Planning your arrival in the Virgin Islands
Passports & Visas
Virgin Island Travel Times
Virgin Island Ferry information
St Thomas to Tortola Water Taxi
What should you bring
Weather
Menu and Bar
Meeting the yacht
Itinerary
Crew Gratuities
Money
Internet
Mobile phone coverage
No Smoking Rules
British Virgin Islands Departure Tax
Fishing
Insurance
Hotels

Planning your arrival in the Virgin Islands:

As most of the flights into the Virgin Islands land in the afternoon, we recommend that you arrive in the islands the evening before your charter begins, allowing you to be refreshed and ready for a prompt noon start to your charter vacation the following day.

Depending on where you are meeting your crew and where you are flying into you may need to catch a ferry and / or taxi to the yacht.

The main airports in the Virgin Islands are on St Thomas, (STT, US Virgin Islands) and Beef Island (EIS, British Virgin Islands).

If you are meeting your yacht in Tortola then a flight into Beef Island is the most convenient option - Beef Island is linked to Tortola by road. Alternatively you can fly into St Thomas and catch a ferry across to Tortola.

American Airlines and US Airways currently offer the most flights to the Caribbean from the US mainland, or see www.expedia.com for more options including Cape Air. Additionally we have been finding some good rates to Beef Island (EIS - Tortola's airport) on www.orbitz.com with their Caribbean carriers.

Seaborne Airlines offers flights from San Juan to Beef Island (Tortola) and can be booked direct or through AA.

The Fare Cast feature on Bing Travel is a handy predictor on when best to book your flights for the best price (only available for some airports, not available for EIS).

Taxis are readily available at a reasonable rate from the airports and ferry terminals. The down town ferry terminal on St Thomas is a 10 minute taxi ride away from the airport.

The last ferry from St Thomas to Tortola is at 4.30pm, so if your flight is due to arrive in St Thomas any later than 3.00pm and you are meeting the yacht in Tortola you may need to stay a night in St Thomas prior. Alternatively you can arrange a private water taxi from St Thomas to Tortola during daylight hours.

Please purchase one-way ferry tickets to keep your return options open.

St Thomas return flights: Please keep in mind if you are flying home out of St Thomas this airport requires that you check in 2 hours prior to your flight. They can be very strict enforcing this rule!

Passports & Visas:

Passports are required for all visitors in the Caribbean.

The United States Government will require a valid passport to regain entry into the US. Please remember to bring passports for each member of your group. US Citizens can enter the British Virgin Islands with a valid passport - no visa is required.

US Citizens: For information on renewing your US passport or obtaining your first passport please click here.

Non-US Citizens: May require a visa to enter the US and / or British Virgin Islands. For a list of countries that qualify for the US visa waiver program please see: US Visa Requirements

For more information on Visa requirements for the British Virgin Islands please see: BVI Visa Requirements

Travel Times:

Virgin Island Ferry information:

Please click here for current ferry information to and from the US and British Virgin Islands. It is a good idea to purchase one-way ferry tickets so you can remain flexible on your return trip. We recomend Tortola Fast Ferry if the schedule works for you.

St Thomas to Tortola Water Taxi:

Private water taxis are available from St Thomas to Tortola (as well as other Virgin Island ports) with Dohm's Water Taxi. They are available outside public ferry hours and will take you to the marina your charter departs from. More details and rates:

Dohm's Water Taxi

What should you bring?

We recommend that you use soft duffle bags when packing instead of hard bags with wheels as they are yacht friendly and will stow away easily.

When deciding what to bring we recommend you travel light. The ideal amount of luggage to bring on a sailing holiday should fit in a duffel bag that can be taken on the airline as carry on luggage. The islands are very casual and even the finer restaurants only require long pants and a collared shirt (with the exception of Peter Island where a Blazer is also part of the dress code).

We find most our guests are comfortable wearing swimwear, shorts and t-shirts during their stay and long sleeves for the cooler evenings.

If you are taking hand luggage with you on the plane please remember there are current restrictions on carry-on liquids and gels. 3oz containers are the maximum size allowed. You can read full details for permitted and prohibited carry-on items here. The best idea is to pack all liquids in your check-in baggage (including sunscreens, toothpaste, shampoo etc).

We prefer our guests to go barefoot on board but suitable shoes are necessary for trips ashore and if you are planning any island treks. If you desire to wear shoes on the boat please bring one pair of non marking shoes that will be worn onboard only.

You can bring your own mask and snorkel if you're inclined, but all yachts carry an assortment of sizes.

Sunscreen: The Caribbean sun is fierce and commands respect. Mega-factor sunscreens are a must; however we kindly ask that no oily lotions or spray-on sunscreens are used as it stains the yacht's upholstery and can make the decks and hand holds very slippery. Look for PABA-free lotions or Reef Safe Sunscreen. Also please remember to purchase 3oz size bottles if you are taking the sunscreen on the plane as hand luggage or put larger bottles in your check-in baggage.

Remember to bring a good pair of sun glasses and at least a couple of sun-hats or visors. A Rash Vest is ideal for keeping the sun off while swimming and snorkeling.

Weather:

Sunshine is practically an everyday affair in the Caribbean. Winter highs are around 80 degrees and Summer highs around 87 degrees, with the evenings dropping off to a comfortable 70 degrees.

Menu and Bar:

You will have the opportunity to indicate your group's menu, bar, soda and snack preferences with the comprehensive charter preference form. Please use this form to indicate your likes and dislikes as well as any food allergies that members of your group may have. Closer to your charter dates your crew will be in touch to discuss your preferences in further detail. The preference sheet is an important guide for your crew when they provision the yacht - the more detail you can provide in the preference sheet the better!

Meeting the yacht:

Once you confirm your booking and have submitted your preference sheet your crew will be in touch to introduce themselves and discuss where and how to meet them on the first day of your charter. Generally the port / marina which you will be sailing from and the start time will be listed in the charter agreement.

Itinerary:

Your itinerary is completely flexible within the navigation limits detailed in your charter agreement (maximum 6 charter guests in US waters) and you can change or adjust your plans as you go if and when you decide to.

We feel that the best way to arrange an itinerary is for your group to sit down with the Captain after you have boarded the yacht on the first day (cocktail in hand) and go over the charts together. In this way you can ask any questions and you are able to create an itinerary to suit your interests there and then.

Your Captain knows the area very well and can factor in the current weather and local sailing conditions.

Crew Gratuities:

Crew gratuities of 10% - 20% of the charter fee are standard and should be based on the service you receive from your crew. Please remember that your crew works hard to ensure your vacation is one that will be remembered fondly for many years to come. They are your chef, bartender, waiter, tour guide.. Like most hospitality positions, gratuities are an important part of the crew's income and offer feedback on their performance.

Ideally crew gratuities should be offered in the form of cash. A personal check is usually acceptable too.

Tips for good tipping: The easiest way to handle the gratuity is to place the amount into an envelope addressed to the crew and either hand it to the captain or leave it on the saloon table on the last day of your charter.

Money:

The US Dollar is the local currency on both the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. Major credit cards are accepted at most USVI stores and hotels, as well as the larger BVI establishments. Personal checks are not accepted anywhere.

There are a few ATMs in the more populated areas, mainly on St Thomas and Tortola; however it is highly recomended that you take cash for any shore excursions, scuba diving, taxis, gratuities and departure tax (don't forget departure taxes are only payable in cash so remember to keep some on hand at the end of your trip!).

No Smoking Rules:

All charter yachts are non-smoking. If you have a smoker in your group they will be allowed to smoke in the transom - the very rear of the yacht - where the breeze will take the smoke directly away from the vessel. All other areas of the boat are strictly 100% smoke free.

Internet:

Some yachts offer internet onboard through a wireless service which you can connect to with your own laptop or smart phone- please ask us and we can let you know the internet situation aboard your yacht.

For yachts that do not have internet available you can rent a wireless modem card from www.renport.com (based in Village Cay, Tortola) which will give you dial-up speed internet on your laptop throughout the Virgin Islands. Please contact Renport directly for specifications and requirements.

Smart phone data: Depending on your service provider, data access is available on smartphones and mobile broadband modems in the Virgin Islands; however please make sure to contact your provider directly to enable international roaming and purchase a data plan. Make sure to check on international roaming data fees. Alternatively if you do not purchase a data plan for your phone it is a good idea to switch to airplane mode - you can still use wi fi connection where available.

There are a number of hotels and resturants throughout the islands which offer wireless internet free of charge.

Mobile phone coverage:

The Virgin Islands has cell phone coverage in most areas however, as with all international travel, if you would like to use your phone for calls and / or web browsing please make sure to speak to your phone provider to switch on international roaming and to purchase an international data and calling plan (data costs can get out of hand if you do not have an international data package). If the boat you're booked with has Wi Fi internet then you can connect to the internet with your phone or lap top and check emails and make calls with Skype etc without a cell phone calling plan.

Fishing:

It is a legal requirement that anyone over the age of 18 putting a line in BVI waters must have a fishing license. Fines range to 6 figures, confiscation of fishing equipment and the boat. USVI does not require a license.

A BVI fishing license will be valid for 1 month. A color photocopy of a valid passport must accompany the application.

Last Stop Sports (choose to have the license emailed to you so there is no delivery fee) in Tortola can process the application for you before your arrival for a fee (forms need to be sent to them at least 2 weeks in advance of your charter dates), or you can obtain it directly from the Government Administration building in Road Town (it is highly recommended to arrange for a license before your arrival in the islands to avoid delays). The government office closes early on Friday afternoons and doesn't reopen until Monday morning (closed weekend and public holidays).

Please note that spear fishing is not permitted in the BVI. The use of SCUBA equipment to capture or remove any marine animal or coral is against the law. Fishing within the boundaries of any marine park is strictly forbidden.

We do not recommend eating your catch due to the possibility that the fish may be infected with Ciguatera. Ciguatera is a food-borne illness which is poisonous to humans. The poisoning is caused by eating marine species whose flesh is contaminated with a toxin known as ciguatoxin, which is present in many microorganisms living in tropical waters.

Fish for eating will be purchased by your crew and the crew will be able to guide you on any fishing related questions.

BVI Fisheries fishing laws and seasons brochure

Insurance:

While we hope that your trip is relaxing and worry-free, we remind you that situations may arise before departure or during your trip over which you have no control. Having travel insurance can be a valuable asset.

We are pleased to offer trip insurance coverage from all the major insurance providers. Note: Purchasing trip insurance within 21 days of confirming your reservation gives you the benefit from additional coverage which is available only within this period.

Or generate a quote online and purchase direct from:

Travel Guard	Allianz
CSA Travel Protection	HTH Worldwide

Hotels:

If you have a long flight, or if your flight is arriving in the afternoon, it is best to arrive in the Virgin Islands the day before your charter begins and stay in a hotel. This way you will have plenty of time to relax, adjust and get to the marina by 12 noon for the start of your charter vacation the next day.

You can search www.tripadvisor.com for candid customer reviews of these hotels.

Tortola Hotels (listed in order of distance to Road Town):

Disclaimer: While we make every effort to ensure that the information for ferries, airlines, hotels and insurance partners is current, we cannot guarantee that the details listed are 100% up to date. Please contact us and we will happily verify any details for you.

Who do I contact if I can't find the answer to my question?

If we have not addressed any of your questions, please contact your personal Sailing Directions Broker, email: [email protected] or call 1 877 66 YACHT and we will be happy to help you further!

Virgin Islands Marinas:
Village Cay Marina, Tortola, BVI
15 minute taxi ride from Beef Island (EIS) airport
2 minute taxi from Road Town ferry terminal

Sopers Hole Marina, Tortola, BVI
30 minute taxi ride from Beef Island airport
35 minute ferry from Red Hook, St Thomas

Trellis Bay, Beef Island, BVI
Walking distance from Beef Island airport

West End, Tortola, BVI

Crown Bay Marina, St Thomas, USVI
10 minute taxi from St Thomas airport

Red Hook Marina, St Thomas, USVI
30 minute taxi from St Thomas airport