To get a sense of the thorniness of crossing this stretch of water, take a closer look at where this route goes through the Bahamas. 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. Thirteen of the 14-member territorial board officials met by way of a teleconference between St. Thomas and St. Croix. This info was very helpful Thanks. The island is 7 miles long by 3 miles wide. Breathtaking View! The options include taking a passenger ferry, car barge, water taxi, boat charter, or term yacht charter. Distance between Florida and St Thomas is 1989.12 km. The U.S. Department of the Interior took over administrative duties in 1931. Mon-Sat. Look for most of the cruising community in the southern bays and 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. The total area of the USVI is 133 square miles. [14] He began the first newspaper in the islands, known as The Herald. Every hour, one of the ferries departs Red Hook, St. Thomas, and the other Cruz Bay, St. John, crossing each other along the way. Very few people sail from an island in the Leewards, to say, Aruba or Bonaire. It sees less traffic because it's a long trip there and back, with a lot of upwind. The major town of Pointe--Pitre is an important shipping harbor and less popular with sailing visitors. Short hops into rough conditions take a toll on crew energy and on the boat - things break and wear. Provide locals with respect and try not to be patronizing or condescending. Leaving north of the Bahamas from St. Lucie Inlet in Florida and sailing to 65W then down to the Virgin Islands is about 1,500 nautical miles, half again the length of the thorny path. Check out 74 Things to Do on St. Thomas and St. John at: http://bit.ly/YRlwnH. Privacy Policy, Improve Sailing helps you to make your sailing dream actionable, by writing in-depth articles on practical questions. 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. It is advisable to contact the ferry company the day before your intended . 8: . travel time. The remaining islands are independent island nations. The average price for direct flights from Jacksonville, Florida to St Thomas Island is $463. The island has a number of natural bays and harbors including Magens Bay, Great Bay, Jersey Bay, Long Bay, Fortuna Bay, and Hendrik Bay. Distance between Puerto Rico and St Thomas is 179.54 km. However, the other islands are close enough together that you can clear out of Tortola and only add a few more hours travel time to St. Martin. 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. Protected by Hassel Island, the harbor has docking and fueling facilities, machine shops, and shipyards and was a U.S. submarine base until 1966. Fares between BVI and USVI do not include USVI Port Fee/$10, BVI Environment Fee/$10 and BVI Departure Tax/$20 ($15 resident). Not a sailboat but powered by two gas engines, basically Chevy 350 V8s. Distance from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Saint Thomas The total straight line flight distance from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Saint Thomas is 1,110 miles. It is currently 2:44 AM in Florida and 3:44 AM in Virgin Islands. I-65 is not without risk, since you're offshore, and depending when you sail you may face serious offshore storms or even hurricanes. Virgin Islands is 1h ahead of Florida. VIRGIN ISLANDS to ST. LUCIA 1929 LINDBERGH Flown FAM6 . Barbados lies about eight-five miles east of St. Vincent, and can be a tricky upwind sail. [10] The first slave ships arrived in 1673, and St. Thomas became a slave market. . Also, your insurance company may not permit travel to some of them without advanced permission. 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. The most notable is that you can make the entire trip with no really long offshore passages. Your Source for Shipping Excellence to the Caribbean; 305-800-0340 or 340-690-1110 Toll Free: 800-566-2340; . The highest point is Crown Mountain at 1,556 feet. Good. It is not only the ultimate tropical vacation location; it can be as affordable as a similar vacation to Florida. One-way ferry rates are $75. During this excursion, enjoy a breakfast boat ride to Virgin Gorda's Baths. Copyright 2023 ImproveSailing.com Time through the Thorny Path has less to do with boat speed than it does about how you pick your stops, when you sail them, your tolerance for getting beat up on short passages, and what breaks you get in the weather. In 1917, Saint Thomas was purchased (along with Saint Croix and Saint John) by the United States for $25 million in gold ($529 million today),[18] as part of a defensive strategy to maintain control over the Caribbean and the Panama Canal during the First World War. What to pack You'll find everyone dressed fairly casually in the Virgin Islands. ImproveSailing is compensated for referring traffic and business to this companies. You've got broad banks of shallows and exposed reefs butting into mile-deep waters between islands. Exploring the island requires some form of motorized transportation, for maximum freedom renting a car can be the best option and will allow you to see everything St. Thomas has to offer at your own pace. Ciboney sites have been uncovered in Krum Bay. How long does it generally take to fly between these two places in a modern commercial jet airliner? Today tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDP and employment. Since 2012 he's been cruising the world with his wife and living aboard full time. The best time to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands is April to June, when you can expect mild weather and very little rainfall. "St. Thomas" is among the most recognisable instrumentals in the repertoire of American jazz tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins based on a traditional calypso sung to him by his mother, Valborg Solomon Rollins, who was born on Saint Thomas. Locals throughout the USVI speak English and the currency used is the U.S. dollar. Thank you, William, for sharing this helpful item. The islands were returned to Denmark in 1802, under the terms of the Treaty of Amiens. The Roques Archipelago is one of the more popular spots, but check current conditions before planning a visit. 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. Distances are in Nautical Miles, times are in hours rounded UP to the nearest hour. For the latest travel status, please check the official page for U.S. Virgin Islands. St. John , Water Island is the smallest populated island of USVI group. The Straight Line Air Flying Distance from Key West Florida United States to St Thomas U S Virgin Islands1157.6 milesor 1862.97 km Flight time: 3 hours and 23 minutesNon-Stop flight time But it works better if you start further north. Located in the Northeastern area of the Caribbean Sea, St. Thomas is part of the Leeward Islands enjoying both a wonderful and reliable weather in the winter months. There are gaps between islands where you'd be pressed to take a shoal draft boat, so you have to take less direct routes and pick your way through the shallows by the color of the water. Whether taking a boat trip, scuba diving, parasailing or snorkeling, call the outfit before you arrive on island to make reservations. St. Thomas and its nearby . We could spend several more years and have a different experience, since we we only saw a fraction of what there was to see. There are two main towns Frederiksted and Christiansted. The temperature is warm year-round, with January and February, the coolest months, having average highs of 29.5C (85.1F) and average lows of 22.4C (72.3F). Heading further south, the Windward islands start with Martinique, then St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. ImproveSailing is compensated for referring traffic and business to this companies. Never treat Islanders as servants, or tourist attractions. The islands normally host 2 million visitors a year, many of whom visit on cruise ships. It is SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE, and NO RESPONSIBILITY is assumed for errors or omissions. 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. About us The islands are the peaks of submerged mountains that rise from the ocean floor. High season is considered to be November, December and January. 6080 Estate Smith Bay, 00802 Frydendal, U.S. Virgin Islands - Great location - show map. Required fields are marked *, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}Your submission failed. The U.S. Virgin Islands lie near the boundary of the North American Plate and the Caribbean Plate . For this article, we're going to focus on the islands. St. Croix is 84 square miles in size, 22 miles long and the widest point is a little more than 6 miles. If pounding upwind into chop, slop, and current between stops on small islands isn't your thing, there is another option - head offshore. The islands extend from west to east for about 60 miles and are located west of the Anegada Passage, a major channel connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. It is located just half a mile from St. Thomas south side. The islands now have an annual celebration in November to honor the legacy of David Hamilton Jackson.[17]. 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. Directions. 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. The largest section of Virgin Islands Books & Souvenirs. The Netherlands Mon-Sun: 6:30 am until 9:00 pm. You'll see some of the most spectacular megayachts in world in St. Barts, it's a popular spot for the larger boats. The second British occupation of the island occurred from 1807 to 1815, after the Invasion of the Danish West Indies (1807), during which they built Fort Cowell on Hassel Island. Find all the transport options for your trip from Florida to Virgin Islands right here. Since then I've enjoyed sailing very much - and I've never been afraid of the water again. We're looking for writers! When talking about moving between islands, cruisers will often use the phrases up island and down island. William has been sailing and owning boats for over twenty years. Small boutique hotels, resorts and private villas abound on the island. Car rental agencies are located at the airport as well as near the main cruise ship dock and large resorts. 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. Distance Between Puerto Rico and St Thomas. The quickest flight from Miami Airport to Beef Island Airport is the direct flight which takes 2h 59m. 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. The nonstop route for optimal wind is closer to 1,500 nautical miles. Your subscription could not be saved. Sitting nearly 4 miles east of St. Thomas, St. John is the smallest (only 20 square miles) and least populated of the U.S. Virgin Islands. For the latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel status in United States, please check government recommendations. Most island passages happen in a more stepwise, logical fashion. Fire destroyed hundreds of homes in Charlotte Amalie in 1804. This is a destination meant for relaxation there is no need for a tie or a fancy dress. 350 reviews. 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. You can stay on the French side in the lagoon, but you still must transit the Dutch side to leave via the Simpson Bay bridge, so you still have to deal with the Dutch authorities to pay the fees. This sprawling country has many smaller islands you can hop between, most are only a few miles apart. 2018 Toyota RAV4 - North Miami, FL to St. Thomas, VI. Where the "island" column is blank on departure, it's a repeat of the row above. Updated information dedicated to Moving and Living in the Virgin Islands. This is called the Thorny Path to the Caribbean for a good reason. Things to Do in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 1. Blue Ocean Transport specializes in shipping vehicles between U.S. mainland and St. Thomas and St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Shark Shallows a nursery for adolescent sharks. Virgin Islanders are generally a conservative and quiet people. However, petty crime still occurs in tourist areas so it's important to take the proper precautions. This is only a problem if you turn south too soon. Depending on where you leave from - northern Florida or somewhere in the Bahamas - you may sail north to avoid the trades. Where the "island" column is blank on departure, it's a repeat of the row above. Whether taking a boat trip, scuba diving, parasailing or snorkeling, call the outfit before you arrive on island to make reservations. And it doesn't mean the waters aren't littered with reefs, shoals, low-lying islands, and other hazards. 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. Ships dock at Havensight Pier. 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. 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. 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. Taking enough time the Thorny Path can be a much more pleasant experience over two to three months. You do this while waiting for favorable (or less unfavorable) weather and winds. St. Thomas is located just off the south eastern coast of Florida. The British Virgin Islands lie to the northeast of the United States Virgin Islands. The unstable situation on the mainland means conditions may be unpredictable. The islands are not known for great facilities for visiting yachts, though the sailing there is lovely. So why are we getting into this? Im thinking I-65, but Im not sure my wife will. Rome2rio also offers online bookings for selected operators, making reservations easy and straightforward. The US Virgin Islands are 40-50 miles east of Puerto Rico; and about 1106 miles southeast Miami, Florida. 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. St. Croixs highest peak, Mount Eagle, is 1,088 feet high. A season in the Caribbean - what a dream vacation or a plan for a sabbatical! Find all the transport options for your trip from Florida to Virgin Islands right here. The arc of Caribbean islands begins off the coast of Florida and extends all the way to South America. Knowing the sailing seasons around the world help you to plan your trip well. The distance line on map shows distance from Puerto Rico to St Thomas between two cities. Spirit Airlines and JetBlue can get you from Florida to Saint Thomas Island in just under 2h 36m. Of those, only Martinique is a French overseas territory, the rest are all independent countries. A natural harbor is found in Coral Bay, however Cruz Bay is the main town and harbor. Along with surrounding minor islands, it is one of three county-equivalents in the USVI. Manners and general etiquette in the islands, There are activities for all ages and interests. There are 1112 mi between Florida and Saint Thomas Island. Learn More{{/message}}, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}It appears your submission was successful. What is the best time to sail from Bonaire to Barbados? In 1691, the town was renamed to Charlotte Amalie after Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel (16501714), queen consort to King Christian V of Denmark-Norway. While this is an exotic island, it also has the familiar atmosphere of home. 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. There are 10 airlines flying into STT: Spirit Airlines. 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. Just tell us the best email address to send your tips to: Improve Sailing The highest point is Mount Sage on Tortola in the BVI, which is 1,710 feet high. These refer to islands to the north as "Up" and those to the south as "Down" the island chains. You will find a table for each major island or island group and distances to common passages from that island. This gives you plenty of time to wait for favorable conditions and better weather, make night passages to avoid wind, and avoid the worst of the pounding. The Leeward Antilles aren't in "Island Hopping" range, since reaching them from the Windward Islands is a multi-day offshore passage. Privacy Policy, Improve Sailing helps you to make your sailing dream actionable, by writing in-depth articles on practical questions. At least theres are no land and reefs around to hit like there is on the Thorny Parth. The St Thomas time zone is Atlantic Standard Time which is 4 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). 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. Many heading down island from the BVIs leave from Virgin Gorda, as it is the furthest island to the east. Butyou can't sail straight from Miami to St. Thomas, because there are a lot of islands in the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos in the way. Free shipping for many products! Barbados is one of the more off the beaten path islands. The formal name of the synagogue is Beracha Veshalom Vegmiluth Hasadim. The United States Virgin Islands is the only place under United States jurisdiction where the rule of the road is to drive on the left. At six knots that would take about ten and a half days. Maybe a follow up article on the options returning from virgins or points south back to Florida or other ports along the east coast? And, unlike Florida, temperatures here are typically in the 80s during the day and the 70s at night all year round. Pack light clothing, a sun. Though it's a petite 32 square miles, the U.S. Virgin Island of St. Thomas boasts a few great all-inclusive hotelsall the better for having a stress-free home base while sailing, snorkeling . How far is St Thomas from Florida by plane? Again much thanks for the info . Copyright 2023 ImproveSailing.com There are thousands of islands in the Caribbean, and over forty with major populations. Guadeloupe has several smaller islands on the south end which you can visit. Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. How about August/September? St. Croix is about 40 miles away from St. Thomas. How to Get There from Anguilla: You can fly from Anguilla to St. Thomas direct on Air Sunshine in about 45 minutes. Rome2rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. 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"). Sheltered harbors aren't as common as you'd like, nor are ports with marinas and supplies. This is equivalent to 1 787 kilometers or 965 nautical miles. It's about 1,150 miles (as the crow flies) from Miami to St. Thomas - the actual cruising distance will be longer. It has plenty of anchorage space, its protected, and most marine services. Good manners and formality are highly esteemed. [8] The first congregation was the St. Thomas Reformed Church, which was established in 1660 and was associated with the Dutch Reformed Church. The biggest difference may be the lack speed and efficiency. There's no shelter on I-65. Saint Thomas's fine natural harbor became known as "Taphus" for the drinking establishments located nearby. St. Thomas has a beautiful natural harbor and many protected bays. Please try again. 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 only way to get to the St. John, in the US Virgin Islands, is by boat. #topofthelinetransport #usvishipping #autoshipping #vehicleshipping #cartransport #lcltrucking #caribbeanshipping #lclshipping #fclshipping. The Virgin Islands are located in the Caribbean. Thirteen sovereign island nations and a dozen dependent territories make up most of the islands, and ten countries in Latin America have Caribbean coastline. [20] The lowest recorded temperature was 11C (52F) in November. The assumption is you are leaving from and heading to the closest major ports of entry on each island, your time sailing across the island or cruising from one end to the other isn't factored in. The island is renowned as the biggest tax-free, duty-free shopping hub of the Caribbean and is home to many artists. Great article. Cheap Flights from Tampa Intl. 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. A sailboat doesn't have to be expensive if you know what you're doing. Passenger and limited car-ferry services to neighboring islands such as Water Island, Saint John, Saint Croix, and the British Virgin Islands run regularly out of the Red Hook Terminal, Charlotte Amalie, and Crown Bay Marina. 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. Sasker van Heringawei 16E There are a few natural harbors and protected bays. Connect with travelers that are planning vacations right here, right now. 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. Prices start at $100USD per night. It is on the southern shore at the head of Saint Thomas Harbor. Hotels have been built from the West End to the East End, and in recent years, Saint Thomas has become a busy cruise ship port and vacation venue. Gift shops and restaurants are also on site. . Because there are further breakdowns and groupings you may hear which come from which European powers dominated which islands politically and culturally during the 17th through 19th centuries. If you have a couple of months to explore and gunkhole in the Bahamas on the way down or you don't like long offshore trips, you may have the time to make the Thorny Path a little less prickly. Thorough and considerate. From St. Thomas, you can take the public ferry from either Red Hook or Charlotte Amalie to St. John. A boat making six knots good on the course will take a little over ten days to make this passage. It takes approximately 8h 45m to get from Florida to Virgin Islands, including transfers. Old sailors say you can't head south if butter melts sitting on the counter. Saint Thomas has a tropical savanna climate (Aw according to the Kppen climate classification) with a drier season and a wetter season. 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. Although St. John's is a major port, it's not a small boat friendly harbor.