How to Book a Boat to the BVI from St. Thomas & St. John (2026)
How to book a boat to the BVI in 2026: ferries vs charters, passports, eDeclare, the $10 levy, ports of entry and prices from St. Thomas and St. John.
Key Takeaways
How to book a boat to the BVI in 2026: ferries vs charters, passports, eDeclare, the $10 levy, ports of entry and prices from St. Thomas and St. John.
How to Book a Boat to the BVI (2026 Season Guide)
You have two choices. Book a public ferry (cheapest, fixed schedule) or a private or shared charter (any day, door-to-door island hopping). Either way, every traveler needs a passport, a completed eDeclare form and the $10 BVI levy.
Quick Answer
- Ferries: Speedy's St. Thomas ↔ Virgin Gorda (Saturdays, $60 one-way), Inter-Island Red Hook/Cruz Bay ↔ Jost Van Dyke (Sun/Tue/Fri)
- Charters: shared BVI trips from ~$179 pp, private boats by quote. Compare BVI trips
- Docs: passport + eDeclare (mandatory since Jan 2025) (BVI Tourism)
- Fee: $10 Environmental & Tourism Levy per person, ages 3+ (BVI Government)
Ferry vs. Charter
| Public ferry | Shared charter | Private charter | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days | Fixed, limited | Most days | Any day |
| Stops | One port | Set itinerary | You choose |
| Customs | You queue | Crew assists | Crew assists |
| Price | $30–170 one-way | ~$179+ pp | Quote per boat |
| Best for | Overnight stays | Couples, solos | Groups, families |
Ferry sources: Speedy's, Inter-Island Boat Services.
BVI Ports of Entry for Boats
| Port | Island | Customs hours |
|---|---|---|
| Road Town | Tortola | 8:30 AM – 8 PM daily |
| West End (Soper's Hole) | Tortola | 8:30 – 4:30 Mon–Thu; to 6 PM Fri–Sun |
| Great Harbour | Jost Van Dyke | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM daily |
| St. Thomas Bay (Spanish Town) | Virgin Gorda | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM daily |
Source: BVI Tourism, Arriving by Sea.
How to Book a BVI Charter, Step by Step
- Choose your stops: The Baths, Soggy Dollar, Willy T, Sandy Spit
- Choose your departure: Red Hook, Sapphire (St. Thomas) or Cruz Bay (St. John)
- Compare boats on St. Thomas BVI trips or St. John BVI trips
- Check inclusions: customs fees, lunch, drinks, fuel
- Book and fill out eDeclare for every guest
- Day of: bring passports and the $10 levy if not included
Coming Home
Your captain reports your return to U.S. Customs. Pleasure boats use CBP ROAM, and CBP fines boaters who don't report (CBP).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go to the BVI without a passport?
No. A passport is required. See our passport guide.
What is the cheapest way to get to the BVI from St. Thomas?
A public ferry, but schedules are limited. A shared charter is the best-value way to do it as a day trip.
How much is a private BVI charter?
It depends on boat, length and group. Use the charter cost calculator.
Which BVI island is closest to St. John?
Tortola's West End and Jost Van Dyke are short runs. Norman Island is also close.
Do charters include BVI customs fees?
Many do, so check each listing's inclusions.
Book Your BVI Day
See all BVI trips. The crew handles customs and you just bring your passport.
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