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Please read through the below details for helpful information on preparing to charter aboard a crewed catamaran in the Virgin Islands. Please forward this page to all members of your party.
Planning your arrival in the Virgin Islands
Virgin Island Travel Times
Virgin Island Ferry information
What should you bring
Weather
Passports
Menu and Bar
Meeting the yacht
Itinerary
Crew Gratuities
Money
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, (US Virgin Island's Cyril E. King Airport) and Beef Island (British Virgin Island's Terrance B. Lettsome Airport).
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 all options including Cape Air.
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 will need to stay a night in St Thomas prior.
Please purchase one-way ferry tickets to keep your return options open.
Trip Advisor is a good source of hotel information for both the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.
Travel Times:
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BVI's Beef Island Airport to: (by taxi)
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Trellis Bay, Beef Island
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5 min
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Road Town, Tortola
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15 min
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West End, Tortola
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30 min
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USVI's St Thomas Airport to: (by taxi)
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Main ferry terminal (in Charlotte Amalie)
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10 min
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Crown Bay Marina
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10 min
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Red Hook Marina (ferries to Tortola's West End)
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30 min
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Charlotte Amalie
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15 min
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Ferries:
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St Thomas (Charlotte Amalie) to Tortola (Road Town)
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45 min
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St Thomas (Red Hook) to Tortola (West End)
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35 min
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Last ferry from St Thomas to Tortola is at 4.30pm daily
Virgin Island Ferry information:
Please click here for current ferry information to and from the US and British Virgin Islands.
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.
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.
You can bring your own mask and snorkel if you're inclined, but all yachts carry an assortment of sizes.
Most crewed yachts carry sunscreen of the type they prefer, so generally it is on board. If you bring your own, please don't use oily lotions as it stains the yacht's upholstery and can make the decks and hand holds slippery. Look for PABA-free lotions.
Weather:
Sunshine is practically an everyday affair in the Caribbean. Winter temperatures are around 80 degrees and Summer around 85 degrees, with the evenings dropping off to a comfortable 70 degrees.
Passports:
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. For information on renewing your US passport or obtaining your first passport please click here.
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.
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.
Itinerary:
You itinerary is completely flexible within the navigation limits detailed in your contract (maximum of 6 passengers in U.S. waters). Your crew will be happy to customize a draft itinerary depending on your group's wishes and requirements.
Crew Gratuities:
Gratuities of 10% - 20% of the charter fee are the norm when the service merits it. Please remember that your crew work hard to ensure your vacation is one will be remembered fondly for many years to come. They are your chef, bartender, waiter, tour guide..
Your crew is happy to accept gratuities in cash, traveler's checks or personal checks.
The best 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 your departure from the yacht.
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; however it is a good idea to take travelers checks (some in small denominations) and cash for any shore excursions, scuba diving, taxis, gratuities and departure tax.
British Virgin Islands Departure Tax:
If you are visiting the British Virgin Islands please note that there is a departure tax of $5 when leaving by ferry, or $20 when leaving by air. This tax is only payable by cash, so please remember to keep enough cash with you at the end of your trip.
Fishing:
It is a legal requirement that anyone putting a line in BVI waters must have a fishing license. USVI does not require a licence.
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.
Each person who wishes to fish in the BVI must have a fishing licence except person under 18 years of age. Fines range to 6 figures, confiscation of fishing equipment and the boat.
The license will be valid for 1 month and cost $45. A photocopy of a valid photo ID must accompany the application.
Last Stop Sports in Tortola can process the application for you before your arrival for a $10 fee, 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).
We do not recommend that the local fish be eaten by our guests due to the possibility the fish having Ciguatera. Ciguatera is a foodborne illness which is poisonous to humans 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.
Insurance:
Sailing Directions urges you to insure your upcoming trip. We are pleased to offer coverage from CSA Travel and Travel Guard International. 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.
Travel insurance will cover charter cancellation due to extreme weather or act of God, flight delays, emergency medical expenses, lost baggage and more.
For further information or to purchase your travel insurance plan, simply click on the links below for a quote:
CSA Travel Protection
Travel Guard
Travel Guard Note: in order for us to receive your insurance details please only purchase your insurance with Travel Guard online using the above link, our quote our agent number, 108536, over the phone (1-800-454-7107).
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:
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Village Cay Marina Hotel
Description: Basic accommodation conveniently located right on Village Cay Marina in Road Town, Tortola.
Discount: 10% discount available. Email us to receive this discount.
www.igy-villagecay.com
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Bay View Inn
Description: Four comfortable rooms available in Sopers Hole Marina in Tortola's West End.
Discount: 10% discount available. Email us to receive this discount.
View Hotel Rates & Details
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Long Beach Resort
Description: Large resort with private beach located in Tortola's West End.
Discount: Up to 35% discount available. Quote 'Sailing Directions' when you make your reservation.
www.longbay.com
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Lamberts Beach Resort
Description: Large 'Carribean Style' resort with basic rooms, private beach located in north east Tortola near Beef Island Airport. Remote from shops etc.
Discount: Up to 50% discount available when you quote 'Sailing Directions'
www.lambertresort.com
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St Thomas Hotels:
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: info@sailingdirections.com or call 1 877 66 YACHT and we will be happy to help you further!
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Sopers Hole Marina, Tortola, BVI
Trellis Bay, Beef Island, BVI
West End, Tortola, BVI
Crown Bay Marina, St Thomas, USVI
Red Hook Marina, St Thomas, USVI
