Is it cheaper to fly or take the ferry?

Ferries are significantly cheaper but much more time-consuming. Only take the ferry if the islands are within the same chain (e.g., BVI to USVI or St. Vincent to Bequia).

How much time should I buffer for travel between islands?

Always buffer at least 4 hours. Caribbean inter-island travel is subject to constant delays due to weather and island-time scheduling.

How to Plan a Caribbean Island-Hopping Itinerary

Focus on a single geographic chain like the Grenadines or the Virgin Islands to minimize travel time and flight costs. Prioritize one ferry-accessible route to avoid the logistical nightmare of regional inter-island flights.

Pick a cluster, not a region. Don't try to visit Jamaica and Barbados in one trip. Choose a cluster like the British Virgin Islands (ferry access), the Grenadines (ferry access), or the Bahamas (short hopper flights). Stick to islands within 30-60 minutes of each other.
Check the ferry schedules first. Ferries in the Caribbean are notoriously unreliable. Check specific operators (like Ferry BVI or Bequia Express) to confirm they run every day of the week. If a route only runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays, your entire schedule must pivot around those two days.
Use a hub airport. Fly into a major hub like St. Maarten, St. Lucia, or Tortola. These airports have the most regional connections, meaning if one flight is canceled, you have a better chance of catching another later that afternoon.
Book inter-island flights 3 months out. Small planes (LIAT, InterCaribbean, or SVG Air) have limited seats. If you wait until you are on the ground, you will pay double the price or find no availability.

Is it cheaper to fly or take the ferry?: Ferries are significantly cheaper but much more time-consuming. Only take the ferry if the islands are within the same chain (e.g., BVI to USVI or St. Vincent to Bequia).
How much time should I buffer for travel between islands?: Always buffer at least 4 hours. Caribbean inter-island travel is subject to constant delays due to weather and island-time scheduling.