How to Travel from Tortola to St. John: Step-by-Step

11/17/2024 Jennifer

Learn how to travel from Tortola to St. John with ferry schedules, tips on customs, and the best routes for a smooth and enjoyable island-hopping experience.

Traveling from the British Virgin Islands (BVI) to the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) is exciting. I’ve found the best way to get from Tortola to St. John is by ferry¹.

The biggest ferry company, Road Town Fast Ferry, runs many trips daily. They go from Road Town, Tortola to Cruz Bay, St. John¹. The trip across the blue waters takes about 30 minutes, offering a beautiful view¹. But, book your tickets early in busy seasons to get a spot¹.

Before you start your trip, make sure you have your travel papers ready. This includes a valid passport and any needed forms. Knowing the customs and immigration rules for both places will make your journey smoother¹.

Choosing the ferry or a private boat, the trip to St. John is stunning. You’ll see amazing views and learn about the local culture. Plus, you can explore the Virgin Islands National Park, which covers most of St. John¹. Don’t miss Trunk Bay and its underwater trail for snorkeling¹.

Keep an eye on the weather for your trip, as hurricanes can affect ferry schedules¹. By following these steps and knowing the customs and immigration rules, you’re set for a great Caribbean adventure.

Understanding Travel Requirements and Documentation

Traveling between Tortola and St. John needs careful planning. As a U.S. citizen, you must have a valid U.S. passport for the British Virgin Islands (BVI), which includes Tortola². If you’re not from the U.S., you’ll need a passport from your home country to travel from Tortola to St. John³.

Passport and Immigration Requirements

Make sure your passport is current and valid for at least six months before your trip². You might also need to show proof of when you plan to leave the BVI. Check the entry and exit rules carefully².

Required Travel Forms and Documents

You’ll need more than just a passport. You’ll have to fill out forms like the BVI customs form, listing the captain and crew². For boat trips, don’t forget USCG forms and National Park permits². Keep all your documents in both digital and paper formats for an easy trip.

CBP ROAM App Setup

For a smoother entry into the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), like St. John, download the CBP ROAM app before you go². This app can make checking in faster and cut down on wait times at the border.

Knowing and preparing the right travel documents and requirements will make your trip from Tortola to St. John smooth²³⁴.

Best Transportation Options Between Islands

Traveling between the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) and British Virgin Islands (BVI) has many options. The most popular and affordable way is by ferry⁵. Services like Tortola Fast Ferry and Speedy’s Ferry Service run often, with different times for each route⁵.

For a more personal and flexible trip, consider a private boat charter⁶. Companies like On the Sea Charters and Flyaway Charters offer custom tours. They are pricier than ferries but let you travel at your pace.

⁷The USVI and BVI have many airports and ferry terminals. This makes it easy to hop between islands. Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas and Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix serve the USVI. The Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island is the main airport for the BVI⁷. Seaplane services like Seaborne Airlines connect USVI islands, and VITRAN buses help with local travel.

Choosing between ferries and private charters makes the journey special⁵⁶. With flexible times, beautiful views, and easy access, you can fully enjoy these islands⁵⁶.

Ferry Services from Road Town to Cruz Bay

Getting from Road Town in Tortola to Cruz Bay in St. John, USVI, is easy with Road Town Fast Ferry⁸. This ferry is fast and runs many times a day. The trip takes about 30 minutes⁸.

Ferry Schedule and Timing

The Road Town Fast Ferry has a detailed schedule for the day⁹. It leaves from Road Town’s main terminal at set times. This makes it easy to find a trip that fits your plans⁹.

Ticket Booking and Prices

You can buy tickets online or at the terminal⁸. Prices are for round-trip and one-way trips, with extra for luggage or taxes⁸. There’s also a Frequent Traveler Membership for those who travel often⁹.

Ferry Terminal Locations

The ferry leaves from Road Town, Tortola⁸. When you arrive in Cruz Bay, St. John, you can take taxis, rent cars, or use other local services⁸. Arrive at the Road Town terminal 30 minutes before your trip to board smoothly⁸.

Route	Approximate Travel Time	Typical Ticket Prices
Road Town, Tortola to Cruz Bay, St. John	30 minutes	$35 – $50 (round-trip)
Cruz Bay, St. John to Road Town, Tortola	30 minutes	$35 – $50 (round-trip)

Using the Road Town Fast Ferry makes island-hopping between BVI and USVI easy and fun⁸⁹.

Private Boat Charter Options

Private boat charters offer a unique way to see the Caribbean’s islands. You can choose from the British Virgin Islands (BVI) to the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). Many charter companies provide custom tours and excellent service to meet your needs¹⁰.

One great choice is Sunshine Daydream Charters. They have three 32ft World Cat luxury powerboats for up to 12 guests¹⁰. TripAdvisor reviews show happy customers who loved their trips¹⁰. They focus on activities like swimming, snorkeling, and exploring local history¹⁰.

Private charters also go to Jost Van Dyke, famous for its beach bars and nature¹¹. These trips can take up to 6 people and start from High Tide Bar in Cruz Bay, St. John, USVI¹¹. You’ll visit places like Foxy’s and Soggy Dollar Bar¹¹.

Private charters are more personal but cost more. You’ll spend about $1,300 for the boat, plus extra for fuel, customs fees, and the captain’s fee¹². Sharing costs with friends or family can help save money¹².

Remember to bring your passport, reef-safe sunscreen, and a waterproof bag for your valuables¹¹¹². This will ensure you’re ready for a day of adventure in the islands’ beautiful culture¹¹¹².

How to Travel from Tortola to St. John

Traveling from Tortola to St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands is easy and fun. Make sure you have all your travel documents ready. After clearing BVI customs, you’re ready to start your island-hopping journey.

Pre-Departure Checklist

Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates.
Check the BVI departure requirements and complete any necessary travel forms or documents.
Download the CBP ROAM app to your smartphone for a smooth USVI entry process.

Customs and Immigration Process

Check out of BVI customs up to 24 hours before you leave. You can do this at any customs office. Then, you can head out early in the morning for the ferry to Cruz Bay, St. John.

Arrival Procedures

When you arrive in Cruz Bay, you’ll need to clear USVI customs and immigration. Use the CBP ROAM app for a quick check-in¹³. Or, take a mooring ball outside Cruz Bay and dinghy to customs. After clearing customs, you can explore Cruz Bay and start your adventures on St. John.

Transportation Option	Details
Ferry Services	There are 2 people ferry services¹³ and 6 car barge services¹³ operating between the islands. The ferry ride from St. Thomas to St. John takes approximately 25 minutes¹³.
Ticketing and Contact	You can book your ferry tickets through the St. John Ferry Ticketing Company at (340) 779-4165¹³. The Crown Bay People Ferry can be reached at (340) 776-6597¹³, and the Red Hook People Ferry at (340) 779-4165¹³.
Terminals and Docks	The Cruz Bay Car Ferry Terminal can accommodate vessels up to 175 feet in length¹³. The National Park Service Dock is also available for docking.

With the right preparations and knowledge of customs and immigration, your trip will be smooth and fun. Keep in mind the ferry ticket price of $200.00¹⁴ and the 8-hour travel time¹⁴. Many find Inter Island Boat Services efficient and enjoyable, with friendly crew members¹⁴. The ferry’s location near the airport is also convenient¹⁴¹³.

Navigating Customs and Immigration

Traveling between the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) can be easy with some planning. Knowing the customs and immigration rules on both sides is crucial for a smooth trip¹⁵.

In the BVI, the cost to cross depends on your boat’s size, the number of people on board, and more. You’ll likely pay around $75-$100 per person for permits and fees. These include the BVI Cruising Permit, Environmental fee, Departure Tax, dockage fee, and National Park fee¹⁶.

When you arrive in the USVI, everyone must go through customs, even if you’ve used the CBP ROAM app. Be ready for possible delays during check-in, as the USVI has its own rules¹⁶.

To make customs clearance faster, have all your documents ready, dress nicely, and keep your crew list and clearance forms in order. You can download these from the customs websites ahead of time¹⁷.

By knowing the customs and immigration rules for the BVI and USVI, you can cross the maritime border with confidence. This ensures a smooth start or end to your island-hopping journey¹⁵.

Understanding BVI Departure Procedures

Getting ready to leave the British Virgin Islands? It’s key to know the exit process well. Clearing customs at Great Harbor, Jost Van Dyke, starts at 8:30/9 am every day¹⁸. Or, you might choose West End clearance on Tortola for a quicker exit¹⁸. But, don’t enter BVI waters before customs opens to avoid extra fees¹⁸.

Clearing Customs at Jost Van Dyke

When you meet customs officials, start with a friendly “Good morning/afternoon.” Take off your hat and sunglasses. Use “please” and “thank you” for a smooth process¹⁸. A little respect can make leaving the BVI easy.

West End Clearance Options

For a faster exit, try West End clearance on Tortola. Customs and immigration are open from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily¹⁸. This is great if you have an early ferry or flight.

The BVI exit process is a big part of your island-hopping trip. Knowing your options and best practices makes leaving easy and stress-free. You’ll leave with wonderful memories of the Caribbean¹⁹¹⁸.

USVI Entry Requirements and Procedures

Getting into the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) is easy, especially with the CBP ROAM app. If your boat has the Homeland Security sticker, you can use the app for entry²⁰. Without the sticker, you must moor outside Cruz Bay and then go to the customs office. There, all passengers must show themselves²⁰.

When visiting the USVI, there are important entry rules to know²¹. As of May 2023, you don’t need COVID-19 vaccination proof to fly to the USVI²¹. Also, starting in May 2025, you’ll need a REAL ID to fly within the U.S., including to the USVI²¹.

U.S. citizens don’t need to check out when leaving the USVI²¹. But, park police might enforce rules like not overcrowding dinghies or wearing life jackets. Knowing these rules is key²⁰.

Port of Entry	Operating Hours
Edward Wilmoth Blyden Marine Terminal (St. Thomas)	8 am to 5 pm, 7 days a week
Cruz Bay CBP Terminal (St. John)	7 am to 6 pm, daily
Gallows Bay (St. Croix)	8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday

Travelers to the USVI need to know the entry rules based on their country of origin²². Some countries like Afghanistan and Iran need a visa, while others like Canada and France don’t²². Not reporting upon entry can lead to fines starting at $5,000, with higher penalties for repeat offenses²².

Essential Tips for Island Hopping

As I get ready to explore the US and British Virgin Islands, I’ve gathered some key tips. These will help make my island-hopping trip smooth and fun²³.

Weather Considerations

Staying updated on the weather is vital, especially during hurricane season. I’ll check the forecast to plan my travel. This way, I can avoid any ferry service disruptions due to bad weather²³. I’ll also drink plenty of water to stay cool while hiking or at the beach.

Safety Precautions

My safety is top priority when island hopping. I’ll learn the local emergency numbers and what to do in emergencies. I’ll also choose safe, well-known tour operators or captains to ensure my safety.

Local Customs and Etiquette

Respecting local customs and practices is key for a great experience. When dealing with officials in the BVI, I’ll greet them nicely and follow their directions carefully²³. I’ll carry enough cash for fees, food, and drinks, as some places might not take credit cards. To avoid long waits at customs, I’ll pick boats with amenities like bars or snacks.

Planning an island adventure? Discover more travel guides at WanderStayFinder.com and explore the Caribbean with ease!

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