TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands The best laid plans..... help

We are on Virgin Gorda for 4 weeks starting late January. I have 3 different groups coming and going I had thought I was going with a private air charter for four different legs for our groups coming into STT to VIJ. Arrival is around 1:30 for all and I sure hope they aren't checking luggage. But have been told (once I confirmed with passport info and weights) that we are over the weight and need to "graduate" to a bigger plane. This has never happened before but we do have a few "larger" people- ex football players. So that whole thing bit the dust as we really can't afford the cost of the bigger plane. We can only be indulgent so far...... So......

I have looked into Chillout Charters and Ocean Dreams. I looked into Cape Air to EIS but their track record scares me a bit and they definitely weren't cheap. Any thoughts on those would be appreciated. Or others . If I booked a water taxi out of Red Hook I would like to arrange private taxi transport to make things seamless if anyone has suggestions on a reliable driver.

Also- a few of the peeps are coming and going (including me) at different (solo) times. I'd MUCH prefer to fly but as a solo that's insane. What is the best way (time-wise) to see about a shared water taxi? Do people accept others into their group for a fee if you promise to be nice. And fun. I don't want to post it to this site too early but I don't have a feel for how the typical traveler books time-wise.

The taxi to the ferry to Tortola to the ferry to Virgin Gorda is, I'm sure, an option. I haven't mapped out the times yet as my air charter just blew up yesterday. One person of the group has a bum ankle and that's why flying seemed the best option.

I would appreciate any advice or thoughts. I am the type of traveler (especially as the host and organizer) that wants this nailed down ASAP. Thank you in advance

We booked with Chillout sort of late in the game and got a good rate because we were willing to share the water taxi. You may still have time to book something for late January.
Sorry to hear of your mess.

We always charter from either STT or SJU to VG. Our group of four always needs the "bigger plane" due to our size and chronic overpacking so I have done this type of math. Going with a private water taxi from STT to VG always priced out comparably to flying so we fly.

It might be worthwhile to asking your rental agency for options.

If you need a private driver on STT, Christopher has treated us well since 2005 - https://www.christaxiandlimoservices.com/services I see there is an option for water taxi to the BVIs.

Any chance of flying into EIS and just taking Speedy's ferry?

For yourself, I would take Cape Air to STT or just fly out of EIS.

We have flown (lots of luggage as we are always taking stuff to the boat and dive gear) Island Birds from STT to EIS. Larger plane when it is more than two of us. We also use Island Time for water taxi. LOVE them. They arrange the taxi from STT to Red Hook and vice versa. Stay away from Dolphin Water Taxi they have cancelled runs on us before.

I second Island Birds. Nadia is awesome. 284-495-2002

Island birds is who I was dealing with. Then we ran into the weight issue. Just looking for other options. Go Irish !! I have a son who’s a junior. 🍀☘️