We are on Virgin Gorda enjoying a wonderful week, but unfortunately it ends Saturday. How early do we need to arrive at the ferry to go through customs and get tickets before the 8:30 ferry to St. Thomas?

You don't need to go thru customs in Tortola. All you'll need to do is purchase your ticket, pay your departure tax ($15), and walk thru the security screening. I recommend all our guests arrive 30 minutes before the ferry departure.

Assume you are taking the 8:30 direct Speedy's ferry from VG. The last time we took any ferry from VG, there was no security. We just showed up 10-15 minutes before departure and got on the boat. They will collect money for tickets en route. If this has changed, maybe someone else can weigh in.

We took Speedy's from Virgin Gorda to St. Thomas late last May. It was the afternoon ferry and they did stop in Roadtown, Tortola to have us go through security, but, heh, heh, we could leave our bags on board the ferry. Go figure. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> Then off to St. Thomas, where we did, of course, go through C&I. The stop in Roadtown did add an hour to the trip, though. We weren't worried as we were spending our last night in St. Thomas, but some of the other passengers were a little freaked about making their flight on time.

Just a non-timing note, a recent email from TMM about our upcoming charter next month says the departure tax is $20 (at least that's from Tortola - may be different from VG?)

$15 resident..$20 tourists..

Just paid $20 to leave. Would have paid lots more if I could have stayed.