TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands HELP - 2:30pm flight out of STT doable?

Some of our crew will be headed back to Denver (thru Philly) at the end of our trip.

The best option for them is a 2:30pm departure from STT. I really don't want them to have to miss the last night and it will be very difficult for them to make a later flight work.

Here's the thinking: Spend last night at Willy T and get over to Tortola in time for the 10:00 AM ferry. I know it will be an early morning and the timing will still be tight.

Is this doable?

I'm thinking they'll just hop off and head straight to the ferry dock while we unload, etc.

Flights need to be changed today if necessary. Thanks in advance.

From all that I have heard, #1 there is a strong likelihood that the 10 am ferry will NOT leave on time, and #2 some airlines suggest (require?) a three hour arrival before flight time. This is especially true during high season.

Check your schedules carefully

Thanks. Trip is June 13th-19th.

One I simply do not trust the ferries to get anyone anywhere at any time. If you have the time to lose a day try to take the ferry. That is just me.

That said, we regularly get up and start the boat moving in just a few minutes after I get my head off the pillow. I would see no issues on any of my boats or trips getting to a Tortola dock by 9. I have done that many times. Your crew or personal habits may be different. Walk 360 around the boat. Make sure no lines are in the water. Start the engine and let the morning go. You are underway. Have someone down below put everything out in the sink while you head out the harbor. Drop the ferry dependent crew at the closest Tortola dock or your dock if you can make the time. There are many Tortola drop off options depending on your boat skills and the ferry you hope to catch up to.

I would head to West End and drop them off for the early ferry.

I don't see any problem getting your passengers to the ferry terminal on time for the 10am. Get underway by 7:30am and you will be fine. Call ahead to the charter company and ask then to have a taxi on standby. The concern would be whether the 10am is running that day or running late. If all goes well they should have no problem making the 2:30pm flight. The lines at C&I and the airport will be manageable in June.
Regarding AA's three hour rule that does not apply if you check in on-line. Check in on-line and its 90 minutes before departure.

We did this in November. We were off the ball at the Willy T as soon as it was light. Had time to stop at the fuel dock when it opened (7:00 or 7:30) then into the marina at TMM. TMM had a taxi waiting there at 9 and off they went to the ferry. They caught a 1:30 Delta flight.

I personally don't trust the 10/1030 boats, have had them cancel more often than I care to gamble on. I'd be looking at the 7/730 unless they have an unrestricted ticket on their flight.

From bad experience, I can say that while it is most likely doable if everything goes perfectly, all it takes is one snag (ferry, taxi, etc) to miss a flight. I always book the 4:30 pm Delta flight. I catch the noon ferry and have time to have lunch ( I believe it's the Green Parrot?) right on the STT waterfront and catch a taxi to the aiport. Get in late, but it's worth it to not add any stress to a long day. Just MHO.

Thanks for the info everyone. I think we will just roll the dice and if another night in the islands is the result... so be it!

Keep in mind if this is an American Airlines flight they want you at the airport three hours prior to departure. June is lower season 50/50 chance the 10:00 ferry wont run.

Jay

No way would I chance that...not even close..get the first ferry out..

what is the earliest reasonable flight time for the 10am ferry? 3:30...4:00...4:30.....??? We have a 3:30 flight with Delta on Sat the 30Th. and this is a big topic amongst the crew. Thanks,,,,,

heading down in 1 week

We just did this. Spent our last night in Soper's Hole, Dingy over to Fish and LIme dock and let them walk to the ferry for the 730am. Then went back to the boat and headed to Road Town.

Everyone got out without any problems.

We have used the 10am ferry from west end 5 times in the last year and each time have made it to St Thomas before 12, usually arriving just after 11 am. Native Son has been very consistent and their large ferry is a great boat compared to the Bomba Charger. We have never gone to airport 3 hours before flight and nobody at American has mentioned that. Normally through all the lines and checks at the airport in less than an hour. Going back this Saturday and I have my fingers crossed that my luck will hold up.

The ferry terminal has a dinghy dock just to the right of it.

5 times is in no way a reasonable data sample when it comes to 365 days. The 3 hours is a recommendation considering all 365 days and all levels of passengers.

When you show up at the airport you are racing a computer clock set by security level far away from the airport. In very general terms that clock for checked bags closes at 60 minutes before scheduled flight time. Depending on the global security level of the day that clock will change. If you are not checked in when the clock crosses the time limit you will not check in for that flight. If you do not have baggage tags printed you will not get them. If you bag is not checked in it will not be accepted.

Hence the warning or guidance to get there three hours in advance. On a big day leaving the island you may arrive at the airport to a line to check in, get a baggage claim printed, or simply turn a bag in. Worse case you may need all that time to get to the front of the line. One threat change from somewhere else in the world and the clocks reset and the time in line changes. “Past performance does not guarantee future results.” There is no way to know in advance and the true security people do not want you to know what all their battle plans are. If it is important to make your planes that day. I would get their early.

I travel nearly week of the year so I am probably willing to take more chances with air travel than most folks but I don't think you will have any trouble with the 10 AM ferry. In fact, I have taken the 12:15 ferry a couple of times and still made a 2:30 out of St. Thomas. I wouldn't recommend cutting it that close but I would do it in a heartbeat if it meant the difference between spending the last night at Norman Island versus the base. If it gets close you close always pay a porter to take you to the front of the customs line.

We've seen a couple times where the line using the porters is worse (and took longer) than the regular line.

I will just put this right here.
3 Hour Before Departure

I did the 10AM RTFF in December and no problem. My advice, get a porter at STT airport--it will save you tons of time getting through check in and security. Shaves multiple minuter/hours off the aggro. Well worth the extra dollars. I am a very frequent traveller to the BVI and always do this.

On the flipside, we arrive at 2:45PM. Will we be able to catch a ferry over to Tortola? I'm seeing the last ferry heads out at 4:15. Any ferries that leave later? We'll be pretty tight with time and I'm guessing it might be tough to make a 4:15 ferry.

First ..book Kevin as you cab driver cos he'll know the deal (Chris Curran) will post his info. You should be fine with a ferry out of Charlotte Amalie but, if you are running late, he'll take you to Red Hook for a later boat out of there..tip Kevin well!

Thanks Manpot. I would love to get Kevin's info to use when we arrive/depart.

All other comments are spot on; however, if you are uneasy about an early Bight departure, overnight is Sopers Hole would take that pressure off...

You can text him at 340-643-0025 and give him your flight info. Please give him a week or so notice.

We did the 2:30 out of STT just after New Years, from JVD. 9:15 Inter-Island ferry left Great Harbor, stopped briefly in West End, continued on to STJ for customs/immigration, and dropped us in Red Hook. We caught a taxi to the downtown ferry dock and stowed our bags for an hour while we had lunch at the Petite Pump Room. Then we headed to the airport with time to spare. It's definitely doable (if your ferry runs on schedule).

Felix