Virgin Island Ferry Schedules Ferry Schedules Ferry Schedules are published for information purposes only as a service to all tourism interest. High season is considered to be November, December and January. As you can see from the chart and route snapshot, the rhumb line route from Miami runs Southeast, and crosses right over several large islands and complex archipelagos. On St. Thomas, life tends to move at a slower pace than on the mainland. It's warm and sunny, but that doesn't mean you don't have adverse winds and currents. If you stay in a villa you will most likely need to rent a car or scooter to get around. Distance from Virgin Islands to Florida is 1989.07 kilometers . It's not a wasteland, but you're not hopping from Ft. Lauderdale to Palm Beach, either. Thomas is located in the Lesser Antilles, 1,600 miles south, south east of New York City; 1,100 east, southeast of Miami; 70 miles of San Juan. The post-war era also saw the rise of tourism on the island. Trinidad is one of the largest islands in the Caribbean and is in the lower corner. Moving at six knots, you don't want to skip something and go back to it, and the islands in the eastern Caribbean are in a somewhat straight line, which makes for an ordered way of going through them. Of those, only Martinique is a French overseas territory, the rest are all independent countries. If you have any prescription medications, be sure to bring enough for the duration of your trip and carry a note from your physician, especially for any prescribed narcotics. Grenada is a popular hurricane season destination for full time cruisers, because it's far enough south to reduce (but not eliminate) storm risk, and it's close enough to Trinidad to sail there on an overnight if a storm threatens. The first congregation was the St. Thomas Reformed Church, which was established in 1660 and was associated with the Dutch Reformed Church.. Denmark-Norway's first attempt to settle the island in 1665 failed.However, the Danes did resettle St. Thomas in 1671, under the sponsorship of the Glueckstadt Co., later the Danish . 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. That being said, it is best to avoid the hurricane season between September to November. Scooters are also an excellent way to get around the island. Barbados lies about eight-five miles east of St. Vincent, and can be a tricky upwind sail. St. Croix , St. Thomas is known for having one long ridge of hills running east and west through the center of the island with smaller ridges branching off from the center. Need more shuttle/tram drivers. By the time you haul anchor and set the sails and drop anchor on the other end, even a three-mile trip will take you an hour. Exhibits include the Caribbean Reef Encounter an 80,000 gallon circular tank open at the top for the natural elements to filter in. Need to go back to the gas golf carts. Miami International Airport - Cyril E. King Airport 1107 Miles 1781 Kilometers 962 Nautical miles 2 h 35 min Flight duration 1 h Time difference 157 kg [Note: The distance between cities in U.S. Virgin Islands distance chart below is straight line distance (may be called as flying or air distance) between the two locations in U.S. Virgin Islands . It has plenty of anchorage space, its protected, and most marine services. Saint Thomas has a tropical savanna climate (Aw according to the Kppen climate classification) with a drier season and a wetter season. That's where you find most of the small island nations and territories you can sail between in less than a day. The continued export of sugar was threatened by hurricanes, drought, and American competition. 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. St. Thomas, thirteen miles long by four miles wide, encompasses a little over 31 square miles. The US Virgin Islands are located just to the right of Puerto Rico. The USVI consist of 4 larger islands: St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island, and some 50 smaller islets and cays. There are thousands of islands in the Caribbean, and over forty with major populations. The answer depends on you - your skill level, your tolerance for discomfort and pounding your boat, how much you like offshore sailing, and how much time you have. [citation needed], In 1915, David Hamilton Jackson traveled to Denmark and convinced the King of Denmark to allow freedom of the press in Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix. [15] The newspaper's focus was civic and labor rights for local workers,[16] and it published criticisms of the labor situation in the islands. [26], Magens Bay as seen from Drake's Seat, St. Thomas. The total straight line flight distance from Orlando, FL to Saint Thomas is 1,256 miles. But when you leave from further south, the Bahamas and other islands get between you and the Virgin Islands, which complicates the whole route and adds a lot of time and work to the trip. If your cruising speed on the rhumb line is different or youre tacking back and forth all over the place, adjust times accordingly. Sailings from Florida to St. Thomas, VI: Receiving Location: Cutoff Day / Time: Sailing Day: Estimated Transit . March is the driest month, receiving 27 millimeters (1.1in) of rainfall over 8.1 precipitation days, the least of any month. A direct flight to Saint Thomas Island will take on average 2h 37m to travel the 1107 miles flying distance from Fort Lauderdale. The island is serviced by the Cyril E. King International Airport. Browse all 16,909 St. Thomas topics Taxi . The transfer occurred on March 31, 1917, behind Fort Christian before the barracks that now house the Legislature of the U.S Virgin Islands. Those who appreciate fine art and a good shopping experience will be happy to know that visitors can exit St. Thomas with $1,600 in duty-free goods which is double that of most destinations. Since you can't sail that straight line, if you're in a hurry you can sail offshore. A sailboat doesn't have to be expensive if you know what you're doing. They are grouped by location into the Greater Antilles which includes the larger islands in the northwestern area (Cuba, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Haiti/Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico); and the Lesser Antilles which includes all the other islands from the Virgin Islands in the northerly Leeward Islands, to the southeastern Windward Islands and the islands just north of Venezuela. Recommended Fly Orlando Sanford to London Fly from Orlando Sanford (SFB) to London (YXU) 3h 28m $276 - $649 Cheapest The islands have an average temperatures of 70s and 80s degrees Fahrenheit year round. The baccalaureate service for the transfer was held at the St. Thomas Reformed Church as it was identified as the American church in the Danish West Indies. You'll see some of the most spectacular megayachts in world in St. Barts, it's a popular spot for the larger boats. Jackson was the editor of The Herald, which had its office at 1B Kongens Gadein Christiansted. Hi, I'm Shawn, and when I was 2 years old, I was sailing (with my parents) on the English Channel during a proper storm (and by proper I mean something along the lines of force 10). Connect with travelers that are planning vacations right here, right now. ', 'Should I book online before I travel? Puerto Rico - United States Virgin Islands vv. St. Martin (the French side of the split island of Saint Martin), St. Barts, and Guadeloupe are French overseas territories. [9], Denmark-Norway's first attempt to settle the island in 1665 failed. U.S. Virgin Islands ; St. Thomas ; St. Thomas Travel Forum; Search. Knowing the sailing seasons around the world help you to plan your trip well. Distance between Puerto Rico and St Thomas is 179.54 km. From the airport you rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Redhook (east end) St. Thomas. Thanks! Where the "island" column is blank on departure, it's a repeat of the row above. The region includes hundreds of islands and cays. A stingray pool where guests can feed the stingray after the presentation. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1997. While there has historically been no ferry service between St. Thomas (or any of the aforementioned islands) and St. Croix, as of January 2019, a brand new ferry service will be operating between Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas and Gallows Bay, St. Croix for $50 one way or $100 roundtrip. Barbados is one of the more off the beaten path islands. So are you on "Team Thorny Path" or the "I-65 Squad?". 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. The only way to get to the St. John, in the US Virgin Islands, is by boat. One of the main islands of the United States Virgin Islands, This is the figure given on page 1 of the. When Christopher Columbus arrived in 1493, the area was inhabited by Caribs, Arawaks, Ciboney and Tano native peoples. 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. It is located just half a mile from St. Thomas south side. For crews without blue water experience or not comfortable being a hundred miles from land, this is a big draw. Very few people sail from an island in the Leewards, to say, Aruba or Bonaire. Because you're sailing way offshore, I-65 is considerably longer than the Thorny Path on a straight line basis. How long does it generally take to fly between these two places in a modern commercial jet airliner? We have received no reports of travel restrictions in U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn More{{/message}}, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}It appears your submission was successful. About us From To Measure Distance Distance between Virgin Islands and Florida is: Facebook Twitter The air travel (bird fly) shortest distance from Virgin Islands to Florida is 1989.07 km= 1235.95 miles. Despite natural disasters such as Hurricane Hugo (1989), Hurricanes Luis and Marilyn (1995), and Hurricanes Irma and Maria (2017) the island's infrastructure continues to improve as the flow of visitors continues. After what you read in the last section, why would anyone want to do this? There are relatively no flat areas on St. Thomas. In the USVI's peak season, from December to March . If you press, you can do it in less than a month but you may run into some unpleasant conditions if you push the schedule. Thank you , Excellent run down of the two optionsthank you! Thank you, William, for sharing this helpful item. Your Source for Shipping Excellence to the Caribbean; 305-800-0340 or 340-690-1110 Toll Free: 800-566-2340; . British Virgin Islands The British Virgin Islands (BVI) are made up of 4 larger islands; Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada, and 32 smaller islands. Some will sail south to the Dominican Republic into Lupern, then work their way across to coast of the Dominican Republic. Hundreds of ferries and yachts pass by the Town each week. Like all resort and vacation destinations, it pays to shop for the best deals. Most of the islands rise only to a few hundred feet above sea level. Planning your vacation to St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John and Water Island will be a lot easier with this great packet of magazines and booklets. 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 options include taking a passenger ferry, car barge, water taxi, boat charter, or term yacht charter. The British Virgin Islands lie to the northeast of the United States Virgin Islands. The US Virgin Islands are 40-50 miles east of Puerto Rico; and about 1106 miles southeast Miami, Florida. However, the Danes did resettle St. Thomas in 1671, under the sponsorship of the Glueckstadt Co., later the Danish West India Company. Never treat Islanders as servants, or tourist attractions. Today tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDP and employment. When someone refers to the Spanish West Indies, British West Indies, Dutch West Indies and even the Danish West Indies, it means islands where those colonial powers held the most sway. There is 1 way to get from Florida to Virgin Islands by plane or ferry Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Thanks. Rome2rio makes travelling from Florida to Virgin Islands easy. Now that I type this out, it seems more idiotic than at first. It's an established part of the local economy, and they will handle much of what you need on the island like tours and supplies. Your flight direction from Orlando, FL to Saint Thomas is Southeast (120 degrees from North). Check out, If you have any questions about events, activities and goings on while you are visiting, enter your email on the home page of, Things to Do in St. Thomas and St. John in 2022, Things to Do in St. Thomas and St. John Sitemap. Your travel time can differ by up to 2h 42m. If you want to learn how to make your sailing dream reality within a year, leave your email and I'll send you free updates. As far as islands to hit on the way down, most people making the passage work their way through the Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos, past Puerto Rico and the Spanish Virgins before ending in St. Thomas or one of the other USVI's . Short hops into rough conditions take a toll on crew energy and on the boat - things break and wear. Please try again. About St. Thomas and the US Virgin Islands. [12]) In 1691, the primary settlement there was renamed Charlotte Amalie in honor of the wife of Denmark's King Christian V. It was later declared a free port by Frederick V. In December 1732, the first two of many Moravian Brethren missionaries came from Herrnhut Saxony in present-day Germany to minister to them. There are two main towns Frederiksted and Christiansted. Manners and general etiquette in the islands, There are activities for all ages and interests. How long does it take to get around from place to place? The Netherlands Although the island is just 31 square miles, youll find a variety of attractions and even two cities with hot spots for exciting nightlife options as well. Your subscription could not be saved. Skimpy dress such as super short shorts or any very revealing clothing should not be worn while shopping or dining in town; only wear bathing suits at the swimming pool or the beach. When Christopher Columbus arrived in 1493, the area was inhabited by Caribs, Arawaks, Ciboney and Tano native peoples. That's total made good towards the route on your GPS. 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? The major island groups and countries in the Leewards, from north to south, are the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, St. Martin/Sint Maartin, St. Barthlemy ("St. Barts"), Saba, St. Eustatius ("Statia"), St. Christopher ("St. Kitts") and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, and Dominica. [8] The first congregation was the St. Thomas Reformed Church, which was established in 1660 and was associated with the Dutch Reformed Church. The United States granted citizenship to the residents in 1927. Carrying a passport can still be a good idea as hopping between islands from St. Thomas is fairly easy, and a passport is required for travel to the British Virgin Islands such as Tortola or Virgin Gorda. ? Cheap plane tickets may be available from different airlines at different times and with unique terms. 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). Great article. Depending on where you leave from - northern Florida or somewhere in the Bahamas - you may sail north to avoid the trades. It takes 0.2 hours to arrive. The Safari Taxis follow a loop passing Red Hook, Charlotte Amalie, and the island's resort-heavy East End. As a result, the economies of Saint Thomas and the neighboring islands of Saint John and Saint Croix became highly dependent on slave labor and the slave trade. Prices and availability are subject to change. Fares between BVI and USVI do not include USVI Port Fee/$10, BVI Environment Fee/$10 and BVI Departure Tax/$20 ($15 resident). The Lesser Antilles are all the rest of the islands. 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. In the opposite direction, boats leave every two weeks on a Thursday at 5:00pm from St. John and 6:00pm from St. Thomas. You will be solicited at least 50 times for a taxi or some jewelry sale. The general approach to sailing the Thorny Path is to make short hops, day sails, and overnight passages between close destinations. St Thomas Map The City of St Thomas is located in the State of United States Virgin Islands. Cape Air and American Airlines offer non-stop flights between Puerto Rico and St. Thomas during the off season.