A newly launched ferry service offers people on Tortola or Virgin Gorda the chance to boat over to Anegada on one day and come back the next.
The twice-daily Anegada Express ferry completed its maiden commercial voyage on Monday morning, travelling from Trellis Bay to Anegada to Gun Creek, Virgin Gorda, and then back to Trellis, according to Doug Riegels, the owner of Anegada Beach Club.
Previously, anyone wishing to travel to the sister island could either take a Monday-Wednesday-Friday Road Town ferry — operated on alternating two-week schedules by Road Town Fast Ferry and Smith’s Ferry Services — that stopped in Virgin Gorda, or they could charter a plane through a company like VI Airlink.
Now, people can reach Anegada by boat from Trellis Bay each morning and afternoon. The morning route goes straight to Anegada and stops in Gun Creek on the way back, and the afternoon ferry goes to Gun Creek first and then Anegada, according to its website.
Since it is a new service, the boat’s initial schedule (see sidebar) could be subject to “some tweaks” in the future, Mr. Riegels said.
The ABC owner is confident the service will help develop the island economically and be well-used by visitors in the Virgin Islands.
“As Anegada stands right now, it’s the one island that’s back up and operational as normal,” he explained.
Despite depressed tourism numbers across the territory, Mr. Riegels said a number of visitors — especially those on charter boats — have been making the island a larger part of their itinerary.
The ferry — which offers free shuttles back to the airport from Trellis — is designed to also help draw a larger portion of hotel guests to Anegada, according to Mr. Riegels.
Roundtrip tickets will cost $50, and the ferry can hold up to 35 people.
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