From St. Thomas you can be in the British Virgin Islands in under an hour by boat — but it's a border crossing, not an island hop. The BVI is a British territory, so every traveler needs a passport, you clear customs and immigration at Tortola, and you should budget a full day. Once you're going, the real question is where: the boulder grottos of the Baths on Virgin Gorda, or the beach bars of Jost Van Dyke.
The short answer
Default pick: the Baths (Virgin Gorda) — for first-timers this is the one to do. Boulder grottos you swim and scramble through, plus snorkeling: it's the postcard BVI.
Choose Jost Van Dyke instead if you'd rather have beach bars than scenery — this is where the Soggy Dollar and Foxy's are, and the day is about chilling, not exploring.
The Baths vs Jost Van Dyke, side by side
| The Baths (Virgin Gorda) | Jost Van Dyke | |
|---|---|---|
| Vibe | Boulder caves + snorkel | Beach bars + chill |
| Best for | First-timers, families, photographers | Day-drinking, laid-back groups |
| Top-rated shared trip + price | Discover the Baths of Virgin Gorda (Cruz Bay Watersports) — $179/adult | Discover Jost Van Dyke (Cruz Bay Watersports) — $179/adult |
| Getting there | Private charter, or ferry + taxi | Private charter, or ferry + taxi |
| Passport | Required — international border | Required — international border |
The Baths (Virgin Gorda) — the default pick
Best for: first-timers, families, and anyone who wants the iconic BVI photo. At the Baths, house-sized granite boulders form a maze of sea grottos and tidal pools you wade and swim through, ending at Devil's Bay beach. Most trips pair it with snorkeling. If you only do one BVI day trip, do this one.
Discover the Baths of Virgin Gorda (shared) — Cruz Bay Watersports
$179 per adult
Check Availability →Jost Van Dyke — for the beach bars
Best for: laid-back groups who want to spend the day at White Bay with a painkiller in hand. Jost is tiny and famous for its beach bars — the Soggy Dollar Bar (of painkiller fame) and Foxy's. The snorkeling is secondary; the point is the sand, the water, and the bar tab. Pick this over the Baths when the vibe matters more than the scenery.
Want the whole boat? Go private
Best for: groups of six or more, families, or anyone who wants their own itinerary and no strangers aboard. A private charter lets you set the pace — hit the Baths and Jost in one day, or add Cooper or Norman Island — and it's often the better value once you're splitting it across a group. This is a whole-boat rate, not a per-person price.
Full-Day Private Charter — M/V Aquarius (Seas the Day Charters)
$1,795 for the whole boat — private, up to 12 guests
Check Availability →Common questions about a BVI day trip
Do I need a passport for a BVI day trip from St. Thomas?
Yes. The British Virgin Islands are a British territory, unlike the U.S. Virgin Islands, so you cross an international border. Every traveler including children needs their own valid passport, and a child cannot travel on a parent's passport. A passport card works for sea travel only — not for flying home.
What's the BVI Entry/Departure Card?
It's a mandatory online form, required since January 1, 2025. Submit it at bviedcard.gov.vg before you arrive. It replaced the old paper form.
How much are BVI fees?
On a private charter from the USVI, operators typically bill about $85 per person in "BVI fees" — customs, immigration, and the environmental levy — and it's the same for all ages. The ferry route instead has a $20 per person departure tax. Fees change, so confirm the current amount when you book.
The Baths or Jost Van Dyke — which should I pick?
Pick the Baths for scenery and snorkeling among the boulder grottos, and Jost for beach bars. First-timers usually pick the Baths.
How do I get there from St. Thomas?
Take a private charter — your own boat and itinerary, best for groups of six or more — or a passenger ferry plus a taxi. Either way, you clear BVI immigration and customs on arrival at Tortola.
Can I bring goods back to the USVI?
U.S. citizens get a $1,600 per person duty-free exemption returning to the USVI — higher than the standard $800.
Is a BVI day trip worth it from St. Thomas?
Yes, if you want the iconic BVI scenery. It's a full-day international trip, so plan for customs time both ways.