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General Information
The British Virgin Islands
(BVI) are a group of over 50 islands and Cays, located
in the Leeward Islands, about 90 miles East of  Puerto Rico
and North East of the US Virgin Islands. The main
island of Tortola is about 54 square miles, with Virgin
Gorda about 8 square miles. Most of the islands are
made up of rolling hills, although Anegada is completely
flat rising to only a few feet above sea level.
The dive sites are concentrated around Gorda and the
Sir Francis Drake Channel islands.
The dives off Sir Francis Drake Channel islands boosts
sinkholes and ledges as well as a wide variety of
caves and canyons. Another feature of the area is
some of the finest sponge encrusted walls in the region.
On the walls you will find sides with tunnels, majestic
arches and caves. The site known as Painted Walls
is the most obvious example, but there are many other
equally colorful scenes.
Of the Sir Francis Drake Channel dives, the R.M.S.
Rhone is a very popular and reputable wreck dive.
Though there are no such old wrecks with a dramatic
story like the R.M.S. Rhone - there are several other
interesting wrecks in the area. Of these wrecks nearly
all are within the ability level of most divers giving
novice wreck divers a thrilling experience.
Climate Winter: 72-82F (22-27C) Summer: 80-90F (26-32C)
Water Temp Winter 75F - Summer 85F (summer) (23-29C)
Visibility 60-100 ft (18-30m)
Dive
Centers & Accommodations
New
Travel Regulations
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
The proposed implementation timeline has two
phases:
Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including
U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the
United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and
South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will
be required to present a valid passport, Air
NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner
Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form
I-551, if applicable.
As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including
U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and
Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the
Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including
ferries), may be required to present a valid
passport or other documents as determined by
the Department of Homeland Security. While recent
legislative changes permit a later deadline,
the Departments of State and Homeland Security
are working to meet all requirements as soon
as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided
to enable the public to obtain passports or
passport cards for land/sea entries.
The passport requirement
does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to
or returning directly from a U.S. territory.
U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S.
territory are not considered to have left the
United States and do not need to present a passport.
U.S. territories include the following: Guam,
Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American
Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands. More
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Getting
There
By
Air
One
reason that the BVI has remained quiet
is beacause there are no direct flights
from the USA, Canada, Europe or South
America to the main airport - the Terrence
B. Lettsome Airport (EIS) which is located
on Beef Island, a cay that is linked to
Tortola by the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge.
From
the USA and Canada:
Fly to San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) or
St. Thomas, USVI (STT).
From
Puerto Rico or St. Thomas to Virgin Gorda:
Private Charter flights and helicopters
are available directly to Virgin Gorda
Interantional. Airport (VIJ) with Fly
BVI, Caribbean Wings, Clair Aero, Island
Birds, Air Sunshine or Island Helicopter.
From St. Thomas a private water taxi or
ferry service can be arranged directly
to Virgin Gorda.
From
Puerto Rico to Beef Island, Tortola to
Virgin Gorda:
If you prefer to fly from San Juan, Puerto
Rico to Beef Island, Tortola (EIS) (our
neighboring island) flights are available
with American Eagle, Liat, Caribbean Star,
Caribbean Sun or Cape Air.
Once on Beef Island, the North Sound Express
Ferry will bring you to Virgin Gorda's
Spanish Town or Leverick Bay, a 30-45
minute ferry ride. Alternatively, a private
charter boat can be arranged from Beef
Island to Virgin Gorda.
From
Europe:
Fly to either Antigua (ANU), St. Maarten,
Barbados or Puerto Rico (SJU). Take one
of the local carriers listed above to
either Virgin Gorda or Beef Island, Tortola
and then boat to Virgin Gorda.
From
the UK:
Departures from the UK to Antigua are
with BWIA, British Airways, or Atlantic
Airlines. Check with Tour Operators such
as Thompson. British Airways and Caledonian
Airways offer joint flights to San Juan,
Puerto Rico.
From
Germany:
Lufthansa from Frankfurt has flights to
Puerto Rico.
BWIA and Lufthansa have flights to Antigua.
Lufthansa has flights to Sat. Maarten.
From
Switzerland:
BWIA has flights from Zurich to Antigua.
From
Holland:
KLM has flights from Amsterdam to ST.
Maarten.
From
France:
Air France and AOM French Airlines have
flights to St. Maarten.
It
is always best to contact your Travel
Professional for reservations and trip
cancellation insurance.
All flights must connect through another
Caribbean airport such as San Juan, St.
Thomas, Antigua, St. Kitts or St. Maarten/St.
Martin.
--Note--If you are traveling on
to Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Peter Island,
or Jost van Dyke - check with your hotel,
resort or villa to make sure that charter
flights or ferry service will be available
if you arrive after 4pm. Otherwise, plan
to spend a night or two in Tortola.
Flight Links
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Ferry
Services
Ferry
Services among the islands are frequent, easy
and comfortable. Below are boat and ferry services.
Please contact them or ask your resort to provide
times and details.
Caribbean
Maritime Excursion (operating as Road Town
Fast Ferry) (USVI - BVI)
284-494-2323
Operates from the Water Front & Red Hook,
St. Thomas to Road Town, Tortola.
Inter-Island Boat Services (USVI - BVI)
284-495-4166
Operates from Red Hook, St. Thomas & Cruz
Bay, St. John to West End, Tortola.
Marina Cay Ferry (Beef Island - Marina Cay)
284-494-2174
Complimentary ferry service from Trellis Bay,
Beef Island to Marina Cay.
Native
Son, Inc. (USVI - BVI)
284-495-4617
Operates from the Water Front & Red Hook,
St. Thomas to West End & Road Town (via last
ferry), Tortola.
New Horizon Ferry Services (Tortola - Jost Van
Dyke)
284-495-9278
Operates from Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke to
West End, Tortola.
North Sound Express (Tortola - Beef Island)
284-495-2138
Operates from Beef Island, Tortola to Spanish
Town, Leverick Bay and Bitter End, Virgin Gorda.
Nubian Princess (USVI - BVI)
284- 495-4999
Operates from Red Hook, St. Thomas & Cruz
Bay St. John to West End, Tortola.
Peter Island Ferry (Tortola - Peter Island)
284-495-2000
Operates from Baugher's Bay, Tortola to Peter
Island Yacht Harbour.
Smith's
Ferry Services Ltd. (operating as Tortola
Fast Ferry) (USVI - BVI)
284-495-4495
Operates from the Water Front & Red Hook,
St. Thomas to West End & Road Town, Tortola
and The Valley, Virgin Gorda.
Speedy's (USVI - BVI)
284-495-5240
Operates from the Water Front & Red Hook,
St. Thomas to West End & Road Town, Tortola
and The Valley, Virgin Gorda.
BVI
Ports Authority (Information & Schedules)
Entry Requirements
Note: As of 2007 Passports will be needed by all
to enter into the Caribbean.
From North America: For a US & Canadian citizen
a passport is preferred however you may also use
an original birth certificate accompanied by a
valid photo ID such as a driver's license.
From Europe: European citizens need a valid passport
to enter The British Virgin Islands. However visitors
that are residents of certain countries, require
a visa in order to enter The BVI. If in doubt
about the necessity of a visa, contact the nearest
BVI Tourist Board Office, the nearest British
Embassy, or contact the Chief Immigration Department,
BVI Government at Tel: (284) 494-3471 or 468-3701
ext. 4700.
From the Caribbean: Please note that citizens
from some islands may need to obtain a visa to
visit The British Virgin Islands. Visitors from
these Caribbean islands need to have a visa in
order to enter The BVIs. If in doubt about the
necessity of a visa, contact the nearest BVI Tourist
Board Office, the nearest British Embassy, or
contact the Chief Immigration Department, BVI
Government at Tel: (284) 494-3471 or 468-3701
ext. 4700.
B.V.I. Departure Tax - $20.US |
Travel
Tips
Time
EST (summer), EST+1 hr (winter), GMT-4 in summer &
GMT-5 (winter)
Getting Around
One of the best ways to see Tortola and Virgin Gorda
is to either hire a driver for a few hours or the
day, or rent a car and drive yourself. Generally,
rental cars are over $40 a day but you have the freedom
to wander wherever you want to go to see and hike,
snorkel, or explore without the limitations of a "tour".
Driving
A valid British Virgin Islands Driving License is
required by all those seeking to drive in The British
Virgin Islands. For a fee of $10.00, a temporary British
Virgin Islands Driving License can be obtained from
the Traffic Licensing Office or Car Rental Agencies
with a valid Driver License from another country.
Driving is on the left-hand side of the road in The
British Virgin Islands. Minimum age for Car Rentals
is 25.
Bank Hours
Banks
9:00am to 2:00pm Mon-Thu;
9:00am to 2:00pm, 4:00pm to 5:00pm Fri.
(Closed Saturday and Sunday)
Dress
The BVI's are more than just a beaches, and beach
attire worn elsewhere tends to offend residents. Therefore,
please wear proper attire (no bare chests or midriffs)
in residential and commercial areas. There are no
nude beaches in The British Virgin Islands.
Medical
An International Vaccination Certificate is not mandatory
in The British Virgin Islands. Peebles Hospital has
surgical, x-ray and laboratory facilities; there is
a private plastic surgery clinic as well several private
medical centres. A chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous
meets regularly. Call (284) 494-4549/ (284) 494-3125.
Pets
Pets are allowed entry into the Territory only after
an import permit is issued by the Department of Agriculture.
For regulations governing animal importation, contact
the Department of Agriculture, Paraquita Bay, Tortola,
British Virgin Islands. Tel: (284) 495-2532 or Fax:
(284) 495-1269.
Taxes
Sales Tax:
There is no Sales Tax in the British Virgin Islands.
Departure Tax:
$20.00 per person leaving by air, $5.00 leaving by
sea and $7.00 for cruise ship passengers.
Hotel Tax:
In the British Virgin Islands there is a 7% Hotel
Accommodation Tax payable by guests who stay for six
months or less in hotels, apartments, houses, cottages,
villas and similar accommodations.
Tipping
10 or 15% depending on service. However, some resorts
automatically add a service charge to their rates.
In this case, you have no obligation to tip extra.
Electricity
110/60 volts AC, 60Hz. American 2-pin plugs are used.
Cruising Permits
A Cruising permit is required for all cruising in
The British Virgin Islands
SEASONAL RATES: (December 1- April 30). All recorded
Charter Boats - $2.00 per person per day. All non-recorded
Charter Boats - $4.00 per person per day.
British Virgin Islands : Watersports Centres OUT OF
SEASON RATES: (May 1 - November 30). All recorded
Charter Boats - $0.75 per person per day. All non-recorded
Charter Boats - $4.00 per person per day.
Dive, day charter and sport fishing boats should contact
The British Virgin Islands Customs Department Tel:
(284) 494-3475 or (284) 468-3701 ext. 2533 for current
cruising permit requirements.
Marine Conservation Permits
The use of National Parks Trust mooring without a
permit is illegal. Call the National Parks Trust Office
at (284) 494-3904 for information.
Fishing Permits
The removal of any marine organism from British Virgin
Islands waters is illegal for non-BVIslanders without
a recreational fishing permit. Contact The Ministry
of Natural Resources & Labour, Tel: (284) 468-3701
ext. 2147 for information.
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