On my last trip to the Virgin Islands, my flight was delayed, and I ended up missing the last ferry from St. Thomas to BVI. I had all my bags with me and no way to get across that night, it was pretty stressful. I’m worried it might happen again, so I’m wondering: if my flight gets delayed and I miss the ferry, is it possible to book a water taxi last-minute, or do most of them require reservations in advance? I just want to make sure I have a backup plan in case I get stuck again.

It's always best to make water taxi reservations in advance as most are usually fully booked. Occasionally you can get a "last minute" ride if you are lucky enough to find a water taxi operator who has space available but there are never any guarantees. Without a reservation you'll just have to take your chances. Keep in mind that when taking a water taxi regardless of which island in the BVI's you are visiting you'll have to first clear Customs in Tortola before proceeding on to your final destination and that office closes at 6PM.

Catching a water taxi last-minute in the Virgin Islands is sometimes possible, especially in midweek. However, during peak season, it’s best to book in advance. Water Taxis recommend reservations to secure your preferred time and ensure smooth customs processing if crossing between the USVI and BVI

When my boyfriend and I had a delayed flight to St. Thomas, we landed around 4:30 p.m. and missed the last ferry to the BVI. Since BVI customs in the West End usually closes around 6:00 p.m., we were really worried we wouldn’t make it in time. I reached out to SeaHorse Water Taxi, and thankfully Kenny responded right away. Captain Valekai was available for a last-minute trip, getting us across just before customs closed. Amy explained that they sometimes take last-minute requests depending on the captain’s availability, we just got lucky that Captain Val was free that time. After that experience, I always make sure to book in advance and take an earlier flight. It saves a lot of stress and helps you keep that easy island vibe from the very start of your trip.