Resilience and Reliability
For nearly 60 years Speedy’s Ferry Service has been a cornerstone of inter-island travel in the Virgin Islands, connecting Virgin Gorda, Tortola, Beef Island and St. Thomas while offering tours, car rentals and charters. Family-run and guided by the late Edwin “Speedy” George’s philosophy of reliability, the company rebuilt after the 2017 hurricanes and expanded schedules to better serve residents and visitors alike.
Island-hopping is central to life and tourism in the Virgin Islands, and for generations Speedy’s Ferry Service has been one of the most recognisable names on the water. Founded by Edwin “Speedy” George and his wife Nidia in Virgin Gorda in the early 1960s, the business started with a single taxicab and soon grew into the islands’ first diving school, safari bus tours and, in 1974, its first ferry, Adventure.
Today the family-operated company runs a modern fleet linking Virgin Gorda, Tortola (including Beef Island) and St. Thomas while offering a range of transportation and tour services for residents and visitors. The company’s history is rooted in community service. After Speedy’s death on March 28, 2018, his relatives and staff continued the operation, guided by his emphasis on professionalism, kindness and dependability.
According to Corinne George, one of his grandchildren, the business remained a vital employer through hard times and prioritised keeping staff on payroll when many in the territory lost work following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. That resilience shaped Speedy’s recovery and recent growth.
The operator increased sailings—especially between Tortola and Virgin Gorda—so day-trippers can spend 12 to 13 hours exploring without feeling rushed. Thomas to Virgin Gorda runs about 90 minutes; travellers can buy tickets on arrival in St. Thomas and must check in 30 minutes before departure.
Regular daytime routes generally do not require reservations and allow payment onboard, making short-notice travel easier for residents and visitors. Beyond scheduled ferries, Speedy’s offers free airport shuttle service between Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (Beef Island) and Virgin Gorda, private transfers using the Speedy’s Sprinter (up to 10 passengers), car rentals with island-wide pick-up and unlimited mileage, and private boat charters (from about $375 one way).
Rental deals are available for guests arriving by ferry, and the company also organises guided excursions to signature spots such as The Baths, Devil’s Bay and Gorda Peak, plus open-air safari bus tours and ferry-and-dining package options. For BVI residents the service remains more than a tourist convenience: it is part of the territory’s transport fabric, helping movement between islands for work, school and daily life.
As Speedy’s marks almost six decades of operation, its blend of local knowledge, expanded schedules and varied services helps keep the territory connected and supports the continued recovery and growth of the islands’ visitor economy.
Primary source: Welcome