Can anyone provide me with information about taking a water taxi from St. Thomas to Water Island? Do they run 24 hours? Are they readily available like a street taxi? What would an average rate be? I don't want to be tied to the ferry schedule that seems to end pretty early in the evening. Thank you!

I have an bright idea, why don't you call them?

775-6501


billd

Because the water taxi # you were sent is on the east end and their boats operate out of Red Hook they may not be the most convenient service for 24 hr availability - maybe some of the Water Islanders on this forum have a suggestion?

The Water Island ferry (it's a ferry - not a "taxi" has a regular schedule with frequent runs starting in the early morning and generally the last run around 6:00 p.m. Schedule is posted on this web site VINOW. Full time residents depend on the Water Island ferry to transport them to and from work and school every day so it's a very dependable ferry and, unlike other things in the VI, you can set your watch by the departure times. The WI Ferry runs ON TIME. The WI ferry offers a late run (9:00 p.m.) on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays depending if there is anyone who has indicated to the Captain that they are planning to be on the late run (no sense running the boat and keeping the Captain on the clock if there are no passengers planning on taking late run). If you require a "special run" to accomodate your requirement to/from STT outside of the normal/scheduled hours, contact the Captain in advance. There may be additional cost but WI ferry often can accomodate special runs to get passengers to/from WI.

Thank you Barrier Island for your helpful answer. I am very aware of the ferry schedule and when the last runs are. I was looking for something that would be available later at night or so I don't have to wait around at the dock for the next ferry.

If you are looking for a water "Taxi", between STT and WI, to my knowledge, you would have to secure taxi from company like Dohm Water Taxi. However, it's my understanding that these types of transport services are based out of Red Hook which is the East End of STT. The last time I spoke with Dohm's, they said they don't have a access to docking on STT on our end of the island. They can/did pick us up at the WI ferry dock (the "Marilyn Temporary" dock) but we used their services to take us on a day trip and they returned our party to the WI temp dock.

I guess you could call Crown Bay Marina and see if they might recommend a licensed Captain with a vessel who you could arrange contact and charter info with - no water taxi services seem to be based downtown - it has been a political hot potato for years with the land taxis.

Sunbow Services in Crown Bay Marina own and operate the ferry from Crown Bay Marina to Water Island. You may contact them @:

340-775-5770 or sunbowt@yahoo.com



Cheers

A Water Island resident named Joe Mancino operates a pick-up service with his boat. I have no idea what he charges or when he might be available, but I know he sometimes takes people back and forth. He also is one of the ferry captains. You can reach him on his cell at 340-514-6131.

Hi Warmweatherfan,

The water taxis are not available in the same sense as a street taxi. Street taxis in St. Thomas are numerous, the various taxi associations on St. Thomas have taxi stands in popular locations and during the day there are typically half a dozen to a few dozen taxis lined up at some of these spots. In the evening there are typically a few taxis outside popular restaurants and bars and if there isn't you can have the waitstaff call and request a taxi for you. In regard to the water taxis, it is more of a private service. I think there are only 2 companies. They have their main routes (mostly STT to STJ and STT/STJ to BVI) and you have to contact them to set things up. They are both based in Red Hook. Neither has Water Island mentioned in their route/rate tables. They may offer special runs for a fee but you'd be setting up or reserving a specific time for that service so it would be the same thing as getting in touch with the Water Island ferry operator and seeing if you could arrange to pay for a special run.

If you want to research the two water taxis here are their websites: [viwatertaxi.com] and [www.dolphinshuttle.com].

--Islander

Thanks to all who responded with helpful information!

If the Water Island ferry cannot accommodate you I can. I run Post Time Charters out of Water Island I have several size boats and do private trips to St Thomas as well as other Islands. My web site is www.posttimecharters.com or you can contact me at 340 514 6131