Having lived in the BVI for many years, Kathy from Dynamic Charters has lots of advice on “How To Arrive” for charter yacht vacation guests travelling from the Canada, USA and Europe.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information.
All travellers arriving in the British Virgin Islands are required to complete the online Immigration and Customs Form (ED Card) before entering the territory. This replaces the traditional paper arrival form and helps speed up the process when passing through immigration and customs.
The form can be completed up to 72 hours before your arrival and should be filled out online before travelling. Once completed, you will receive a confirmation receipt which should be saved to your mobile device or printed and presented on arrival.
If you are arriving by ferry, the form asks for the ferry name. As this is not always known until you reach the ferry terminal, you may need to complete this section shortly before departure.
Please note: It is always advisable to take hard copies of all documents as the BVI are prone to power outages.
If you travel to the BVI by ferry, the airport in St Thomas is 10 minutes away by taxi to the ferry terminal in Charlotte Amalie. The last ferry to the BVI leaves approx. 4:30 pm. (see below for ferry contact information). Again, we can advise and give you all the help needed to plan your trip.
For Europeans its quicker and easier to come via Antigua or St Maarten, however if you are shopping around and don’t mind a longer journey then check out the St Thomas, USVI route or via Puerto Rico. If you arrive via Puerto Rico you will either have to fly into USVI (STT) or BVI (EIS) to meet up with the yacht.
From the Caribbean and other Countries – Please note that citizens from some islands in the Caribbean may need to obtain a visa to visit the British Virgin Islands. Visitors from other Countries need to check with BVI Immigration as to whether they need a visa. https://www.bvitourism.com/entry-requirements
This is highly recommended for you and your fellow boating passengers, whether for unexpected trip cancellation, extreme weather or medical, it is essential that you are fully covered.
Here are some online insurance links we recommend.
You should always check current schedules/pricing because things can change with season, weather, and demand. Also make sure that after clearing customs and immigration the water taxi then takes you to the yacht, not leave you at customs to find your own way. It should be door to door. There is a water taxi comparison website – https://vi-bvi-water-taxi.com/
Island Time BVI Water Taxi Based in the BVI; offers “seamless transfers” from USVI (e.g., St Thomas) ? BVI, including handling customs/immigration onboard. https://islandtimebvi.com/
Chillout Charters Water Taxi BVI-based, focused on transfers between USVI & BVI for charter guests, hotels, villas, resorts; can pick up in St Thomas or St John. https://www.chilloutchartersbvi.com/
Foxy’s Charters & Water Taxi BVI-based, https://foxyscharters.com/
American?Airlines — Direct flights from Miami (MIA) to Terrance B Lettsome International Airport ( EIS) – https://www.aa.com/
Here are some of the airlines that fly into Terrance?B.?Lettsome?International?Airport (EIS) on Beef Island Tortola:
InterCaribbean?Airways — offers scheduled flights to EIS from various Caribbean hubs – https://www.intercaribbean.com/
Cape?Air — operates flights between San Juan (SJU) and EIS – https://www.capeair.com/
Caribbean?Airlines — listed among airlines flying to EIS – https://www.caribbean-airlines.com/#/
Winair (Windward Islands Airways International) — operates in the region – https://www.winair.sx/
Sunrise?Airways — also appears in listings of airlines serving EIS – https://www.sunriseairways.net/en
