Explore the British Virgin Islands during this full-day boat trip from St. John or St. Thomas. Arawak sites have been uncovered in Magen's Bay and Botany Bay, and Carib sites have been uncovered in Magen's Bay and Salt River. The land slopes to flat-lands on the southern side of the island. Silver Airways and American Airlines offer flights from Miami Airport to Beef Island Airport. In the opposite direction, boats leave every two weeks on a Thursday at 5:00pm from St. John and 6:00pm from St. Thomas. Names of the regions in the Caribbean can be a bit confusing at first glance, as there are several names to describe regions, and some of them overlap, are sub regions of others, or cover the same areas. - to help you get the most out of your next trip. Learn More{{/message}}, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}It appears your submission was successful. Even though the server responded OK, it is possible the submission was not processed. However, because the islands are a U.S. territory, most cars are imported from the mainland United States and therefore the steering column is located on the left side of the vehicle. March is the driest month, receiving 27 millimeters (1.1in) of rainfall over 8.1 precipitation days, the least of any month. We're looking for writers! The islands were returned to Denmark in 1802, under the terms of the Treaty of Amiens. There are 214+ hotels available in Virgin Islands. In Dominica's two major cruising ports, organized and helpful "boat boys will greet you. How far is St Thomas from Florida by plane? The Leeward Antilles also includes several islands which belong to Venezuela, but take care visiting them. Copyright 2023 ImproveSailing.com Every two weeks leaving on a Sunday at 1:00pm, there is a fast ferry between Fajardo in Puerto Rico and St. John and St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands. If you insist on everything being done at a fast pace, you may want to stick with a Florida vacation instead. Despite a high crime rate, St. Thomas has plenty of beaches, safe tourist areas, hotels, and resorts where visitors are rarely affected by violent crime. It is on the southern shore at the head of Saint Thomas Harbor. We're looking for writers! Protected by Hassel Island, the harbor has docking and fueling facilities, machine shops, and shipyards and was a U.S. submarine base until 1966. . The distance between Florida and Virgin Islands is 1249 miles. Thank you , Excellent run down of the two optionsthank you! The Safari Taxis follow a loop passing Red Hook, Charlotte Amalie, and the island's resort-heavy East End. Short hops into rough conditions take a toll on crew energy and on the boat - things break and wear. Hundreds of ferries and yachts pass by the Town each week. . This info was very helpful Thanks. Travel times between the USVI and British Virgin Islands can be quite short, and you must clear in and out every time you move between the USVI and BVI. Start planning today. Most of the islands rise only to a few hundred feet above sea level. It is located just half a mile from St. Thomas south side. This is usually an upwind slog, also without many good safe harbors. It has a deep-water harbor that was once a haven for pirates and is now one of the busiest ports of call for cruise ships in the Caribbean, with about 1.5 million/plus cruise ship passengers landing there annually. Some hotels on St. Kitts provide 110-volt . Your Source for Shipping Excellence to the Caribbean; 305-800-0340 or 340-690-1110 Toll Free: 800-566-2340; . At six knots, sailing from Florida to the Virgin Islands would take you about seven days. One-way ferry rates are $75. Most people dont know exactly where it isso we thought wed help clear that up. He was also instrumental in persuading the Danish to allow the US to purchase the islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix. And it doesn't mean the waters aren't littered with reefs, shoals, low-lying islands, and other hazards. Sasker van Heringawei 16E Rodney Bay in the north has most of the marine services, though the scenic Pitons near Soufrire in the south is a popular departure point. U.S. Virgin Islands Hotels U.S. Virgin Islands Bed and Breakfast U.S. Virgin Islands Vacation Rentals U.S. Virgin Islands Vacation Packages Flights to U.S. Virgin Islands U.S. Virgin Islands Restaurants Things to Do in U.S. Virgin Islands U.S. Virgin Islands Travel Forum U.S. Virgin Islands Photos U.S. Virgin Islands Map U.S. Virgin Islands . Approx. As of the 2020 census, the population of Saint Thomas was 42,261,[3] about 48.5% of the total population of the United States Virgin Islands. It ends in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Taking enough time the Thorny Path can be a much more pleasant experience over two to three months. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. St Thomas Map The City of St Thomas is located in the State of United States Virgin Islands. St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands has been revitalized in recent years. It has plenty of anchorage space, its protected, and most marine services. ImproveSailing is compensated for referring traffic and business to this companies. Find directions to St Thomas, browse local businesses, landmarks, get current traffic estimates, road conditions, and more. Breathtaking View! Mon-Sat. Your subscription could not be saved. The St Thomas time zone is Atlantic Standard Time which is 4 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). From there you'd need to cross the Mona Passage to Puerto Rico, a nasty stretch of water known for strong and variable currents and some of the worst conditions in the Caribbean. St. John encompasses 20 square miles of beautiful scenery. A boat making six knots good on the course will take a little over ten days to make this passage. Book at least 3 weeks before departure in order to get a below-average price. [5][6] The island was later inhabited by the Arawaks and then the Caribs. Most trips are just $1 or $2 per person. In fact, more than half of the island is dedicated to . So when a cruiser in St. Martin may tell you he's heading "down island" next month, he's planning somewhere south, probably St. Barts, St. Kitts, Statia, or Antigua. About us Great Location. While we can't cover every combination for you, there is more than enough information to give you a sense for how you can island hop, and how long it might take. Hundreds of ferries and yachts pass by the Town each week. There is no direct connection from Florida to Virgin Islands. A sea lion show that is held twice daily in Marine Gardens. St. Thomas is a safe destination for your next Caribbean vacation. The Virgin Islands are located in the Caribbean. So how might you sail the Caribbean, and what are the distances and times involved? Additional terms apply. St. Croix is about 40 miles away from St. Thomas. How long does it generally take to fly between these two places in a modern commercial jet airliner? Saint Thomas (Danish: Sankt Thomas) is one of the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea, one of the three largest of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), an unincorporated territory of the United States. St. Thomas is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, an unincorporated territory of the United States, which means that US citizens can travel there without a passport just as they would when traveling between states in the mainland. But where to go and when? Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. The destinations are from north to south, and reverse routes and distances are not given to keep the tables simpler to read. This site is owned and operated by Truly Content. When browsing for deals, the options you'll see will be for both nonstop flights and flights with stops. In 1954, passage of the U.S. Virgin Islands Organic Act officially granted territorial status to the three islands, and allowed for the formation of a local senate with politics dominated by the American Republican and Democratic parties. [20] The lowest recorded temperature was 11C (52F) in November. Now that I type this out, it seems more idiotic than at first. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for US COVER FIRST AIR MAIL FLIGHT FAM 6 ST THOMAS VIRGIN ISLANDS at the best online prices at eBay! St. Thomas, thirteen miles long by four miles wide, encompasses a little over 31 square miles. The highest point is Mount Sage on Tortola in the BVI, which is 1,710 feet high. William has been sailing and owning boats for over twenty years. - Wikipedia. The total flight duration from Florida to U.S. Virgin Islands is 3 hours, 4 minutes. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. Updated information dedicated to Moving and Living in the Virgin Islands. You're sailing east before you're affected by the southeasterly trades, and if you hit the trades before 65W, you've gone too far south. Board of Elections finalized its choice for leadership in the current term. Coki Beach is a beach on the island Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, located in the Caribbean. The island has a number of natural bays and harbors including Magens Bay, Great Bay, Jersey Bay, Long Bay, Fortuna Bay, and Hendrik Bay. Le Marin is the most popular port for cruising and charter yachts. If foul weather catches up to you, theres little choice but to ride it out. You will be solicited at least 50 times for a taxi or some jewelry sale. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. Good. The Roques Archipelago is one of the more popular spots, but check current conditions before planning a visit. Following the Danish Revolution of 1848, slavery was abolished and the resulting rise in labor costs further weakened the position of Saint Thomas's sugar producers. Fares between BVI and USVI do not include USVI Port Fee/$10, BVI Environment Fee/$10 and BVI Departure Tax/$20 ($15 resident). What to pack You'll find everyone dressed fairly casually in the Virgin Islands. The latter usually operate only between high-traffic points, e.g., cruise-ship terminals at Havensight and Crown Bay and downtown Charlotte Amalie. In 1685, the Brandenburgisch-Africanische Compagnie took control of the slave trade on Saint Thomas, and for some time the largest slave auctions in the world were held there. The highest point is Crown Mountain at 1,556 feet. In 2010 the City had a population of 18,481, which makes it the largest city in the Virgin Islands Archipelago. There are too many islands to make a "travel time" table like you'd find in a road atlas with every island to every island. The best time to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands is December through March, as the weather is drier and you can enjoy blue skies most of the time. Because the Florida coast is a couple of hundred miles further west than a northern starting point like Hampton, VA, the total distance is pretty similar because you have to get back east. So when you do your own plots, you will get different numbers if you choose more careful routes, stay closer to shorelines, or plot more exact departure and arrival points. And an Underwater Observatory Tower that goes down 20 feet under the ocean with windows for looking and watching ocean life in its natural habit. The island is renowned as the biggest tax-free, duty-free shopping hub of the Caribbean and is home to many artists. Look for most of the cruising community in the southern bays and harbors. We measured courses to just inside the harbor in most cases with a wide safety margin, and not for optimal course length with the absolute shortest route. When speaking with locals the conversation should always begin with a greeting such as Good morning, Good afternoon, or Good night. The region includes hundreds of islands and cays. A few days after celebrating the 60th year of free elections in the Virgin Islands, the V.I. For travel planning advice, please refer to our Rome2rio Coronavirus information page . Scooters are also an excellent way to get around the island. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Do you want to earn money to write on our website? The USVI consist of 4 larger islands: St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island, and some 50 smaller islets and cays. Of the three islands, St. Thomas is the middle island in terms of size. St. Thomas-St. John School District operates public schools on Saint Thomas. Need to go back to the gas golf carts. The largest section of Virgin Islands Books & Souvenirs. About St. Thomas and the US Virgin Islands. If you stay in a villa you will most likely need to rent a car or scooter to get around. Average Cost of Buying & Owning a Sailboat (With 4 Examples), Sailing Route from Florida to the Virgin Islands (with Map), The Sailing Seasons Around the World (with Map), How to Convert your Freshwater Boat for Saltwater Use, Do I Need a License to Drive a Boat? ImproveSailing is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. . OK, it isn't cheap, but it can absolutely be done on a budget. Which makes it quite convenient to get to if you live in the United States for sure with easy connections out of MIA (Miami International Airport) of FLL (Fort Lauderdale International Airport). The Netherlands The lorikeet aviary where you can feed lorikeets. Where the "island" column is blank on departure, it's a repeat of the row above. However, the proponents of the purchase failed to gain legislative support for the bid. While you are in the tropics and it is warm, the prevailing wind patterns and navigational requirements can turn the time you aren't lounging on a beach into some pretty unpleasant sailing. The island has a land area of 32 square miles (83km2). Cruising and travel guides, web sites, and magazine articles often throw these terms around, and it's can be confusing to know where they are talking about. These distances assume coast-hopping from one end of the island to a different departure point, which we almost always did. We have received no reports of travel restrictions in U.S. Virgin Islands. The West Indies, a misnomer dating back to the days of Christopher Columbus, refers to pretty much all the Caribbean islands and the Bahamas. St. Thomas Airport to St Croix Airport: CAPE AIR tel: (800) CAPE-AIR SEAFLIGHT tel: (340) 714-3000 NO PASSPORTS NEEDED BETWEEN ST.THOMAS - ST CROIX - ST JOHN and PUERTO RICO Ferry to WATER ISLAND. Wonderful info.. thanks you kindly.. Am looking into Bahamas to Grenada arriving in Grenada before may ..will be in Bahamas in January.. Any advise is greatly appreciated Prefer short overnights and pleasant seas :-) Sun. The Town has been inhabited for centuries. For those looking for an accessible tropical destination with warm climate to sit at a pool or on a sandy beach, St Thomas offers an ideal landing spot. [7], The Dutch West India Company established a post on Saint Thomas in 1657. The cheapest month to fly is February. Rome2rio makes travelling from Florida to Virgin Islands easy. Charlotte Amalie, located on the island of St. Thomas, is the capital and the largest city of the United States Virgin Islands, founded in 1666 as Taphus (meaning "beer house" or "beer hall"). It's vague, but it's a common way to discuss plans, especially when they aren't settled. The nonstop route for optimal wind is closer to 1,500 nautical miles. The average price for connecting flights from Jacksonville, Florida to St Thomas Island is $228. I don't like spam - I will only send helpful content. Then we get into the Leeward Islands, Windward Islands, and the Leeward Antilles. August has the highest average high of 32.3C (90.1F), with July, August and September all having the highest average low at 25.6C (78.1F). At six knots that would take about ten and a half days. [13], The first British invasion and occupation of the island occurred in 1801. Two turtle pools with rescued sea turtles. All personal care items can be purchased on St. Thomas (although they can be a little pricey) so try to bring your own in travel-sized containers. From St. Thomas, you can take the public ferry from either Red Hook or Charlotte Amalie to St. John. If you could sail it straight though, how long would it take? Visit a local restaurant, The Top of the Baths for lunch (own expense), then head to Jost Van Dyke to enjoy some time swimming . The transfer occurred on March 31, 1917, behind Fort Christian before the barracks that now house the Legislature of the U.S Virgin Islands. When we did the sail, we left from Hampton, VA. You're sailing in November, and it's cold for a few days, but you can get offshore quickly and sail nonstop to the British Virgins or the USVI across the trades, a trip of about 1,500 miles. The island is 7 miles long by 3 miles wide. American Airlines, Finnair, British Airways, and Qatar Airways operate direct flights from Saint Thomas Island to Miami. Nearby Saba isn't recommended as a strong wind anchorage, either. You can download the Excel spreadsheet I've used to calculate these itineraries here for free. My partner and I are looking to take 6months off work and Sail around the Caribbean. [10] The first slave ships arrived in 1673, and St. Thomas became a slave market. The highest Point is 300 feet above sea level.