Question 1) Prior to COVID, we did not really worry about what ferry to catch from Charlotte Amalie to Tortola as long as we were not arriving too late. We just collected our luggage after our flight and headed to the ferry terminal to catch the next departure.
Last year, due to COVID the ferries were restricted in how many people they could carry and it was important to have a reservation prior to arriving in St. Thomas or you could end up left on shore.
Are the ferries still running at half capacity this year? Is it important to make a ferry reservation in advance for any other reason?
Question 2) We are arriving on Thanksgiving Day. I am assuming that T-Day in the U.S. will not affect the ferry schedules. Is this a valid assumption?
1) The schedules for November are not our yet as far as I know. Rumor has it schedules will be back to, more or less, pre-covid. There are no more covid protocols and # of passengers is no longer restricted. We plan to ferry mid November and I'm planning on buying ferry tickets when we get there (like we had always done pre-pandi). Recommend you watch this site for when the new schedules come out and plan accordingly. 2) Correct, that has been my experience. Again, check schedules beforehand.
This is the November ferry schedule that was released on August 7th. That seems way in advance for anything in the BVI so I would suggest double-checking . . .
I would suggest that no one use the Native Sun ferry oriole. This boat is dangerous and has a problem with rolling over in seas. The captain has to just about stop the boat to keep it from rolling over. It is old and needs replacement to a better ferry. This ferry is a disaster waiting to happen.
Can anyone clarify this November ferry schedule? I see it is more populated than some of the earlier ones posted. But how do you read those time columns? The early and late boats look like 90 minutes between the Road Town and CHA times (which I assume are departure and arrival times). But the midday trips look like 4-4 1/2 hours between. Is that for real?
@Ecm56 can you tell me where to find the nicely formatted schedules like the one for November that you posted above? I am interested in the January schedule (although I understand this is a long time away).
I believe they were posted on Facebook by someone at Guavaberry Spring Bay. I reposted all the ones I could find in the BVI Currents groups on FB (look in the "Files" section). I have not found a consistent source that I can rely on month after month (and year after year).
HI we are arriving October 24 (tomorrow) last I checked there was a 5:00 pm ferry Charlotte Amalie to Road Town- now I cannot find that listing. Can someone please post a current ferry schedule USVI to BVI? Thanks!