Arrivals Guide · Jost Van Dyke, BVI
Two nearby airports. Four ways across the water. One short ride up the hill. We'll walk you through every step so you can relax, exhale, and let your reset begin.
The airports are NOT on Jost Van Dyke. You'll land on Tortola (EIS) or St. Thomas (STT) and then take a ferry or water taxi across to JVD. If you're flying into St. Thomas, you'll also pass through customs en route.
— The big picture
Jost Van Dyke is one of the four main islands of the British Virgin Islands, sitting at the western edge of the archipelago — about 5 miles from Tortola and 5 miles north of the US Virgin Islands.
Flying into St. Thomas? Land by 3:00 PM local time to comfortably make the last 5:00 PM ferry to Tortola. Later than that, you'll need a private water taxi or an overnight in St. Thomas.
Flying into Tortola? Land by 4:00 PM local time to make the last 6:00 PM New Horizon Ferry to JVD. The land taxi from EIS to West End ferry dock takes about 45–50 minutes.
Especially private charters. Ferry tickets can usually be bought online a day or two in advance, and we strongly recommend it during peak season to guarantee a seat.
Times, prices, and routes can shift seasonally. Always confirm with the operator 24–48 hours before you travel, especially if your itinerary depends on a tight connection.
— Build your route
We'll show you our recommended option for your scenario — plus every other option that still works. Skip ahead to browse all options if you'd rather.
— Choose your arrival airport
Pick the airport you're flying into, and we'll show you every realistic way to make the crossing.
Public ferry · ~1h 45m total · most common and affordable
A land taxi (not a water taxi — be specific) takes you 45–55 min across Tortola from EIS to West End ferry dock. From there, the New Horizon Ferry runs to Great Harbour, JVD multiple times daily. Land by 4 PM to comfortably make the last 6 PM ferry.
Best for: Solo travelers · budget-conscious · daytime arrivals
Private charter · ~25 min direct · captained service
Book Allure ahead of time and walk 4–5 minutes outside the EIS terminal to Trellis Bay Marina, where Captain Michael Clyne's boat will be waiting to take you directly to White Bay Villas. We've worked with Captain Michael for thirty years — his boats are the best in class, and the same charter can take you island-hopping during your stay.
Best for: Best experience · groups of 4+ · late arrivals · maximum peace of mind
As of August 31, Aquatic Rentals has permanently ended its Red Hook → West End ferry service. The BVI's three scheduled fast-ferry operators — Native Son, Road Town Fast Ferry, and Smith's Ferry — now handle the STT → Tortola route. Native Son continues the Red Hook → West End crossing that Aquatic used to run; all three operators alternate on the Charlotte Amalie → Road Town route.
Both options connect to the New Horizon Ferry to JVD (or, for late Road Town arrivals, an Allure water-taxi bridge). See the Ferries section below, or use a fully private water taxi for door-to-dock service.
Public ferry combo · two ferries with a customs stop · ~2h 30m total
Since Aquatic Ferry ended service on Aug 31, Native Son is now the scheduled operator on the Red Hook → West End crossing. Route stays the same: land taxi from STT airport to Red Hook (~30 min), Native Son Ferry to West End Tortola (~30 min, clearing BVI customs), then walk to the same dock for the New Horizon Ferry to Great Harbour, JVD. Land by 3 PM to comfortably make the last connection.
Best for: Standard arrivals · daytime flights · independent travelers wanting the lowest-cost public-ferry route.
Fast ferry from Charlotte Amalie + private water-taxi bridge · ~3 hours total
The alternate STT public-ferry path if the Red Hook route doesn't fit your day. Three operators — Road Town Fast Ferry, Native Son, and Smith's Ferry — alternate on this route on the same daily schedule. Show up at the Charlotte Amalie ferry dock and take whichever operator is running that day. You must call ahead to confirm — they won't wait for you otherwise. Boats arrive Road Town Tortola around 5:45 PM — too late for the 6 PM New Horizon to JVD.
To bridge the gap, Allure Charters runs a $50 per person water taxi from Tortola directly to JVD for guests on this route. Coordinate through your villa concierge when you book.
Best for: STT arrivals when Red Hook timing doesn't fit · willing to confirm by phone
⚠ This is for people already on St. Thomas or St. John who have already cleared customs. This is NOT for people who have just flown in. An early-morning direct ferry to JVD, three days a week. It is NOT for same-day flight arrivals landing later in the day — despite what Google sometimes suggests.
Direct to JVD · skips West End · ~1h 30m on water
Departs Red Hook at 7:30 AM and Cruz Bay (St. John) at 8:00 AM, arriving Great Harbour JVD around 9:30 AM. Check-in is 45 minutes prior. If you're already in the USVI on a multi-day itinerary, or you've landed STT the night before, this is the cleanest way over.
Best for: Multi-day USVI itineraries · overnights in St. John or St. Thomas first
Private water taxi · ~1 hour door-to-door · captained service
Pick-up from Red Hook or Crown Bay, direct private crossing to JVD. Skip the two ferries, skip the customs lines. We've worked with Captain Michael Clyne for thirty years — superior boats, superior service. Same charter doubles as an island-hopping excursion during your stay.
Best for: Late arrivals (after 3 PM) · groups · families · maximum peace of mind
— Once you're on Jost
The ferry drops you at Great Harbour. From there, it's a 5–7 minute taxi ride over the hill to our property at White Bay — or about a 15–20 minute walk if you're traveling light. Taxis are always waiting when the ferry rolls in. Save a few numbers to your phone before you fly.
— Now that you're here
Most of these places don't have a website. Some don't have menus. None of them care about reservations the way the mainland does. Here's our shortlist — every bar, every kitchen, every Painkiller worth ordering.
All 13 points of interest. Numbers below each venue card match the pins above.
— When it's time to leave
Same routes, run in reverse. With a few extra wrinkles you should know about — especially if you're flying out of St. Thomas.
Flying out of STT? Your flight should be 1:30 PM or later if you're taking the earliest ferry back. Two ferries, customs at St. John, and a 30-min taxi to the airport — and STT expects you 3 hours early for international with checked bags.
All return ferries clear US customs in St. John — not at the STT airport. You'll go through customs once on the ferry side, then a second time at the airport. Build in extra buffer.
If your departure is before 1:30 PM, take a private water taxi. The cost is more than worth the reduced stress, and Allure can pick you up directly from White Bay.
Public ferry + land taxi · ~1h 45m total
Reverse of the inbound: New Horizon from Great Harbour to West End Tortola, then a land taxi 45–55 min across the island to EIS. Multiple departures daily — first ferry at 7 AM lets you catch most morning flights comfortably.
Private charter · pickup from White Bay · ~30 min direct
The smoothest way to leave. Picked up from White Bay, dropped at Trellis Bay just minutes from EIS. No customs lines, no two-ferry connections.
As of August 31, Aquatic Rentals has permanently ended its West End → Red Hook return service. Native Son now runs the West End → Red Hook crossing that Aquatic used to serve, and Road Town Fast Ferry, Native Son, and Smith's Ferry alternate on the Road Town → Charlotte Amalie route. See the Ferries section below, or use a fully private water taxi from White Bay.
Two ferries · customs at St. John · ~3 hours total
Since Aquatic ended service on Aug 31, Native Son is now the scheduled operator on this route. New Horizon Ferry from Great Harbour to West End Tortola, then Native Son from West End back to Red Hook (clearing US customs in St. John en route), then a land taxi from Red Hook to STT airport. Plan generously — the second customs at the airport always takes longer than expected.
Alternate STT return · three operators alternate the schedule · runs daily
The alternate return path if a flight from Charlotte Amalie fits your schedule better. New Horizon from Great Harbour to West End, land taxi to Road Town, then a fast ferry direct to Charlotte Amalie. Three operators — Road Town Fast Ferry, Native Son, and Smith's Ferry — alternate on this route on the same daily schedule. You must call ahead to confirm — they won't wait for you otherwise.
Private water taxi · ~1 hour door-to-door
Pickup from White Bay, direct to Red Hook or Crown Bay. Skip the customs-twice routine. Essentially required if your STT flight is before 1:30 PM — public ferries can't get you there in time.
We've been doing this for 40 years. Reach out — we'll happily walk you through it.
Ferry schedules, water taxi availability, and customs fees are set by third parties and can change. Always confirm directly with the operator within 48 hours of travel. A valid passport is required for all USVI ↔ BVI crossings.
