Private water taxi

Just received an quote from Island time water taxi for $1,890 for (4) RT from STT to West End Tortola. This includes the $60 processing fee, but not the $90 taxi to airport fee. Does that seem accurate to you? Seems rather expensive to me. Is this option worth the $$$ Any idea how much a ferry would cost?

Seems pretty accurate to me yes. Maybe increased slightly (like ~$150) but that would make sense with increased fuel costs.

Ferry is $60/one way STT to Road Town. But the schedule can be potentially inconvenient for travel. And waiting in the customs lines can take hours.

So, I'd say it depends on your patience levels and size of wallet.

There are costs to be considered both ways. After a fairly lengthy quote process, I found costs of ferry to be about half of a water taxi. Both methods of transportation have hidden costs, like extraneous land taxi costs, baggage fees and taxes. But on average, figure $90-100 per person for ferry and double that for water taxi per person, each way. Costs for water taxi can go way up if you wait to make the reservation. Last minute reservation can get very pricey.

Did Island Time in April - there were 6 in our group. When I was explaining it to the crew, I had it as about $130pp +tips (each way) for the ferry. The water taxi was about $245pp (each way, and I think I included the tips in that number). These numbers include the taxis required to get to each place.

First, I can definitely say that it was worth the extra $100pp each way. Service from everyone (two different taxi drivers and boat drivers - two different boats) was impeccable. Drinks we aboard the boats in a cooler, and SO nice to hang out in the boat while the Captain took care of checking us into and out the BVI (you have to go check into the USVI). No lines anywhere! No waiting - anywhere!

Not only that, 4 of the crew were 2 hours late (just sitting on the tarmac in Charlotte) - taxi driver was tracking their flight, we were in touch while my wife and I hung out at the bar and waited, and as soon as they had their luggage, away we all went. Never would have caught the afternoon ferry had we tried to head over when they got there.

Getting dropped off and picked up at the marina where TWT is homed is a next level experience. Pile the bags at the end of the dock, drop them in the boat, and off you go! No dealing with the C&I guys or the ferry guys (no hearing "I take care of the bags, you take care of me") and no standing in line.

Should you decide to do it, you will likely never ask these questions again. I blame MIDiver for getting me doing this! Honestly, if it was just my wife and I (or possibly even just me alone) I would probably use Island Time.

Your mileage may vary!

Keep Smiling!!!

The water taxi is well worth the extra $$. We'll never ride the ferry again.

Correction- it is $825 x 2 + $240 (processing fee) x 2 R/T = $2,130.

Haha TWT - I accept that blame. We love Island Time and I will only use them and Island Birds for travel now - even if it is just the two of us. The convenience is worth every penny - we bake it into our trip costs.

We just got back from using Island Time and it was well worth the money! We got over fast and they handle all the customs headaches while we sat on the boat and enjoyed cold beer, then took us over to the Moorings. Capt. Harris was great! 👍

Hi Everyone,

We went to JVD via STT last year in late October via Dolphin Water Taxi. My fiancé and I were charged $820 which while expensive seemed reasonable given we had to go through West End to do our Covid tests and customs plus all the fees. Can we now go directly from Red Hook to JVD. Are current regulations like last year? AA changed our flight to now arrive at 3:35 PM so presume given the ferry schedule we use a water taxi or transit the next day to JVD. Our flight is on 10/27 at least for now. Given all the pilot issues I assume this is the best course. We usually use the ferry back out and get a late flight out so we are good to go on the return.


Thanks
Dirk

When looking at water taxi's to the BVI different providers have different minimums. Island Time has a 6 person minimum. We used SeaHorse Water Taxi out of Red Hook, they have a four person minimum. They provided excellent service dropping us off directly at our boat. The communication was great, we worked with Amy, she was great to work with. We'd use them again in the future.

We use Island Time every time (at least four trips a year). Using them Thursday in fact. We have 2-4 passengers most trips. The 6 minimum is not correct. I highly recommend using a BVI based operator for these runs, not a USVI based company.

Edited to add that Wilson K’s (a brand new member with only 1 forum post) is the third post on different social platforms I have seen today for Seahorse. They are evidently doing a marketing push…..