How to Get From STT Airport to Your BVI Charter Boat

⚡ Quick Answer

The fastest route is: land at STT → cab to your pickup point (Crown Bay Marina is just 5 minutes from the airport, or we depart from our base at Oasis Cove Marina on the east end) → board your water taxi → arrive BVI in roughly 45–60 minutes on the water. Total door-to-dock time: under 2 hours including BVI customs clearance. If you’re flying in after 7pm, a private water taxi is your only realistic option — ferries stop running in the late afternoon.

It sounds simple but there are a surprising number of moving parts — ferry schedules, customs fees, ground transport, luggage logistics, and what happens if your flight is delayed. This guide covers all of it.

First: Why You’re Flying Into St. Thomas

Most BVI charter guests fly into Cyril E. King Airport (STT) in St. Thomas, USVI — not directly into Tortola. STT has significantly more nonstop flights from the US mainland and generally lower fares than flying into Terrance B. Lettsome Airport (EIS) in Tortola. American, Delta, United, JetBlue, and Spirit all serve STT with nonstops from major hubs.

From STT, you have two ways to cross into the BVI: public ferry or private water taxi. They are very different experiences at very different price points.

Your Four Options — Ranked

Here’s the advantage most people don’t know about: Last Mile Water Taxi offers pickup at Crown Bay Marina — just a 5-minute cab ride from STT airport. Our base is at Oasis Cove Marina on the east end, but we can meet you at Crown Bay so you’re on the water faster than any other option. That saves you the 25-minute drive to the east end that every other operator requires.

Once aboard, you’ll be on one of two vessels — our 40′ custom Gold Coast catamaran or our 37′ Axopar Sun Top — matched to your group size and conditions on the day. The crossing to Tortola takes approximately 45–60 minutes. BVI customs paperwork is handled by the captain while you sit back with a cold drink — you don’t stand in any lines.

Best for: groups of any size, late arrivals, anyone who wants the simplest possible experience, charter yacht guests with lots of gear.

Other water taxi operators on St. Thomas — including Dolphin — depart from Red Hook on the east end of the island, about 25–30 minutes from STT airport. You’ll need to arrange a cab from the airport to Red Hook first (roughly $25/person or $135 flat for 1–5 people) before you even get on the water.

Last Mile Water Taxi is based at Oasis Cove Marina on the east end — same as most other operators — but uniquely offers Crown Bay pickup, cutting your ground transfer from 25 minutes down to 5. If you’re comparing operators who only offer east end departures, factor in that extra 25 minutes each way on top of the water crossing.

The last ferry to the BVI typically departs around 5:00–5:30pm. If your flight is delayed or arrives after 3pm, you’re cutting it very close. If you miss the last ferry, you’re stuck in St. Thomas for the night — losing an entire charter day.

For groups with lots of gear (dive bags, provisioning, sailing equipment), public ferries are genuinely difficult. Luggage space is limited and bags go in an unsecured pile on deck.

The Full Cost Breakdown

Step-by-Step: The Last Mile Water Taxi Route

• 1
  Land at STT, collect bags

  Cyril E. King Airport is small — baggage claim is a short walk from the gate. Your bags should arrive within 20–30 minutes of landing.
• 2
  Cab to your pickup point

  Tell the cab driver “Crown Bay Marina” — it’s just a 5-minute drive from the airport and Last Mile Water Taxi can meet you there. Alternatively, we depart from our base at Oasis Cove Marina on the east end (~25 minutes). When you book, let us know which works better for your arrival and we’ll coordinate accordingly.
• 3
  Board your vessel at Crown Bay or Oasis Cove

  The crew meets you dockside and helps load bags. Depending on your group size, you’ll board either the 40′ Gold Coast catamaran — with shaded interior seating and open deck, comfortable for up to 12 guests with gear — or the 37′ Axopar Sun Top, a sleek, fast powerboat ideal for smaller groups who want to get there quickly.
• 4
  Crossing to the BVI — ~45–60 minutes

  The captain handles your BVI customs paperwork while underway. You enjoy the crossing — open water, Caribbean views, and a cold drink. No lines, no waiting rooms.
• 5
  BVI Customs clearance — 10–20 minutes

  The captain presents all passports and paperwork at the customs point. You remain on the boat. BVI entry fees (~$75pp) are collected — bring cash. This step typically takes 10–20 minutes.
• 6
  Delivered directly to your charter dock or mooring

  Whether your boat is at Nanny Cay, Village Cay, Road Town, Sopers Hole, or anywhere in the BVI — the captain takes you there directly. No additional cab, no extra logistics.

What If My Flight Is Delayed?

⚠️ If you’re taking the public ferry

The last BVI-bound ferry departs around 5:00–5:30pm. If your flight is delayed even 2 hours, you can easily miss it — and there’s no alternative except staying overnight in St. Thomas and losing your first charter day.

Late evening arrivals (7pm–10pm) are a specialty. While most water taxi services stop BVI transfers around 7pm, Last Mile operates after hours for guests who need it. BVI customs has specific procedures for after-hours entry — our captains handle this routinely.

Pre-Submitting Your BVI Customs Paperwork

One of the things that slows down the BVI entry process is having your customs paperwork completed before you arrive. Last Mile Water Taxi has a Smart Form system where all passengers submit their passport details in advance. The captain arrives at customs with everything already filled out — cutting your clearance time significantly.

No other USVI-based water taxi company promotes this as prominently. Submit your group’s details when you book.

St. Thomas to St. John Water Taxi

Not everyone heading out of STT is BVI-bound. St. John is one of the most popular destinations for guests flying into St. Thomas — and the water taxi crossing is the fastest, most direct way to get there.

The crossing from Crown Bay to St. John takes approximately 20 minutes — significantly shorter than the BVI run and with no customs fees or paperwork required. You stay in US territory the entire time.

Why take a water taxi instead of the ferry?

The public ferry from Red Hook to Cruz Bay runs regularly and costs around $13 per person — it’s a perfectly fine option if you’re traveling light and on a flexible schedule. But if you have luggage, a group, or want to go directly to a specific location rather than Cruz Bay ferry terminal, a private water taxi is the better option.

Last Mile Water Taxi runs private St. John transfers on demand — your schedule, not the ferry’s. We depart from Crown Bay Marina (5 minutes from STT airport) and can drop you at Cruz Bay, Caneel Bay, Trunk Bay, or anywhere accessible by water around St. John.

St. John transfer at a glance:

• Crossing time: approximately 20 minutes
• Departure: Crown Bay Marina (5 min from STT airport)
• No customs fees — US territory to US territory
• Private boat — up to 12 guests
• Book at sttwatertaxis.com or call 833-205-9544