Getting around the British Virgin Islands means combining at least two of three modes: inter-island
ferries, on-island taxis or rental cars, and chartered water taxis for reaching smaller cays. None of these
run on a schedule as dense as a mainland transit system, and none are set up with car seats or strollers as
a default. This is a logistics-first look at what actually works for families, separate from the
island-choice question covered in our guide to picking a home base.
What to Know
- Public ferries (Smith’s, Road Town Fast Ferry, Speedy’s) connect Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke several times daily, but schedules thin out on Sundays and off-season.
- Car seats are not provided on ferries or by most taxi services — bring your own inflatable or lightweight seat if your child needs one.
- BVI taxis are typically open-air safari-style vehicles or vans without seatbelts in every row; ask specifically about child seating before booking.
- Rental cars require a temporary BVI driving permit (purchased at the rental counter) and driving is on the left.
- Strollers are workable on Tortola’s paved main roads but impractical on Virgin Gorda’s hillier, less-paved side streets and at The Baths.
- Ferry crossings can be rough in windier months (December-March); seasick-prone kids do better with a seat outside and an early dose of motion-sickness medication.
Inter-Island Ferries
The main public ferry operators run fixed routes between Road Town or West End (Tortola), Spanish Town
(Virgin Gorda), and Great Harbour (Jost Van Dyke), with crossing times of 30-60 minutes depending on the
route. Buy tickets a day ahead in high season if you can; walk-up seats aren’t guaranteed on the busiest
midday departures. Boarding usually means stepping across a gap between dock and boat, which is fine for
walking kids but requires carrying infants and toddlers rather than relying on a stroller ramp.
Filter out the noise and find what works for your family.
Every resort we review gets one of four Family Fit ratings. The rating is based on kids programming, amenities, vibe, and who the resort actually markets to - not just whether they allow children.
Discover My Ideal Resort →Taxis and On-Island Transport
Taxis on Tortola and Virgin Gorda are typically open safari buses with bench seating rather than sedans
with individual belted seats, which matters if you have a child who needs to stay buckled in a car seat.
Call ahead (your hotel concierge can usually arrange this) and ask directly whether the driver can accommodate
a car seat or booster; not all can. For a fixed multi-stop day, pre-booking a private transfer
is more reliable than flagging a taxi at a beach.
Renting a Car
A rental car gives the most flexibility on Tortola, where roads are steep, narrow, and occasionally
unpaved but generally navigable in a standard sedan or small SUV. You’ll need a temporary BVI driving permit,
issued on the spot at the rental counter for a small fee, and driving is on the left with the steering wheel
on the left side of the car (a legacy quirk that takes a day to adjust to). Comparing rental options before you land
is worth doing, since availability tightens fast in peak season. Car seats are rarely included by rental
agencies — bring your own or request one in advance and confirm it’s actually been reserved.
Water Taxis to Smaller Cays
Reaching smaller islands like Cooper Island or Norman Island generally means a private water taxi or a
day-trip boat charter rather than the scheduled public ferry network, which only serves the larger islands.
These trips are worth planning around nap times for younger kids, since open boats mean more sun and spray
exposure than a covered ferry cabin. Our guide to family hikes in the BVI
also covers a few trails reachable only after one of these boat transfers.
Timing Transfers Around Nap Schedules
Ferries and taxis don’t run on a dense enough schedule to plan around a nap the way you might at home, so
it’s usually more realistic to plan naps around the transfer rather than the reverse. If you have a ferry
booked for early afternoon, aim for an earlier nap so your child is rested rather than mid-nap when boarding
starts. Building one travel day (a ferry to a new island, say) with no other activities scheduled around it
gives enough slack for delays, which are common with island ferry operators running on relaxed timetables.
Padding transfer days this way is one of the more effective ways to keep a multi-stop BVI itinerary from
feeling rushed with young kids.
Plan Your Days in the BVI
Browse family-friendly tours, snorkeling trips, and day activities in the BVI.
Quick Answers
Do BVI taxis have car seats?
Not reliably — most are open safari-style vehicles without built-in child seating, so bring your own portable seat or ask your hotel to confirm one in advance.
Is it better to rent a car or rely on taxis on Tortola?
A rental car gives more flexibility for families juggling nap schedules and multiple stops; taxis work fine for single point-to-point trips like airport transfers.
How rough are BVI ferry crossings for kids prone to seasickness?
December through March tends to be windier and choppier; an outside seat and pre-dosed motion-sickness medication help more than an inside cabin seat.
Where to Stay in BVI
Rosewood Little Dix Bay
A boat transfer is required to reach it, but a private pool and beach make it worth the extra step for the right family.
Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina
A private-island base with real trade-offs — worth weighing the isolation against the calm.
Wyndham Tortola BVI Lambert Beach Resort
Direct beach access on Tortola’s east end, no kids’ club but a straightforward family base.
Ready to Plan Your Trip?
Get a personalized BVI itinerary built around your kids’ ages and your travel dates.
