Calling Cuan Law/BVI Experts

[Christi]

I'm booked on the Cuan Law at the end of the year. I've had the trip planned since September with several friends. Departs out of Tortola.

I've been looking into all of the flight options, but have a few questions.

How long is the ferry ride from St. Thomas to Tortola, and approximately what is the cost?

Trying to decide if best to fly:
IAH-->San Juan--->Tortola (on small palne)
OR
IAH--->San Juan--->St. Thomas--->ferry to Tortola

Flights for the second option are MUCH lower so need to know if the flight savings make up for not flying right into Tortola.

I'm open to other flight suggestions out of Houston as well. The boat leaves Tortola on Sunday, I assume in the afternoon, so I want to arrive in Tortola the day before the boat leaves.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice!

 

[yakivet]

I'm booked on the Cuan Law at the end of the year.

Trying to decide if best to fly:
IAH-->San Juan--->Tortola (on small palne)
OR
IAH--->San Juan--->St. Thomas--->ferry to Tortola

Christi- I don't have a whole lot of experience on the St. Thomas/Tortola ferry, but I do know that it will run you about $40.00 US. Mind however that it only operates during the daylight hours, with the last boat leaving St. Thomas about 5:00pm. I guess it depends a lot how much time you want to poke around prior to diving. Or whether or not you want to spent the night. I flew American into San Juan and then took their commuter airline American Eagle into Beef Island, Tortola. It was a nice, clean, ontime and smooth flight. The plane was a twin engine turboprop with about 30-35 seats. Small but comfortable. The nicest thing, I put the Bags on the Belt in Seattle and didn't pick them up until we hit the airport in Tortola. I really hate to drag around bags!! I believe that if you flew into St. Thomas, you'd need to take a taxi to ferry dock, so a few extra $$. You would also probably need to take one from the the West end of Tortola where the ferry arrives, to Road Town, where the Cunan departs. Or maybe they will pick you up. In any case, You'll be dragging your luggage a long ways. Myself, I didn't mind the little extra charge to streamline the transportation process. And I'm one that carrys every bag I've got just to keep from tipping the skycap. Hope this helps, and let me know if you've got any other Q's. Havn't been to Coz yet but its certainly in the plans. And we'll definately look you up, If you've got any openings. Dive safe, and its good to see you taking some time for yourself, Ken :42:

 

[wjbrandt]

Christi, I live in St Thomas and have doe the Cuan Law twice. As for transportation, fly into STT and ferry to West End Tortola or Roadtown Tortola. Two ferry companies provide the service, although not always reliable. The terminal is not far from STT airport. Annie Duncan of the Cuan Law should give you the information regarding transportation from West End to where you will meet the staff for the Cuan Law which I think is still Beef Is. Some folks choose to stay a day in Stt at the end of their trip to unwind. You can fly from STT to Beef Is. Cape Air or American or Caribbean Sun, Have fun. Wayne

 

[Christi]

The nicest thing, I put the Bags on the Belt in Seattle and didn't pick them up until we hit the airport in Tortola. I really hate to drag around bags!! I believe that if you flew into St. Thomas, you'd need to take a taxi to ferry dock, so a few extra $$. You would also probably need to take one from the the West end of Tortola where the ferry arrives, to Road Town, where the Cunan departs. Or maybe they will pick you up. In any case, You'll be dragging your luggage a long ways. Myself, I didn't mind the little extra charge to streamline the transportation process. And I'm one that carrys every bag I've got just to keep from tipping the skycap. Hope this helps, and let me know if you've got any other Q's. Havn't been to Coz yet but its certainly in the plans. And we'll definately look you up, If you've got any openings. Dive safe, and its good to see you taking some time for yourself, Ken :42:

Thank you. I am a very efficient traveler and don't take alot of luggage. I will most likely have my big wheeler duffle with equipment and a small roller suitcase with my clothes, then my camera as my carry-on. I don't do well on small planes either, so the $40 ferry sounds great to me. I'm planning to spend the night before in St. Thomas and the night we get back in St. Thomas, maybe even a couple of nights in St. Thomas.

Christi, I live in St Thomas and have doe the Cuan Law twice. As for transportation, fly into STT and ferry to West End Tortola or Roadtown Tortola. Two ferry companies provide the service, although not always reliable. The terminal is not far from STT airport. Annie Duncan of the Cuan Law should give you the information regarding transportation from West End to where you will meet the staff for the Cuan Law which I think is still Beef Is. Some folks choose to stay a day in Stt at the end of their trip to unwind. You can fly from STT to Beef Is. Cape Air or American or Caribbean Sun, Have fun. Wayne

Thank you, that is very helpful! According to the schedule I found online, the ferry's run several times a day. If I start trying to catch the ferry early in the morning I should have no trouble getting to the boat by departure time right? I'm not even sure what departure time is...doesn't say on the website and I'm waiting on a response. If it's like most other livaboards, they'll depart around 3:00 or 4:00 in the afternoon.

It's still 10 months away but I am so excited to be going on a REAL vacation of my own! I can't wait!!!

I'll let you know if I decide to stay a couple of extra nights in St. Thomas...

While I have you here...I have my flight on hold, but haven't purchased it yet. I have NO idea what normal fares are so do you know if $889 fromo Houston to St. thomas (RT) is a good fare (right after Thanksgiving)?

Thanks again!

 

[cduffey]

We've done the Cuan Law twice and loved it. Why don't you consider staying in Tortola overnight before you sail? There are some wonderful places to stay there (the views are incredible). That way you'll have your travel and bag schlepping over with in one day. A word of advice about bags -- no matter how light you think you are packing, you'll still be overpacked. Hope you have a great time.

 

[Christi]

We've done the Cuan Law twice and loved it. Why don't you consider staying in Tortola overnight before you sail? There are some wonderful places to stay there (the views are incredible). That way you'll have your travel and bag schlepping over with in one day. A word of advice about bags -- no matter how light you think you are packing, you'll still be overpacked. Hope you have a great time.

I actually will be staying overnight in Tortola now. Flight is booked!!!! I'm getting a headache trying to figure out where to stay. I will be staying an additional two nights in Tortola after the cruise as well.

As far as the packing goes, I live in Cozumel and run a dive operation, so I am pretty sure I know how to pack for this trip

I would love advice on places to stay in Tortola that aren't $200+ a night!

 

[yakivet]

I would love advice on places to stay in Tortola that aren't $200+ a night!

http://www.bviguide.com/a&js/

http://www.jollyrogerbvi.com/

Hope these help. The Jolly Roger is on the far end of the island near where you will arrive and depart on the ferry. Ken :42:

 

[Christi]

http://www.bviguide.com/a&js/

http://www.jollyrogerbvi.com/

Hope these help. The Jolly Roger is on the far end of the island near where you will arrive and depart on the ferry. Ken :42:

Thank you Ken...I just missed that last post of yours in the thread, so I didn't see them.

Jolly Rodgers looks fun, I'll look into that...thank you!

 

[Damselfish]

I would love advice on places to stay in Tortola that aren't $200+ a night!

I was looking into this once and the Cuan Law folks have a guest house on Tortola which is quite reasonable. (Or at least back then the web site gave me the impression they owned it, now it doesn't give that impression, but there is still a "Land Accomodations" link from the Cuan Law site which goes to http://www.serhouse.com/)

 

[Christi]

I was looking into this once and the Cuan Law folks have a guest house on Tortola which is quite reasonable. (Or at least back then the web site gave me the impression they owned it, now it doesn't give that impression, but there is still a "Land Accomodations" link from the Cuan Law site which goes to http://www.serhouse.com/)

Yeh, Serendipity House. It's "far" from town and we want to be able to walk in or short taxi for dinner, etc. Also, Kim, the reservations person left a very bad taste in my mouth. Myself and a couple of other people in the group e-mailed with very basic questions that should be on the website and are not. (boat departure and arrival times, lodging recommendations in Roadtown for the night before, nitrox pricing/availability, when is last dive/can we fly out day boat gets back to port). Trust me, I answer questions about Cozumel all day everyday, so I know how it is. I scoured the CL website for answers before writing. She sent a response back that we needed to go through our travel agent with our questions. First of all, our "travel agent" is a friend who is part of the group that was the initial contact person for the CL and she is not taking a commission. I was very turned off by her response and found her attitude to be unprofessional and rude quite frankly. Maybe she was having a bad day, we all do. I am absolutely certain that the boat crew and accommodations are fabulous, so I am very much looking forward to my trip...I just won't be spending my extra time at the Serendipity house.