Out & About in BVI

 

The following measures are to be adhered to in respect of all non-British Virgin Islanders entering the Territory:

Customs and Immigration offices are located on Tortola in Road Town and the West End, on Virgin Gorda in the Virgin Gorda Airport, St. Thomas Bay Terminal, and the Owen Harrigan Visitors Centre at Gun Creek and on Jost Van Dyke in Great Harbour.

 

As of October 1, U.S. citizens traveling by air to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda must present a passport or other WHTI-compliant documentation to enter or depart from the United States. Visitors from some countries may also require a visa for entry. If in doubt about the necessity of a visa, visit the BVI Tourist Board's website: www.bvitourism.com, contact the nearest BVI Tourist Board Office or the nearest British Embassy, or contact the Chief Immigration Officer, Immigration Department, BVI Government at: Tel: 284-494-3471 or 284-494-3701 Ext. 4700.

 

 

 

Phone: 284-494-3475
Open from: 8:30am to 6:30pm

 

If you plan to exit and then re-enter the British Virgin Islands during your sailing vacation, please be certain to follow the proper procedures for clearing your yacht and crew with both BVI Customs and Immigration.

 

Road Harbour, Tortola
West End Harbour, Tortola
Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke
St. Thomas Bay, Virgin Gorda

 

Your captain may clear all crew, provided he or she has all of the required documentation,
including:

Ships documentation. Prior to leaving the charter base, be sure this item is aboard if you plan to leave BVI waters.

Valid passports for each crew member. (In the absence of a passport, Canadian & US citizens need an original or notarized copy of their birth certificate and at least one piece of photo ID such as a driver's license if travelling between the British Virgin Islands and the US Virgin Islands.)

Be sure you clear into the territory you plan to visit. Don't forget to stop off again at any of the above listed BVI ports of entry on return to the British Virgin Islands.

If visiting the USVI, you may clear in at Cruz Bay, St. John or Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. If you are not either a US or Canadian citizen, and are entering the USVI waters on anything other than a commercial carrier (ferry, airline, etc.), you must obtain a visitor's visa. Visitors from the UK and all other countries should consult their local US Embassy prior to arrival in the British Virgin Islands to determine what is required to obtain the proper visas for crew wishing to exit the BVI by yacht.

 

 

Connecting airports surround the BVI, making arrivals and departures an easy part of your travel itinerary.

When traveling to the BVI, there are only direct flights from the USA the rest; Canada, Europe, or South America to the British Virgin Islands' main airport, the Terrence B. Lettsome Airport (EIS) must connect.   But the majority of visitors fly direct into the US Virgin Islands where there are more flights (especially from the US) and then take the short ferry over to Tortola. Note that you must have a passport and go through passport control to get to the BVI.  From cities on the south east cost of the USA, ie Miami 2.5 hr direct flight,new York is only a 3.5 hr direct flight into St. Thomas.

All flights must connect through another Caribbean airport on islands such as Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Antigua, St. Kitts, or St. Maarten/St. Martin. Your travel agent or international airline will be able to assist with booking flights. If you plan to make reservations online, remember that you will have to request flights to Tortola (EIS).

The most direct way to arrive to the BVI is via San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU). Frequent connecting service is offered by American Eagle, Air SunShine and Cape Air, with occasional service by other airlines and charter flights.

If you choose to arrive via St. Thomas (STT), you can schedule a connecting flight via Air Sunshine to Tortola, Virgin Gorda, or Anegada. Most travellers take one of the frequent ferries that travel between downtown Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook, St. Thomas and Tortola. This is very easy - take a taxi at the St. Thomas Airport and ask the driver for the next ferry to Tortola. The ferry will arrive at the immigration station at West End, Tortola. Ferries from St. Thomas to Tortola only operate during daylight hours, so the last ferry is usually around 5pm. Make sure that your flight arrives in time for the transfer to Red Hook (approximately 45 minutes), or make arrangements to stay overnight in St. Thomas and catch the ferry the following morning. Ferry service starts at approximately 7:30am. http://www.bviwelcome.com/ferries.html for the complete ferry schedule.

Travellers from the UK and Canada may find it easiest to travel to Antigua (ANU) and then take a connecting flight to Tortola on Liat, or private charter flight. Limited service is also available from St. Maarten/St. Martin (SXM) and St. Kitts (SKB) on Liat and Winnair.

Charter airline service can be arranged from almost anywhere in the Caribbean. Information for airline charter companies is listed under Airlines.

Flights via San Juan, Puerto Rico Airport Code [SJU]:
The most direct way to fly to the BVI is via San Juan, Puerto Rico. Frequent connecting service is offered by American Eagle, Cape Air, with occasional service by other airlines and charter flights. Air Sunshine has direct flights from San Juan to Beef Island and Virgin Gorda. http://www.seaborneairlines.com/ has direct flights from San Juan to Virgin Gorda.

Flights via St. Thomas - Airport Code [STT]:
If you choose to arrive via St. Thomas, Air Sunshine has regular flights to Tortola and Virgin Gorda. Seaborne Airlines has direct flights from San Juan to Virgin Gorda. Most travellers take one of the frequent ferries that travel between downtown Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook, St. Thomas and Tortola. Ferry service is available to Virgin Gorda and Anegada on certain days and to Virgin Gorda every day via West End or Road Town

Getting to the next ferry is very easy - just take a taxi at the St. Thomas Airport and let the taxi driver know that you need to take the next ferry to Tortola or Virgin Gorda (with connections to Anegada and Jost Van Dyke). The taxi drivers will know of any schedule changes and make sure you reach the proper terminal for your connection.

Remember that ferries from St. Thomas to Tortola and Virgin Gorda (with connections to Anegada and Jost Van Dyke) only operate during daylight hours - so the last ferry is usually around 5pm. Make sure that your flight arrives in time for the transfer to Red Hook (approximately 45 minutes) or make arrangements to overnight in St. Thomas and catch the ferry the following morning. Ferry service starts at approximately 7:30am. Click   http://www.bviwelcome.com/ferries.html for the complete ferry schedule.

From other Caribbean Islands
Scheduled service is also available from St. Maarten/St. Martin, St. Kitts, as are connecting flights from Barbados and St. Croix.

Charter Airline Service can be arranged from almost anywhere in the Caribbean. The following charter airlines provide service between the BVI and many Caribbean destinations:

 

 

An International Vaccination Certificate is not mandatory in The British Virgin Islands. In Tortola, Peebles Hospital has surgical, x-ray and laboratory facilities; there is a private plastic surgery clinic as well several private medical centres. A chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous meets regularly. Call (284) 494-4549 or (284) 494-3125.

 

Weather 

BVI Cruising Tax / Permits
SEASONAL RATES: (December 1- April 30). All recorded Charter Boats - $2.00 per person per day. All non-recorded Charter Boats - $4.00 per person per day.

OUT OF SEASON RATES: (May 1 - November 30). All recorded Charter Boats - $0.75 per person per day. All non-recorded Charter Boats - $4.00 per person per day.
Dive, day charter and sport fishing boats should contact The British Virgin Islands Customs Department Tel: (284) 494-3475 or (284) 468-3701 ext. 2533 for current cruising permit requirements.

 

The currency of The British Virgin Islands is the $US dollar. Major credit cards are accepted in many- but not all establishments. There is a 10¢ stamp duty on all cheques and travel cheques.

 

All imports are subject to varying rates of duty. Imports entering The British Virgin Islands on a temporary basis will not be subject to duty.

 

A valid British Virgin Islands Driving License is required by all those seeking to drive in The British Virgin Islands. For a fee of $10.00, a temporary British Virgin Islands Driving License can be obtained from the Traffic Licensing Office or Car Rental Agencies with a valid Driver License from another country. Driving is on the left-hand side of the road in The British Virgin Islands. Minimum age for Car Rentals is 25.

 

The removal of any marine organism from British Virgin Islands waters is illegal for non-BVIslanders without a recreational fishing permit. Contact The Ministry of Natural Resources & Labour, Tel: (284) 468-3701 ext. 2147 for information.

 

The use of National Parks Trust mooring without a permit is illegal. Call the National Parks Trust Office at (284) 494-3904 for information.

 

For information regarding requirements on getting married in the Territory, contact: Registrar's Office, P.O. Box 418, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands or phone (284) 468-3701 ext. 5001 or (284) 494-3492.

 

Pets are allowed entry into the Territory only after an import permit is issued by the Department of Agriculture. For regulations governing animal importation, contact the Department of Agriculture, Paraquita Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Tel: (284) 495-2532 or Fax: (284) 495-1269.

 

There is no Sales Tax in the British Virgin Islands.

 

$20.00 per person leaving by air, $5.00 leaving by sea and $7.00 for cruise ship passengers.

 

In the British Virgin Islands there is a 7% Hotel Accommodation Tax payable by guests who stay for six months or less in hotels, apartments, houses, cottages, villas and similar accommodations.

 

Smoking in public places has been banned in the BVI as a result of a law passed by the Legislative Council. The law bans smoking in public places including bars, restaurants, nightclubs, airports, offices, and sports facilities. It also bans smoking within 50 feet of any public space.

 

Voltage in the BVI is 110/220v. Visitors can use American appliances without an adaptor.