How to Get to the Willy T at Norman Island (2026 Guide)
How to get to the Willy T floating bar at The Bight, Norman Island, BVI: no ferry, so charter or water taxi from St. John, St. Thomas or Tortola.
Key Takeaways
How to get to the Willy T floating bar at The Bight, Norman Island, BVI: no ferry, so charter or water taxi from St. John, St. Thomas or Tortola.
How to Get to the Willy T (2026 Season Guide)
The Willy T is a floating bar and restaurant moored in The Bight, Norman Island, BVI. Norman Island has no ferry, so you get there by private charter, shared boat trip, water taxi or your own yacht. From St. John it is one of the shortest BVI runs.
Quick Answer
- Location: The Bight, Norman Island, British Virgin Islands (Willy T)
- No ferry service: a boat is the only way (Willy T)
- From the USVI: charter from Cruz Bay, Red Hook or Sapphire. Clear BVI customs first, usually at West End or Jost Van Dyke
- Bring: passport, eDeclare, $10 BVI levy
- Pair it with: snorkeling at The Caves and The Indians
A Little History
The original Willy T was lost in the 2017 hurricanes. A replacement vessel arrived in May 2018 and was first moored at Peter Island. The BVI Government then returned it to its original home in The Bight, Norman Island, from July 1, 2019 (BVI Government). It's still there today.
Ways to Get There
| Option | From | Approx. time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private charter | Cruz Bay, Red Hook, Sapphire | 30–60 min plus customs | Groups who want control of the day |
| Shared BVI day trip | St. Thomas / St. John | Full day | Couples and solo travelers on a budget |
| Water taxi | St. John / St. Thomas | 30–60 min | Small groups, flexible timing |
| Bareboat or crewed yacht | Anywhere in the BVI | — | Overnight sailors (moorings in The Bight) |
Compare St. John BVI trips and St. Thomas BVI trips. Shared BVI trips on QuestVI start around $179 per person.
Typical Charter Itinerary
- 8:30 AM: leave Cruz Bay or Red Hook
- 9:15 AM: clear BVI customs (West End, Tortola, open 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Mon–Thu, to 6 PM Fri–Sun)
- 10:30 AM: snorkel The Caves at Treasure Point and The Indians rock pinnacles
- 12:30 PM: lunch and drinks at the Willy T in The Bight
- Afternoon: another snorkel stop or a beach, then back through U.S. Customs
Port hours: BVI Tourism, Arriving by Sea.
Customs, Passports & Fees
- Valid passport for every guest
- eDeclare completed online up to 72 hours before
- $10 per person Environmental & Tourism Levy (ages 3+)
- Return to the USVI reported via CBP ROAM. CBP fines boaters who fail to report (CBP)
Good to Know
- The Willy T is a family-friendly lunch spot by day and livelier as the afternoon goes on
- The Bight is sheltered, so it is usually calm enough to dinghy right up to the stern
- Bring a cover-up and dry cash. Water and drinks tend to mix
Our Recommendation: Book Your Boat With QuestVI.com
The easiest, most reliable way to get there is to book your boat on QuestVI.com. We are a local team on St. Thomas and St. John, and we compare 180+ vetted charters, so you do not have to juggle ferry timetables, customs lines and taxi rides.
- Every option in one place: private, shared and BVI day trips side by side, with real prices and live availability
- Vetted local captains who know the moorings, the swell and the customs process
- Secure online booking with instant confirmation
- Any day of the week, with no waiting for limited ferry schedules
- Local help from people who live here, if you are not sure which boat fits your group
Find your boat on QuestVI.com → or get matched with Find My Charter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a ferry to Norman Island?
No. Norman Island has no scheduled ferry, so you need a charter, water taxi or private boat.
Where is the Willy T now?
Moored in The Bight, Norman Island, BVI.
How far is Norman Island from St. John?
It is one of the closest BVI islands to St. John, typically 30–45 minutes by charter boat after customs.
Do I need a passport to go to the Willy T?
Yes. Norman Island is in the British Virgin Islands.
What else is there to do at Norman Island?
Snorkel The Caves and The Indians, or relax at Pirates Bight beach.
Book It
The Willy T is the perfect lunch stop on a private BVI day. See BVI charters and pick a boat that fits your group.
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