water taxi ?

Does anyone have any experience with the water taxis? We will miss the ferry coming into St. Thomas.... inter island flights are too early to catch as well.....
Has anyone tried the water taxis and how did it work out?

thanks!!

Water taxi's work great. They are however very expensive. Make sure when you get a quote it includes all surcharges like fuel and customs.
G

Last time I used a water taxi, stthomaswatertaxi.com out of Red Hook had the best deal to JVD from STT, not sure if that's still true. We were happy with the boat and the service.

Felix

Have used Dohms several times and will again December. Good experience always.

We prefer coming in a day early and staying on St. Thomas and having a fun night in Frenchtown and an early departure for the BVI. Second choice is a charter flight or water taxi depending on timing.

Cheers, RickG

A hotel would be a lot cheaper than a water taxi

Depending on your flight arrival time, you/the taxi company should check to make sure that BVI customs will be open late enough for you to check in.

The water taxis will arrange for after hours C&I if needed. Its part of the service.

Up tp a certain point yes they will. Two years ago we booked a water taxi for 4 people. The other couple had a flight delay such that they did not arrive until 7:30 PM. The water taxi company told us that we had to be in West End by a certain time (7 or so?) and would not wait until the other couple arrived citing customs being closed and not available for overtime. So two of us had a pretty expensive ride to Tortola and the other two spent the night in a hotel for a lot less than the cost of the water taxi.

Maybe if they/we paid extra to go to the airport or Roadtown (if it was open) they could have cleared there.

Used a Water Taxi in June/July 2014 between St. Thomas and Nanny Cay, non-stop, direct organized by my son for 5. Don't know the name, it was a sweet way to travel but it was over $600. We needed to use one to get everyone together in St. Thomas and make the trip, which, due to one of my daughter's late arrival, was well after 5p.

There are plenty or reliable water taxis. Whether this is a good idea or not depends on a lot of factors. If your transporting a large group (6 or more) it works a lot better than say just two couples. It's a nice way to start as the Captain does all the work (Customs et. al.), you sit back and chill with a cold beer. My kids loved it. Captain pulled right up to the stern of our charter on the dock and unloaded everyone's bags into the cockpit. He got a nice tip.

Where and how did you clear customs?

This past month ( July 2015), my family of six used Ocean Dreams Water Taxi - Captain Christopher. He responded to my initial email promptly, and was very responsive to all my questions. He met us in Red Hook, cleared us through West End, and took us to our charter in Nanny Cay. Nice large boat, and great service. We paid $100 per person plus $35 per person for customs fees. He can arrange taxi service from STT to Red Hook as well. Highly recommend him!

Rules changed some this year. Now you actually have to get out of water taxi and go through customs and immigration. Then the water taxi can take you to your boat or dock if they are properly licensed with BVI. We use Capt. Chris at Oceandreams water taxi. Great service and a great guy. It makes dollar sense with a big group versus a hotel.

At $135 one way, I'd suggest looking at flying in to Tortola.

I've just never heard of a direct no-stop trip from USVI to BVI without that first stop being customs regardless of whether the passengers debark or not is irrelevant. My original question stands.

It seems they 'don't remember' the name of the boat service that gave them non stop direct to the stern delivery from the USVI -- can't say you or I haven't seen it happen though right? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thinks.gif" alt="" />

Agreed Localsailor.

Have used both Dohms and Ocean Dreams on several trips. Expensive and, IMHO, well worth it for our group and schedules.
Oceans Dreams has all the permits to take you to any point in BVI after stopping at West End C&I.
Dohms used to, now they must leave you at C&I at West End. Per my last conversation in June they are "working on this."
For our group we would need 2 or 3 rooms on STT! Therefore the cost works out.
Last trip and service with Ocean Dreams was wonderful, great people, great boat.

Are water taxis generally available to help address unplanned last minute changes such as unscheduled late arrivals into stt?

BTW, there is no $35 pp customs fee. That money is pocketed by your water taxi, nice gig

They advertise that they are on call 24/7 as needed. The reality is that they may be booked full during the high season.

I too have used Captain Chris owner of Ocean Dreams and can say that he does what he says he will do and does it first class. Is he cheap, no he isn't but in the case when I need somebody to help me out in a difficult situation I normally don't look for someone who is cheap. Several times Captain Chris has saved the day for myself and my guest. His name is one that I keep on my important BVI numbers. In his case you truly get what you pay for.

Ken in Charlotte

Thank you everyone for the thoughts..... ! I will take a look at the suggestions!!!

On a related note, how much time will it take for the land taxi ride (Kevin) from STT airport to Red Hook once we're loaded up? Thanks.

30 minutes or so.