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
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 (see www.orbitz.com for best deals to Beef Island EIS). 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. Additionally we have been finding some good rates to Beef Island (EIS - Tortola's airport) on www.orbitz.com with their Caribbean carriers.

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.

Trip Advisor is a good source of hotel information for both the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.

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:

From: Tortola's Beef Island Airport: (by taxi)
To: Trellis Bay, Beef Island	1 min
Road Town & Village Cay, Tortola	15 min
West End & Sopers Hole Marina, Tortola	30 min
From: St Thomas Airport to: (by taxi)
To: Main ferry terminal (in Charlotte Amalie)	10 min
Crown Bay Marina	10 min
Red Hook Marina (ferries to Tortola's West End)	30 min
Charlotte Amalie town center	15 min
From: West End ferry terminal: (by taxi)
To: Sopers Hole Marina	5 min
From: Road Town ferry terminal: (by taxi)
To: Village Cay Marina	5 min
Ferries:
St Thomas (Charlotte Amalie) to Tortola (Road Town)	50 to 90 min
St Thomas (Charlotte Amalie) to Tortola (West End)	45 min
St Thomas (Red Hook) to Tortola (West End)	35 min

NB: 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.

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.

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

Sunscreen: Please don't bring oily lotions as it stains the yacht's upholstery and can make the decks and hand holds very slippery. Look for PABA-free lotions. 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.

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.

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 will be listed in the charter agreement.

Itinerary:

Your itinerary is completely flexible within the navigation limits detailed in your charter agreement (maximum 6 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:

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..

Ideally crew gratuities are offered in cash or traveler's 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, 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 pyramid which you can connect to with your own laptop - 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.

Depending on your mobile service provider, some data access is available on smartphones and mobile broadband modems. Please contact your provider directly to enable international roaming and check the coverage they offer. Make sure to check on roaming data fees.

Additionally there are hotels which offer wireless access and a few internet cafes on the islands.

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 color photocopy of a valid passport must accompany the application.

Last Stop Sports in Tortola can process the application for you before your arrival for a $10 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).

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 within 21 days of confirming your reservation in order to benefit from additional coverage which is available only within this period.

We are pleased to offer trip insurance coverage from all the major insurance providers. 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 can cover cancellation due to extreme weather or act of God, flight delays, emergency medical expenses, operator financial default, lost baggage and more. Please check each policy's coverage plan.

Sailing Directions recommends Travel Guard's "Vacation Protection Plan Deluxe" as it is customized for yacht charter guests and offers a range of additional travel support and services. To generate a quote online please click on the logo below:

If you would like to compare insurance coverage and rates simply click on the below link to generate a number of quotes from a broad range of providers:

Or you can purchase direct from:

Access America

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:

Village Cay Marina Hotel Description: Basic accommodation conveniently located right on Village Cay Marina in Road Town, Tortola. Discount: Up to 10% discount available. Quote 'Sailing Directions' when you make your reservation. T + 284 494 2771 F + 284 494 2773 vc@igymarinas.com www.igy-villagecay.com

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

Long Bay Resort Description: Large resort with private beach located in Tortola's West End. Discount: Quote 'Sailing Directions' when you make your reservation www.longbay.com

Sugar Mill Hotel, Tortola Description: Luxury resort set amid lush tropical surroundings, nestled on the northern shore in Little Apple Bay. Beach located across the road. 30min from Village Cay Marina. www.sugarmillhotel.com

Lamberts Beach Resort Description: Large 'Carribean Style' resort with basic rooms, private beach located in north east Tortola near Beef Island Airport. Very remote from shops etc. www.lambertresort.com

St Thomas Hotels:

Windward Passage Hotel Description: Basic hotel conveniently located near down town Charlotte Amalie and 1 block from the ferry terminal for easy access to Tortola. Discount: Up to 20% discount available. Quote 'Sailing Directions' when you make your reservation. www.windwardpassage.com

Frenchman's Reef Marriott Description: Large quality hotel 15 minutes from the airport and 10 minutes from downtown Charlotte Amalie. Good AAA member discounts available. www.marriott.com

Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa Description: Large quality hotel 20 minutes from the airport, 10 minutes from downtown Charlotte Amalie, 5 minutes from Red Hook. www.wyndham.com

Ritz Carlton Description: St Thomas's premier hotel 30 minutes from the airport, 15 minutes from downtown Charlotte Amalie, 5 minutes from Red Hook. www.ritzcarlton.com

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!

Virgin Islands Marinas:
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