I'm sure this topic has been covered a multitude of times, so I apologize in advance for the repetitiveness.

We are a group of 16 headed down for a week on two cats June 4 - 11. For arrival and departure we are all flying in and out of STT. For the arrival leg, and subsequent trip from STT to Tortola, it would seem as though a water taxi is twice the price of taking the ferry. In your opinion, is the cost worth the reward?

On departure, it seems as though the ferry is fine because, let's be honest, who really wants to leave anyway?

Any thoughts/opinions/suggestions on water taxi vs ferry?

The water taxi's business plan is sinking. The huge advantage of water taxis is they took you directly to your final destination. They now must drop you at West end or Jost, which somewhat loses it's biggest convenience. Now, not only do you have to pay a convenience charge for checking, you will need a taxi to your final destination

I just booked a water taxi and did some research. I was told I would be dropped off directly at the Footloose docks. I have not seen any other information on blogs that confirm the information about dropping off at West End. If it is true - I agree with your comments, but can someone else weigh in if they have heard/seen this?

What time are you getting in? That makes a big difference when trying to catch the ferry.

We will all be there in time to have some drinks prior to the 4:30 ferry. Earliest we will get there is 1:15 PM, with some crew getting in at 2:50 PM.

It sounds like there are enough of you that a charter flight into Beef might be cost effective, at least when compared to a water taxi.

To my knowledge the BVI gov't has not given OK for the U.S. flagged water taxis to go beyond first check in. You might want to check again.

Here is an article about the water taxi's not being able to take you to your final destination.

http://www.bvibeacon.com/1/index.php/new...svi-water-taxis

Just got back on Monday and used Dohm's for our group of 11. They still are not able to bring you to your final destination, but they do arrange land transportation and still clear you in and out. They were waiting for us both ways and was very convenient. Smiths broke down last Saturay and heard it was a mad scramble to get to STT.

Thank you for the link.. I think the link has a key clarification point - it sounds like they are cracking down on water taxis that do not have bvi certification process. I am going to call Ocean Dreams an hear what they have to say.

Ocean Dreams took my friends to the Voyage docks last Saturday with no issues. But they told me other water taxis were not doing so. Capt. Christopher is well connected with the BVI customs folks and probably has whatever license is needed. He has always given us great service.

Hot Off The Press from Ocean Dreams:

No need for concern, Ocean Dreams LLC is the only water taxi that can take people anywhere in the BVI from the US Virgin Islands.

I will be able to drop you directly there, you should post that to the blogs as well so other people may know. That crackdown applies to companies such as Dolphin Water Taxi.

Let me know if you have any other concerns.

thanks much.

The Ocean Dreams quote I received was $340 for a one way taxi and $1,600 for the one way water taxi, plus $35 per person for C&I. That makes it 4X our cost of taking the ferry.

After the math, I have to ask again, is it really "worth the cost" over the "hassle" of the ferry?

That depends -- we took out pregnant dtr-in-law sailing -- in & out of st thomas because of the air schedule -- flight delay out of miami so we would not have made the ferry -- were called while sitting on the tarmac to confirm our pre-arranged water taxi was aware and would meet us whenever the flight arrived -- great peace of mind -- no question having taxi meet at airport to water taxi, water taxi check in at C &I (old rules) and drop us off at out boat in Roadtown started the trip off right -- On return we did the ferry thing -- We booked the RTFF but "had" to jitney it to West end to board the ferry at the last minute -- who knows why -- fortunately she is a great traveller and all went well, but glad was at the end not the beginning of an otherwise great trip.....For us, well worth the extra bucks.

A few thousand dollars for the water taxi!!! Definitely not worth it!!!