Updated in November 2026, this Red Hook to Cruz Bay ferry guide covers fares, departure times, parking, transport, accessibility and what to expect.
The Red Hook to Cruz Bay ferry is the public passenger ferry between the east end of St Thomas and the island of St John, in the US Virgin Islands. The new Spirit of 1733 ferry, which has wheelchair spaces and an enclosed luggage room, now runs on the route, and non-resident adults pay $8.15 one way.
Quick facts about the Red Hook to Cruz Bay ferry
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Departure times | About every hour, from around 5:30am to around midnight. Timetable alternates between an early and a late pattern every two weeks. |
| Ticket prices | Adults (non-residents) $8.15 one way. Children aged 2 to 11 $1. Infants free. |
| Address | Urman Victor Fredericks Marine Terminal, Red Hook, St Thomas, VI 00802 |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Parking garage at the terminal, $20 for a full day. Taxis wait at the terminal. |
| Typical time needed | 20-minute crossing |
Red Hook to Cruz Bay ferry schedule
The Red Hook to Cruz Bay ferry runs about every hour, from early morning until around midnight, every day of the year.
| Departure point | First departure | Last departure |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hook, St Thomas | About 5:30am (Monday to Friday) | Around 11:30pm to midnight |
| Cruz Bay, St John | About 6am | Around 10pm to 11pm |
The year-round schedule alternates between an early timetable and a late timetable every two weeks, so exact times change. Check the current timetable on the schedules page before you travel, especially for late-night connections.
Red Hook to Cruz Bay ferry ticket prices
A one-way Red Hook to Cruz Bay ferry ticket costs $8.15 for a non-resident adult, $1 for a child aged 2 to 11, and nothing for an infant.
| Passenger | One-way fare |
|---|---|
| Adult, aged 12 and over (non-resident) | $8.15 |
| Adult, aged 12 and over (legal USVI resident, ID required) | $6.00 |
| Senior, aged 60 and over (legal USVI resident, ID required) | $1.50 |
| Child, aged 2 to 11 | $1.00 |
| Infant, aged 0 to 1 | Free |
| Bag that does not fit on your lap | $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 Red Hook ferry terminal
The Red Hook ferry terminal is the Urman Victor Fredericks Marine Terminal, on the east end of St Thomas.
- From Cyril E. King Airport: A taxi to Red Hook takes about 30 minutes.
- By taxi: The East End Taxi Association serves the Red Hook terminal.
- By car: Drive east across St Thomas to Red Hook and follow the signs to the terminal. Traffic in the US Virgin Islands drives on the left.
- 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 Red Hook ferry terminal
Parking at the Red Hook ferry terminal is in the garage at the terminal, and a full day costs $20. Shorter stays cost less.
The garage is the nearest option for day trips and overnight stays on St John. Cars cannot travel on the passenger ferry, so anyone taking a vehicle to St John needs the separate car barge from Red Hook.
How long is the Red Hook to Cruz Bay ferry?
The Red Hook to Cruz Bay ferry crossing takes about 20 minutes.
Allow extra time to buy or collect tickets and check in at the terminal. The Charlotte Amalie route takes about 45 minutes, so Red Hook is the quicker crossing to St John.
Accessibility on the Red Hook to Cruz Bay ferry
The newest vessel on the Red Hook to Cruz Bay ferry route, Spirit of 1733, has five wheelchair-accessible spaces in its air-conditioned main cabin, side boarding ramps and two accessible bathrooms.
Trained service animals are allowed on board if they stay under the passenger’s control. Call 340-776-6282 to check which vessel is running a particular departure and to arrange assistance.
What to expect on the Red Hook to Cruz Bay ferry
Boarding takes place at the Red Hook 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. Larger bags cost $4 each. Spirit of 1733 has an enclosed luggage room on the main deck.
The vessel on the newest sailings has an air-conditioned cabin that seats 202 passengers and an upper deck with open-air seating for 100.
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 departure from Cruz Bay is around 10pm to 11pm, so leave time for the return crossing if you stay for dinner. |
| Crowds | Advance tickets stay valid for 10 days after purchase, so you can buy them before you travel and choose any departure. |
| Layout | The Red Hook terminal has the parking garage, the ticket check-in and the taxi stand close together. |
| 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 book a car barge separately if you need to take a vehicle across. |
Frequently asked questions about the Red Hook to Cruz Bay ferry
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Red Hook to Cruz Bay ferry suitable for children? | Yes. Children aged 2 to 11 pay $1, and infants aged 0 to 1 travel free. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Red Hook to Cruz Bay ferry? | No. Tickets can be bought in advance online, and they stay valid for 10 days. |
| Does the Red Hook to Cruz Bay ferry run on Sundays? | Yes. The ferry runs every day, although the first departure from Red Hook is at 5:30am on weekdays only. |
| Are dogs allowed on the Red Hook 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. |
| Can you take a car on the Red Hook to Cruz Bay ferry? | No. Cars travel on the separate car barge from Red Hook to Cruz Bay. |
Things to do near the Red Hook to Cruz Bay ferry
- Coral World Ocean Park, St Thomas: A marine park and aquarium on the east end of St Thomas, close to Red Hook.
- Coki Beach, St Thomas: A beach beside Coral World Ocean Park.
- 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.
- Trunk Bay, St John: A national park beach with an underwater snorkel trail and a $5 entry fee for visitors aged 16 and over. Cinnamon Bay Beach is a free alternative.
Alternative ways to reach St John
- Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay ferry: A seasonal 45-minute crossing from downtown Charlotte Amalie.
- 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.
