best way to get to Tortola from STX?

One route is to take a private flight from STX directly to Beef Island Airport on Tortola.

Other options include flying from STX to STT via Cape Air or Seaborne or Private plane or taking the passenger ferry from STX to STT and then taking a passenger ferry from STT to Tortola.

At at least one of the docks/marinas on Tortola you can rent a variety of types of boats. If you are a sailor, you can rent bare boats of several sizes to take yourself on a cruise through the BVI's.

Seaborne used to have a deal with the Tortola Fast Ferry- you might check with them. You arrive in Charlotte Amalie and the ferry is right next door. Simple as pie!

For BVI ideas, you might also check traveltalkonline.com. They have a bunch of rabid BVI fans.

I just happened to research this for myself recently. Here's what I found, from cheapest to most expensive. Prices are for one adult, unless otherwise noted. Additional taxes and fees may apply.

Ferries:

Island Lynx between Gallows Bay STX and Charlotte Amalie STT: $78 round trip
There are two round trips per day
http://www.southerlandtours.com/islandlynx/

Other ferries between Charlotte Amalie STT and Tortola (West End or Road Town): $45 or $49 round trip
http://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/interisland_ferry/
(contact individual companies to verify schedules)

With ferries, the trip takes 4-6 hours each way, including waiting time in STT. You can also check schedules out of Red Hook STT, which requires a taxi.

Scheduled flights:

Seaborne seaplane between Gallows Bay STX and Charlotte Amalie STT: $59 to $84 each way, depending on time of day and availability for that fare. There are many flights each day. You still have to take a ferry to Tortola. With Seaborne and ferry, the trip takes 3-5 hours each way, including waiting time in STT.
http://www.seaborneairlines.com/

Several scheduled airlines fly STX//Tortola via San Juan. Check orbitz.com, etc, for fares. Starts at around $225 round trip, and takes about 3 hours each way, including stopover time.

Private air charter:

If you have a group of people, or want to save lots of time, this is a great way to go. It's just a 20 minute direct flight. Here are the operators I found who fly between STX and Tortola:

Fly BVI 284-495-1747 / 866-819-3146 $565-$1130 each way, depending on number of passengers. Details at:
http://www.fly-bvi.com/acprice/acprice.htm

Coastal Air 340-773-6862, $680 each way, up to 9 passengers.

Bohlke International Airways 340-778-9177 $820 each way, up to 6 passengers

Cape Air 508-775-4171 $1000 each way, up to 9 passengers

Air Sunshine 888-879-8900 $1100-$1200 each way, up to 9 passengers

Claire Aero 284-495-2271. I haven't gotten hold of them yet. Message says call cannot be completed as dialed.

As for "not to miss sights": Take a snorkeling trip to The Baths on Virgin Gorda. There should be plenty of operators offering day trips.

A few weeks ago we flew with Trond Osthaug (Island Air 340-344-3900) from Tortola to STX & were VERY happy with the flight & service!

JW

JimW, thanks for the info. I called Island Airlines for their quote. Add this to my list above:

Private air charter:

Island Airlines, LLC
340-998-9599 or 340-344-3900
$750 each way, up to 7 passengers