Air Sunshine-St. Thomas to Tortolla
 

Hi, We are going to Peter Island next month. We arrive STT at 34lPM. I am thinking of flying instead of taking the ferry to Tortolla. Has anyone use Air Sunshine? Thanks for any advice. Owa

Maybe you are locked in to flying to STT, but if you fly to SJU, American Eagle has many flights to Beef Island, Tortola (EIS)

Yes, we are using frequent flyer miles to STT. Owa

OWA: First off, have a great time. P.I. is incredible.
Have you considered a water taxi?
We used Dohm’s water taxi last year to/from ST.Thomas-P.I.R. It might be cheaper then flying and it's a great way to see the islands.
I would not recommend the ferry method; if you take the ferry from Red hook you first have to take a cab, then the ferry to West End to clear customs, then another cab to Road town to catch the P.I. ferry. A lot of hassle!
Dohms will pick you up at the airport using their affiliated taxi service, which was immaculate and most professional; then take you to Red Hook. Dohm’s will take care of all customs details for you when entering BVI at West End so it takes minimal time. If you’re interested I’ll post the contact info for Dohms affiliated land-taxi service. Chris (the owner) will meet you at the airport and coordinate the entire trip; he’s a great guy.

Thank you so much WaywardSeal. I really don't want to take a ferry and is why I am looking into flying. Yes, please give me the contact as that sounds wonderful. Either reply here or e-mail at [email protected]. Thanks, again. Sharon

Owa: Sorry for the slow reply. A gentleman named Christopher Elizee runs the land taxi service. Phone: (340) 774-7457, Cel. (340) 690-1581
He can arrange everything for you because he’s affiliated with Dohm’s.
His van is immaculate and he is the most friendly and professional person I’ve come across in the industry.
Also: you can go directly to the Dohms website, dohmswatertaxi.com and book through them.
Dohms boats are all double hulled for the smoothest ride. It might be pricey compared to the ferry, but it shore beats all the hassles of lugging your bags through all the stops, different ferries and customs while attempting a remake of planes trains and automobiles.
One more thing: Peter Island has ferry service to and from St Thomas a few days a week, you might want to consider that, if it fits your schedule.

owa and others; I would think twice about taking Air Sunshine, unless their safety record has improved recently. I frequently take out island flights and do reef surveys throughout the Bahamas, and check often with the FAA on safety records of American Eagle, Gulf Stream, Aero Airlines, etc. Air Sunshine crashed 7 miles from the Treasure Cay airport on Abaco Island in July 2003 after right engine failure. An adult and a preschool child died in that ditching. The engine failure was due to poor maintenance by Air Shunshine's maintenance staff. From 1983 to 1998, Air Sunshine's pilots failed nine flight checks, which measures pilot certificates and ratings. I would receommend for people who take island flights that they check with the FAA for safety recommendations. This latest one on Air Sunshine was dated January 27, 2005. I've always thought that any Caribbean small plane airlines that land in the U.S. and take Americans to island destinations, should be hauled into Atlanta at least once a year for a thorough FAA inspection of maintenance records, pilot training and credentials, etc. The small Caribbean airline's fleet are usually Cessna, which are superb planes, but I think more U.S. inspections are in order. Robert

Robert, I appreciate your response. I was concerned and that is why I was not to keen on booking with them. Is there another airline you would suggest.

WaywardSeal, thanks for getting back to me. It is $350 one-way with Dohms. Air would have been $200. We arrive in STT on a Friday. Maybe we should just overnight and take the PI ferry on Saturday.

Thanks again to both of you, Owa

owa; I usually take American Eagle (American Airlines) and Gulf Steam (Continental Airlines), because I know they are regularly checked by the FAA in Atlanta. This is not to say that other Caribbean small operations don't have dependable maintenance and good staff. If you decide upon an airline to take, other than Gulf Stream and American Eagle, check on their safety record with the FAA. Type in "Safety Record Of ______?______" and you will get their website with the latest info on maintenance and troubles the operation has had. Robert

Hi, Just wanted to give an update to those of you that replied to my request for help. We are now staying at Peter Island at the end of our trip instead of at the beginning. I didn't want to miss any time on PI if we were delayed or missed the ferry. After Robert's post, I remembered the crash and thought better of flying with AS.

We are now staying at Crystal Cove Villas for the first 3 nights on STT. I intend to do lots of snorkeling at various locations while on STT. We have been to SJ twice, so will not venture over there.

My husband just said there is a nasty storm lurking off the coast of Africa!! I will be hugely disappointed if we can't go. I am 65 today and plan to snorkel as much as I can for the remaining of my days!!.

Thanks again everyone, Owa

owa - i'm so jealous you are on the island now.
re: snorkeling - go to secret harbour beach resort. there is great stuff along the shoreline just off the right side of the beach (looking towards the sea) also a ways out from the float is another area with nice corals and alot of fish. plenty of turtles and rays around this bay. there is a perfect bar for drinks or snacks. (we invented a nice drink while there in june - vodka, soda water, a splash of lemonade, with a wedge of lime - called it a trixie's cay - maybe they will remember?)
at wyndham sugar bay.(and Yes you can go here) if driving, go thru gate no stop needed, take last left into pking just before hill. go to last lot over. walk dirt path to beach. or have a taxi drop you off in same spot. they have placed huge boulders off the the right of the beach and around that corner. again saw alot of turtles and rays. fewer fish. take water! and snacks, sb is ai.
have heard that coki beach has good fish, but do not leave anything you want to keep on the beach while you snorkel. might be crowded.
if you have a group and are a little brave. on the road between red hook and sapphire beach, look for the airport sign. directly across from it is an not so good looking dirt road with halfopen a chainlink fence gate across it. drive in (3/10mile) to lindquist beach. it IS stunning, usually almost deserted, great for walking & swimming. really good snorkeling is a couple hundred yards out. again on the right. this is a locals beach for the most part and possibly not totally safe for a woman alone. i have been twice and had no problems, saw mostly families with their children. but heard rumors a couple years ago. have a fabulous time!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY. CELEBRATE ALL WEEK !!

Hi Virginia, Thanks so much for all the information. It is already printed to take along. After re-reading my post, I see how you gathered we were already there. Alas, that is not the case--9 Sept--not too far away. Thank you for the birthday wishes. It is an absolutely beautiful day in South Dakota.

Thanks again, Owa

All: I am trying to find a connecting flight from San Juan to Tortola or Virgin Gorda. All the ones I've found either are too early or too late (don't get us into Tortola until 8:00 at night). Any ideas? I haven't heard of "Gulf Stream". Is that a charter service? Also, any ideas on how to arrange to share a charter flight? The ones I've found are too expensive for you my wife and me, but if we split it with another couple, the cost would be fine.

Thanks.