Ferry to Tortola?

[dotshub]

Will be in St Thomas from 7 am to 5 pm. Is there a ferry to make a day trip to Tortola, and is that enough time to do it and make it worthwhile?

[martinchem]

Most ferries go to St.Johns, Tortola is BVI and could screw you up with immigration.

[The Islander]

There are ferries to Tortola from St. Thomas and you could make it work in your time frame for example if you got off the ship in time to catch the 8:30am to Tortola from Charlotte Amalie and the 2:30 ferry back. Figure an hour plus each way for the ferry & immigration. You'd have a few hours on the island. The issue a lot of people are concerned with regarding cruise people on St. Thomas heading to Tortola is if something were to happen, ferry not on time, island time at immigration so taking a long time, you are further away from St. Thomas than say day tripping to St. John. You are also in another country. So a day trip to Tortola on your own has more "what if" factors and the what if you don't make it back to your ship and it sails without you being the biggie. Research the ferry schedule and see what you think: try http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu5Rpgd9JFFEB.KxXNyoA?p=virgin+islands+ferry+schedule&fr=yfp-t-305&fr2=sb-top.

 

--Islander

[StSimonsFan]

We did this trip in reverse last year - cruise stopped in Tortola and we took the ferry to St. Thomas. It worked out, but be aware that the ferry schedule you find on the internet may not be the one they actually use when you get there. The ferry we had planned on taking in the morning was either cancelled or didn't exist (it was hard getting a clear answer on which and why) and it was somewhat difficult getting good information on other options. We were pretty nervous about getting back, but it worked out fine. Also, if bad weather comes up in the afternoon, that can create a problem. Getting through immigration in St. Thomas took a while, only 2 agents checking everyone getting off the ferry. So, definitely plan some extra time and don't plan to take the last ferry back. I understand the ferrys between St. Thomas and St. John are more reliable since a lot of people use those for travel back and forth for work and school daily.