There Is No Better Way to Arrive
If you've only ever flown into the USVI on a mainline jet, you haven't truly arrived. Taking a seaplane between St. Croix and St. Thomas — lifting off from the water, skimming low over the Caribbean, and splashing down in a harbor — is one of those experiences that reframes the whole trip. It's not just transportation. It's a moment.
Fly the Whale operates seaplane service in the USVI, connecting the islands in a way that feels more like a golden-age Caribbean adventure than a modern commute. If you have the opportunity to fly seaplane on any leg of your trip, take it without hesitation.
What the Experience Is Actually Like
The seaplane holds a small number of passengers — typically 9 or fewer. You board at a waterfront dock rather than an airport terminal, which immediately sets the tone. There's a casual, almost cinematic quality to climbing into a seaplane on a Caribbean morning with the water lapping against the floats.
Takeoff is unlike anything in commercial aviation. The plane accelerates across the water, the floats skimming the surface, spray flying past the windows — and then you're airborne. The climb out over the harbor gives you views that no standard flight can match: the coastline, the reef, the colors of the Caribbean water shifting from turquoise to deep blue as the depth changes beneath you.
The crossing between St. Croix and St. Thomas takes about 20–25 minutes. At low altitude over open water, you'll often see boats, rays, and on lucky days, whale sharks or dolphins below. Arrival is the reverse — a graceful descent, the floats touching the water, and a slow taxi to the dock. You step off onto the waterfront directly.
Quick Facts
No Security — What That Actually Means
This deserves its own section because it genuinely changes the experience. Seaplane service bypasses TSA entirely. You're boarding at a dock, not an airport terminal. That means:
- Full-size bottles of sunscreen, rum, water — all fine
- No removing shoes, laptops, or liquids
- No body scanner or pat-down
- Arrive 30 minutes before departure instead of 2 hours
- Walk off the plane and directly onto the waterfront at your destination
For residents making regular inter-island trips, this alone makes the seaplane worth the fare premium over a standard flight.
Where You Board — Both Islands
This is the most important logistics point for seaplane travelers: you do not go to the main airport on either island. Seaplanes use dedicated waterfront terminals in the harbors of each town.
St. Croix: The Svend Aage Ovesen Seaplane Terminal (Christiansted Harbor Seaplane Base, FAA: VI32), located in the Water Gut area of downtown Christiansted. It's right on the waterfront, walkable from the boardwalk and most Christiansted hotels. From Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, it's about a 15-minute taxi ride (~$12/person).
St. Thomas: The Charles F. Blair Jr. Seaplane Terminal (Charlotte Amalie Harbor Seaplane Base, IATA: SPB), located in Charlotte Amalie Harbor, adjacent to the Blyden Terminal in downtown Charlotte Amalie. From STT airport, it's about a 10-minute taxi ride (~$7/person) to the Charlotte Amalie waterfront.
Confirm the exact boarding details with Fly the Whale when you book — call 1-800-908-0469 or check your confirmation email.
When to Book the Seaplane vs. the Landplane
Fly the Whale operates both seaplane and landplane (Cessna Grand Caravan) service. The seaplane is the more memorable experience, but the landplane runs more frequently throughout the day. Here's when each makes sense:
- Choose seaplane: You want the experience, you're traveling light, you have flexibility on timing, or you're departing from or arriving at the Christiansted waterfront area.
- Choose landplane: You need a specific departure time that only the landplane offers, you have heavier luggage, or you need to depart from/arrive at the main STX terminal.
Tips for Your Seaplane Flight
- Sit on the side facing the water on departure — you'll get the best spray and takeoff views.
- Bring a camera you don't mind getting slightly damp — the windows are small but the views are worth photographing.
- Pack light. Seaplane weight limits are strict. Aim for a carry-on and personal item only.
- Check availability early. Seaplane flights have fewer seats than landplane departures and sell out, especially on weekends.
- Weather can affect operations. Seaplanes are more sensitive to rough water and wind conditions than landplanes. Build in flexibility if your schedule is tight.
A Word on the History
Seaplane service in the USVI has a long history — Antilles Air Boats operated legendary flying boat service throughout the Caribbean for decades before ceasing operations in the 1980s. The tradition was revived with modern, safer aircraft by subsequent carriers, and Fly the Whale is the current steward of that legacy. Flying seaplane between St. Croix and St. Thomas connects you to one of the most romantic chapters of Caribbean aviation history.
Book Your Seaplane Flight
Visit flythewhale.com to check schedules and book. Seaplane departures are listed alongside landplane flights in their booking system — look for the seaplane aircraft designation when selecting your flight. Their reservations team is also available at 1-800-908-0469 if you have questions about which service is operating on your dates.