Seaplanes Don't Fly Into EIS — But They Fly Near It
Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) is a land-based airport and does not handle seaplane service. However, the waters surrounding the BVI and USVI are served by Fly the Whale, which operates scheduled seaplane service between St. Thomas and St. Croix — and is expanding inter-island coverage. For BVI visitors, understanding the seaplane network adds another option for moving around the region.
Fly the Whale — The Regional Seaplane Operator
Fly the Whale operates Cessna Grand Caravan amphibious seaplanes on routes between USVI harbors. Their primary routes connect St. Thomas (Charlotte Amalie Harbor) and St. Croix (Christiansted Harbor). The service is unlike anything in conventional aviation — you board at the water's edge, taxi across the harbor, and take off from the sea surface. The flight itself is low and spectacular.
Seaplane Terminals in the Region
- Charles F. Blair Jr. Seaplane Terminal — Charlotte Amalie Harbor, St. Thomas (IATA: SPB, FAA: VI22): The STT seaplane base, located on the waterfront adjacent to the Blyden ferry terminal. A short taxi from Cyril E. King Airport (STT).
- Svend Aage Ovesen Seaplane Terminal — Christiansted Harbor, St. Croix (IATA: SSB, FAA: VI32): The STX base, in the Water Gut area of downtown Christiansted.
Seaplanes and Flight Tracking
Seaplane flights operate under VFR (Visual Flight Rules) and do not appear in standard flight tracking systems like Flightradar24 or AeroDataBox. If you're expecting a contact to arrive by seaplane, you won't find their flight on a live board — contact Fly the Whale directly.
Booking and What to Expect
Book at flythewhale.com or call 1-800-908-0469. Arrive at the seaplane terminal 30–40 minutes before departure. There is no TSA security checkpoint at seaplane terminals — you board directly at the dock. Weight limits are strict on seaplanes — confirm current baggage policies when booking. Fares typically run $60–$160 each way depending on route and timing.
For BVI Visitors
If you're routing through St. Thomas on your way to or from Tortola, combining a ferry crossing with the seaplane experience is a genuinely memorable way to move through the region. Fly the Whale from Charlotte Amalie, then ferry from Red Hook to Tortola — two of the most scenic modes of transport in the Caribbean in one trip.