Ahoy,
We are setting sail in a week or so and am getting mixed signals on entry into BVI and best practice.
For our entry into BVI, it's pretty simple. Due to flights and schedules, we are flying to SJU the night before, staying in hotel then taking Cape Air (I think) from SJU to EIS in the morning and meeting boat at Scrub. Easy.

For departure it's a little more complicated:

I had thought the BVI and USVI had figured stuff out for charter boats and going back and forth. We had thought our boat would be able to sail us to STT at end of our charter and drop us off so we could catch flight home from STT for simplicity and cost.

We are now being told that customs isn't allowing charter boats to go back and forth, nor letting our crew sail over to STT, clear us in and drop us off to get to airport. What's the latest issue? Is this an industry wide issue or just one for our boat specifically? I don't get it. Any advice appreciated. Thanks!

Specific to each boat. Boats (and crew if applicable) are required to have proper licensing and permits. Not all have invested the time and $$ resources into the process.

Think it's cause the crew has US Visa's. Not passports. Boat is licensed but crew from Amsterdam and Sweeden.

I would count on getting the ferry back.

Thanks,
I think so too but don't want to really deal with ferry.
For this trip, we may just snag a flight from EIS to SJU and pay the $$ instead of saving a little but ferry to STT then cheaper flight from there to SJU.

For my trip in May, I will have 12 passengers who are flying in together to STT. Most quick and cost effective way to get to the boat in Tortola?
*Water Taxi (who is cheapest and who can pick up at STT instead of making us take a taxi to East end of St. Thomas which we do not want to mess with).
*Ferry (is this a fast ferry from near Airport?). If so, I am guessing the downside is trying to clear customs with everyone else at marina getting off ferry. Also don't want to do.
*Private air Charter: I am guessing none can fit 12 pax
*Commercial flight: Assuming time works well with the arrival of our commercial flight...

Lastly, idea would be to get water taxi from Airport in STT area and take us to clear into BVI at West End (?). could have Catamaran meet us there and we could sail to Jost from there for evening. just a thought?

Benefits of flight is, boat will be at Scrub so I avoid having to go from red hook to scrub in taxi and avoid marina customs office.....

Thoughts?? THANKS!!

Water taxi will be the most convenient, but I believe most/all pick you up in Red Hook, not CA (~30 minute ride from airport), which makes for a much shorter boat ride. Ferry is 5-10 minute ride in CA. I believe they are all priced around the same, but perhaps you can find a discount since you are a full (12) boat. We have used Island Time and Dolphin (largest) and have had good results. There may be a surcharge for Scrub as it is a bit further (can't recall but did it last year). If you are willing to pay for it, the Water Taxi is the most enjoyable as you will have it to yourself with drinks aboard, captain checks you in, then drops you off right by your boat. Avoid another cab ride from Road Town, then resort ferry to Scrub.

Or as you said, if crew is willing to pick you up in West End after check in, that would be ideal after water taxi.

Water Taxi - we use Island Time (many times each year). Have had bad experiences and last minute cancellations in the past with Dolphin - would not recommend them. No company, that I am aware of, will pick you up in Charlotte Amalie - all pick up in Red Hook.

Flights - Cape Air has scheduled flights. We fly STT to EIS with Island Birds. You will need two of their planes (largest is a 9 seater). We are flying with them May 2 EIS to STT, $1225 for the 5 seat Aztec.

Great stuff. Thank you! I'll check out Island time as well as Island Birds!

Chill Out Charters has done us right.