We must get asked this question a dozen times a week. If you are someone who says, "Just boil it off and give me the answer", then skip to the bottom line. Otherwise, here are the facts when deciding whether to start in Tortola or St. Thomas:
1. Which is the best airport to fly into in the Virgin Islands? St. Thomas Airport (airport code: STT) offers a greater number of direct flight connections, making it easily accessible from major US cities. As a result, it often provides more affordable deals compared to flying directly into Tortola (airport code: EIS). While American recently introduced a direct route from Miami to Tortola, all other flights to the USVI are accessible through Puerto Rico.
Considering the range of routes available from St. Thomas, many of our clients have preferred flying via this airport. However, if your destination is the British Virgin Islands and you are meeting your yacht in Tortola, the convenience of flying directly into Tortola may outweigh the affordability of St. Thomas, especially when you factor in the additional cost of transferring from St. Thomas to Tortola.
There are public ferry and private water taxi options to get to Tortola. Depending on which ferry you take, the trip is about 30-60 minutes and $80 pp/roundtrip. A private water taxi is approximately $250 pp/ roundtrip.
Flying privately: Both airports can accommodate private jets although St. Thomas has a longer runway.
2. Do all yacht charters start in either St. Thomas or Tortola? Yachts in the Virgin Islands are typically based in either the British Virgin Islands (BVI) or the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). While some yachts can operate in both locations, recent changes in legislation have resulted in many sailing catamarans no long offering pickups in the USVI.
Many yacht captains view this change positively, as they believe they can provide a superior charter itinerary when the charter begins in the BVI. Therefore, if you opt for a yacht that is exclusively based in the BVI, you will need to fly directly into Tortola or choose between taking a ferry or water taxi from St. Thomas.
For Superyachts, St. Thomas is the preferred pick-up location due to the availability of marinas and facilities better suited to their needs. Regardless of whether you start your charter in the BVI or USVI, both locations operate on “island time”, offering a relaxed and leisurely experience.
3. Customs/Immigration: If you start your charter in St. Thomas, you will have to clear Customs/Immigration into the BVI - the Captain handles this so it is no biggie. When you return to St. Thomas, you will have to stop in St. John to clear Customs/Immigration. Everyone on board has to report so no sipping a pina colada on the deck while your captain handles it - the men and women in blue want to see you. This process does take time out from your day (usually not a lot) and it slightly dictates your itinerary... again, by our thinking, it is not a big deal.
4. Does starting in the BVI give you a better itinerary? If you can get flights into the BVI, we'd say yes even though you'd miss the gorgeous island of St. John with its pristine anchorages. The advantage of a Tortola start is that you do not have to do any Customs/Immigration clearance once you are on the yacht, you also do not have to backtrack to return to St. Thomas. BUT the added logistics of either connecting in Puerto Rico or taking a ferry from St. Thomas is an extra piece of travel that you may not think is worth it. Ultimately, it’s just down to your personal preference.
So what's the answer? Choose the yacht and crew that is best for you; then start from whichever island that they sail from. Don't Worry. Be Happy.
