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Private water taxi #193045
04/23/2019 12:06 PM
04/23/2019 12:06 PM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 252
Chicago, IL
Showdavid Offline OP
Traveler
Showdavid  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 252
Chicago, IL
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


Dave
BVI Sponsors
Re: Private water taxi [Re: Showdavid] #193046
04/23/2019 12:22 PM
04/23/2019 12:22 PM
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 72
Louisiana
C
cajunscuba Offline
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cajunscuba  Offline
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C
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 72
Louisiana
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.

Re: Private water taxi [Re: Showdavid] #193049
04/23/2019 12:34 PM
04/23/2019 12:34 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,040
Charlotte, NC
N
NCSailor Offline
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NCSailor  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,040
Charlotte, NC
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.

Re: Private water taxi [Re: Showdavid] #193099
04/23/2019 06:50 PM
04/23/2019 06:50 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 105
New York, NY, USA
P
pk5352 Offline
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pk5352  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 105
New York, NY, USA
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.

Re: Private water taxi [Re: Showdavid] #193476
04/28/2019 02:49 PM
04/28/2019 02:49 PM
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 32
P
pirate auntie Offline
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pirate auntie  Offline
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 32
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.

Re: Private water taxi [Re: Showdavid] #193478
04/28/2019 02:56 PM
04/28/2019 02:56 PM
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 133
NJ USA
M
mcevog Offline
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mcevog  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 133
NJ USA
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.

Re: Private water taxi [Re: Showdavid] #193485
04/28/2019 04:00 PM
04/28/2019 04:00 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
LocalSailor Offline
Traveler
LocalSailor  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
@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.?

Re: Private water taxi [Re: LocalSailor] #193496
04/28/2019 05:29 PM
04/28/2019 05:29 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 925
Michigan
rhans Offline
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rhans  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 925
Michigan
Originally Posted by LocalSailor
@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

Re: Private water taxi [Re: rhans] #193508
04/28/2019 09:18 PM
04/28/2019 09:18 PM
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 22
Virginia
B
b6fischer Offline
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b6fischer  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 22
Virginia
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.

Re: Private water taxi [Re: rhans] #193543
04/29/2019 10:58 AM
04/29/2019 10:58 AM
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 133
NJ USA
M
mcevog Offline
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mcevog  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 133
NJ USA
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.

Re: Private water taxi [Re: Showdavid] #194016
05/03/2019 06:53 PM
05/03/2019 06:53 PM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3
jumpdawg Offline
Member
jumpdawg  Offline
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3
We have used Dolphin Water Taxi before. They did great and were very accommodating.



[Linked Image]

Re: Private water taxi [Re: pk5352] #219605
03/04/2020 03:46 PM
03/04/2020 03:46 PM
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 2
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Potis Offline
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Potis  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 2
Do you know if Oceandreamswatertaxi.com is the same company as Ocean Dreams LLC?

Re: Private water taxi [Re: Potis] #219718
03/05/2020 11:48 AM
03/05/2020 11:48 AM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 365
NC
leeguice Offline
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leeguice  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 365
NC
Believe they are and after 6-7 uses can say they are GREAT


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