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the future of STT to BVI ferries #284578
06/14/2022 03:01 PM
06/14/2022 03:01 PM
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 51
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BPT Offline OP
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Planning our New Years trip to VG. Last year we flew to SJU and took Cape Air to VG. Wonderful. Easy. But expensive!! For our return this year, I'd love to avoid the $2k Cape Air flights and take ferries from STT. My concern is if we can trust the ferry system & schedule to run and/or even kind of fit into our schedule? Our dates are Dec 26, which is a Monday and Jan 3 which is a Tuesday. Would you bite the bullet and spend the money for the sure thing (Cape Air) or wait and risk it with the ferries and hope all is well in December? Pre-covid, this would be a non-issue!! Today, I'm unsure.

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Re: the future of STT to BVI ferries [Re: BPT] #284581
06/14/2022 03:27 PM
06/14/2022 03:27 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht Offline
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JasonHelmbrecht  Offline
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Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
That is also a holiday (Boxing Day) which might influence ferry schedules to a degree. What does it cost if you lose a night of accommodations on VG, have to buy a new hotel in STT, get extra taxis, tips, and meals in STT?

I'm a sure thing guy, especially on vacation; that said, my last 3 Cape Air flights all cancelled in the last 4 weeks and I had to buy charters; so that didn't really work out.

The ferries are currently more reliable than the local air options due to staffing.

Good luck.

Last edited by JasonHelmbrecht; 06/14/2022 03:28 PM.

JasonHelmbrecht
Coconut Breeze Villas
Cane Garden Bay
reservations@coconutbreezevillas.com
www.coconutbreezevillas.com
Re: the future of STT to BVI ferries [Re: JasonHelmbrecht] #284582
06/14/2022 03:36 PM
06/14/2022 03:36 PM
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 62
mfringsley Offline
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Originally Posted by JasonHelmbrecht
That is also a holiday (Boxing Day) which might influence ferry schedules to a degree. What does it cost if you lose a night of accommodations on VG, have to buy a new hotel in STT, get extra taxis, tips, and meals in STT?

I'm a sure thing guy, especially on vacation; that said, my last 3 Cape Air flights all cancelled in the last 4 weeks and I had to buy charters; so that didn't really work out.

The ferries are currently more reliable than the local air options due to staffing.

Good luck.



Certainly don't like those odds on Cape Air considering we are supposed to use them this upcoming Saturday from SJU to EIS! They did cancel our previous flight for this itinerary about 2 months ago but we got on a different flight and it seems to be sticking at the moment. Maybe it helps that it's with a United codeshare. Finger's crossed!

Re: the future of STT to BVI ferries [Re: BPT] #284584
06/14/2022 03:42 PM
06/14/2022 03:42 PM
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 365
New Paltz, NY, Narragansett, R...
skipdastraw Offline
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New Paltz, NY, Narragansett, R...
Where are you flying into STT from? Arrival time?
We have been flying into STT and using the ferries for 20 years. While we have had a few hiccups along the way, we have never experienced a nightmare or been out any money. It has always been my thought that the more connecting flights you add and the more legs of the journey, the more potential there is for problems. Especially now with so many airline issues.
We are also arriving on Dec 26th and heading to VG. We always plan on the first ferry possible and leave a backup plan. Luckily for a VG arrival, plan B includes later options out of Trellis. It is always a long day but I much prefer to get there in one travel day. I am usually on the ferry drinking a Carib by 2:45.

Re: the future of STT to BVI ferries [Re: BPT] #284585
06/14/2022 03:49 PM
06/14/2022 03:49 PM
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 520
Bay Area
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Husker Offline
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According to FlightAware for SJU to EIS:
Monday (6/13) - Cape Air was 6 for 6 (no cancellations)
Tuesday - Cape Air has completed 2 flights, cancelled 2 and the 5:00 flight is scheduled.

InterCaribbean has been averaging 2 for 3 for the last couple months....by my casual observation.

We came down in May (on IC and Silver) and didn't have any issues. Had some luck on our side, I guess. But, we had some flexibility so weren't too stressed about it.

I would definitely ferry (or water taxi) to STT for the return trip home....less chance screwing up your connecting flight(s)

Re: the future of STT to BVI ferries [Re: BPT] #284586
06/14/2022 05:15 PM
06/14/2022 05:15 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
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The ferries tend to be very reliable just late often. If they do have a mechanical one of the other companies fills in. There is a surplus of ferries. Cape Air is a excellent airline however they are losing pilots like crazy and that is going to accelerate rapidly with the newly announced regional pilot pay rates. Your odds of getting there are much higher with the ferry.
G

Last edited by GeorgeC1; 06/14/2022 05:16 PM.
Re: the future of STT to BVI ferries [Re: BPT] #284642
06/15/2022 06:30 PM
06/15/2022 06:30 PM
Joined: Aug 2018
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Ifeltlikeagringo Offline
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Honestly, unless everything is truly closed down, there will be ferries from Saint Thomas to Tortola. Maybe not Virgin Gorda, but Tortola. It's how the economy operates and they're always busy enough to justify the trip. We had a long but trouble-free trip in February that involved a connecting flight, a taxi to the ferry dock, a ferry to Tortola, a taxi to Trellis Bay, and a ferry to Virgin Gorda. A delay anywhere might have messed it up, but we had time for a convivial dinner with people doing the same thing at Trellis Bay--and once you're there, you're on Virgin Gorda, one of the most relaxing places anywhere.

Re: the future of STT to BVI ferries [Re: Ifeltlikeagringo] #284659
06/16/2022 09:10 AM
06/16/2022 09:10 AM
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 365
New Paltz, NY, Narragansett, R...
skipdastraw Offline
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New Paltz, NY, Narragansett, R...
The Virgin Gorda ferries have always been reliable since many locals depend on getting to and from Tortola for work.

Re: the future of STT to BVI ferries [Re: BPT] #284661
06/16/2022 09:50 AM
06/16/2022 09:50 AM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 583
Oak Park, IL
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TomGarvey Offline
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Aquatic Rentals is back up & running, and yesterday I was on their 9:00 ferry from Road Town to Red Hook. It's a very nice boat, very good onboard customer service - free bottles of water - and they left RT a few minutes early. That said, there were only seven passengers on board. I hope they stick with it, they're a very good new option.


Tom Garvey
Re: the future of STT to BVI ferries [Re: BPT] #286749
07/28/2022 04:18 PM
07/28/2022 04:18 PM
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 22
New Orleans
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BSer Offline
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I was down there in June and it was impossible to make the last ferry from Native Son, and Smith's was sold out. So I would book that last 5:00 ferry from Smith's if possible next time. But I chimed in mostly to add that I was lucky enough that aquatic rentals vi was operating one at 6:00 pm out of Red Hook. See link below.

https://www.aquaticrentalsvi.com/

Re: the future of STT to BVI ferries [Re: BPT] #286775
07/29/2022 08:30 AM
07/29/2022 08:30 AM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
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RatmansWife Offline
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The ferry schedules may get closer to normal with the Covid restrictions having been lifted.

Re: the future of STT to BVI ferries [Re: BPT] #287121
08/09/2022 11:54 AM
08/09/2022 11:54 AM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 138
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Shifty Offline
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I just browsed Native Son's website to search ferry availability from St. Thomas to Tortola on our date of travel (Jan. 6, 2023). There was a notice indicating that all passengers will require a valid negative covid test to board the ferry. Can anyone advise whether that is, in fact, the case, or whether the website isn't updated?

Re: the future of STT to BVI ferries [Re: BPT] #287124
08/09/2022 12:03 PM
08/09/2022 12:03 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Manpot Offline
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I believe that is out of date. I travelled back on Smith's last week and no test required. I think someone earlier contacted Native Son and they said they had to update their website.

Re: the future of STT to BVI ferries [Re: Manpot] #287126
08/09/2022 12:22 PM
08/09/2022 12:22 PM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 138
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Shifty Offline
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I assumed that was the case. Thanks much.

Re: the future of STT to BVI ferries [Re: BPT] #287130
08/09/2022 02:15 PM
08/09/2022 02:15 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht Offline
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JasonHelmbrecht  Offline
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Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
thru march

Attached Files ferry august 2022.jpgferry september 2022.jpgferry october 2022.jpgferry november 2022.jpgferry december 2022.jpgferry january 2023.jpgferry march 2023.jpgferry february 2023.jpgferry april 2023.jpg

JasonHelmbrecht
Coconut Breeze Villas
Cane Garden Bay
reservations@coconutbreezevillas.com
www.coconutbreezevillas.com
Re: the future of STT to BVI ferries [Re: BPT] #287147
08/09/2022 08:29 PM
08/09/2022 08:29 PM
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 29
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cbf Online content
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Thank you for posting

Re: the future of STT to BVI ferries [Re: BPT] #288121
08/31/2022 10:28 PM
08/31/2022 10:28 PM
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 65
Charleston, SC
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TRIM Offline
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Charleston, SC
Jason, where do you find these schedules with all of the companies shown? I can’t find any updated schedules and wanted to see if anything has changed for Nov.

Re: the future of STT to BVI ferries [Re: JasonHelmbrecht] #288130
09/01/2022 07:42 AM
09/01/2022 07:42 AM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 583
Oak Park, IL
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TomGarvey Offline
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Hi Jason, thanks for posting this! What are your thoughts about why Aquatic is not included on the schedules?


Tom Garvey
Re: the future of STT to BVI ferries [Re: BPT] #288137
09/01/2022 09:01 AM
09/01/2022 09:01 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
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10 AM ferry is back from Roadtown in November!! In related news water taxi bookings drop in half in November.


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