COVID-19 Travel Restrictions in the BVI
Welcome back to Sunsail's Marina in Tortola!
While the BVI are opening their borders for international travelers, certain Policies and Procedures will need to be followed when entering the country, before and during your stay there. Please bookmark this page as travel updates are frequently announced.
Watch the videos below for more information and answers to your frequently asked questions.
Before You Go
Travel Advisories
Please note: The Government of the Virgin Islands has imposed a travel ban on travelers from or connecting through the Dominican Republic as well as travelers from Brazil or India.
Travel Insurance
Guests must provide proof of travel insurance that protects you in case of cancellation, quarantine requirements, or hospitalizations due to COVID-19.
We recommend purchasing travel insurance coverage through our partner Redpoint Travel Insurance.
Guest List
In preparation for your arrival, we ask that you fill out the Guest List with a list of all of the passengers on your yacht including yourself. Please submit this form at least 30 days prior to departure.
Pre-Provisioning
Guests will not be able to visit markets or shops to purchase provisioning until their Day 4 COVID Test is confirmed negative (Day 0 Test for fully vaccinated travelers starting May 15th / Day 7 test for unvaccinated travelers starting May 15th). Order your food and beverages in advance with our convenient online provisioning store and have your provisions delivered directly to your yacht. Please order at least 10 days prior to your charter. The marina will not be able to accommodate orders placed on the day you arrive.
Book Transfers
Arrange for a prepaid transfer from the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) or the ferry terminal in Road Town to our marina in Tortola.
Ferry service from the U.S. Virgin Islands to Tortola has resumed on April 15th, 2021 and is currently operating with one ferry a day with limited capacity. (View BVI Ferry Guide).
To fly to EIS, you will need to connect from Cyril E. King Airport (STT) or through San Juan Airport (SJU).
Contact a Vacation Planner to make transfer or flight arrangements.
Watch Charter Briefings
We require all guests to watch a charter safety video. The captain and first mate must become familiar with the sailing area by watching a chart briefing. Please watch these briefing videos in the comfort of your own home or office before you are scheduled to depart.
BVI Gateway Portal
Due to the necessary entry requirements for your destination, it has become mandatory for all guests to be issued a BVI Gateway Traveler Authorisation Certificate prior to arrival. Please enter the BVI Gateway Traveler portal to start your application. You will download the Contact Tracing Mobile App when you arrive in the BVI.
Travelers are to begin the process of registration within 7 days of their planned travel date to comply with all requirements and procedures. Applications on the BVI Gateway portal must be COMPLETED at least 24 hours before travel date and time.
All applicants in PENDING status, who have not completed their necessary requirements 24 hours prior to travelling, will be DENIED.
Only NASOPHARYNGEAL RT-PCR tests are accepted for passengers 5 and over.For Tech Support or Questions:Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: 284-496-6129 (messages only)
The BVI requires all guests to provide a certified RT-PCR COVID-19 negative test taken within five days prior to arrival. The Travel Certificate application needs to be filled out for each member of your party to ensure you can enter the country. The cost of the two COVID-19 tests and the Contact Tracing bracelet and app is $175 per person; vaccinated travelers pay $105 per person starting May 15th.
Please note: If you are flying to or from Tortola (EIS) via San Juan (SJU) and have bought your San Juan to Tortola tickets separately from your U.S. to San Juan tickets, all passengers must provide negative test results taken within 72 hours for entering Puerto Rico.
Visitors traveling through the USVI (St Thomas) via ferry or flights that are not on the same itinerary as their BVI (Beef Island) leg, will need to register on the USVI Travel Portal within 5 days of their arrival to the USVI in addition to the BVI Gateway portal for entry to the BVI. Visitors also returning through the USVI will need to submit the form again within 5 days of their arrival to St. Thomas.
When You Arrive
Day 0
The day you arrive in the BVI is considered Day 0 of your stay in the Territory. On this day, you will be able to leave the dock at the marina; however, guests are not allowed to go ashore and need to stay in the area of Norman/Peter/Cooper Island indicated on the map until you receive your confirmed negative test results. A curfew order is in place, which requires all yachts to be moored at an approved site between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m. (see list of Approved Moorings).
If you welcome new members to your party (e.g., a friend's flight arrives two days later), the quarantine period resets to Day 0.
It is important to NOT travel to the BVI via the Dominican Republic as you will be denied entry.
COVID-19 Testing
All guests are tested on arrival and after quarantine. The average turnaround time for results is 18-36 hours. The cost of the two COVID-19 tests and the Contact Tracing bracelet and app is $175 per person; fully vaccinated travelers pay $105 starting May 15th. Additional tests, if required, cost approximately $70 - $75 per person. Transfers to any testing locations (or our marina upon arrival) are to be paid extra.
The main testing lab is Peebles Hospital in Road Town. Test results take 24 to 36 hours. The BVIHSA is advising customers to work towards the 72 hour time frame to allow for the accurate completion of the paper work. An appointment can be made via email at [email protected] and must mention airline and departure, or by contacting the BVIHSA hotline at 284-852-7650. Scheduling an appointment is best, however, the facilities accepts walk-ins (dependent on the doctors availability). Doctors are usually at the testing site from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.. The results are required to be picked up from hospital before your departure. You will not be emailed the results of this final test. Another testing facility can be found on Virgin Gorda at Iris O'Neal Medical Clinic.
Upon arrival, you will be provided with instructions for how to make arrangements for the 4-day test (starting May 15th this will be a 7-day test), if one is required for unvaccinated travelers. If you are being accommodated on a yacht, you will need to dock at our Tortola marina and take a taxi to the testing site for your 4-day test (starting May 15th this will be a 7-day test). Cost for the taxi to the testing location is $14/person round-trip.
( The base can help schedule an appointment with a testing site and taxi from Tortola or Virgin Gorda for the final test before departure, if needed.)
If the results of the arrival test are negative, you are required to quarantine at an approved accommodation/your yacht.
If the results are positive, you will be required to quarantine in an approved accommodation for 14 days. If the results of the 4-day (starting May 15th this will be a 7-day test) or final test are positive, you will be required to quarantine in an approved accommodation for 10 days.
4-Day Quarantine
(Starting May 15th: 7-Day Quarantine)
As of May 15, fully vaccinated adults will not need a Day 4 test (Day 7 test starting May 15th) and are only required to quarantine during the first 24-36 hours until the arrival Day 0 negative test results arrive.
For unvaccinated guests, the quarantine period begins on the day after you arrive in the BVI. Vessels will be able to move within the Territory after Day 0 during the four-day quarantine period (seven-day period starting May 15th), however, vessels may only moor at sites approved by the Minister for Health and Social Development in consultation with the Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration (see list of approved moorings). Restrictions for Day 0 mooring/anchoring to the area of Norman/Peter Island apply as indicated on the map. Guests may visit beaches once they got their arrival test results, but will not be allowed to visit restaurants, bars or shops. On the fifth day of your charter, if the results of the 4-day test are negative, you will be able to move freely within the Territory. (Starting May 15th quarantine time for unvaccinated travelers will be until you receive your negative Day 7 test results. Travelers with one vaccine dose will have a four-day-quarantine.)
Anyone breaching mandatory quarantine will face a fine of $15,000.
During Your Charter
Day 0
The day you arrive in the BVI is considered Day 0 of your stay in the Territory. On this day, you will be able to leave the dock at the marina; however, you are limited to the mooring sites around Norman/Peter/Cooper Island as indicated on the map and are not be allowed to go ashore until you receive your confirmed negative test results. A curfew order is in place, which requires all yachts to be moored at an approved site between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m. (see list of approved moorings).
4-Day COVID-19 Test
(7-Day COVID-19 Test starting May 15th)
Guests must take another test after four days of quarantine. (After seven days for unvaccinated travelers starting May 15th). The 4-day testing site is located at Peebles Hospital with transport from our Tortola marina for yacht charter guests. Upon arrival, you will be provided with instructions for how to make arrangements for the 4-day test. (The transfer between the marina and the testing site is to be paid extra, $14 per person).
If the results of the 4-day test are negative, you may move within the Territory. (7-day test and quarantine time for unvaccinated travelers starting May 15th).
If the results of the 4-day test are positive, you will be required to quarantine in an approved accommodation for 10 days.
Starting January 26, 2021, the U.S. Government will require all travelers coming from international countries - including U.S. citizens - to present negative test results from a PCR test taken within 3 days of departure to board a flight. Antibody tests and vaccines are not accepted. The cost of this test is approximately $70 plus the taxi ride. For 7 or 8-day charter guests, the Day 4 test results will currently satisfy this requirement. (Starting May 15th unvaccinated travelers will need to test on Day 7). For guests staying longer than 8 days, an additional test would currently be required to enter back into the U.S.
Starting May 15th, fully vaccinated adults are no longer required to take a Day 4 Test (then Day 7 Test).
For those traveling with children, the following rules will apply:
- Children under 5 years of age are exempt from COVID testing.
- Children aged 5-17 will be tested upon arrival.
- Children will be released from quarantine together with their parents/guardians once the test results for the entire group are negative, but must remain within their family bubble.
- Unvaccinated children will be subject to a further test on day four.
Approved Moorings
Vessels will be able to move within the Territory during the four-day quarantine period, however, vessels may only moor at sites approved by the Minister for Health and Social Development in consultation with the Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration (list of approved moorings sites).
Public Spaces
Guests must wear a face mask in all public spaces and must always keep a safe distance of 6 ft.
Safety Measures
We are dedicated to giving you peace of mind when you charter with us. Our industry-leading safety measures include the fogging and disinfecting of all yachts before each charter begins.
COVID-19 Test Upon Departure
The BVI Government does not require another test to depart the country; however, tests are available for US citizens and international travelers who may need a test based on their home country requirements. Starting January 26, 2021, the U.S. Government will require all travelers coming from international countries - including U.S. citizens - to present negative test results from a PCR test taken within 3 days of departure to board a flight. Antibody tests and vaccines are not accepted. The cost of this test is approximately $70 plus the cost of the taxi ride. For 7 or 8-day charter guests, the Day 4 test results currently will satisfy this requirement. (Starting May 15th unvaccinated travelers will need to test on Day 7). Meaning an additional test could be required to enter back into the U.S. depending on the length of your stay.
Please also note: You are not able to go to the airport for any departure flights until you have officially left quarantine.
The Customer Service team in Tortola can help you schedule an appointment for your final test only at Tortola's Peebles Hospital or Virgin Gorda's Iris O'Neal Medical Clinic. The base can organize a taxi from Tortola or Virgin Gorda harbors to the testing sites for your final test. There is also a testing site in walking distance to Foxy's at Great Harbor on Jost Van Dyke. You must return to the testing site to receive your final results.
For travelers connecting through San Juan Airport (SJU), Puerto Rico requires a negative COVID test. A traveler declaration form is required. The document on your phone will be scanned upon arrival.
Visitors traveling through the USVI (St Thomas) via ferry or flights that are not on the same itinerary as their BVI (Beef Island) leg, will need to register on the USVI Travel Portal within 5 days of their arrival to the USVI in addition to the BVI Gateway portal for entry to the BVI. Visitors also returning through the USVI will need to submit the form again within 5 days of their arrival to St. Thomas.
The BVI Tourist Board and The Government of the Virgin Islands is a good source of information.
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