We'll be arriving by air to St. Thomas and need to ferry over to Tortola. I understand there are two choices of ferry one considerably longer than the other but the shorter one requires a taxi from the airport. Has anyone made the trip that can help with details?

What I usually do is yell out as loud as I can- "Who leaves 1st" & that is who I go with. What you have to understand is when you get unloaded by the Taxi @ the dock, there is about 30 people standing there trying to grab your luggage at the same time asking what ferry. It's very confusing the 1st time you visit & a little scary. It also depends on what timeyou arrive. If you arrive after 3pm, chances are that you'll miss all the Ferries. You still have to take a taxi from the airport no matter what. The nice thing is about the location is when you leave to go home, have them lock up your luggage at the ferry dock in St. Thomas & walk to Char Amalie & do some shopping before leaving!

Amber, <BR>Thank You for the reply. Do you know if there is a second ferry departure for Tortola at the far end (closer to Tortola)of St. Thomas? I should have been more clear about the Taxi ride.

Ferries from St. Thomas to Tortola depart from both Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook. I believe that Red Hook is closer to the airport than Charlotte Amalie. Check the ferry schedules (visit www.bviwelcome.com) to decide which of these works better for you. <BR> <BR>Despite the proximity of Red Hook to the airport, I have gotten the sense that most ferry passengers depart from Charlotte Amalie, as the schedules are more convenient, making up for the slightly higher taxi fare and longer taxi ride.

Charlotte Amalie is closer to the airport,Red Hook is further away. The water route from Charlotte Amalie is longer. The water route from Red Hook is shorter as you traveled to the end of ST. Thomas to pick up the ferry. Some of the ferrys may stop at St. John. It is a very pleasent ride. We were on the Native Son. I would select the ferry based on which one is easier to catch after you land.

http://www.usviguide.com/ferrytortola.htm <BR> <BR>(St. Thomas to Tortola Ferry Schedule)

Now even I am confused!! LOL ... There are two docks - one in Charolette Amalie, (Town - about a 10 minute taxi ride from airport), and one in Red Hook, East End (depending on traffic, about 20 -30 minutes away). The Town ferry is a longer and more expensive ride to Tortola but you would have a longer taxi ride if you go to Red Hook. The taxi drivers at the airport are very aware of the schedule and will take you to the "next" one. Go to www.st-thomas.com/week/ferry/ for all the options of ferrys both to RoadTown and West End and you can find taxi fares there too! The schedule varies according to the day and the rotation of which company does which route and which ferries continue on to RoadTown!! On return, the ferry will stop at St. John to clear immigration. <BR>Good luck and enjoy!!!