The Virgin Islands Port Authority announced Thursday that a new daily express ferry service between Red Hook, St. Thomas and Cruz Bay, St. John will launch on May 1, offering faster crossings and expanded scheduling to serve the growing demand for inter-island transportation.
The new route, operated by Island Ferry Services under a five-year contract, will feature two 150-passenger catamarans making eight round trips daily, with the first departure at 6:00 AM and the last return at 10:00 PM. The crossing time is expected to average 20 minutes, compared to the current 45-minute route.
“This has been years in the making,” said Port Authority Executive Director Carlton Dowe. “St. John residents have been asking for more reliable, more frequent service, and this contract delivers exactly that.”
The announcement was welcomed by St. John business owners who have long complained that limited ferry access constrains economic development and makes it difficult for employees living on St. Thomas to commute reliably. The current service, which runs approximately every hour, frequently operates at capacity during peak morning and evening hours.
Fares for the express service will be $8 one-way for residents and $14 for visitors, with monthly passes available for regular commuters. The existing route will continue to operate on a reduced schedule as a backup service.
