Essential Information

• Address & Map
• Arrival & Departure
• Sailing Information
• Banks & Money Exchange
• General Information
• Electrical, Phones & Music
• Activities
• Provisioning
• Health & Safety

Address & map

Address

Sunsail Tortola
Wickhams Cay II
Road Town
Tortola
British Virgin Isles
Tel: 1 284 495 4740
Fax: 1 284 852 3616
After hours: 1 284 542 0300
Email: tortola_sunsail_custserv@tuimarine.com

Location

The Sunsail base is located at Wickhams Cay II just outside Road Town.

Base Open Hours

The base is open 8.00 am until 5.00 pm, 7 days a week (evening staff to cover until all flights have arrived).

Base/Shore Facilities

32-room hotel – Mariner Inn
Showers and toilets
Restaurant and bar
Swimming Pool
Provisioning store
Selection of shops
Renport – DVD movies/players and electronic gadgets rental
Last Stop Sports – water sport rental

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Arrival & Departure

Time Difference

The BVI is – 4 hours GMT

Flights

Luggage allowance is 20kg per person. Only one item of hand luggage per person is allowed and this must not weigh more than 5kg. For storage aboard we recommend traveling light and using folding luggage.

Lost or damaged luggage while flying is the responsibility of the airline and is not covered by your travel insurance.  You must not include in Checked Baggage money, jewelry, precious metals, computers, personal electronic devices, negotiable papers, securities or other valuables, business documents, passports and other identification documents or samples.

If an incident occurs, immediately report it to airport officials. Claims will not be considered once you have left the airport

Airport

Tortola’s airport is situated at Beef Island, at the eastern end of Tortola.
Beef Island Airport to Wickhams Cay II Marina: - Taxi ride: 30 mins

Transfers

Sunsail can assist with arranging your airport transfers.  Please send us your travel details where required.   The approximate taxi fare to Sunsail base from Beef Island airport is $24 roundtrip.
Please note: Clients arriving independently should bring a copy of the charter contract / invoice.
         

If you pre-book a taxi, the local taxi driver will be advised of your name and arrival time, and carries a Sunsail sign to identify himself to you at the airport.

Transfers can be purchased in advance via your Sunsail booking location. St. Thomas Transfers If you are landing into St Thomas in the morning or before 3:30pm (approx) you should be able to make the ferry to Tortola. To pre-book a taxi from the airport in St Thomas, the ferry and the taxi from the ferry Terminal in Tortola to Sunsail base please contact your Sunsail booking location.

Please provide accurate flight details including flight numbers, times of arrival and departure, and number of passengers.

If you are arriving later than 3:30pm or wish to spend a night at St Thomas we would recommend.
Windward Passage Hotel is a 10 minute taxi from the airport and across the road from the ferry terminal. This hotel is within the downtown area of Charlotte Amalie, where you can walk to various restaurants and duty free shops.

Luggage

We would highly recommend packing prescription medicine and essential clothing (swimsuit, t-shirt and shorts) in your hand luggage as occasionally your luggage may arrive at the base after you do.
Please pack using soft-sided bags, as these are easier to store on your yacht. Sunsail Tortola has no facilities for holding luggage.

Passport and Visas

Please ensure your passport is valid for the period of travel and for six months after you return.
Your passport name must match the name on the flight ticket otherwise you may not be able to travel and insurance may be invalid. 
 
If you wish to sail to the US Virgin islands during your yacht charter you must have a US Visa, and a return flight ticket to your country of origin.

It is your responsibility to ensure relevant visas are obtained where necessary. Sunsail cannot be held responsible for refusal of entry or travel due to lack of visas. If you are in any doubt please contact your Embassy for full details.

You must fill in a Customs Declaration Form on entry to The BVI, whether you arrive by sea or air.

Customs and Immigration

Before leaving the airport, you will have to clear Immigration and Customs.  A landing card will be given to you on the plane, along with a Customs declaration form. It is not possible to take fresh food into most Caribbean islands and airlines will assume no liability for perishable articles that may be confiscated by Customs.

On departure from Tortola a tax of $20 US per person will be charged – please organise departure tax payment prior to getting in line at the departure gate.

On Arrival

All boats are prepared, as per the booking, for a 6pm boarding time. The first evening is a sleep aboard where you will have the time to unpack provisions and settle into your boat.

The following morning you will receive an on-board Boat Briefing that is mandatory and takes approx 1 hour. If we have 2 of the same boats starting we may do this brief with other guests. Briefings start from 8am (7.30am on Saturday’s) and are scheduled by the base.

You are also required to attend a chart briefing. For bareboat charters this happens at 9.30am each morning and is mandatory unless your skipper has sailed the area in the past 2 years.

Out of Hour’s Arrival procedure

If you have provided arrival details later than 5pm, the night manager will be on the base to meet you.  If we do not receive arrival details, (and there are no confirmed times for arrival) a message will be left on the front door indicating the location of your boat on the dock.

On Departure

Please disembark by 11am.
Before disembarkation please collect a debrief form from reception.

The debrief form is to let us know if you have encountered any problems with the boat or broken anything during the trip, this enables us to rectify problems for the next charter.

In addition to filling in forms we also require you to bag dirty laundry and leave in the cockpit, empty all cupboards and refrigerator of food and throw away, return snorkel gear and any lifejackets borrowed from reception and ensure that the boat is handed back to Sunsail in a clean and tidy state.  We reserve the right to charge for boats left less than shipshape.

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Sailing Information

Sailing Experience Level

BVI is a Level 1/2 sailing area
Experience levels are based on sailing conditions and length of passages within your chosen sailing area.  Follow the link for more information on the sailing conditions.

This rating scale is designed as a guide based on the prevailing conditions during the most popular season.

Sailing Licenses

Although no sailing licenses are required for cruising in the British Virgin Islands, we strongly advise that you take any sailing certification on vacation with you.  This may be useful should you be contacted by Customs or Port Police.  If you have not already done so then Skipper and 1st Mate will be required to fill in a Sailing resume to confirm that you have the necessary skills to sail in this region.

National Park Day Time Mooring Permits
The National Parks Trust of the British Virgin Islands has established a system of daytime moorings in reef sensitive areas. This is to eliminate the erosion of reefs but also to help damaged reefs to recover.
For this reason, should you wish to moor, snorkel or dive in any of the BVI National Parks, a Mooring permit is required  The cost is dependant on the number of passengers but it ranges from $25 per boat per week for 4 people to $55 per boat per week for 10 people.. Payment must be made to the sales office in advance with the final balance and the permit is issued on arrival at the base.
This is a government tax that enables you to cruise around the British Virgin Islands.

Night Time Sailing

Night Sailing is not permitted; you must be moored at least one hour before sunset at all of our locations.

Overnight moorings buoys, by Moore Secure, mostly cost $25 per night, although this can be up to US$65 per night in places like Peter Island. Payment can be made at the bar managing the moorings, or usually someone will come out to your boat to take payment. Dockage in Marinas currently starts at US$1.50 per foot per night.

Cruising Area Limits

BVI: All the British Virgin Islands, including Anegada and US Virgin Islands (Chase boat coverage and 4-hour guarantee is not offered if you visit Anegada and USVI).
For Bareboat Charter with Sunsail Crew NO sailing in US Virgin Islands and Spanish Virgin Islands.
Not all Sunsail yachts or sailboats are permitted to sail into the USVI.  If you wish to sail into the USVI you must be a US citizen, resident, or have a US Visa which has to be obtained before arrival in the Caribbean. You must also submitt a request ahead of time, if you wish to sail to the USVI, since it is outside our 4 hour guarantee area.
Rest of Caribbean: No further than 20 miles out from Puerto Rico to Grenada, excluding Saba, Montserrat, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago.

Mooring Fees and Taxes

Most overnight stops in the BVI will be at mooring buoys/anchor as opposed to alongside quays.
BVI National Park Fees and cruising taxes are now paid before departure.

Formalities and Taxes

A valid passport & crew list is compulsory for clearance.

Checking out of BVI by boat - paid to Customs Office     US$1
Checking in to BVI by boat - paid to Customs Office     US$7.30 approx
Departure Tax and security - paid at Airport     US$20 per person
Departure Tax – paid on Ferry     US$5 per person
Cruising Permit - paid on invoice
1 Dec - 30 Apr
1 May – 30 Nov
NB: Chartering one way from St Martin to Tortola, Customs will charge cruising tax on entry into the BVI.
These charges are waived for Sunsail crew on board
National Parks Day Time Mooring Permit - paid on invoice
Night Time Moorings
Virgin Island Search & Rescue (VISR)     US$2 per person per day
US$0.75 per person per day
US$4 per person per day
US$25-55 per boat per week
US$25 per night (Moor Secure Buoys) (although can be up to US$65 per night at places like Peter Island)
US$2 – per person per charter
Fishing Permit     US$45 per rod

Area & Sailing

More information on the sailing in this area

Charts & Pilot Book

All the charts and pilot books you will need for the sailing area are on board the yacht.  Charts and pilot books can be purchased from the Sunsail booking location.  

Fuel

We would highly recommend that all clients’ pre pay fuel due to the distance of the nearest fuelling station from the base – i.e. the boat will not be full when they hand it back to us!  Cost is approximately US$5.98 per gallon.  Fuel is available at Marina Cay, approximately two hours from the base.

Coolers

Coolers are available at the base on a first come first served basis at no additional charge.  Please return it clean and undamaged otherwise there will be a charge for replacement. Only one per boat.

Skippered Charter Information

The skipper’s time is booked from 12:00pm to 12:00pm in 24-hour periods. If you have reserved him for the first day of your charter and have a 6:00pm start, he will use this time to ensure he is happy with all aspects of the yacht and will be at the base to meet you upon your arrival. If you have reserved him for a later date on your charter he will start at 12:00pm on that day.

The skipper is responsible for the safety of the yacht at all times. He is not permitted to dive with you, nor leave the vessel overnight. He must conduct a safety brief with you before leaving the dock regardless of the duration of his contract with you.

For “check out charters” (anything less than the full duration of the charter) the check out skipper’s time is booked from 6:00pm to 6:00pm to allow for a meet and greet in the evening and go over basic systems, then a full day with you the next day. This skipper is required to give you a thorough briefing on all aspects of the yacht and dinghy in addition to assisting you with planning an itinerary for the trip and advising you how to contact the base, the return to base procedures and the emergency assistance procedures. It is suggested that you attend the scheduled chart brief that will be supplemented by the skipper during his time with you on the yacht. It is also suggested that you make it clear exactly what you want to cover…anchoring, docking, etc.

The skipper will be required to give you as much information as you require concerning the yacht and its systems, sailing skills and navigation in general.

The skipper fee does not include food or beverages for the skipper and are the responsibility of the client. It is suggested that you discuss this on the first day with the skipper and establish whether you will give the skipper cash for meals, whether you have included him in your provisioning or whether you will accommodate him as part of the group for meals ashore.  The skipper must have his own cabin.

For one-day check out skipper’s it is the client’s responsibility to get the skipper back to the base. If you prefer not to come back to the base you must pay for his expenses (ferry, taxi, etc.) to get him back to the base.

The average tip for a skipper is 15 to 20 percent of the skipper’s fee. This is, of course, at the client’s discretion.

More information on Skippered Charter Options.

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Banks & money Exchange

Currency

US$ is the currency used throughout the British Virgin Islands. Credit cards are widely accepted except in smaller establishments. Small denomination US$ travelers checks are also accepted.

Banks are situated in Road Town, Tortola and Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda and operate under normal banking hours, 9am – 2pm Monday – Friday.  Local banks on Tortola include First Caribbean, Banco Popular, Scotia Bank and First Bank. Travellers checks,. We do advise clients to change money before arriving in Wickhams Cay, although US$ traveler checks are accepted as widely as Dollar bills.  

ATMs are also available at these locations. There is also an ATM at the airport a 10 minutes cab ride from the Sunsail base. NB Please note there are no money changing facilities or ATM at the base.  

Credit Card Information

Visa and Mastercard are accepted by most restaurants and hotels, but not by local stores or supermarkets

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General Information

Post Office

Located on Main Street, Road Town; Tel: 284 494 3701.  Mon. - Fri: 8:30am/4:30pm, Sat.: 9:00am - 12:00pm
Note: A postbox is available at the Mariner Inn front desk and stamps can be purchased in the dive shop on the Moorings dock.

Language

The language of the British Virgin Islands is English.

Cost of living in the BVI

Prices vary from restaurant to restaurant, however the following is a guide for your reference:

• A bottle of wine costs about $9 in a grocery or supermarket and from $22 in a restaurant.
• A bottle of beer costs about $3 to $4
• A cheap snack can be bought for about $5 (local chicken, rice dish)
• A budget meal will cost around $10 to $15 (burger, roti wrap – not including drinks)
• A mid range meal will cost around $20 to $25 (fish, meat in sit down restaurant – not including drinks)
• A top end meal will cost around $60 to $80 (Brandywine Bay, Sugar Mill, etc., 3 course meal – not including drinks).

Restaurants

There are numerous restaurants within walking distance or a short taxi ride away from the base. Most restaurants within the BVI close at 10pm
Spaghetti Junction – 5 minute taxi
The Dove – 5 minute taxi
Le Cabanon – 5 minute taxi
Pussers Road Town – 5 minute taxi
Capriccio del Mar – 5 minute taxi

Tortola
    Brandywine Bay: Closed from 25th July to end October
    Eclipse: Open throughout
    Fat Hog Bob’s: Open throughout
    Jolly Roger: Closed from July 27th – 1st October
    Pussers, Sopers hole: Open throughout
    Quitos: Closed from August 19th to October 10th
    Secret Garden: Open for dinner/6:30 - Wednesday to Sunday for   summer.
    Spaghetti Junction / Bat Cave: 6th September to 23rd October
    Sugar Mill: Closed from 28th July to 1st October
    Tamarind Club: Closed from August 3rd until further notice.
    Trellis Bay Cyber Café: Open throughout
    Myetts: Open throughout

Virgin Gorda
    Bath and Turtle: Open throughout
    Bitter End Yacht Club: Closed from 27th July to 6th October
    Biras Creek: Closed from 1st September to 15th October
    Chez Bamboo: Closed from August 1st – October 30th
    Fat Virgin Cafe: Open throughout
    Leverick Bay: Top restaurant closed from 1st August to Mid November
    Rock Café: Open throughout
    Saba Rock: Closed 28th August to 10th October
    Top of the baths: Open throughout but during the day only

Anegada
    Anegada Reef Hotel: Open throughout
    Big Bamboo: Open throughout
    Potters: Closed from mid September to 1st November
    Neptunes Treasure:
    Lobster Trap: Closed from 15th August to 15th October

Jost Van Dyke
    Foxy's: August 31st to 24th October
    Soggy Dollar: Closed from 26th Aug to 1st Oct (lunch from 10.00 until 18.00)
    Sidneys: Open throughout

Other Islands:
    Cooper Island Beach Club: Open throughout
    Peter Island Resort: Open throughout
    Pirates Bight, Norman Island: Closing mid August
    Pussers, Marina Cay: closed September
    The Last Resort: 23rd August to mid October
    Willy T: Will close the odd days in September for maintenance

Restaurants closed during September – Low Season
If you decide to travel in low season there is likely to be a limited choice of restaurants to eat ashore and you should provision accordingly. This would be a perfect time of year to enjoy a BBQ off the back of their boat.

Tipping

Tipping is standard and expected in all restaurants / bars and for other services undertaken during your holiday. The rule of thumb is generally 10-15% of the amount charged. Some establishments automatically add this onto the bill.

Shopping

There is a deli and provisioning facility available at the base.  Supermarkets are located in Road Town.    Supermarkets are generally open daily and the hours of operation vary based on the day of the week as well as low or high season

At the base there is a small souvenir shop, the BVI are not renowned for great shopping, however Rum is cheap and there are large duty free jewelers in Road Town

DVD / Internet / GPS Packages

If you need to stay in touch or fancy settling down to a mid-week movie, you can consider the excellent packages available from Renport, conveniently located at the base. Coffee Makers, inverters and blenders are also available for hire. These products can be purchased in advance via the Sunsail booking location.

Hotels

Mariner Inn Hotel – located at the base.
The Mariner Inn Hotel has rooms available for those who want to overnight, or stay longer. Each room has A/C, and private bath with shower.  

Address – Mariner Inn Hotel
Wickhams Cay II
Road Town
PO Box
British Virgin Islands
Tel: 1 284 494 2333
Mariner Inn Hotel is situated just 20 minutes taxi ride from the airport and 5 minutes taxi from Road Town.
Mariner Inn Hotel consists of:-
32 regular rooms with air conditioning
Each room has a private bathroom, a small under-counter refrigerator, sink and coffee making facilities telephone, wireless internet, TV, in-room safe, hairdryer, iron and ironing board
Please note that none of the regular rooms adjoin.

Hotel facilities consist of:
Nearest beach (20 minutes drive)
Swimming pool
Bar and restaurant (last orders 9:30pm)
ATM on the base
New - Charlie’s Bar (built over the water and overlooks the harbour)

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Electrical, Phones & Music

Electricity

The standard voltage on all yachts is 12 volts.

Mobile phones

Your cellular phone may work when in the BVI please check with your service provider for coverage details and call costs. You will need to activate international roaming on your contract. If your provider does not offer coverage in the Caribbean purchasing a SIM card and calling credit from CCT Boatphone in Road Town can activate your tri-band phone. Open Monday – Fri 8.30 – 5pm, Sat 9-1pm

However, every yacht charter comes with a mobile phone - these must be collected from Renport before departing the base. This will also be covered in the chart briefing. These phones allow free calls to the base numbers which are pre set up in the phone memory and also gives the base the ability to contact you should the need arise. You can also use these phones to make local and international calls by purchasing credit with the phone - this is cheaper than roaming rates for calls.

Music/Ipods

All boats are fitted with a radio and CD player. If you wish to listen to your IPOD while sailing you will need to bring along an I-trip or FM radio transmitter.

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Activities

Fishing – Fishing Permits

Fishing permits are required, although you should be aware that you are not allowed to fish in the National Parks and you are not allowed to use Spear Guns.
Prior to departure you can visit www.laststopsports.com and follow the link to fishing equipment and then on the top line to license. Fill in the government form, email your passport or driving license and pay $55. Last Stop will then obtain a permit on your behalf. If you wait until arrival you will have to visit the government office in person, Monday – Friday during office hours, 1 284 494 3701. Fines ranging upwards of $1000 are imposed on charterer's fishing without the correct permits.

Please allow sufficient time for your application to be processed.

Diving

Scuba diving rendezvous packages are available through Sail Caribbean Divers and dive equipment may be rented through Last Stop Sports (see above) both are located onsite at the Sunsail base.

Snorkeling

We have a range of snorkeling gear which you may wish to use. We are limited on children’s sizes so if you have your own you may wish to bring them with you.

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Provisioning

Provisioning is available in this location. Click here for more information or to order provisioning online.

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Health & Safety

Illness or Injury

If you are sick and visit the doctor or hospital during your trip please have a member of your party contact the Sunsail base manager as soon as possible.
If you will need to make a travel insurance claim please contact your claim insurer’s emergency medical service immediately.
Obtain receipts for any medication, treatment or transport you have to pay for and submit with your claim.

Safety

All yachts are equipped with adult life jackets and harnesses, we leave it up to you to decide when personal safety equipment should be worn.
We have a limited supply of children’s life jackets (age 4+ only) if you have your own children’s life jacket we would encourage you to bring it along.
Children under the age of 16yrs should not operate an outboard engine and should be supervised at all times when in the dinghy.

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