CA vs. Red Hook/Private Water Taxi

[DuxDweller]

Okay - I've had it with the snow up here - and can't WAIT to get out of New England! I am looking for some advice on my ferry options. I arrive (with wife and 4 kids) next Tuesday. Flight comes in at 3:15 (in theory anyway). Last year I hired a private taxi and used Dohms water taxi to get to STJ. This worked beautifully - but cost a fortune. Taxi was $90; Water Taxi was $150 - neither price including tip. It was great to just go directly to the island, but I thought that $150 was steep for a 15 minute boat ride. Also, we spent the first part of our vacation at Maho. What I figured out (after waiting in the back of Flett's taxi for 45 minutes in Cruz Bay) is that he waits for the ferry to make the trip to Maho - so getting there "early" just mean sitting at the dock in the back of his truck. Anyway - we are doing carry-on only so our bags are not a big deal. It looks like I could save a LOT of money going out of CA. Does anyone have an opinion on this? Am I better off shooting for a 5:00 p.m. out of Red Hook (and hiring the private taxi) or trying to get the 4:00 out of CA? Anyone remember how long it takes to get from the airport to CA and/or how much it costs?

[Pia]

First I would call and find out Fretts schedule and departure time from Cruz Bay

There is a 4pm out of CA and it will take approx 10 mins by taxi to get there putting you on STJ by about 4:40pm. If you take the 5pm Red Hook you will be on STJ by 5:20pm and if you take the 5:30pm CA on STJ by 6:10pm.

Taxi fare to town is approx $10.00 pp and to RH $15.00 pp, ferry from CA $11.10 pp plus $2.50 per bag(I think might be $12.10 it's been a while ) and from RH $6.10 pp and $2.00 per bag.

Pia

[Gromit]

What Pia said!

With carry on only and no plane delays you should have no probs making the 4pm CA ferry. Honestly no need for a private taxi it's only a 10 min drive.

You will save yourself TONS of $$$ and still get there.

[DuxDweller]

Thanks! I had a feeling CA would be the way to go . . . and I can use that $150+ savings to have a little extra fun on STJ