We have had to look at a couple different ways lately to get guests over to the BVI, as the American Eagle flights can have weird times for coming and going, or poor availibility, not to mention being quite expensive. It has suprised me, as for a large group, charter planes almost come close to commercial prices in some cases and here is another couple options for people to look at. Also, I have found out that some private plane companies, which people bring down, cannot fly into Tortola insurance wise, as Tortola has not broadcast something in some safety update on the new runway. Apparently, our runaway is still not long enough to take some of the small private jets.
Anyways, this started by me researching for guests who's only options to fly out unless they stayed another night was very first thing in the morning. I contacted Caroline at FLY BVI (www.fly-bvi.com) and she provided me with the following current information:
The smallest is our twin engine Piper Aztec, which seats a maximum of five. The cost of a charter in the Aztec from San Juan to Tortola is $1046 one way. We may also offer our twin engine Cessna 401, which seats a maximum of six. The cost of a charter in the Cessna 401 from San Juan to Tortola is $1509 one way. And, as we have a nine seater Cessna 404. The rate for the Cessna 404 from San Juan to Tortola is $2007 one way.
I had specifically inquired on the 9 seater for guests. On top of the charter fee there is some US taxes which probably come up to about another $300.00. Additionally, if you are coming in in the evening and the Beef Island airport has to keep the lights on, it is $150.00 per hour to have the lights on for you to land!!! I guess that may come in handy!
The options are at San Juan:
If you come in private jet, then they can have the plane waiting right beside your handling agent when it comes in and you get on one right when you get of the other.
If you come in with just carry on, then you do not have to go out through security etc and just go to the new gate and new plane if you come commerical
If you come commercial with checked luggage then you have to get your luggage, recheck in and go back through security. They take a credit card # to "hold" the booking and then it is due about 30 days out.
If you have to do the pick up the luggage thing in San Juan, you can also pay a $150.00 fee and a handler will meet your plane, help you get your luggage, and get you back through security to your new charter plane, if you had checked luggage.
I think this is a good option for my large groups coming in.
Additionally, I found out the new rates for the Water Taxi (www.water-taxi.com) which travels between St Thomas and the BVI. They NO longer pick up on the waterfront, Homeland Security has not allowed them to for about 3 years now. YOu must go over to their depot at Red Hook, and taxi fares over there can be outrageous. $15.00 per person plus luggage for each of person and this is a discounted rate as long as you have 5. Not my words saying it is a discounted rate! It can be quite a trip on Cruise Ship days in the afternoon getting through Charlotte Amalie, so don't think if you give yourself twenty minutes you will be fine! The company can tell you how long your land transfer will take. Then it is $80.00 per person one way for the water taxi (again discounted for over 5) and $20.00 per person for the customs clearance. So, count on $115.00 pp one way (without gratuties) to come from Red Hook. They will however, bring you right up and dock up to Promenade right on our mooring and you step off the water taxi and onto the boat.
Keep in mind though, that they have to run while customs is open, so you cannot do this in the evening.
So, both ways, based on 9 people in the plane, $500.00 odd per person for both ways
based on 9 people in the water taxi from St Thomas, $230.00 plus gratuities.
Both good options if coming into Tortola does not work well or the ferry schedule from St Thomas does not work either.
Ask me when planning, I can help. These guests are set up with the plane coming into Beef Island from San Juan, they arrive about 8:00 pm at night, and since it is such a late arrival, we can meet them at Trellis Bay anchorage, provide them a late light dinner and breakfast and start our charter then, for less cost then it would have been for them to get off at the airport, take a cab, find dinner, and stay overnight in a cab with everyone and then get to the boat the next morning.
