Depart St Thomas or Tortola?

[captainfaj]

I have chartered boats from Tortola before, and I have usually traveled from the US to St Thomas and then taken a ferry to Tortola, its usually less expensive and easier to fly to St Thomas than Tortola. But it seems like it could be easiest to just fly to St Thomas and start a charter from there and sail into the BVI. Cheaper flights and no hassle with getting the ferry back and forth. Either way, still have to clear customs (either at airport or seaport). Are there other issues I am not thinking about that would make it a bad idea to start the charter in St Thomas?

[Journeys End]

Starting in St Thomas is certainly easier, especially now. BVI has way too many Covid restrictions at the moment.

[dave907]

I've chartered about 15 times in the BVI's. The first two were out of St. Thomas, and every one thereafer has been out of Tortola.

Unless things have changed dramatically (which is possible, since I haven't chartered out of the USVI's in a decade), I would stick to Tortola. The charter companies are much bigger and more professional on Tortola. The companies in the USVIs were much smaller, mom & pop types. The boats were less maintained, and the paperwork they required was ridiculous (they had us doing a complete inventory--down to counting and documenting the number of spoons and wash towels aboard--before allowing us to depart.

Also, the sail around the South side of St. Thomas can be pretty lumpy. As you know, it's pretty protected within Sir Francis Drake Channel, but the run from Charlotte Amalie through Christmas cut can end up with all the contents of the cupboards on the floor of the cabin. Not a big deal, but in the VI's many people bring guests who are unused to being at sea, so . . .

But, you're right, flying into St. Thomas is a lot easier. I have just been biting the bullet and paying the ridiculously expensive price for the short hop from Puerto Rico to Beef Island, Tortola on Cape Air or the other island airlines. It's usually twice the price of the JetBlue ticket from Florida to PR, but I think it's worth it for the convenience.

Again, my USVI experience is dated, so YMMV.

Luck!

Dave