Carrying a passport can still be a good idea as hopping between islands from St. Thomas is fairly easy, and a passport is required for travel to the British Virgin Islands such as Tortola or Virgin Gorda. It has a deep-water harbor that was once a haven for pirates and is now one of the busiest ports of call for cruise ships in the Caribbean, with about 1.5 million/plus cruise ship passengers landing there annually. It is SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE, and NO RESPONSIBILITY is assumed for errors or omissions. Depending on where you leave from - northern Florida or somewhere in the Bahamas - you may sail north to avoid the trades. Re: Florida to British Virgin Islands route on power? These refer to islands to the north as "Up" and those to the south as "Down" the island chains. The Lesser Antilles are all the rest of the islands. It is only 491.5 acres in size. How far is Saint Thomas from Miami, FL? And it doesn't mean the waters aren't littered with reefs, shoals, low-lying islands, and other hazards. One advantage of the thorny path is you are closer to land if you need to seek shelter. [Note: The distance between cities in U.S. Virgin Islands distance chart below is straight line distance (may be called as flying or air distance) between the two locations in U.S. Virgin Islands . Then we get into the Leeward Islands, Windward Islands, and the Leeward Antilles. The island has a land area of 32 square miles (83km2). A lot of people lump them together and it is easy to take a ferry between the two. Id like to go to the USVI this fall. 7 Islands You Can Visit from Anguilla - The Wanderlust Effect Great Location. FIRST AIR MAIL FLIGHT FAM 9 MIAMI FLORIDA MULTIPLE BACKSTAMPS US COVER. That's where you find most of the small island nations and territories you can sail between in less than a day. It's a variation on leaving from points north like we did, and if you're too far south when you try it, it doesn't work. Saint Thomas has a tropical savanna climate (Aw according to the Kppen climate classification) with a drier season and a wetter season. Need more shuttle/tram drivers. Your travel time can differ by up to 2h 42m. Locals throughout the USVI speak English and the currency used is the U.S. dollar. Protected by Hassel Island, the harbor has docking and fueling facilities, machine shops, and shipyards and was a U.S. submarine base until 1966. This distance is equal to 1235.98 miles, and 1073.33 nautical miles. American Airlines, Finnair, British Airways, and Qatar Airways operate direct flights from Saint Thomas Island to Miami. High season is considered to be November, December and January. Check out 74 Things to Do on St. Thomas and St. John at: http://bit.ly/YRlwnH. St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands | VisitTheUSA.com The distance between Florida and Virgin Islands is 1249 miles. Best Months to Visit. St. Thomas, St. John, Or St. Croix: Which One Of The US Virgin Islands From there you can either take a car barge to St. John or the people ferry. More than two thirds of the island is protected by the National Park Service. These distances assume coast-hopping from one end of the island to a different departure point, which we almost always did. Updated information dedicated to Moving and Living in the Virgin Islands. The waters of St. John are among the most pristine and unspoiled in the Caribbean, so be sure to bring a mask and snorkel. The Dutch portion of the Leeward Antilles is sometimes referred to as the "ABC's" from the first letter of the island names - Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaao. When talking about moving between islands, cruisers will often use the phrases up island and down island. One of the main islands of the United States Virgin Islands, This is the figure given on page 1 of the. Rodney Bay in the north has most of the marine services, though the scenic Pitons near Soufrire in the south is a popular departure point. Don't Travel to St. Thomas Before Reading This! - Virgin Island Saver Official Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for U.S. Virgin Islands, Charlotte Amalie, United States Virgin Islands, Suntastic Island Getaway. Rome2rios travel guides to the US tell you the best ways to explore the country, from Amtrak to Greyhound to the New York Subway. how far is st thomas virgin islands from florida Hundreds of ferries and yachts pass by the Town each week. There are a number of ferry options between the island of the British Virgin Islands and also to the U.S. Virgin Islands. There's no right way or wrong way to cruise the Caribbean, but if you plan, you can see a lot no matter how you choose to sail it. Airlines that fly to St. Thomas (STT) You have several options for which airline you choose to travel with to St. Thomas. Distance from Virgin Islands to Florida The West Indies, a misnomer dating back to the days of Christopher Columbus, refers to pretty much all the Caribbean islands and the Bahamas. A lot of sailors heading to the Virgin Islands from the continental U.S. prefer to leave from further north. The US Virgin Islands are located just to the right of Puerto Rico. The server responded with {{status_text}} (code {{status_code}}). It takes approximately 8h 45m to get from Florida to Virgin Islands, including transfers. St Thomas Map The City of St Thomas is located in the State of United States Virgin Islands. I've made a list of sailing conditions around the world, so you know where to go when. So it is ok to ignore them!!! You can reach the British Virgin Islands by ferry from Charlotte Amalie. Your flight direction from Orlando, FL to Saint Thomas is Southeast (120 degrees from North). Rome2rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. This is called the Thorny Path to the Caribbean for a good reason. Shark Shallows a nursery for adolescent sharks. For this article, we're going to focus on the islands. Many view the trip past Georgetown as the worst stretch. Provide locals with respect and try not to be patronizing or condescending. Florida to St. Thomas - 9 ways to travel via train, plane - Rome2rio He was also instrumental in persuading the Danish to allow the US to purchase the islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix. Names of the regions in the Caribbean can be a bit confusing at first glance, as there are several names to describe regions, and some of them overlap, are sub regions of others, or cover the same areas. Book at least 3 weeks before departure in order to get a below-average price. Copyright 1999 2023 VInow.com All rights reserved. In Dominica's two major cruising ports, organized and helpful "boat boys will greet you. Manners and general etiquette in the islands, There are activities for all ages and interests. Though it's a petite 32 square miles, the U.S. Virgin Island of St. Thomas boasts a few great all-inclusive hotelsall the better for having a stress-free home base while sailing, snorkeling . Plenty of sunscreen and insect repellant are also musts. How long does it take to get around from place to place? South Pacific South Pacific Fiji US Northeast Newport - St. Johns Canada Cape Breton _____ Distances Between Islands _____ I s l a n d s: Distance in Miles: Average Length of Sail: St Thomas : to: St Martin: 140: 20 hours: St Martin: to: St Thomas: 114: 14 hours: St Martin: to . So why are we getting into this? This is only a problem if you turn south too soon. If you are leaving from St. Kitts, you can go through the narrows between the islands. 9034 GD Marsum Board of Elections finalized its choice for leadership in the current term. To give you some examples, I re-created the route we took through the Caribbean, starting from the British Virgin Islands and working our way through the Leeward and Windward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean before heading west for Panama and the canal. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. It currently holds the St. Thomas Museum, which holds artifacts and art of the Dano-Norwegian period. You're sailing east before you're affected by the southeasterly trades, and if you hit the trades before 65W, you've gone too far south. Recommended Fly, ferry Fly from Miami (MIA) to Beef Island (EIS) Take the ferry from Peter Island to Cruz Bay, St John 8h 51m Most people dont know exactly where it isso we thought wed help clear that up. Jackson was the editor of The Herald, which had its office at 1B Kongens Gadein Christiansted. St. Martin is split between the French and Dutch governments, and you need to clear out with the proper authority when leaving. The unstable situation on the mainland means conditions may be unpredictable. The terrain on the east end of the island is rocky and arid with short grassy hillsides and many cactus clusters. Since you can't sail that straight line, if you're in a hurry you can sail offshore. It is on the southern shore at the head of Saint Thomas Harbor. On St. Thomas, life tends to move at a slower pace than on the mainland. The island has many regular taxis from compact size to large vans, as well as open-air, covered trucks called "safaris" with bench seats. ImproveSailing is compensated for referring traffic and business to this companies. Since 2012 he's been cruising the world with his wife and living aboard full time. As you can see from the chart and route snapshot, the rhumb line route from Miami runs Southeast, and crosses right over several large islands and complex archipelagos. Your email address will not be published. Virgin Islanders are generally a conservative and quiet people. Great article. The distance between Miami (Miami International Airport) and Saint Thomas (Cyril E. King Airport) is 1107 miles / 1781 kilometers / 962 nautical miles. St. Thomas, VI . While there has historically been no ferry service between St. Thomas (or any of the aforementioned islands) and St. Croix, as of January 2019, a brand new ferry service will be operating between Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas and Gallows Bay, St. Croix for $50 one way or $100 roundtrip. St Thomas USVI | 2018 Toyota RAV4 - North Miami, FL to St - Facebook So when you do your own plots, you will get different numbers if you choose more careful routes, stay closer to shorelines, or plot more exact departure and arrival points. The Leeward Antilles also includes several islands which belong to Venezuela, but take care visiting them. The total straight line flight distance from Orlando, FL to Saint Thomas is 1,256 miles. Since then I've enjoyed sailing very much - and I've never been afraid of the water again. St. Thomas and its nearby . Find cheap flights from Tampa to Saint Thomas Island - Kayak The Dutch West India Company established a post on Saint Thomas in 1657. 8: . What to pack You'll find everyone dressed fairly casually in the Virgin Islands. The total area of the USVI is 133 square miles. Visit The Baths & Jost Van Dyke from St Thomas or St John - Viator The destinations are from north to south, and reverse routes and distances are not given to keep the tables simpler to read. The two islands are maybe 6 miles apart at their closest points. Adults $5, Kids (2-11) $3 Call to confirm . You will find a table for each major island or island group and distances to common passages from that island. Every two weeks leaving on a Sunday at 1:00pm, there is a fast ferry between Fajardo in Puerto Rico and St. John and St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands. The Friday schedule leaves St. Thomas at 8 a.m. and St. Croix at 4 p.m. You will be approached by "boat boys" in Soufrire, though they are not as organized as those in Dominica they can still be helpful. Good manners and formality are highly esteemed. St. Thomas is a safe destination for your next Caribbean vacation. Two of the three islands (St. Thomas and St. John) are in close proximity and can potentially be done in the same trip. The average price for connecting flights from Jacksonville, Florida to St Thomas Island is $228. Barbados is one of the more off the beaten path islands. From To Measure Distance Distance between Virgin Islands and Florida is: Facebook Twitter The air travel (bird fly) shortest distance from Virgin Islands to Florida is 1989.07 km= 1235.95 miles. The nonstop route for optimal wind is closer to 1,500 nautical miles. Thank you, William, for sharing this helpful item. Prices start at $100USD per night. Expand All Collapse All. The islands are not known for great facilities for visiting yachts, though the sailing there is lovely. The geography of the islands consists of seaside cliffs, mountains with lush forest, tiny streams, arid lands and beautiful white sand beaches. St. Thomas and St. John are only about 6 miles away from each other, while St. Croix is located about 40 miles south of the other two islands. You can hop a ride on a safari by sticking out your arm when you see it approaching. Privacy Policy, Improve Sailing helps you to make your sailing dream actionable, by writing in-depth articles on practical questions. The Roques Archipelago is one of the more popular spots, but check current conditions before planning a visit. In this article, I'll show you what to expect. Breathtaking View! Blue Ocean Transport specializes in shipping vehicles between U.S. mainland and St. Thomas and St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Last updated: March 1 | Data sourced from: ACAPS, OXFORD. Water Island is 2 miles long and to 1 mile wide. Virgin Islands is 1h ahead of Florida. The island is serviced by the Cyril E. King International Airport. Sasker van Heringawei 16E A few days after celebrating the 60th year of free elections in the Virgin Islands, the V.I. St. Thomas has a tropical climate, and many people from the mainland U.S. and northern Europe are not prepared for the intensity of the sun, the humidity or the heat. Very few people sail from an island in the Leewards, to say, Aruba or Bonaire. Additional terms apply. In terms of airport transfer options, what are my alternatives (e.g., bus, shuttle, etc.) This air travel distance is equal to 1235.95 miles. And an Underwater Observatory Tower that goes down 20 feet under the ocean with windows for looking and watching ocean life in its natural habit. [citation needed], Given its harbors and fortifications, Saint Thomas still retained a strategic importance, and thus, in the 1860s, during the American Civil War and its aftermath, the United States government considered buying the island and its neighbors from Denmark for $7.5 million. The general approach to sailing the Thorny Path is to make short hops, day sails, and overnight passages between close destinations. St. Thomas vs St. Croix: Which US Virgin Island is Better? For crews without blue water experience or not comfortable being a hundred miles from land, this is a big draw. Fire destroyed hundreds of homes in Charlotte Amalie in 1804. Coki Beach is a beach on the island Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, located in the Caribbean. Distance Between Puerto Rico and St Thomas. It's an established part of the local economy, and they will handle much of what you need on the island like tours and supplies. Sheltered harbors aren't as common as you'd like, nor are ports with marinas and supplies. Your exact time may vary depending on wind speeds. While this is an exotic island, it also has the familiar atmosphere of home. The U.S. Virgin Islands lie near the boundary of the North American Plate and the Caribbean Plate . The Safari Taxis follow a loop passing Red Hook, Charlotte Amalie, and the island's resort-heavy East End. What is the best time to sail from Bonaire to Barbados? St. Thomas-St. John School District operates public schools on Saint Thomas. [9], Denmark-Norway's first attempt to settle the island in 1665 failed. American forces were based on the island during the Second World War. A boat making six knots good on the course will take a little over ten days to make this passage. It has plenty of anchorage space, its protected, and most marine services. Saint Thomas's fine natural harbor became known as "Taphus" for the drinking establishments located nearby. Explore the British Virgin Islands during this full-day boat trip from St. John or St. Thomas. Thorough and considerate. Of those, only Martinique is a French overseas territory, the rest are all independent countries. So it's best to wait for better conditions, and even motor sail on dead days or over night to avoid taking a beating off shore. Great Amenities. The company eventually sold the island to the United States in 1944, during the German occupation of Denmark. St Thomas, VI Map & Directions - MapQuest Charlotte Amalie - St. Croix Charlotte Amalie - St John Charlotte Amalie - Tortola BVI Red Hook - St John US COVER FIRST AIR MAIL FLIGHT FAM 6 ST THOMAS VIRGIN ISLANDS - eBay This site is owned and operated by Truly Content. Theres this and theres that. You didnt jump on anyone along the way. Even though the server responded OK, it is possible the submission was not processed. But where to go and when? [11], While the sugar trade had brought prosperity to the island's free citizens, by the early 19th century Saint Thomas was in decline. Ease into a conversation instead of jumping right in with a request by asking how the persons day is going, but avoid getting too personal too quickly. If you stay in a villa you will most likely need to rent a car or scooter to get around. Taxis are readily available and there are also drivers that run dollar rides via safaris. A safari is a truck thats been outfitted with bench seating in the back. The islands coastal areas have many fine protected bays. Country Cities United States Florida | U.S. Virgin Islands St Thomas The distance line on map shows distance from Florida to St Thomas between two cities. Mon-Sun: 6:30 am until 9:00 pm. To get a sense of the thorniness of crossing this stretch of water, take a closer look at where this route goes through the Bahamas. Since you can't sail that straight line, if you're in a hurry you can sail offshore. The Antilles refers to all the Caribbean islands but does not include Bahamas, which are part of the Lucayan Archipelago. St. Thomas To British Virgin Islands Ferry Schedule "St. Thomas" is among the most recognisable instrumentals in the repertoire of American jazz tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins based on a traditional calypso sung to him by his mother, Valborg Solomon Rollins, who was born on Saint Thomas. ImproveSailing is compensated for referring traffic and business to this companies. Because there are further breakdowns and groupings you may hear which come from which European powers dominated which islands politically and culturally during the 17th through 19th centuries. Beach shoes or sandals as well as a pair of comfortable walking shoes for exploring inland are a must, and youll want to bring two bathing suits so that you have a dry one available when the other is wet. Switching between the British Virgin Islands and the US Virgin Islands is a very easy procedure (as long as you have a valid passport) and shouldn't take more than 20/25 minutes after your ferry ride.