How to get to the BVI (British Virgin Islands) – Best ways, cheapest ways, etc.

October 13, 2019 by Monique Williams 8 Comments

Fall season has finally arrived. This means chilly weather, oversized sweaters and pumpkin spiced flavored EVERYTHING. Unfortunately, right after that comes the Winter Season. This is when you might need to haul ass out of the snow and head to somewhere tropical. All roads lead to the British Virgin Islands and I am going to help you get there.

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I mean, it’s either this or shoveling snow off your car. You choose.

Where are you coming from?

To devise the perfect arrival plan, first you need to establish your port of departure. Obviously if you’re coming from Europe, your plan will be different than someone who is traveling from the US or the Caribbean.

For my Caribbean People

For my Caribbean people who would love to visit family or friends in the British Virgin Islands or just want to explore new terrtiory, this is for you. When coming from another Caribbean island, most people enter through the island of Tortola using the main Airport. Depending on the island you’re leaving from, you have a few airlines to choose from, mainly LIAT and interCaribbean.

Terrance B Lettsome International Airport

LIAT

Flies to Tortola’s Terrance B Lettsome International Airport from :

1. Antigua
2. Barbados
3. Dominica
4. Guadeloupe
5. Guyana
6. Martinique
7. Puerto Rico
8. St. Croix
9. St. Lucia
10. St. Thomas
11. St. Vincent
12. Trinidad

Some locations may require 1+ stops before you reach to your final destination, Tortola.

interCaribbean

Flies to Tortola’s Terrance B Lettsome International Airport from:

1. Bahamas
2. Cuba
3. Jamaica
4. Turks & Caicos
5. Puerto Rico
6. St. Thomas
7. St. Croix
8. St. Martin
9. Antigua
10. Dominica
11. St. Lucia
12. Santo Domingo

Some locations may require 1+ stops before you reach to your final destination, Tortola.

For my US people

If you’ve chosen the St. Thomas Route.

For my US people who would like to escape the extreme cold weather that is definitely coming your way, this is for you. Most Americans who are leaving from the USA fly to the island of St. Thomas in the USVI and take a ferry over to the island of Tortola. The Main Departure Ports include Miami, Florida, Atlanta, Georgia and New York, New York.

If you’ve chosen the St. Thomas route, Delta provides straight flights from JFK and ATL. American Airlines provides straight flights from Miami, Florida. Flights with 1+ stops are also available and are cheaper. Try to pick a flight that gets into St. Thomas at around 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. to allow yourself plenty of time to get to the ferry docks. If your flight is getting in at 3:30/4:00 p.m. or later, just contact the ferry company of your choice and let them know about your arrival time. Most times they are willing to work with you on a solution.

Choosing a Ferry.

Upon arrival to the airport in St. Thomas, you now have to figure out how you’re getting to the ferry dock of your choice. As you’re awaiting the arrival of your baggage on the carousal in baggage claim, go and find a taxi-man/taxi-woman and devise a plan ASAP. You have two ferry dock choices. The Charlotte Amalie Ferry Dock or the Red Hook Ferry Dock. Your choice depends on the area closest to which you will be staying on Tortola. If you’re staying on the Central, Eastern or Northern side of Tortola, the Charlotte Amalie Ferry Dock is your best friend because it drops you off in Road Town, Tortola. If you’re staying on the Western or Northern side of Tortola, choose the Red Hook Ferry Dock, because it drops you off in West End, Tortola. The ferry prices range from $60-$70 per person including departure tax.

Road Town Ferry Dock.

As for the Ferry schedules, stay tuned for updated schedules for the Tourist/High Season that should drop around November. If you’re eager to find out right now, you can contact Native Son at (340)-774-8685/ (340)-774-3111, Smith’s Ferry Services at (340)-775-7292, Road Town Fast Ferry at  (340) 777-2800 or Ocean Dreams at (340)-998-6720. Each of these ferry companies are reliable and safe. 

Choosing a Charter.

If ferries aren’t your style and you would like to travel IN style, chartering a water taxi might be the best bet for you. If you choose to charter, you would not have to worry about catching the ferry in time because they will be waiting for you no matter what happens. In addition to this, if you’re staying on another island in the BVI whether it be Virgin Gorda, Anegada or  Jost Van Dyke, they will drop you off on that island! Less headache for you. Here are some water taxi companies to charter with;

1. Dede’s Boat Charters
2. Land & Sea Power Services Limited
3. Elusive Charters
4. C&D Powerboat
5. Alliance Point Charters
6. Ocean Dreams Water Taxi
7. Dolphin Water Taxi– Largest in the Caribbean.
8. Foxy’s Water Taxi
9. Island Time Water Taxi
10. Seahorse Water Taxi

If you’ve chosen the Puerto Rico route.

On the contrary, some Americans fly into Puerto Rico and then fly directly to the island of Tortola. This is honestly the most convenient way but also the most expensive. It is up to you on choosing the convenient route or the inexpensive route, either way you will make it. Hit up Kayak and sky-scanner to help curate this specific route because I have not travelled this way enough to provide helpful tips. Your airline choices will include, interCaribbean, Cape Air and Seaborne Airways! They are very safe and pretty reliable for the most part. Be sure to allocate at least three hours worth of grace period when selecting a flight from Puerto Rico to Tortola. Delays are possible and you would not want to miss your final flight to paradise!

For My Europe People

For people who are coming in from Europe but are not traveling through the US, your best bet is to fly into the international airports located on the islands of Antigua, St. Marteen or Guadeloupe. You then fly on over to the international airport in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. You can fly from Paris to St. Marteen or Guadeloupe, Amsterdam to St. Marteen, take a straight flight from London Gatwick to Antigua and etc. As said before, hit up Kayak, sky-scanner or any of your favorite travel search engines to curate your travel.

St. Marteen International Airport.

Antigua’s International Airport.

Conclusion

In conclusion, traveling to the British Virgin Islands might take some extra planning in comparison to other trips you have been on but it is all worth it. Remember to take into consideration grace periods, departure points and which island you plan to use as your final gateway to the British Virgin Islands. If you chose the Road Town Ferry Dock or Terrance B Lettsome International airport as your point of entry but your final destination is on another island in the BVI, be sure to liaise with the hotel/villa/airbnb that you plan to stay with and devise a plan. We hope to see you soon in Nature’s Little Secrets!

While you’re here, check out this blog to see what I got into in Anegada! Be prepared for Flamingoes and an island made out of Conch shells. Also, here’s a quick recap of the BVI Poker Run, a boating experience like no other!