General Information

When to Come

The charter season is divided into two seasons.

The Winter / High Season runs from December 15 through April 30. The weather is generally cooler and drier than in the Summer / Low Season. Trade winds can be breezier. An occasional cold front from the States makes it this far south and can cause unsettled weather. This usually lasts only a day and can create exhilarating sailing conditions. Typically, the skies are clear and blue and winds, temperature and humidity just right. For these reasons, this is the most popular cruising season. 

Christmas and New Years’ rates are higher and the yachts’ calendars fill up many months in advance. It is recommended that you plan your holiday vacation 6 to 12 months prior to your desired dates to ensure you‘ll get the dates and yacht you want.

The Summer / Low Season runs from May 1 through December 14. The weather is warm and humid and the winds and waters generally calmer. The Atlantic Hurricane Season is included in this season and runs from June 1 through November 30 although hurricanes have been known to occur outside of theses dates. The upside to this season is that charter rates are generally lower than in the Winter / High Season and there are fewer boats cruising and anchoring. Also, many crewed yachts head south to the Grenadines creating additional chartering options. 

Trip Insurance is recommended for any time of year but especially during the Hurricane Season.

What To Bring

Soft luggage as it is less likely to damage woodwork and is easier to stow.

Casual clothing. Shorts, tee shirts and bathing suits are the norm although some of the more upscale restaurants may require a collared shirt and long pants. Although the mean temperature is about 85 – 90 degrees during the day, the nights (especially in winter) can be cool so a light sweater is nice to have.

Although a bathing suit is the outfit of choice in the Virgin Islands, in town, the locals  generally prefer that you cover up your suits. Tee shirts and shorts are fine but not bare bikini tops.

Hats with ties are a good idea to keep the sun off your head and your hat on your head.

Sunscreen, and plenty of it!

Hard bottom shoes can damage the boat and can be slippery on deck.  Rubber soled shoes are best although you’ll probably be bare-footed most of the time. Reef shoes are nice for walking through the water or on hot sand.

While most crewed charter yachts will have an array of various sizes of snorkel gear, you should ask about unusually small (kid’s) or large sizes or consider bringing your own equipment. Also, if you have a prescription mask, be sure to bring it along. If you’re diving, the gear available onboard will be discussed during the planning phase of the charter.

A smile. If you’re out and about and need information, just ask a local. The custom here is to start a conversation with a greeting such as “Good Morning” or “Good Afternoon”.  This simple courtesy is very much appreciated here.

Currency

Currency in the U.S and British Virgin Islands is the dollar.

The 3 major banks in the USVI are First Bank, Banco Popular and Scotia Bank. In the BVI, they are BVI Bank of Nova Scotia, Barclays Bank PLC, Chase Manhattan Bank NA, Banco Popular, Guyergeller Bank (BVI) Ltd, Development Bank of the Virgin Islands and VP Bank (BVI) Ltd. 

ATM machines are located on the main islands in the USVI and in the BVI.

Most businesses accept credit cards and traveler’s checks but few places accept personal checks. There is a 10 cent stamp duty on all checks and traveler checks in the BVI. American Express offices are located in the Havensight (cruise ship) area on St. Thomas and in Road Town, Tortola in the BVI.

Some of the off-the-beaten-track beach bars accept cash only.

Passports

For the USVI, U.S. citizens should carry proof of citizenship, such as a valid passport or birth certificate with picture ID.

Non- US visitors need a valid passport and proper visa.

For entry to the British Virgin Islands, U.S. and Canadian citizens are currently allowed to enter using an authenticated (raised seal) birth or citizenship certificate along with a current photo ID.

Entering with a valid passport is always recommended.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requires that the yachts file your passport information with Homeland Security no less than 24 hours before you enter BVI waters or re-enter US waters. The exact information required will be discussed during the booking process.

Remember, as stated above, those FLYING back to the US are required to carry a valid passport.

Please refer to the Homeland Security website, http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders, for current updates.

No immunizations are needed.

Fees

The BVI charges various fees for yachts and crews enjoying their waters. Some yachts include these fees in their rates and others do not. The responsible party will be noted on the charter contract. Here are the general fees subject to change.

BVI Customs Offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM and Saturday from 8:30-12:30. Closed Sunday and BVI public holidays. After- hours clearing in can be arranged in advance for an extra fee (around $25).

BVI Ports of Entry

• Road Harbour (Road Town), Tortola
• West End (Soper’s Hole), Tortola
• Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke.
• St. Thomas Bay, Virgin Gorda
• St. John National Park Mooring/ Anchoring fees and BVI National Parks permits may be additional.

It is illegal for non-British Virgin Islanders to remove any marine organism from B.V.I. waters without a fishing permit. Spearfishing is not permitted.

Jet skis are not permitted in BVI waters.

Some fees may not apply and all are subject to change.
There is no SALES TAX.

Web Cams / Moon Phases

“The weather is here. I wish you were beautiful”. Jimmy Buffet

See what’s happening now at Magen’s Bay Beach
Magen’s Bay Beach- Live Webcam http://www.gotostthomas.com/live/magens.html

See Cruz Bay, St. John ferry dock
Cruz Bay, St. John ferry dock – live Webcam http://www.stjohnspice.com/stjohnspicecam.htm

Whether you want to enjoy a romantic moonlit evening gazing up at the stars or your own full blown full moon party, here are the moon phases for several years to come.

Cell Phones

Many crewed yachts have cell phones on board and their usage policies range from limited to unlimited. It’s best to ask beforehand if you foresee lengthy stateside chats.

Depending on the anchorage and line of sight propagation, your stateside cell phone may work without roaming charges or by converting to BVI’s CCT Boat Phone.  Due to the mountainous terrain, there may be black holes with no reception. The stateside cellular companies doing business in the USVI are Sprint and Cingular. You should check with your own provider for information on roaming and roaming charges while in the BVI. Phones can also be rented at the airport..

For more information, please contact Boatphone in Tortola at (284) 494-3825
or e:mail boatphone@surfbvi.com

The Green Flash

Every evening, all around the Caribbean, friends gather in the warm glow of sunset to gaze upon the clear horizon in the hope that they will witness one of the most elusive and fleeting visions known to man – the Green Flash.

While a sighting of this phenomenum is often written off a being rum-induced, the Green Flash is really a scientifically explainable occurrence having to do with the refraction of the setting sunlight and the air density at the horizon.

As the upper rim of the setting sun approaches the horizon, it begins to spread into a thin bar of light, then runs through the spectrum of light. The red sun disappears beneath the horizon first with the red color being refracted, or bent, the least. Next the yellows and oranges are absorbed by the ozone and disappear. The blues and violets are scattered by the atmosphere leaving the last color, green, to hang on the horizon. And in a moment, it too is gone leaving only a green blur in your vision.

In his 1882 novel “Le Rayon Vert” (The Green Flash), Jules Verne described the Green Flash as “a  green ray, but of a marvelous green, a green which no painter could ever obtain on his palette, a green of which nature, neither in the varied tints of vegetation nor in the shades of the most limpid seas could ever produce the like! If there is a green in Paradise, it cannot be but of this shade, which most surely is the true green of Hope.”

For Jules Verne, those lucky enough to witness this extraordinary sight will for that moment in time be granted clarity into their own hearts as well as the hearts of those around them.

When you’re ready to live your dream, allow Caribbean Soul Charters to show you the way.

Please remember to never look directly into the sun.