British Virgin Islands

No Visa required to enter the BVI, English US visa required for USVI sailing, French US visa required for USVI sailing, German US visa required for USVI sailing, Italian US visa required for USVI sailing, US visa has to be obtained in your country at US embassy.

Currency: US Dollar

Credit Cards: Visa, Master Card, No American Express

ATMs: You will find ATM locations all over Tortola, and Virgin Gorda First Bank, Banco Popular, Scotia Bank, First Caribbean Bank

Traveler Checks: Yes

Banking Hours: Mon-Thurs. – 8:30am – 3:00pm, Fri. 8:30 – 5:00pm

No spear fishing allowed, Fishing Permit required for fishing, No illegal drugs are tolerated.

Upon entering the BVI by private or charter boat, Clearance must be made at the first port of entry. Cruising Permit and National Parks Permit is Mandatory when sailing on the BVI waters. These permits are issued with customs or your local charter company.

There is no Sales Tax on items purchased in the BVI.

Time Difference:

From UK: GMT – 5hrs in Winter, GMT – 6hrs in summer
From USA East Coast: Hour + 1 in the Winter
From USA West Coast: Hour + 4 in the Winter

Many cybercafés are available. The Internet Service Providers are: Wanadoo, Domaccess, Caribserve, Powerantilles, ADSL available. Wi-Fi access points.

Post office: You will find post offices close to the Marinas of Marigot and plenty of letter boxes.

Transport: Many mini-vans drive around the island all day long. The fare is 1.50 USD. Like the locals do, stand by the side of the road and wave at the vans passing by to stop them.

If you wish to make your life easier, a good number of car rentals are available. Note that it is important to compare the prices between the various rentals. Limousines are also available for rent on the island.

Bicycle and motorbike rentals are also available, but beware of the traffic!

As soon as you land on the island, taxi drivers will propose their services. The cabs generally have no meter, so haggle your fare before getting in the car. Cars drive on the right hand side of the road, and there are about 3 traffic lights on the entire island. The condition of the roads is not always are the best, so drive carefully.

Day 1: Transfer to Maya Cove base

Day 2: Maya Cove, Norman Island

Day 3: Norman Island, the Baths, Gorda Sound

Day 4: Gorda Sound, various moorings.

Day 5: Gorda Sound, The Dogs, Marina Cay

Day 6: Marina Cay, Monkey point, Cane Garden or Jost Van Dyke

Day 7: Cane Garden ou Jost Van Dyke / Green Cay / Peter Island

Day 8: Peter Island / Maya Cove

Day 9: Disembarkation

Day 1: Arrival at Maya Cove

Day 2: Peter Island (North Mooring)

Day 3: Norman Island

Day 4: Jost Van Dik

Day 5: Cane Garden

Day 6: Marina Cay

Day 7: Bitter End Marina

Day 8: Anegada

Day 9: Trellis Bay

Day 10: Savannah Bay (Virgin Gorda)

Day 11: Cooper Island

Day 12: Peter Island (South Mooring)

Day 13: Maya Cove

Day 14: Disembark at Maya Cove

Base Manager
Yann Leboyer
Tel: + (1 284) 495 2154
Mob: + (1 284) 346 86 18

Getting There
International flights via Saint Martin (Air France – KLM – Corsair – Air Caraïbes – list of companies (http://www.st-martin.org/fr/mon_voyage/comment_venir.php) connections with local airlines with American Eagle Airlines and LIAT.

International flights via San Juan (Puerto Rico) list of companies (http://www.b-v-i.com/Transportation/SanJuanAirport/default.htm) connections with local airlines with American Eagle Airlines and LIAT.

Transfers
Can be organized by the base (upon request) / 10 mn between Beef Island airport (EIS) and base (about 3,5 km).

Formalities
Valid passport – Beware – for visiting American Virgin Islands, you need a visa.

Weather Forecasts
Daily weather forecasts in English on CaribWx (ZBVI radio 780 AM).

Commercial Centers
Supermarket in town, the best is to go by taxi, but the most convenient is online orders with http://www.rtwbvi.com/ or e-mail: provisioning@rtwbvi.com

Credit Cards / Accepted Currencies
Master & Visa credit card are accepted but most of transactions are done cash (US$). USD is mainly used; euros accepted.

Attention
For clients who want to visit US Virgin Islands, they must be advised that an American visa C1 or B1 is mandatory, must be requested 6 months prior charter start. Customers must take the necessary registration steps on Internet if they are part of the eligible countries (mandatory since 12th January 2009): major part of European countries. Please check on the US embassy web site in your country.

Things to Know
– Only soft bags – No suite case (rigid suite cases are too cumbersome).
– On land electricity is 110 Volts – 60Hz (American plugs – get an adaptor).
– Telephone – Area code from abroad 00-1-284-49 + 5 figures of your correspondent) – telephone card available on spot (Cable & Wireless).
– Cellular phones – some can work (depending on zones) – do not forget roaming fees!
– Internet Access (Access spots = Access spots),
– (WiFi = WiFi ou (BVI Marine wifi = BVI Marine wifi) (admission charge)