How to Go From St. Thomas to St. Croix in 2023 (3 Ways)

🇻🇮 Water Island: While the US Virgin Islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix get all the attention, don’t forget about a day trip to Water Island, the 4th US Virgin Island from St. Thomas!

Way 1: From St. Thomas to St. Croix by Ferry

🚍 Best for: Cheapest way to get between St. Thomas and St. Croix.
💵 Cost: $$
👉 Where to Book: Native Son Ferry or Queen Elizabeth IV

The most affordable way to get to St. Croix from St. Thomas is by boarding one of the leading ferry services traveling between the two islands.

You have two options: Native Son Ferry or Queen Elizabeth IV (QE4).

The Native Son Ferry departs Charlotte Amalie in the morning before returning in the afternoon on the same day. This is the best ferry for a day trip to St. Croix from St. Thomas. However, it only runs the return trip Sundays and Fridays (and sometimes Wednesdays).

Conversely, QE4 departs Gallows Bay in St. Croix in the AM before returning late afternoon from St. Thomas. The advantage of the Queen Elizabeth IV ferry is that it has more service days, running Wednesdays through Mondays, and only taking Tuesdays off.

Ferry schedules change, so please check their schedule before booking anything. Ticket prices are similar, so which one you end up on depends entirely on your US Virgin Islands itinerary.

👉 Pro Tip: I won’t sugarcoat it. The ferry to St. Croix is a rough ride. If you decide to take the ferry, I HIGHLY recommend taking sea sickness medication before the boat departs (usually the night before AND the morning of helps).

Pros of Ferry Service: 

• Cheapest round-trip between St. Thomas and St. Croix
• Choose from two different ferry companies.

Cons of Ferry Service: 

• Fewer departure times with only one per day.
• Uncomfortable boat ride across rough seas.
• The crossing takes nearly 2 hours. 

Way 2: From St. Thomas to St. Croix by Plane (Cape Air)

🚍 Best for: Comfort and saving time.
💵 Cost: $$$
👉 Where to Book: Search for flights between STT and STX on Skyscanner

Cape Air is the primary airline servicing trips between St. Thomas and St. Croix, plus the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Since it’s an intra-territorial trip, you won’t need to pass through airport security, making it an easy and time-saving boarding process! Typically, the airplane is amusingly tiny, and you might even sit directly next to the pilot for the 20-minute flight.  

Airfares vary greatly depending on seasonality but are more expensive than a ferry ticket. However, the extra cost is worth the time saved, flexibility, or avoiding the rough seas aboard the ferries.

Pros of Flying STT to STX: 

• More comfortable than the rough ferry ride. 
• Taking the seaplane saves precious time during your trip.

Cons of Flying STT to STX: 

• Much more expensive than the ferry.
• Still need to travel to and from both island airports making day trips difficult.

Way 3: From St. Thomas to St. Croix by Seaplane

🚍 Best for: Unique experience, flexibility, and saving time.
💵 Cost: $$$
👉 Where to Book: Get more information on Expedia or Seaborne Airlines

The most popular, yet often most expensive, method of getting from St. Thomas to St. Croix is via seaplane! Seaborne Airlines is the island’s leading provider and departs Charlotte Amalie before landing 30 minutes later in Christiansted on St. Croix.

The plane provides the most flexibility for travelers looking to visit St. Croix for a day trip or, ideally, even longer. Ultimately, the seaplane experience might be the highlight of your entire trip to the USVIs!

Pros of Flying on the Seaplane: 

• Ultimate flexibility in your travel plans.
• Perfect for day trippers to explore Christiansted and nearby Buck Island.
• A memorable experience with jaw-dropping views.

Cons of Flying on the Seaplane: 

• Typically the most expensive option.

3 Tips For Getting Between St. Thomas and St. Croix

Don’t Visit St. Croix from St. Thomas as a Day Trip

I realize many people visit St. Croix from St. Thomas as a day trip and vice versa, but I only recommend it if you can comfortably swing the seaplane cost. You’ll thoroughly enjoy the offerings of each island over multiple days rather than one day. Anything less, you’ll miss most of the best things to do on St. Croix.

If you need some help planning where to stay and what to do, I’ve made a day-by-day St. Croix itinerary you can follow!

Do Visit St. Croix for at Least 3 Days

My minimum recommended time spent on St. Croix is at least three days. St. Croix is the largest of the US Virgin Islands, and to hit all the hot spots around Frederiksted, Christiansted, the East End, plus Buck Island, you’ll need at least three days to do so. Ideally, you can stay for a week to enjoy everything this fantastic island offers.

Do Prepare for Rough Seas Aboard the Ferry

The ferry ride to St. Croix from St. Thomas is sporty, with large swells almost the entire ride. If you’re a novice to boating and rough sea conditions, I highly recommend taking sea sickness medication or getting to St. Croix by airplane.

FAQs Travel Between St. Thomas and St. Croix

Map of How to Get Between St. Thomas and St. Croix

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Now you know how to go from St. Thomas to St. Croix (and back from St. Croix to St. Thomas!). 

Let us know what questions you might have in the comment below! Otherwise, check out our list of amazing places to visit without a passport, US Virgin Islands included!