How to Get to Your Crewed Charter

Before You Book Your Flights

Most charters board around noon on day one and wrap up by late morning on the final day — plan your flights around that. Aim to land by midday so you can step aboard, settle in, and be underway for a first-night anchorage. On the way home, book an afternoon departure or later so the last morning isn't a scramble.

If your arrival flight lands late in the day, we recommend a hotel night and boarding fresh the next morning. Your broker will confirm the exact meet time and place with the crew before you travel.

Getting to Your Yacht Charter: British Virgin Islands

Fly into Tortola (EIS)

If your crewed yacht charter begins in the British Virgin Islands, flying directly into Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) on Beef Island, Tortola, is the most straightforward option. American Airlines now offers direct flights from Miami (MIA) to Tortola, making it a convenient choice if it fits your travel plans. Once you land, taxis are readily available to take you to your marina.

While connecting flights from San Juan (SJU) are an alternative, they often result in later arrivals, which can complicate the start of your charter. Regional carriers also tend to have more delays or cancellations, so we recommend flying directly to Tortola if possible.

Fly into St. Thomas (STT), US Virgin Islands

For more direct flight options, consider flying into Cyril E. King Airport (STT) in St. Thomas, USVI. From there, you'll need to travel to the BVI via ferry or private water taxi. This option offers flexibility but requires some additional coordination.

If you choose this route, we highly recommend taking a private water taxi for a seamless transfer. After landing, a 30-40 minute taxi ride takes you to Red Hook, where your water taxi captain will meet you. From there:

• You'll zip past the beautiful National Park beaches of St. John.
• Customs clearance is handled by the captain at West End, BVI—you won't even need to step off the boat.
• You'll arrive directly at your yacht at either a marina or a beautiful anchorage, ready to begin your adventure.

Private water taxis not only save time but also eliminate long lines at customs, allowing you to start your trip with ease (and a complimentary drink in hand).

We recommend:

• Island Time Water Taxi (info@islandtimeltd.com, +1 284-495-9993)
• Chillout Charters (chilloutchartersbvi@gmail.com, +1 284-340-1122)

Public Ferry from St. Thomas to Tortola

If you prefer a more affordable option, public ferries run from Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook in St. Thomas to Tortola. The scenic ride takes approximately 50 minutes but may include a stop at St. John, depending on the route.

Keep in mind ferry schedules may not align perfectly with your flight, which can add to your travel time.

VI Ferries is the best resource for figuring out ferry routes, schedules, and fares between the BVI and USVI — all in one place.

And if The Baths at Virgin Gorda are on your itinerary, check the Baths Flag Status before you go — it shows the current flag conditions so you know what to expect before your crew drops anchor.

Getting to Your Yacht Charter: US Virgin Islands

Gateway airports

Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St. Thomas is the primary gateway. Non-stop flights operate daily from Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Newark, New York (JFK), and Washington-area airports, plus seasonal direct service from Chicago, Dallas, and Philadelphia. Flights from the East Coast run three to four hours; Midwest gateways add a connection. Private aircraft also use STT, or Henry E. Rohlsen (STX) on St. Croix for charters starting on the south side.

Embarkation ports

Three primary embarkation points on St. Thomas, all within 45 minutes of STT: Yacht Haven Grande in Charlotte Amalie (15 minutes from the airport, deep-water capable for any yacht size), American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook on the east end (30–45 minutes, closest to St. John and the BVI), and Compass Point Marina on the south side (25 minutes). Embarkation from St. John itself is uncommon — most yachts spend nights on St. Thomas to access fuel and provisioning, then sail east in the morning. Crossing to the BVI on a USVI charter is straightforward — a customs stop at Soper's Hole or West End, both routine for any USVI captain. Yacht and trip length shape which marina is right; we walk through the options with you before booking.

Airport transfers

From STT, taxis and private transfers run on fixed government-set rates: roughly $15–$20 per person to Yacht Haven Grande, $20–$30 to Red Hook, $20–$25 to Compass Point. Private SUVs for larger groups run $80–$150 depending on destination. Transfers can be arranged in advance through your broker for a confirmed pickup.

Customs & entry

US citizens travel to the USVI on a US driver's license or government photo ID — the territory is a US jurisdiction, no customs and no immigration. Returning to the US mainland from STT does require US Customs clearance (the USVI is outside the customs zone), but the process happens at STT before boarding the return flight. Foreign nationals need a passport and the same visa they would for any other US entry. Crossing to the BVI mid-charter requires a passport for everyone on board — the BVI is a separate British Overseas Territory.

Getting to Your Yacht Charter: Bahamas

Gateway airports

Nassau (NAS) is the primary international gateway, with non-stop flights from most US East Coast cities and a deep-water harbor that accommodates any yacht size. Staniel Cay has a regional airstrip midway down the chain; small turboprops from Nassau, Fort Lauderdale (FLL), or Florida private terminals reach it in 60 to 90 minutes. Some itineraries pair a Nassau arrival with a Staniel departure, shortening the on-water portion of a shorter trip.

Embarkation ports

Embarkation from Nassau is most common, departing from Atlantis Marina, Hurricane Hole, or Palm Cay. The first day includes a crossing of the Exuma Sound to reach the northern cays. Embarkation from Staniel Cay Yacht Club is also available; this skips the crossing and is the preferred option on shorter (4–5 day) charters. Starting from Staniel — or any cay south of Nassau — sometimes carries a relocation fee, depending on where the yacht is positioned at the start of the charter. One-way itineraries are also possible on longer charters: Nassau to Staniel and back, Staniel north to Nassau, or even Georgetown (Great Exuma's southern hub) all the way north to Nassau. South-to-north return passages typically ride more comfortably than the reverse — the prevailing wind and swell direction favors that routing. Yacht and trip length shape the right answer; we walk through the options with you before booking.

Airport transfers

From Nassau airport, the embarkation marinas are 15 to 30 minutes by taxi. From the Staniel Cay airstrip, the yacht club is a five-minute walk. Private transfers between Nassau and Staniel by seaplane or charter flight are available for guests on tight schedules; the broker arranges these in advance.

Customs & entry

Bahamas customs and immigration clearance happens at the port of entry. The captain handles the yacht's cruising and fishing permits as part of the standard charter setup. Guests need a valid passport; US, UK, and EU citizens do not require a visa for stays under 90 days.

Getting to Your Yacht Charter: St. Martin

Gateway airports

Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on the Dutch side of St. Martin is the primary gateway and one of the best-connected airports in the eastern Caribbean. Non-stop flights operate daily from Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, Newark, New York (JFK), and Philadelphia, plus seasonal direct service from Boston, Dallas, and Washington-area airports — and from Paris, London, and Amsterdam in Europe. Flights from the US East Coast run four to four-and-a-half hours. St. Barts has its own short STOL airstrip (SBH) reached by 10-minute Tradewind or St. Barth Commuter hops from SXM; some guests fly direct into SBH on a private aircraft.

Embarkation ports

Most charters embark at IGY Simpson Bay Marina on the Dutch side of St. Martin — five minutes from SXM by taxi and large enough for any yacht size. Fort Louis Marina in Marigot on the French side is a less common embarkation but a favored mid-charter stop. From either marina, the typical run heads first to St. Barts (a two- to three-hour sail) or up to Anguilla (a one-hour sail), depending on weather and the group's preference. One-way charters that begin in St. Barts are also possible; we walk through the options with you before booking.

Airport transfers

From SXM, IGY Simpson Bay Marina is a five-minute taxi ride and Fort Louis Marina is twenty-five minutes. Private transfers are easy to arrange in advance through the broker. For guests arriving direct into St. Barts (SBH), Gustavia harbor is a five-minute drive from the airstrip; the yacht typically anchors at Corossol or Shell Beach to receive the tender.

Customs & entry

Each of the three islands clears customs and immigration separately — the Dutch and French sides of St. Martin, Anguilla, and St. Barts each operate as a port of entry. The captain handles the paperwork at each clearance as part of the standard charter setup. Guests need a valid passport for all three. US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens do not require visas. The customs stops are routine for any captain working the cruising ground; they add 30 to 45 minutes per island but no other friction.

Getting to Your Yacht Charter: Croatia

Gateway airports

Two airports cover the Dalmatian Coast: Split (SPU) for charters originating in Central Dalmatia, and Dubrovnik (DBV) for charters ending in the south. Both have direct summer flights from London, Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, and Istanbul; from the US, most guests connect via one of those European hubs (Frankfurt, London, and Vienna are the smoothest). Total transit from the US East Coast runs 10–14 hours including the connection. A handful of seasonal direct flights from Toronto and New York operate in peak summer.

Embarkation ports

Embarkation marinas are well-run and concentrated. ACI Marina Trogir (15 minutes from Split airport) and ACI Marina Split (downtown, walking distance to Diocletian's Palace) handle most Central Dalmatia charters. ACI Marina Dubrovnik (Komolac, up the Rijeka Dubrovačka river fjord behind the city) is the southern terminus for one-way Split→Dubrovnik charters. Each marina has fuel, water, electric, provisioning, and transfer services on site; the crew handles the chart briefing and provisioning before lines are off. Round-trip charters return to the same marina; one-way charters require flights in and out of different airports — we coordinate the logistics with you before booking.

Airport transfers

From SPU airport, taxi to ACI Marina Trogir runs 15 minutes (~€20 fixed); to ACI Marina Split, 25–35 minutes (~€40). From DBV airport to ACI Marina Dubrovnik, 30–40 minutes (~€40–50). Pre-booked private transfers via Mercedes minivan run €60–€100 depending on group size. Crew typically meet you at the marina with cold drinks and the chart briefing once your luggage is aboard.

Customs & entry

Croatia is an EU and Schengen member (joined Schengen in January 2023) and uses the Euro (adopted January 2023, replacing the Kuna). US, UK, Canadian, and Australian passports require no visa for stays under 90 days; EU passports clear with no border check. The captain handles cruising logs, transit logs at marina entry/exit, and any tax documentation as part of the standard charter setup.

Getting to Your Yacht Charter: Greece

Gateway airports

Three gateways serve the four cruising regions. Athens International (ATH) is the primary gateway and the embarkation airport for three of the five Greek itineraries — Northern Cyclades, Southern Cyclades caldera tour, and the Saronic Gulf. Direct flights operate from most US East Coast hubs (JFK, EWR, BOS, MIA, ATL), London, Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, and Paris through the summer. Corfu International (CFU) is the gateway for Ionian charters, with direct service from London, Rome, Frankfurt, Vienna, and most major UK regional airports through the summer. Kos (KGS) and Rhodes (RHO) serve the Dodecanese — both connect easily through Athens, and both have direct summer flights from London, Frankfurt, and several other European hubs. From the US, most non-Athens routes connect through one of those European hubs.

Embarkation ports

Embarkation depends on the itinerary. Alimos Marina, on the Athens Riviera and 15 minutes from ATH, is the busiest marina in the eastern Mediterranean and the embarkation point for Northern Cyclades, Southern Cyclades, and Saronic charters. Gouvia Marina on Corfu's east coast (10 minutes from CFU) is the operating base for the northern Ionian. Kos Marina is the embarkation point for the Dodecanese; the route ends at Rhodes Marina or Mandraki Harbor for the one-way arrival. Some itineraries — Northern Cyclades to Mykonos, Dodecanese Kos to Rhodes — are one-way, requiring guests to fly into one airport and out of another. Round-trip charters return to the embarkation marina. We walk through which embarkation fits your group, your flights, and your preferred itinerary before booking.

Airport transfers

From ATH, Alimos Marina is a 15-minute taxi ride; pre-booked private transfers run €40–€60 depending on group size. From CFU, Gouvia Marina is a 10-minute taxi (~€20). From KGS, Kos Marina is a 5-minute taxi. From RHO, Rhodes Marina is 10 minutes (~€15). Crew typically meet you at the marina with cold drinks and the chart briefing once your luggage is aboard.

Customs & entry

Greece is an EU and Schengen member and uses the Euro. US, UK, Canadian, and Australian passports require no visa for stays under 90 days; EU passports clear with no border check. The captain handles cruising logs, transit logs at marina entry/exit, port-tax registration, and any documentation required for the Turkish-coast Dodecanese stops as part of the standard charter setup. There are no per-island clearances within Greece.