TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands STT Ferry Dock

I searched and couldn’t find an answer...

When everyone is referring to the ferry dock are they referring to CA or Red Hook?

We are considering taking the private Dolphin Water Taxi upon arrival to get to Moorings ASAP. They depart from Red Hook and told me that it’s the fastest way to get from the STT to West End...is this true? Is it faster to take a ferry from Red Hook over CA, even when taking into account the commute time to each respective ferry dock?

Thanks for clarifying!!!

Ferry dock is the one in CA which is where most people embark for trips to the BVI. The last ferry of the day leaves from Red Hook. I haven't taken a water taxi but a taxi ride from the airport to Red Hook is probably quicker, and less expensive, that getting a water taxi at CA and heading down the coast, past Red Hook to get to the BVI. In our 2018 trip we purchased the Moorings transfer package ($90 a person) which included the taxi rides and a round trip ticket on the Fast Ferry and it worked well getting us to the base sometime around 6pm I believe. We'll probably do that again on our 2020 trip.

The water taxi would be faster but a lot more expensive. One of the benefits of the water taxi is clearing into WE and not waiting on the long line for C&I in RT.

There is a restaurant/bar at the ferry dock in CA. You can have a drink and look out over the harbor while you wait for the ferry. We have done the water taxi route but only when our arrival in STT was after the last ferry departure. When you factor in the cost of hotel rooms for the night the water taxi option makes sense.

Just what worked well for us....

We stayed one night at French Town USVI......flying from LAX to MIA to STT.

We elected to take the Road Town Fast Ferry. the next morning.....DIRECT TO ROAD HARBOR, NO OTHER STOPS. ( about 45 minutes passage )

Easy, and fun, met and talked story with other passengers who were bare boating the BVI.

The line at Customs went fairly quickly at Road Harbor Tortola. Actually, we visited with the other people in line and made a fun experience out of it.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just FYI :

In STT, we RON'd at OLGAS FANCY. ( french town ) ....a really neat small hotel, and then walked over to the HOOK , LINE AND SINKER, and partied down , relaxed, and had fun dinner and drinks. And met very neat staff and patrons. Peaceful nights sleep, and post travel rest at Olagas Fancy.

We like to build in some wiggle room in our travel itineraries to reduce the travel hassels, and get on island time...and to cover any possible non planned
travel delays. That goes for the trip home back to the mainland U.S.A. ( LAX) as well.

Same for Road Harbor ,TtORTOLA, Remained over night, at Marias by the Sea, and walked across the road to Pussers Co. Store, Bar and Restaurant. Really neat people and ambiance, and enjoyed breakfast the next morning at the hotel....

Later took a taxi to Conch Charters for an early boarding at 4:30 pm.....Walked a dock cart over to Riteway Market for our provisioning and then back at the boat, stowed the provisions, and spent some time on board the Jeanneau 36i, and went thru the vessel inventory list and our personal check list of systems and rigging ..

About sundown , we walked next door to the PUB for Panikillers and dinner overlooking the Conch Marina. Made it an early night to be refreshed for the next days sailing adventures.

Next morning , we were prepared for the Chart Briefing and the Vessel Systems Brieifing on board, and were out of the docks early and sailing over to Peter island and
our first sailing passage to party down and have dinner at the Willy T. Been our first night tradition for 17 BVI sailing vacations.

We like to get on Island Time, as soon as we arrive and not be harried, hurrried or stressed out with crammed schedules in the islands.

Again, this is just our personal procedures for bare boating the BVI for two weeks.......and it was a fabulous , good sailing, snorkeling , and totally fun experience.

The RTFF schedule has changed for the positive, they have added in another late after noon CA, ferry, STT TO ROAD TOWN. We took an earlier ferry. All Good.
Suggest checking the ferry sked for what fits easily into your plans.

Have a grand BVI vacation.

There is now a Roadtown Fast Ferry that leaves the CA dock at 5:30 Pm to Roadtown

Just remmeber that the waters between STT and the BVI can get rough so in a small boat it can become unconfortable

It runs Friday - Sunday.

and only thru the end of December. so far...

On Monday taking the 12.30 Native Son from West End to Red Hook..lunch at the new Outriggers ( formerly FishTails) and on to Emerald Beach for the night. Seems like a civilised way to travel (Dinner at either French Quarter Bistro or Oceana).

Mal, I was just about to reach out to you. But it appears you are avoiding me 😁!! Every time I go down you are gone. Hopefully someday soon we will meet. Safe travels!

We are planning our next BVI charter in April of 2020 but arriving differently than before by flying into STT and taking the fast ferry from CA to Roadtown. My questions are; do we clear customs and immigration at the Roadtown ferry terminal? and how far is Conch charters from the Roadtown ferry terminal, is it walkable with luggage or is a taxi needed?
Thanks ahead of time.

The answer to the first question is yes, you clear in at the ferry terminal. We always use Moorings so I can't answer the second question other than to say Google Maps says it is 900m and about an 11 minute walk. Personally, I'd grab a cab.

It is walkable, but the area is very busy with lots of traffic. The road is narrow in area's, so makes it scary walk. Take a cab. Probably be $5 per person

Thanks, I'll grab a taxi then.