Ferry from St. Thomas to Cruz Bay | Times, Fares & Tips

The Red Hook–Cruz Bay ferry takes 15–20 minutes and costs nonresidents $8.15 plus a $0.66 fuel surcharge each way.

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For most travelers, the ferry from St. Thomas to Cruz Bay is easiest from Red Hook, where passenger boats run from early morning through late evening. The crossing reaches the main waterfront in Cruz Bay, St. John, so taxis, shops, restaurants, and many lodgings are close to the dock.

Red Hook is the right departure point when frequency matters. Downtown Charlotte Amalie also has a direct ferry, but its schedule is thinner and the crossing takes about 45 minutes.

Which St. Thomas Ferry Terminal Should You Use?

Red Hook is the practical choice for most trips because it has the shortest crossing and the broadest timetable. Charlotte Amalie can save a long taxi transfer when its limited departures line up with your flight or hotel location.

• Choose Red Hook for frequent service, late arrivals, day trips, and the shortest boat ride.
• Choose Charlotte Amalie when staying near downtown or west of town and a scheduled sailing fits your plans.
• Allow road time from Cyril E. King Airport to Red Hook; traffic can turn the drive into a 30–45 minute transfer.

Once your arrival time is fixed, compare the available ferry and ground-transfer choices for the route:

St. Thomas To Cruz Bay Ferry Options Compared

The public passenger ferry from Red Hook gives the lowest total crossing time, while the Charlotte Amalie boat trades frequency for a departure point nearer downtown and the airport. Current fares are charged per person, and larger bags carry a separate fee.

The official Varlack Ventures ferry page lists the current base fares, baggage charge, departure pattern, and fuel surcharge effective June 12, 2026.

Budget check: Two nonresident adults with two chargeable bags pay $25.62 for the Red Hook crossing before the taxi to the terminal.

Tickets, Bags, And Boarding

Red Hook tickets can be purchased at the terminal, and online sales may be available through the operating companies. A ticket bought in advance does not remove the need to arrive before boarding closes or to pay any baggage charge that applies.

Small personal items must fit on your lap to avoid the $4 bag fee. Suitcases, large backpacks, coolers, boxes, and bulky beach gear should be treated as chargeable items unless terminal staff say otherwise.

• Keep cash and a card available because payment methods can differ by booth or operator.
• Tag checked luggage with your name and phone number before handing it to the crew.
• Tell the crew about mobility needs before boarding so they can direct you to the safest access point.

Red Hook Departure Pattern

Red Hook service begins at 5:30 a.m. on weekdays and 6:30 a.m. on weekends, with frequent boats through the day and late-evening sailings. Operator times can shift for weather, maintenance, holidays, or temporary service changes, so confirm the final sailing on the day of travel.

How Early Should You Arrive?

Passengers should reach the terminal at least 15 minutes before departure, or 30 minutes early with several bags, children, or a tight onward plan. Holiday weekends and busy Saturday mornings warrant a larger buffer.

1. At Cyril E. King Airport, collect every checked bag before joining the taxi line.
2. Tell the dispatcher you need the Red Hook passenger ferry terminal, not the vehicle-barge dock.
3. Build at least 60–90 minutes between scheduled flight arrival and ferry departure to cover baggage claim, the taxi ride, ticketing, and boarding.
4. Use a later sailing when a missed connection would leave no safe margin.

Shared taxis on St. Thomas usually charge per person rather than by meter. Ask the dispatcher to confirm the fare, luggage charge, and whether the ride is shared before getting in.

Where To Stay For An Easy Cruz Bay Arrival

Cruz Bay is the easiest base for a late ferry arrival because the dock sits beside the town center and taxi stand. Lodgings farther across St. John may require a prearranged ride, especially after the evening taxi flow thins.

Use the map to compare stays around the ferry dock and along the roads leading out of Cruz Bay:

Arrival detail: Passenger ferries dock at the Loredon Lorence Boynes Sr. Dock in Cruz Bay. Vehicle ferries use the separate Enighed Pond terminal.

Pick The Right Sailing

Red Hook wins for speed, frequency, and day-trip flexibility; Charlotte Amalie works when its limited timetable removes a long cross-island taxi ride. Travelers carrying a rental vehicle need a car barge to Enighed Pond rather than the passenger ferry to the Cruz Bay dock.

• For speed: take the Red Hook passenger ferry and allow 15–20 minutes on the water.
• For budget control: total the taxi, passenger fare, fuel surcharge, and every chargeable bag before comparing terminals.
• For a flight connection: use Red Hook only with enough road and boarding time; never plan around the last possible sailing.
• For a vehicle: follow signs for the Red Hook car-ferry dock and confirm the barge schedule separately.

For a final check of the available route choices near your travel time, compare the current departures here: