriate ferry companies and times. Ferries from St. Thomas to Tortola stop running at approximately 4:00 PM each day.

If arriving the day prior to your charter, there are several options during the morning of your charter that will get you Tortola well in advance of your charter start at noon.

If arriving on the same day that you plan to take your ferry, arriving flights should be planned no later than 2:00 PM to allow for slight airline delays, time to deplane, plus time to get to the ferry terminal well in advance of 4:00 PM. The main ferry terminal in St. Thomas is approximately 5 minutes by taxi from the airport.

Ferries From Tortola To St. Thomas

When flying out of St. Thomas on your final day, flights around 3:30 or later will work best. This will allow you to catch a departing ferry around noon, take the 45 minute ferry back to St. Thomas, allow for approximately 30 minutes to clear customs, plus a 5 minute taxi ride to the airport. This scenario will give you the recommended two hours at the airport prior to your departure.

Private Water Taxis

You can also take a private water taxi from St Thomas to Tortola and back. These water taxis offer private service for you and your group at an increased cost. Contact us for more information.