The ferry prices include the Customs fees - ferry boats pay a much different rate than private vessels - despite the 'taxi' moniker it is still a private vessel.

Thanks, that helps...

What about BVI "departure" tax? I remember paying a small fee before leaving Spanish Town on the ferry. But I don't remember paying any fees at Road Town or West End. ?????

The ferry rates include both BVI entry and departure fees.

jb04 - The Red Hook to Jost ferry is $70 RT for Adults. That includes the BVI Customs Fee. But, it does not include the $5pp BVI departure fee.

blu4u & STT Resident - in some cases with BVI ferries both the customs fee and the departure tax is included, like the STT/STJ to Virgin Gorda ferry, both fees are included. But this is not always the case, with the Jost ferry the customs fee is included but you pay the departure tax of $5 separately at the Jost ferry dock before leaving to return to the USVI.

--Islander

I have always had to pay the $5 departure fee at a separate window when leaving West End Tortola for STT.

blu4u wrote:
What about BVI "departure" tax? I remember paying a small fee before leaving Spanish Town on the ferry. But I don't remember paying any fees at Road Town or West End. ?????

In retospect, my "memory loss" probably has something to do with our customary "pit stop" at Pussers.

The Water taxi's are probably one of the biggest rip offs in the islands, $375 for a one way passage of 9 miles. Plus most are also charging a fuel surcharge.
Keep in mind it's a twenty minute ride, use the ferry.

cruzan1 wrote:
The Water taxi's are probably one of the biggest rip offs in the islands, $375 for a one way passage of 9 miles. Plus most are also charging a fuel surcharge.
Keep in mind it's a twenty minute ride, use the ferry.

For many larger groups the water taxis are not only a boon but cost-effective, and obviously there is a demand for them otherwise they wouldn't stay in business (Dohm's has been operating since the 1950s). They may not suit your requirements or needs but to dismiss them as "one of the biggest rip offs in the islands" is simply untrue and unjustified.

cruzan1 wrote:
The Water taxi's are probably one of the biggest rip offs in the islands, $375 for a one way passage of 9 miles. Plus most are also charging a fuel surcharge.
Keep in mind it's a twenty minute ride, use the ferry.

And, it's not a 20 minute ride. It's more like 90 minutes plus, depending on how long we have to wait for a ferry change in West End. If you read the title of my post you would see that my question is about gettting to JVD, not St. John.

For our group of 8 it will only cost about $20 more per person for the water taxi, well worth it considering the direct run and the time saved.

jb04 wrote:
[quote=cruzan1]

For our group of 8 it will only cost about $20 more per person for the water taxi, well worth it considering the direct run and the time saved.

Your math is fuzzy,
Ferry will cost your group $520 RT
Water Taxi will cost $1400.00 plus tip RT

Ok, so for the folks using this thread for research, here is the price breakdown on the Water Taxi's.

The Water Taxi's charge $325 one way for a group of five people. Plus an additional $65.00 per person (over a group of 5), plus $20 per person for customs charges, plus $20 fuel surcharge. So your group of eight will be paying $700 for a ONE WAY boat trip to Jost. Total cost for your group on a round trip passage is $1400.00 (tip not included).....
Versus $65.00 per person for RT ferry passage.

There is nothing cost effective about this, save your money and enjoy a nice dinner at Taboo.
BTW, as a former boat captain I consider $1400.00 for two hours of operating time a ripoff
You can charter most of the excursion boats for less than $800.00 for a FULL DAY.

cruzan1: I agree that the OP's math is off by quite a lot (I believe your figures have actually erred on the low side where the water taxi is concerned according to the rates posted on their website) but if he wants the convenience of time flexibility then this is what he has to pay for. I'm not sure that the comparison with the cost of an excursion boat really helps as aren't most of them limited to 6 passengers (his is a party of 8)? Dolphin also offers a day excursion to Jost for $110 per person RT.

In this instance, what would you suggest as an alternative to the water taxi if the ferry schedule doesn't fit in with the OP's time constraints?

STT Resident- the original post asked,

"Can anyone tell me if the ferry fares from Red Hook to Jost (via West End) include the BVI customs fee? I am checking the costs of the ferry vs. a water taxi and am trying to compare apples to apples. Since there are 8 of us, I'm thinking the water taxi may be reasonable, especially since it will be much more convenient."

Followed up by "For our group of 8 it will only cost about $20 more per person for the water taxi, well worth it considering the direct run and the time saved."

Thus my post with the actual cost comparison. A full day excursion with Dolphin, as you noted would cost his group half of what the water taxi will charge them. It is "my view" that our water taxi prices are not as you say "cost effective" but are actually crazy high considering the short distances that they run. I think anyone considering them needs to be aware of cost differential between them and the ferry service. Yes, if cost isn't an issue or your in a major time crunch the water taxi is a viable option. But for the average tourist reading this board, it's just not worth the extra money.

cruzan1 wrote: Yes, if cost isn't an issue or your in a major time crunch the water taxi is a viable option. But for the average tourist reading this board, it's just not worth the extra money.

Which was my point where this particular poster's needs are concerned ...