Flying to the Caribbean for your Yacht Charter

Because airline reservations are one of the largest single costs of a bareboat charter vacation, you want to shop carefully for the best fares.

This can be a very time-consuming task, but we think that in most cases you'll find your best price either through the travel agency that we work with, or by using Orbitz (which often alerts you to special offers that you can only get directly from a particular airline). Using Orbitz you can save time and effort having round-the-clock access to real-time travel information, check flight schedules, hotel rooms and car rentals and make your own bookings easily and securely.

Sometimes we can save you more than the fares you can obtain on-line. Before purchasing your tickets online, check with us to see what we can do for you with respect to fares on American Airlines flights into the Caribbean as part of your vacation package. Flights cost more on weekends than weekdays, and special offers may apply to weekday travel but not to weekends as seats are often allocated based on load factors. Flying on a weekday can save you up to $200 or more per person if you get lucky and happen to come across a special promotional fare.

Baggage Restrictions: From time to time the airlines will impose baggage restrictions on flights to the Caribbean. For example, American allows a total of three bags per person, either two checked and one carry on or two carry ons and one checked. During the busiest periods (June through August and during December) there is an embargo on boxes. Also, if you want to pack food in dry ice you must fill out a shippers declaration at the airport, the container must be vented not sealed and a $40 charge applies to the shipment. As these rules could change or other airlines may have different rules, always check with the airline you are flying a week or so before departure to make sure you are not rudely surprised when you get to the check-in counter.

If you are flying with children and both parents are not coming, make sure that the other parent provides you with a notarized statement indicating that he/she is aware that you are taking your child out of the country and that you have his/her permission to do so. Without such a letter you could be denied boarding on the aircraft.

Reserve flights well in advance. The fuller the plane becomes the more the remaining seats cost. It's best to reserve New Years and President's week as soon as they go on sale, 330 days in advance of your travel dates. Reserve other popular travel periods including February through April and also June weekends at least 9 months ahead of time to assure the best flights and rates.

Getting Around Between Islands

Travel between islands can be accomplished by airplane, ferry or water taxi. By far the most popular and affordable means is by ferry and there is frequent service to most destinations in the Virgin Islands and limited service in the Grenadines. Of the most importance to our clients is service between St. Thomas and Tortola. We suggest that you telephone both Smith's Ferry (340-775-7292) and Native Son, Inc. (340-774-8685) to get up to date schedules as the following information is not guaranteed. Current rates are $23 from St Thomas to Tortola and $29 from Tortola to St Thomas, tax included.

Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas
The first ferry leaves at 8:25 am (8:00 am on Sun) and the last leaves at 5:00 pm (5:45 pm on Sun). Red Hook, St Thomas The first ferry leaves at 7:45 am and the last leaves at 5:30 pm.

Roadtown, Tortola
The first ferry leaves at 6:15 am and another at 6:45 am (9:00 am on Sun). Later service is spotty.

West End, Tortola (Soper's Hole)
The first ferry leaves at 7:00 am (9:15 am on Sun) and the last leaves at 3:30 pm (6:00 pm on Sat, 4:05 pm on Sun).

If you must travel outside of these times, you can contact Dohm's Water Taxi (340-775-6501) for a rate quote, or consider flying. Four Star Aviation (340-777-9900), Air Sunshine (284-495-8900) and Fly BVI (800-435-9284) can all arrange flights between St Thomas, Tortola, Virgin Gorda or Puerto Rico.

Seaborne Aviation in St Thomas recently started limited scheduled seaplane service between St Thomas and Tortola, but only on certain days. If the service is popular, more flights may be added. For a current schedule, call Seaborne at (341)-773-5991.