Getting to Your BVI Yacht Charter, by Air and by Ferry

There are two ways most people get to a BVI yacht charter. Fly into Beef Island (EIS), the airport at the east end of Tortola, usually with a connection through San Juan or on American's nonstop from Miami. Or fly into St Thomas (STT) in the US Virgin Islands, which has plenty of nonstops from the mainland, and take a ferry across to Tortola.

Which one makes sense comes down to where you're flying from and what time you land. Here's how each works.

Flying into Beef Island

Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport sits on Beef Island, which is joined to Tortola by a bridge. You clear BVI immigration and customs right there at the airport, and you're in the territory.

There are no direct flights to EIS from Canada, Europe or South America. From North America, American's Miami flight is the most direct option. Otherwise you connect somewhere in the Caribbean. San Juan is the most common, with Cape Air and interCaribbean running the short hop to Tortola. You can also connect through St Thomas, through Antigua (often the easiest route from the UK), or through St Maarten on interCaribbean or Winair.

Regional schedules change with the season, and some routes only run in winter. Check what's actually flying before you lock in dates.

The BVI also has small airports on Virgin Gorda and Anegada. Those only come into it if your pickup is somewhere other than Tortola.

Flying into St Thomas and taking the ferry

St Thomas has nonstops from New York, Boston, Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte, Chicago, Washington Dulles and more. For a lot of Americans that means one flight and then a boat ride, which is hard to beat.

Ferries to Tortola leave from two places. The downtown terminal in Charlotte Amalie is a short taxi from the airport and runs to Road Town. Red Hook, on the east end of the island, is a longer drive and has boats to both West End and Road Town. Road Town Fast Ferry, Native Son and Smith's Ferry all run the Charlotte Amalie to Road Town crossing. Tell your taxi driver you need the next ferry to Tortola. They know the terminals, and they know when the schedules change.

Now the part that catches people out. The ferries only run in daylight. Land in St Thomas late in the afternoon and you can miss the last boat, which means a night on St Thomas and a morning crossing. BVI Tourism's advice is to book a flight that lands in time for the transfer, or to plan on that extra night from the start. Fares and times change, so check with the ferry company close to your travel date.

You clear BVI customs and immigration when you step off the ferry in Road Town or West End.

If you're spending a few days on St John first, you may not need to go back to St Thomas at all. Some ferries stop in Cruz Bay on their way between Red Hook and the BVI. Check the operator's current schedule and the BVI Tourism ferry page before you count on it.

Passports and the entry form

Going between the US and British Virgin Islands means crossing an international border, by air or by sea. You need a passport to enter and leave the BVI, and some nationalities need a visa as well.

The paper arrival card went digital in January 2025. There's an online Immigration and Customs form you fill out shortly before you travel, and it has to be done before you reach the immigration desk. Do it at home rather than in the arrivals line.

Rules change, so check BVI Tourism's entry requirements page and the government notice on the online form before you fly. And if you're going home through St Thomas, leave time to clear US customs on the way back.

Arrival day

If your connection is tight or you land late, think about arriving the night before. Regional flights and ferries don't always line up.

Keep your passport, any medication, a swimsuit and a change of clothes in your carry-on. Checked bags sometimes turn up a flight later than you do, and there's no reason to spend the first afternoon waiting for one.

Bring soft bags. A duffel folds flat once you've unpacked. A hard suitcase just takes up a cabin.

And you don't need to change money. The BVI uses the US dollar.

There's a fuller packing list, along with what's already aboard, in What's included on a crewed charter, and what to pack.

Where MAVERICK picks you up

MAVERICK cruises mostly in the British Virgin Islands, and pickup can be arranged at different islands. So it's worth knowing where your week starts before you book flights. Give your charter broker your flight details, and mention it if you're arriving early to spend a night or two ashore first. How much luggage the group is bringing helps too.

Still choosing dates? The best time to charter a yacht in the BVI goes season by season. For a feel of the week itself, see A 7-night BVI yacht charter itinerary and Anegada by yacht charter. Our luxury catamaran charter page covers the cabins and the toys.

To check MAVERICK's availability, ask your yacht charter broker. New to chartering? Any charter broker can walk you through how it works.