The most popular way for you to get between the islands of St. Thomas and St. John in the US Virgin Islands, is by ferry. There are three passenger ferry routes connecting the two islands and they are offered by three different ferry operators.
1. Crown Bay Ferry, which travels between Crown Bay, St. Thomas and Cruz Bay, St. John.
2. Charlotte Amalie Ferry, which connects Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas and Cruz Bay, St. John.
3. Red Hook Ferry, which travels between Red Hook, St. Thomas and Cruz Bay, St. John.
You probably have a few questions about the St. John ferries, which is why you are here, so let’s get started. Here are the answers to the top questions visitors to the Virgin Islands ask about St. John ferry service!
St. John Ferry Schedules
Q: How often do the St. John ferries run?
The ferry between St. John and Red Hook (St. Thomas) runs hourly from early morning to late at night. The ferry between St. John and Crown Bay (St. Thomas) runs two to four trips a day. And the ferry between St. John and Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas) has three trips a day. Find exact schedules at: St. John Ferry Schedules & Rates.
Q: What time does the Red Hook ferry leave for St. John?
The Red Hook ferry to St. John operates from early morning (starting at 5:30am) until late evening (last run is 11:30pm), and pretty much runs hourly throughout the day.
St. John Ferry Service on Holidays
Q: What time does the Red Hook ferry leave for St. John?
- Can I take the St. John ferry on a holiday? Does the St. John to St. Thomas ferry run on Christmas and New Year’s Day?
- There is ferry service between St. Thomas and St. John on holidays.
- Does the St. John ferry run every day of the year?
There is ferry service between St. Thomas and St. John every day, all year round, weather permitting.
St. John Ferry Travel Time
Q: How long does the St. John ferry take? How long is the ferry ride from St. Thomas to St. John?
The ferry from Red Hook (St. Thomas) to St. John takes 15 minutes. The ferries from Crown Bay (St. Thomas) and from Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas) to St. John, take about 40 minutes.
Q: How far in advance should I get to the St. John ferry before embarkation?
It’s a good idea to get to the ferry between Red Hook (St. Thomas) and St. John at least 20 minutes before embarkation if you need to purchase a ticket, and at least 15 minutes before if you already have your ticket. The Crown Bay (St. Thomas) to St. John and Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas) to St. John ferries recommend arriving 30 minutes early.
St. John Ferry Accessibility & Service Animals
Q: Are the St. John ferries accessible?
The ferry between Red Hook (St. Thomas) and St. John, and between Crown Bay (St. Thomas) and St. John, are accessible.
Q: Can I take my service animal on the St. John ferry?
Trained service animals or service animals in training may be brought onboard the St. John ferries if they remain under the passenger’s control and do not pose a threat to passengers or crew. Comfort and emotional support animals can only be brought onboard the ferry if they are muzzled or within an enclosed pet carrier that can fit on your lap and the animal does not pose a threat to passengers or crew. In situations where it is not obvious that the animal is a service or support animal, the captain or crew may ask for clarification. For further information contact the ferry operators directly. Telephone numbers for the ferry companies are available at: St. John Ferry Schedules & Rates.
St. John Ferry Landings and Terminals
Q: Where do I catch the ferry between St. Thomas and St. John?
The Red Hook Ferry operates between the Urman Victor Fredericks Marine Terminal (aka Red Hook Ferry Dock) on St. Thomas, and the Loredon L. Boynes, Sr Dock (aka Cruz Bay Ferry Dock), on St. John.
The Crown Bay Ferry to St. John operates between the Crown Bay Marina on St. Thomas, and the Victor William Sewer Marine Facility (aka The Creek) in Cruz Bay, St. John.
The Charlotte Amalie Ferry operates between the Edward Blyden Terminal in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and the Loredon L. Boynes, Sr Dock (aka Cruz Bay Ferry Dock), on St. John.
St. John Ferry Costs
Q: How much does the ferry cost between St. Thomas and St. John?
The ferry rates for non-residents are $8.15 one way from Red Hook (St. Thomas) to St. John, $20 one way from Crown Bay (St. Thomas) to St. John, and $13 one way from Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas) to St. John. Lower fares may be available for children younger than 11 years old, USVI residents, and for holders of a USVI Senior Citizen Card. Find all the ferry rates at: St. John Ferry Schedule and Rates.
Q: Do I have to pay for luggage and hand-carried items on the St. John ferries?
There is no charge for small hand-carried items on the St. John ferries, if you can carry it yourself and if it fits on your lap or between your feet. There are fees for luggage, large parcels and items that require the ferry employees to assist you with or to store for you.
St. John Ferry Seating Options and Amenities
What are seating options like on the St. John ferry? Is there both air-conditioned seating and open-air seating on the St. John ferry?
There are several types of ferries used to operate the three ferry routes connecting St. John and St. Thomas. All have some open-air seating on the top level of the ferry. This outside seating area is uncovered and has metal bench seating.
All the St. John ferries also have indoor seating. The indoor seating on the ferries between Crown Bay (St. Thomas) and St. John, and between Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas) and St. John have natural air flow through windows. The indoor seating on the ferry between Red Hook (St. Thomas) and St. John are likely to be air conditioned, though they also use non-air-conditioned ferries on this route. Indoor seating is typically either metal benches, padded metal benches, or on the air-conditioned ferries the indoor seating consist of upholstered individual seats.
Are there toilets on the St. John ferries?
St. John Ferry from Charlotte Amalie vs Crown Bay Routes
What is the difference between the Crown Bay to St. John Ferry and the Charlotte Amalie to St. John Ferry?
The Crown Bay Ferry and the Charlotte Amalie Ferry are two different ferry routes that offer transportation between St. Thomas and St. John. The Crown Bay to St. John ferry operates between the Crown Bay Marina on St. Thomas and the Victor William Sewer Marine Facility (aka “the Creek”) in Cruz Bay, St. John. The Charlotte Amalie Ferry operates between the Edward Blyden Terminal in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and the Loredon L. Boynes, Sr Dock (aka Cruz Bay Ferry Dock), on St. John. These two ferry routes are operated by different ferry companies, have different rates, and the ferry schedules are different. Find both ferry routes at: St. John Ferry Schedules & Rates.
St. John Car Ferry
Can I bring my car on the St. John ferry?
You can take a car on a car barge between St. Thomas and St. John. The car barges and the passenger ferries are two separate travel options. The car barges operate between Red Hook, St. Thomas and Cruz Bay, St. John. Learn more at: St. John Car Barge Schedule.
OMG… St. John Ferry Help
I missed the St. John ferry from St. Thomas that I planned to take, what do I do now?
If you missed the St. John ferry you planned on taking, look at the St. John Ferry Schedules to see what the next possible departure time is that you can make. Other options may include taking a water taxi between St. Thomas and St. John. If you miss the last ferry, and a water taxi is not an option, then you will likely be spending the night on St. Thomas.
I left something on the St. John ferry is there a ferry lost and found?
If you forgot something on a ferry operating between St. Thomas and St. John, contact the ferry company as soon as you realize the item is missing. You should be prepared to tell them the date and time you took the ferry, and a description of the lost item. There are three ferry operators running the three routes between St. Thomas and St. John.
Choose the ferry route that you were on from the options below and call the ferry operator.
St. John – Red Hook Ferry: Call (340) 776-6282 and (340) 776-6412
St. John – Charlotte Amalie Ferry: Call (340) 776-6282 and (340) 776-6412
St. John – Crown Bay Ferry: Call (340) 776-6597
