STT · Island Hopping
The Complete Ferry Guide
For St. Thomas
Every route, every schedule, every fare — St. John, Water Island, St. Croix, and the British Virgin Islands, all in one place.
St. Thomas is your gateway to the entire island chain. Whether you're hopping over to St. John for the day, exploring Water Island, heading to the BVI for a sailing charter, or making your way down to St. Croix — it all starts with a ferry. Here's everything you need to know before you step on board.
01 · The Three Ferry Terminals on St. Thomas
St. Thomas has three departure points for ferry service. Which one you use depends entirely on where you're staying and where you're going. Knowing the difference before you arrive will save you a taxi ride in the wrong direction.
The busiest and most convenient terminal for most visitors. Located on the east end of St. Thomas, about 30 minutes from the airport by taxi. Serves St. John with the most frequent service, plus the BVI. This is the terminal you'll use most often.
Located in the heart of downtown Charlotte Amalie, about 10 minutes from the airport. Serves St. John (limited departures), St. Croix and the BVI. Best if you're spending time downtown before heading out.
The closest terminal to Cyril E. King Airport — just 5 minutes by taxi. Serves St. John and Water Island. A great option if your flight arrives late in the day and you don't have time to get to Red Hook.
If you're heading to St. John right after landing, Crown Bay is your best bet — it's 5 minutes from the airport. If you have time to spare or are heading to the BVI, Red Hook has the most frequent service and the widest range of routes. Charlotte Amalie is another option if you're in the Downtown area.
02 · Getting to St. John from St. Thomas
St. John has no airport. Ferry or Private Water taxi is the only way to get there, and it's one of the most enjoyable parts of the trip. Three routes connect the islands, each departing from a different terminal on St. Thomas and arriving at Cruz Bay dock or Enighed Pond on St. John.
Route 1 — Red Hook to Cruz Bay (Most Popular)
Route 2 — Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay
Route 3 — Crown Bay to Cruz Bay
Passenger ferry tickets for St. John routes can be booked in advance at stjohnticketing.com — recommended during peak season. Walk-up tickets are available at all terminals but sell out on busy days. Cash preferred at the dock; some terminals accept cards.
03 · Taking Your Vehicle to St. John — Car Barge
If you want to bring a vehicle to St. John — whether it's your own car or a rental — you'll need the car barge. Make sure your rental company allows you to take your car to St. John. Most do, but always good to verify first. Two companies currently operate daily car ferry service between Red Hook, St. Thomas and Cruz Bay (Enighed Pond), St. John. The crossing takes approximately 30 minutes and the views along the way are worth the trip alone.
Both car barge routes depart from Red Hook, St. Thomas and arrive at Enighed Pond, Cruz Bay, St. John. Crossing time is approximately 30 minutes. Passengers and luggage ride along with the vehicle — you stay in your car or walk the deck. Arrive at least 25–30 minutes before departure. Book in advance during peak season — spots fill fast.
Big Red Barge
Love City Car Ferries
Quick Comparison
| Operator | One-Way | Round-Trip | Passengers | Book Online? | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Red Barge | $65 | $80 | Included · No luggage surcharge | Yes | (340) 227-0918 |
| Love City Car Ferries | $65 | $80 | Included · No luggage surcharge | Yes | (340) 779-4000 |
If you purchase a round-trip ticket with Big Red Barge or Love City Car Ferries, you must return on the same company's barge. If you'd rather have the flexibility to return with any operator, buy two separate one-way tickets instead. The slight extra cost is worth it if your schedule might change.
St. John is a small island and taxis are readily available in Cruz Bay. Many visitors find a rental car more trouble than it's worth once they factor in the car barge cost and wait times on top of the rental fee. If you're staying in Cruz Bay or doing day trips, taxis work perfectly. If you're staying in a villa in the hills or want maximum freedom to explore at your own pace, a vehicle makes more sense.
04 · Ferry to Water Island
Water Island is the fourth largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands and one of the most overlooked — which is exactly why it's worth a visit. It's just a short ride from Crown Bay Marina and a completely different pace from the main islands. The Water Island Ferry runs year-round, seven days a week.
05 · Ferry to St. Croix
Getting between St. Thomas and St. Croix by ferry is a genuine scenic experience — a two-hour crossing on the QE IV Ferry between the Blyden Terminal in Charlotte Amalie and Gallows Bay in St. Croix. It runs six days a week (Wednesday through Monday) and is a great option for travelers who want to experience both islands without flying.
The passage between St. Thomas and St. Croix crosses open ocean and can be significantly rougher than the St. John crossing. If you're prone to seasickness, take medication before boarding. The crossing is perfectly safe but the motion can be intense, especially in winter swells.
06 · Ferry to the British Virgin Islands
St. Thomas is the main jumping-off point for the British Virgin Islands — specifically Tortola, the BVI's largest island. Multiple ferry operators run daily service between the Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook terminals on St. Thomas and Road Town or West End on Tortola. The crossing takes approximately 45 minutes to West End or about 1 hour to Road Town.
Traveling to the BVI means crossing an international border. You will need a valid passport — a driver's license is not sufficient. You will go through U.S. Customs on departure from St. Thomas and BVI Customs on arrival in Tortola. Plan for at least 45 minutes to 1 hour for customs processing on return. Arrive at the terminal at least 45 minutes before your ferry departure.
2026 BVI Ferry Fares
| Operator | Route | One-Way Adult | Round-Trip Adult | Kids One-Way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Road Town Fast Ferry | STT ↔ Road Town, Tortola | $60.00 | $100.00 | $50.00 (3–11) |
| Native Son Inc. | STT ↔ West End / Road Town | $60.00 | $100.00 | $50.00 (2–11) |
| Smith Ferries | STT ↔ West End / Road Town | $60.00 | $100.00 | $50.00 (2–11) |
Ferry ticket prices do not include all fees. Port fees run approximately $10 from St. Thomas to Tortola and $20 from Tortola back to St. Thomas. A BVI departure tax of approximately $15–$28 per person also applies when leaving the BVI. A round-trip for two can easily run $260+ before extras. Schedules and fares subject to change — always verify directly with the operator before travel.
07 · Charlotte Amalie to Marriott Frenchman's Reef
One of St. Thomas's more charming and underused services — a dedicated shopping ferry running between the Charlotte Amalie waterfront and the Marriott Frenchman's Reef hotel. It's a quick, scenic ride and a great way to combine waterfront shopping in town with an afternoon at the resort's beach.
08 · What You Need to Know Before You Board
- Cash is still king. Most ferry operators — especially for the St. John routes — are cash only at the dock. Have U.S. dollars on hand before you get to the terminal.
- Give yourself more time than you think. Getting from the airport to Red Hook by taxi takes 25–30 minutes on a good day. Add in traffic, luggage wait, and terminal check-in and you're looking at a solid hour from wheels-down to ferry departure. Never book the last ferry of the day if you're connecting the same day you fly in.
- Seasickness on the St. Croix route. The two-hour crossing to St. Croix can be rough. Take Dramamine or another motion sickness remedy at least 30 minutes before boarding if you have any sensitivity. Sit outside and keep your eyes on the horizon if it gets choppy.
- Round-trip vs. one-way car barge tickets. If you take your car across on the car barge to St. John on a round-trip ticket, you must return on the same company's ferry. The one-way option gives you more flexibility — worth the slight extra cost if your schedule isn't set in stone.
- Schedules change seasonally. Always verify current schedules directly with the operator before your trip — don't rely on schedules found online more than a few weeks before travel.
In the Virgin Islands, the water isn't just scenery — it's the road. Now that you know how to navigate it, the whole island chain is yours. See you out there. ⛵
Sources
- Visit USVI — visitusvi.com
- Water Island Ferry — waterislandferry.com
- Visit St. Thomas — visitstthomas.com
- QE IV Ferry — qe4ferry.com
- Big Red Barge — bigredbarge.co
- Love City Car Ferries — lovecitycarferries.com
- VInow.com — vinow.com
- St. John Ticketing — stjohnticketing.com