Day Trips from Charlotte Amalie by Ferry
Charlotte Amalie works well as a base for short crossings by water. St John, Water Island and the British Virgin Islands are all within a day’s reach, and the north shore of St Thomas itself is a half-day outing. Start early, because return boats stop in the evening.
St John by Red Hook ferry
The usual route is to take a taxi east to Red Hook and board the public ferry to Cruz Bay on St John. The crossing takes about 20 minutes. A one-way fare for a non-resident adult is US$8.15, so a round trip is US$16.30. Boats leave hourly on the hour from 6:30 am to 10 pm, and boats from Cruz Bay to Red Hook start at 6:00 am. An extra 5:30 am sailing leaves Red Hook on weekdays only.
A ferry also runs from downtown Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay, but it is limited and seasonal, so ask the operator for current times and fares.
On St John, Trunk Bay, Maho Bay and Annaberg are all outside Charlotte Amalie. Virgin Islands National Park charges no entrance fee. Trunk Bay adds a US$5 amenity fee for visitors aged 16 and over, and from 1 October 2026 it takes card or mobile payment only.
Water Island
Water Island is sometimes called the fourth US Virgin Island. A small boat runs from Crown Bay Marina to Phillips Landing in about 10 minutes, leaving hourly. The last return is at 6:15 pm, and the captain sells tickets for cash. Honeymoon Beach is a short walk or golf-cart ride from the landing, and Dinghy’s Beach Bar rents chairs, umbrellas, paddleboards, kayaks and snorkel gear.
A day in the British Virgin Islands
Jost Van Dyke and Tortola are reachable by ferry or charter. A valid passport is required for any British Virgin Islands trip and for the return to the US Virgin Islands. You must also complete the online embarkation (ED) card, which has been compulsory since 1 January 2025 and can be filed up to 72 hours ahead. Budget for a US$10 environmental and tourism levy on arrival and a US$20 per person ferry departure fee, and carry some cash. One-way ferry fares to Tortola are often quoted at about US$45 to US$60 plus fees, so check the operator.
Magens Bay and Coral World
Magens Bay is a taxi ride over the hill and works as a half day. It is open from 7 am to 5:30 pm, with a US$7 fee for non-resident adults. Coral World at Coki Point is typically about 20 minutes from town by road, and a visit fits easily into a morning or afternoon. Read more: Multi-day trips from Charlotte Amalie .
Before you go
The Atlantic hurricane season spans 1 June to 30 November, so check ferry notices and forecasts. Mineral sunscreen is the safe choice for reef visits. Compare guided boat days on Viator . Official fare pages are at the Department of Public Works , the National Park Service and the UK government entry guide for the British Virgin Islands .