Updated in November 2026, this Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay ferry guide covers fares, departure times, parking, transport, accessibility and what to expect.
The Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay ferry is a seasonal passenger ferry between downtown Charlotte Amalie on St Thomas and Cruz Bay on St John, in the US Virgin Islands.
Quick facts about the Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay ferry
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Departure times | From Charlotte Amalie at 10am and 12:30pm. From Cruz Bay at 8:45am and 11:15am. Seasonal service. |
| Ticket prices | Adults (non-residents) $13 one way. Children aged 2 to 11 $3.50. Infants free. |
| Address | Edward Wilmoth Blyden IV Marine Terminal, Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas, VI 00802 |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Metered parking at the terminal with a two-hour limit. Taxis wait at the terminal. |
| Typical time needed | 45-minute crossing |
Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay ferry schedule
The Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay ferry has two daily departures from each port, leaving Charlotte Amalie at 10am and 12:30pm.
| Departure point | Departure times |
|---|---|
| Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas | 10am and 12:30pm |
| Cruz Bay, St John | 8:45am and 11:15am |
The ferry is seasonal. It typically runs from early November to the end of May, and it resumed on 1 November 2026 after a suspension that began on 30 August. Outside that season, the Red Hook to Cruz Bay ferry is the main route to St John. Sailing times can change, so check the schedules page before you travel.
Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay ferry ticket prices
A one-way Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay ferry ticket costs $13 for a non-resident adult, $3.50 for a child aged 2 to 11, and nothing for an infant.
| Passenger | One-way fare |
|---|---|
| Adult, aged 12 and over (non-resident) | $13.00 |
| Adult, aged 12 and over (legal USVI resident, ID required) | $12.00 |
| Senior, aged 60 and over (legal USVI resident, ID required) | $6.00 |
| Child, aged 2 to 11 | $3.50 |
| Infant, aged 0 to 1 | Free |
| Additional bag | $4.00 |
Departure times and fares were checked on the official website and last updated in November 2026.
Tickets can be bought online in advance and stay valid for 10 days after purchase.
How to get to the Charlotte Amalie ferry terminal
The Charlotte Amalie ferry terminal is the Edward Wilmoth Blyden IV Marine Terminal, on the downtown waterfront in Charlotte Amalie.
- By taxi: ATS Taxi Service serves the terminal, and taxis are also available across Charlotte Amalie.
- By car: Drive to the Charlotte Amalie waterfront and park in the metered spaces at the terminal, or in a nearby car park. Traffic in the US Virgin Islands drives on the left.
- On foot: The terminal is in the town centre, close to Fort Christian.
- Arriving in Cruz Bay: Ferries dock in Cruz Bay on St John. The Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Center is about two blocks north of the dock.
Parking at the Charlotte Amalie ferry terminal
Parking at the Charlotte Amalie ferry terminal is metered, with a maximum stay of two hours, and the car park is open from 6am to 6pm daily. Overnight parking is not allowed.
The two-hour limit does not suit a day trip to St John. Visitors who plan a longer stay can use the Fort Christian car park nearby, which reopened in August 2025 with automated payment, or take a taxi to the terminal.
How long is the Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay ferry?
The Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay ferry crossing takes about 45 minutes.
That is more than double the 20-minute Red Hook crossing, because the route covers more of the water between the islands. Allow extra time to buy or collect tickets and check in at the terminal.
Accessibility on the Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay ferry
Accessibility on the Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay ferry depends on the vessel, so call 340-776-6282 before you travel to confirm wheelchair access and arrange assistance.
Trained service animals are allowed on board if they stay under the passenger’s control. The Red Hook route uses the newest ferry, Spirit of 1733, which has five wheelchair spaces and side boarding ramps.
What to expect on the Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay ferry
Boarding takes place at the Charlotte Amalie terminal. Bring valid photo ID to terminal check-in, which is required for resident rates. Boarding the vessel counts as consent to screening or inspection.
Luggage is free if a small bag fits on your lap. Additional bags cost $4 each.
The crossing takes about 45 minutes and passes across the water between St Thomas and St John, with views of the harbour and the surrounding islands.
Pets are limited to service animals and to comfort or emotional support animals that are muzzled or in an enclosed carrier that fits on your lap. Dogs that do not fit in a carrier are not allowed in the cabin.
Arrival is in Cruz Bay, where taxis, the Vitran bus on Centerline Road and the national park Visitor Center are all close to the dock.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip category | Advice |
|---|---|
| Timing | The last Cruz Bay departure is at 11:15am on the published timetable, so check the return time before you cross for a day trip. |
| Crowds | Advance tickets stay valid for 10 days after purchase, so you can buy them before you travel and choose any departure. |
| Layout | The terminal is on the Charlotte Amalie waterfront, a short walk from Fort Christian and the town centre. |
| Entry process | Show valid photo ID at check-in, and be ready for screening or inspection when you board. |
| On-site logistics | Keep small bags on your lap to avoid the $4 bag fee, and use the Red Hook ferry if you need a later return. |
Frequently asked questions about the Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay ferry
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay ferry suitable for children? | Yes. Children aged 2 to 11 pay $3.50, and infants aged 0 to 1 travel free. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay ferry? | No. Tickets can be bought in advance online, and they stay valid for 10 days. |
| Does the Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay ferry run on Sundays? | Yes. The ferry runs every day during its season, which typically runs from November to May. |
| Are dogs allowed on the Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay ferry? | Service animals are allowed. Other dogs must be muzzled or in an enclosed carrier that fits on your lap, and larger dogs are not allowed in the cabin. |
| How long does the Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay ferry take? | The crossing takes about 45 minutes. |
Things to do near the Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay ferry
- Fort Christian, Charlotte Amalie: A Danish-built fort in the town centre that now houses the St Thomas museum.
- Blackbeard’s Castle, Charlotte Amalie: The Danish Skytsborg Tower, which overlooks Charlotte Amalie harbour and reopened in September 2025.
- Hassel Island, St Thomas: An island in Charlotte Amalie harbour, most of which is part of Virgin Islands National Park, with the ruins of historic fortifications.
- Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Center, Cruz Bay: The national park’s information point, about two blocks from the ferry dock.
- Honeymoon Beach, St John: A beach reached on foot from Cruz Bay along the 1.5-mile Lind Point Trail. Cinnamon Bay Beach is a longer alternative on the island.
Alternative ways to reach St John
- Red Hook to Cruz Bay ferry: The main year-round passenger ferry, with a 20-minute crossing from the east end of St Thomas.
- Crown Bay to Cruz Bay ferry: A passenger ferry from Crown Bay on St Thomas that takes about 35 minutes.
- Car barge from Red Hook: A vehicle ferry from Red Hook to Enighed Pond, just south of Cruz Bay, which takes about 30 minutes.
- Water taxi: Private water taxis serve Cruz Bay from Red Hook, Charlotte Amalie and Crown Bay.
