British Virgin Islands Travel Information & Planning Guide

Airport

• Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS)
• Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) – you will need to take the Ferry or Private Water Taxi into Tortola

Servicing Airlines:

• Cape Air
• American Airlines
• Liat
• InterCaribbean Airways
• Silver Airways

Please note that you will be required to pay a $10 USD tourist tax in cash upon arrival. You will need to keep your receipt for the remainder of your stay. (Please note: this ‘tax’ is an Environmental & Tourism Levy payable at ALL ports of entry (ferry and clearing in by boat too), not just the airport: Environmental & Tourism Levy

Ferry

The St. Thomas ferry connection operates daily between St Thomas and the British Virgin Islands. Reservations can only be made directly with the ferry companies and schedules are released around 3 months in advance. We recommend pre-booking your ferry tickets to ensure a smooth transit and to avoid disappointment. 

Learn more about current BVI ferry options

The following ferry companies operate between St Thomas and Road Town Tortola

• Native Son Ferry
• Smiths Ferry
• Road Town Fast Ferry 

Private water taxi options include:

• Island Time
• Dolphin Shuttle
• Chill Out Charters

There is also an option to leave from Road Town Tortola to go into Red Hook, St Thomas by:

• Aquatic Rentals

Sunsail can assist with arranging your transfers on Tortola which should be booked and paid in advance. Please send your travel details to our Pre-Travel team to assist you with this. If you have a pre-booked transfer, the local driver, from our dedicated transfer provider, Wheatley’s, will be advised of your name and arrival time and carry a Sunsail sign to identify themselves to you at the pick-up location. 

The cost of the ride is per person: 
From Tortola Airport (EIS) to the Base (or return) – 30min:  

• Shared: $16 pp  
• Private: 1-2 pax $50pp; $25 per additional passenger  
• VIP: 1-2 pax $100pp; $50 per additional passenger   

Ferry Terminal to the Base (or return):

• Road Town – Shared: $8pp  
• Road Town – Private: 1-2 pax $19pp; $10 per additional passenger  
• West End – Shared: $16pp  
• West End – Private: $25pp   

Take this opportunity to pre-book your premium transportation from Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (Beef Island) to Sunsail on Tortola, for a stress-free travel experience. You will benefit from:

• Air-conditioned mini buses, from Beef Island direct to Sunsail Reception area
• Reliable on-time service
• No delays waiting for taxis to arrive, or fill up with random travellers.

If you are flying into Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) in St Thomas, you will need to continue to Tortola, British Virgin Islands, by either public ferry or private water taxi.

As a general guide, guests arriving in St Thomas before approximately 4:00 pm should be able to connect with a same-day ferry to Tortola, subject to ferry schedules and border processing times.

We recommend allowing up to two hours to clear immigration, collect baggage and travel from the airport to the ferry terminal.

If your flight arrives after approximately 4:30 pm, ferry options become very limited and an overnight stay in St Thomas is usually recommended before travelling to Tortola the following day. Many guests choose to stay near Charlotte Amalie, close to the ferry terminal, restaurants and shops.

Several ferry operators provide daily services between St Thomas and Road Town, Tortola, and tickets should be booked directly with the ferry company.

Schedules are typically released around three months before travel, and advance booking is recommended.

Private water taxi services are also available for guests seeking a faster and more flexible transfer.

Please note that St. Thomas Port Tax: A $20 USD Port Tax is required for anyone leaving St. Thomas traveling to Tortola, BVI. This can be paid in cash at the Ferry desk upon check-in.
Private Water Taxis will assist their passengers by guiding them through the payment process at check-in.

Once you arrive at the Road Town ferry terminal in Tortola, we can arrange a taxi transfer to the base. Please send your ferry arrival details and number of passengers to our Pre-Travel team to assist you with this.

For more information including tariffs, please visit BVI Tourism/taxi-services.

Your boarding time is at 6pm.

Please note customers boarding at our standard Sunsail 6pm boarding time will only sail out the following morning.
Early Boarding is available as a pre-paid extra and can be organised in advance of your arrival to the base with your holiday planner. Your boarding time is brought forward to 12pm on your charter start date.

Chart and Safety Briefings – Online:
The Chart and Health & Safety briefings for this base are available online, please view them before arrival, the link is found in your MyAccount and as part of your pre-departure emails. The chart briefing describes the cruising area and any potential hazards.

Chart Briefing – In-person:
An additional mandatory in-person chart briefing will be provided in the chart briefing room at: 9.30am / 12pm / or 4pm daily.
Guests arriving later than 4pm, who miss the final briefing, must please attend the 9.30am session the following morning.

Yacht Briefing:
The yacht or boat briefing introduces you to your yacht, its systems and rigging. It is carried out individually for each yacht after boarding. It is important that all systems and equipment are fully understood.

All briefings are mandatory.

If you arrive after office hours, a sign will be left at the gate with security, on the office door and on the yacht with the client’s name and booking number. 
Please ensure you have submitted your arrival details via your MyAccount. This enables the base to prepare for your charter and monitor any delays or other disruptions that could affect your arrival.

Please Disembark by 11 am

Before leaving the yacht, please complete your debrief form and allow 15-20 minutes for an onboard debrief to report any maintenance issues or damage experienced during your charter. Please remove all food, rubbish and personal belongings, return any borrowed equipment and leave the yacht clean and tidy. The base reserves the right to charge for yachts left in an unacceptable condition.

At the airport, you will need to pay the $20 departure tax, $5 for under 6 years old, which can be paid in cash or by credit card.

Experience Level

Level 1

• At least 9 days and 100 miles as skipper on an equivalent size yacht
• Level 1 destinations offer the easiest cruising grounds with line-of-sight navigation. Lazy line mooring or mooring balls are common.

Experience levels are based on sailing conditions and the length of passages within your chosen sailing area. This rating scale is designed as a guide based on the prevailing conditions during the most popular season. View here for more information.

Sailing Requirements

To sail in the BVI a formal sailing license is not mandatory, but you will need to complete our online sailing resume and achieve a Level 1 rating to ensure you have the necessary experience required to charter yourself. If our base staff are not confident in your ability when you arrive, they will arrange for a Sunsail skipper to travel with you – at your own expense.

• The Moorings Yacht Club Hotel – Ocean View & Marina View Rooms
• Amara Spa
• Shower facilities
• Restaurants & Bar
• Swimming Pool
• The Moorings Market – supermarket
• Selection of shops
• Water sport rental
• Sail Caribbean Divers – dive equipment rental

For more detail about facilities available at the marina, please visit:

We offer Full Fuel Flexibility.
Our fuel flexibility is simple and flexible. You are in control of your fuel consumption throughout your trip, with stress-free options available upon your return, allowing you to relax and savor your time on the water.

You will start your bareboat charter with a full tank of fuel, with the option to use as little or as much fuel as you need. At the end, you can return your boat with a full tank or pay for any fuel used (at the local marina price).

Exceptions:

• Flotilla Charters – Fuel included in your charter package, excluding Italian Cuisine flotilla.

In the BVI we’ll fill it for you after you have disembarked, and in other bases we’ll assist you to fill up at the end of your trip and then take care of returning your boat to her berth.

Refueling –
Follow the return instructions and contact the base on VHF Channel 12 before docking.
A staff member will check your fuel usage after arrival.
The base will refuel the yacht for you.
You will be charged for fuel used at the local market rate.

The skipper’s time is booked from 12 pm to 12 pm in 24-hour periods. If you have reserved him for the first day of your charter and have a 6 pm 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 pm 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, and must have his own cabin. 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 checkout skipper’s time is booked from 6 pm to 6 pm 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 on 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.

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. For one-day check out skippers, 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.

More information on Skippered Charter Options.

Download Sunsail’s BVI Cruising Guide here.

Gratuity and industry expectations
A gratuity is expected and is typically given to the skipper at the end of the charter. The amount is entirely at your discretion.

Yes. There are areas within the BVI where extra caution is required or which may need to be avoided, referred to in our eGuide as Red and Amber Zones. These will also be covered during your in-person chart briefing. Please refer to the eGuide for full details of these areas and any cruising restrictions.
It is strictly forbidden to sail alone; we require a two-person minimum on board.

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

All the charts and pilot books you will need for the sailing area are on board the yacht.

Most overnight stops in the BVI will be at mooring buoys/anchor as opposed to alongside quays. There is a colour system for balls and flags in the national parks which is as follows:

• White balls with a blue stripe – for overnight stays, 50$ USD; first comes, first served (FCFS).
• Blue balls – for dinghies only. There is a rope between two blue buoys which you are supposed to use when tying your dinghy.
• Yellow balls – for diving boats only.
• Red small balls – for day stays only, 90-minute stop.
• Orange large balls – BoatyBalls.

Boatyballs are the large orange balls bookable online at boatyball.com for approx 70$ USD, for the day of the arrival. They usually are booked up by 7am and are more expensive than the white buoys. Do not pick up a Boatyball unless you have made a reservation.

If you plan to visit the USVI on charter, please announce your intention to your Vacation Planner before you go, so we can advise on the procedure and paperwork required. Please note, we cannot guarantee that it will be possible to visit the USVI during a BVI charter.

If you’re planning to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) during your charter, it’s important to be aware of the necessary customs and immigration procedures.

• The USVI, comprised primarily of: St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, are outside of BVI jurisdiction, and any entry into USVI waters requires specific steps to remain compliant with BVI regulations.
• To help you avoid any issues and ensure a smooth journey, we’ve outlined the key requirements below:

Please note: If your itinerary remains solely within BVI waters, the following does not apply.

If you plan to visit the USVI during your charter, you are required to officially clear out of the BVI before departure, and clear back in upon return. This process must be completed in person at a designated BVI Customs and Immigration office, and your vessel must leave the territory within 24 hours of checking out.

Step 1: Prepare Your Documents

You will need the following when visiting the Customs office:

• Boat Registration Document
• Commercial Vessel Registration License (CRVL)
• Cruising Permit
• Parks Permit (if applicable)
• Passports for all guests

Step 2: Register with SailClear

Before arriving at the Customs office, you must create a SailClear account and submit your departure or arrival notification online at: https://www.sailclear.com. Please note: Sailclear can be done on the same day you plan to clear out.

Instructions:

• Create an account using your email.
• Enter vessel, and crew.
• Submit a Departure Notification before leaving for the USVI
• Submit an Arrival Notification before returning to the BVI
• An email confirmation will be sent with your Notification ID, which you must present at Customs

Step 3: Visit a BVI Customs Office In Person

BVI Customs Offices are located at:

• Road Town, Tortola
• West End, Soper’s Hole, Tortola
• Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke

You must present your Notification ID and supporting documents at the time of check-out/check-in.

On Arrival in the USVI

You will also need to check in with USVI Customs and Immigration. Available locations include:

• Cruz Bay, St. John
• Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

You will need your passports and vessel documentation.

Please note: Visiting USVI waters without properly clearing out and back in can result in penalties. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us stay in compliance with BVI regulations. This information will also be reviewed during your base briefing, and copies are available at our front desk.

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.

Swimming is often a fun and important part of a vacation. However local rules, flag systems, currents, and where swimming may be permitted, can be different and vary from country to country. Snorkel vests, Life Jackets, and Diver Down flags are all available on board. 

Children:

• Talk to children about water safety at the start of a vacation, making them aware of the potential dangers.
• Accidents can happen at any time on vacation, but often they happen on the first and last day, so keep watch and do not get distracted when your children are playing by, or in the water.
• Children in or near water should always be supervised by an adult and never left unattended. 
• Get in the water with them, it is easier to keep an eye on them as well as good fun. Floatation devices are highly recommended for children but are not a substitute for supervision.

Be Aware of your Surroundings

• Check warning flags and signage on the beach and only swim where it is permitted. 
• Beware of dangerous currents, these can be very powerful. Not all beaches have lifeguards and/or warning flags.
• Beware of underwater hazards, such as reefs, rocks, sudden changes in depth and marine life.
• Never swim where a sign says not to e.g. in zoned areas for jet boats or jet skis.
• Never swim at night or after drinking alcohol.

Look Out for Others

• Never swim alone, ‘buddy up’ with others in your party, and use the snorkel vests provided.
• Know how and where to get help. If you see someone in difficulty; raise the alarm, preferably the emergency services. Ensure you know the correct number for the country you are in.

Do Not Overestimate your Ability

• Even if you regularly swim in a pool, remember that open-water swimming can be very different.
• Consider swimming lessons before you go if you think it would be useful to learn proper swimming techniques.

All yachts are equipped with adult life jackets, harnesses, snorkel vests & diver down flags. You can see all this equipment demonstrated in our online safety briefing, and we strongly recommend that you make use of this equipment during your vacation. This safety equipment will be displayed in the saloon of your boat onboarding – If you have any questions feel free to ask our base staff during your briefing. 

We have a very limited supply of children’s life jackets on base so highly recommend that if you are traveling with children, you bring their own. This ensures that children have correctly fitting jackets that are comfortable for them.  

Children should not be allowed in the dinghy without a life jacket or buoyancy aid and should wear a buoyancy aid or harness whilst on deck. 

Children under the age of 16 should not operate an outboard engine and should be supervised at all times when in the dinghy.

Online Provisioning

Online Provisioning is available. Order your provisioning in advance and enjoy more time on the water. Online orders must be placed 5 days prior to your departure date.

Late Evening Arrivals
If you are scheduled to arrive at the base late in the evening, we strongly recommend placing a provisioning order in advance. Restaurants and food service outlets may be closed by the time you arrive, and provisioning ahead of time ensures that refreshments and meal essentials are available onboard when you board your yacht.

Local Supermarkets

The Moorings Market, located on the property, is your one-stop shop for all your provisioning needs.
There are also a number of grocery stores within walking distance, or a short car ride from the base, for example RiteWay, OneMart, Bobby’s, and The French Deli. Hours of operation vary based on the day of the week as well whether it’s the low or high season, so be sure to call your desired store ahead of time.

There are several great restaurants situated at or nearby our Moorings base in Tortola. Whether you’re looking for a bite to eat before your BVI yacht charter or a final meal before heading home, here are some of our recommended nearby restaurants:

• Moorings Yacht Club (MYC) Restaurant – at the base
• Moorings Yacht Club (MYC) Pool Bar – at the base
• Charlie’s Bar & Restaurant – at the base
• Brandywine – approximately 15-minute taxi ride
• Bananakeet – approximately 25-minute taxi ride
• Pusser’s – approximately 5-minute taxi ride

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 your boat.

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

The Moorings Yacht Club Hotel 

Located at the Sunsail base, The Moorings Yacht Club Hotel invites you to stay a few days on land. All rooms are fully equipped with air-conditioning, basic cable TV, refrigerator and local phone service. To book your stay at The Moorings Yacht Club Hotel, or for more information regarding pricing and availability, please speak with a Sunsail Vacation Planner or request a room online.

Around our Moorings base in Tortola, you’ll find a selection of fantastic accommodation options, including:

• The Moorings Yacht Club Hotel (Tortola)
• Nanny Cay Resort and Marina (Tortola)
• Leverick Bay Resort (Virgin Gorda) 
• Maria’s By The Sea
• Treasure Isle Hotel
• Nanny Cay Hotel

Yoga by Yoganimity
Suitable for all levels, this flowing Hatha yoga class will teach you the fundamentals and foundations of yoga asanas (poses), to develop strength and flexibility in both body and mind. Creative sequencing and synchronizing breath work will have a calming effect on your nervous system leaving you feeling energized and centered.  Private classes are available on request. Classes take place on the deck in the garden by the pool. Mats provided – $15 per class. Schedule is available at the front desk.

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 Moorings Yacht Club Hotel front desk.

Watersports for rent
For your convenience, you can add water toys to your charter prior to arrival at the base. SUPs, 1-, and 2-man kayaks, noodles and floats are some of your options. Your added toys will be waiting on your boat upon arrival. You are also able to rent these at the base; please keep in mind that we have limited availability. For more information, please view our Water Sports Options.

Diving

Sunsail’s dive partner, Sail Caribbean Divers (SCD) is a PADI 5 Star Dive Centre in the British Virgin Islands and is located at our base. They offer rendezvous diving at various points throughout the BVI, as well as equipment rentals for Certified and Non-Certified Divers.

If you are interested in an unforgettable diving experience, please visit Sail Caribbean Divers to see prices and instructions on how to book. If you have any queries regarding the diving packages on offer, please email info@sailcaribbeandivers.com.

Rendezvous Diving
Enjoy the best of BVI diving without having to organise your own dive equipment. Sail Caribbean Divers can meet you and your yacht at a convenient rendezvous location in the BVI, bringing everything you need for a guided dive or snorkelling experience.
Rendezvous locations currently include Cooper Island, Hodges Creek, Norman Island and Peter Island, with other locations available on request. Your dive site will be selected based on your location, weather and sea conditions, and travel time, so specific dive sites cannot always be guaranteed.
Whether you’re an experienced diver or trying scuba for the first time, Sail Caribbean Divers offers options for different levels of experience:

• Certified divers – Join guided dive trips; proof of certification is required.
• First-time divers – Try scuba with a Discover Scuba Diving experience.
• Returning divers – Refresh your skills before joining a guided dive.
• Snorkellers – Join the trip and explore from the surface.

For bareboat charters (where no staff from Sunsail are onboard the yacht) charterers are permitted to dive from the yacht. Sunsail does not provide such activities so you should ensure that any third parties that you engage with in order to dive should be through reputable third-party operators. Any diving activities are fully undertaken at your own risk and Sunsail shall have no responsibility or liability in connection with your participation in any diving activities, irrespective of whether this takes place from the yacht or an alternative location during your charter. Diving is not permitted under any circumstances whereby there is any skipper or other crew onboard the yacht which is provided by Sunsail.

Snorkelling

We have a range of fins available in various different sizes. You will find them in cockpit lockers in each yacht. We do have limited children’s sizes therefore we recommend bringing your own to avoid disappointment. Please note that we do not provide snorkeling masks or snorkels onboard.

• One person should remain out of the water, keeping watch of the others in the water
• When snorkeling, the diving flag and buoy should be deployed and visible to all passing nearby
• Swim vests should be worn at all times whilst snorkeling

Fishing

If you plan to fish during your BVI charter, anyone aged 18 or older who will be fishing must have a valid recreational fishing licence. Licences are issued by the BVI Ministry of Conservation & Fisheries and are valid for one month. We recommend applying for your licence in advance through Sail Caribbean Divers, as processing can take up to 10 business days.

Please note:

• Fishing is permitted using rod, reel, line and fishing hooks only.
• Spearfishing is prohibited.
• Lobster, turtles, conch, whelks, sharks, rays, snapper and other bottom-dwelling fish may not be taken.
• Billfish, including marlin, sailfish and swordfish, are catch-and-release only.
• A maximum of 30 lbs of fish per boat may be caught or kept.
• Fishing rods with a spinning or trolling reel and tackle can be added to your charter. Please contact our Pre-Travel team to arrange this.

For licence applications and further information, visit Sail Caribbean Divers – Fishing.

Find out more information about what’s included on your yacht.

Historical Weather (Averages by Month)

At Sunsail, we’re committed to protecting the oceans we love through Our OCEAN Promise – a sustainability initiative focused on reducing our impact and supporting coastal communities. Across all our destinations, we take steps to tread lightly: from minimizing waste and emissions to promoting responsible travel practices.

You can help too. Before you set sail, consider packing a reusable water bottle, choosing to support local businesses, and raising the sails whenever possible to reduce engine use. Together, we can make every voyage a little kinder to the planet.