AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye Is It safe now on the AC?

Might be stickin my neck out here... but why not Tropic Ferry? They pick you up at the International airport provide water, rum punch and music, and to where YOU are staying it's barely over an hour. TO YOUR HOTEL DOCK. If Pelican Reef don't pick you up at the Tropic Air strip, you're looking at a $10-15 USD taxi ride, and ANOTHER 20-30 minutes backtracking on yourself to get to the south of the island. I can't be bothered with the hassle and waiting at international for the next flight (particularly in THAT airport where there is nothing to do). Check out the comparison at the bottom of the Tropic Ferry website. Really.... a two hours from landing at international to "enjoy" a 10 minute flight.... not my cuppa tea.

Not sure if it is that easy! There is no schedule that I could see on Tropic Ferry website, and with the price of fuel for such a long trip I doubt they are going back and forth for each arriving flight. So who is to say that you wont have to wait for transport? As well, it isnt a smooth road to the Tropic Ferry , so depending on the seas and weather, you could, after getting up at a crazy hour , getting to your local airport,flight to Belize etc., then be bumped around to the ferry departure , bumped around for an hour and a half to the island on a boat for about the same price as the 15 min Tropic flight?? Seems to me the sort of option I would only consider if it saved me some big dollars. But that is me.

A friend of mine sent me an email yesterday that he used Tropic Ferry last week. He went down and made reservations at their office in San Pedro. They picked him up very close to his condo. (His condo which was North of the bridge did not have a dock) They were on time; it was a very nice just over 1 hour trip. The boat was a 41' covered and had 3 - 200 HP engines. The boat is certified for 51 passengers and can hold 20to 25 with luggage. They delivered him to the Oar House in Ladyville and then moved him on to BZE. He and his dog where the only passengers. The cost was $75 but he did tip the Captain.

I will be using Tropic Ferry in May when I go back to the States for a visit. When I do, I will post my experiences with Tropic Ferry but it seems to be a very good alternative, especially for me with a dog but I think it would work for this group also.

Tropic Ferry is great and the comment about bumped around getting there from the international airport..what? it's a five minute drive lol and where anywhere in this country is there smooth driving. It's a fun way to travel and the service is nice you will be taken directly to your resort on a fast comfortable boat. Nice option to flying.

There is no schedule because they are responding to reservations and demands on a particular date. That's why they ask you to contact them for information.
They do not go back and forth with each flight and sometimes there is a wait. The folks at Tropic Ferry can tell you what to expect if you contact them with your flight info.
There is no "bumped around" from the international airport to the Oar House - it's a simple 3 or 4 minute drive in a proper van. The boat can be rough or not - but it's a big one, and the ride can be pretty comfy if weather is fairly normal.
For those who arrive at San Pedro airport and then have to take yet another mode of transport to their hotel, it can be nice to consider an arrival right at the dock of your hotel. IN particular for resorts and homes well outside the town core, this can actually save time.
Agree on the price issue - it's a bit high. Further, the flight is sooooo beautiful.
There are those who don't like to fly in little planes and for them this alternative is a no-brainer. Glad that we all have a choice!

It could be a fun experiment if a couple of us raced. Let's say One of us takes Tropic air and the other Tropic Ferry. The timer could start as soon as we clear customs and ends when the first person arrives at the destination pier....Any takers?

When Hillyboo was allowed to take fishing charters!

It's a great service,I would recommend it to anyone.The cost is comparable to Tropic air and taxi,especially if you are staying North of the bridge.They take you right to the closest dock to where you are staying. The service is scheduled to your personal needs.It's a nice ride and you get to relax and adjust to Belize time,slow down be happy

I'm THRILLED to hear about this service, and will use it on my next trip. Excellent. Thank you!!

It is nice to read about alternatives but sometimes people here on the board can be a little bit (shall I say it?) snobbish. If there was anything wrong with the water taxi's they wouldn't have umteen trips a day full of people.
Not everyone who comes here has unlimited funds. With four people traveling the cost between flying and boating is large. Don't you want them to have more money to spend here?
I've taken the boat and found it very interesting and entertaining. I happen to like to be among the human diversity.
Yes, the sight of the island from the air is breathtaking - but the sight of the sea and sky from the boat is also marvelous. To me I am in Belize the minute I arrive at the international airport - that's where the adventure begins.

So ZAK - if you are still with us - you do whatever fits your fancy and your pocketbook. Everyone here will love you whatever.
(just my opinion)