TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Private water taxi

I thought I read recently or saw on a web site that a private water taxi service can now take you from St Thomas directly to your charter base on Tortola after clearing in. Last time we went we had to be dropped off at C&I and taxi to the charter base. Is this true?
Thanks in advance

Due to a late flight arrival we had to take a private water taxi, Dolphin Water Taxi. They took us from STT, to Soper's Hole to clear in, then to Sunsail docks in Road Town...all on the boat. We did have another group on the boat taxi with us who were also going to the same marina. If that group wasn't coming with us we would've had to take a car taxi to the marina.

I would confirm with the individual water taxi companies if they can take you to your marina after clearing C&I. Years ago they could all do this. Then the BVI government changed the rules so that only companies licensed to business in the BVI could take you further than the nearest customs dock. I have not heard that this has changed. There are a couple of water taxis licensed in the BVI so again check with the individual company.

We have had direct to dock drop offs from STT-Tortola (Both Sopers and Road Town) with both Dolphin as well as Ocean Dreams. Used Ocean Dreams just last month and had a great experience with them. Great boat, great service. Again, as NCSailor says, definitely confirm that any specific trip has you booked directly to your destination rather than just to Customs.

Hi,
I would recommend Dolphin. Just like Cajunscuba, our flight was delayed making it highly unlikely we'd catch the last ferry to Tortola. They were able to accommodate our same day request. It worked better for us to just go to Road Town and cab it to Nanny Cay. As it was dark by the time we arrived Tortola.

Yes - used Dolphin Water Taxis last summer for a transfer from STT to TMM Marina - via Customs Clearance. Very efficient. They met us on arrival at STT - taxi transfer to Red Hook, then immediate departure to Tortola. The stop for customs clearance was very brief - no doubt helped by the fact that there wasn't a Ferry clearing in at the same time. Then they took us round to the TMM Marina at Road Reef. For the return they showed up at the TMM Marina on time, and we went straight to the Customs hall at Charlotte Amalie, then a taxi the short distance to the airport. Its a very good service. We were a large group of 15/16 people - and it was certainly expensive I remember, but it saved a lot of hassle and waiting around! Would do it again if I came through STT.

@mcevog "For the return they showed up at the TMM Marina on time, and we went straight to the Customs hall at Charlotte Amalie,"

Wouldn't the vessel with passengers have to clear out of the BVI at C&I before heading to the USVI?? Departure Tax etc.?

That's the way I thought it was supposed to work

We are using Dolphin for our return and they offer their "Express Clear" service. Coming in you must make a brief stop at BVI customs, but leaving you do not. All paperwork/fees are done in advance.

You take care of all outbound clearances with Dolphin Taxi directly - no need for revisiting C&I and they collect and pass on Departure Taxes etc. Its a very good service - albeit pricey. Given where we were berthed in Road Reef Marina the Dolphin Taxi literally stopped on the other side of the finger jetty from us, and transferring of luggage etc was really simple.

We have used Dolphin Water Taxi before. They did great and were very accommodating.

Do you know if Oceandreamswatertaxi.com is the same company as Ocean Dreams LLC?

Believe they are and after 6-7 uses can say they are GREAT