US Virgin Islands to BVIs?

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Steve L22188

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Apr 28, 2005
274
Oday 302 Lake Perry, KS
Getting ready to do our second bareboat charter in the BVIs in February. Has anyone picked up a boat in the USVIs and then cruised the BVIs -- and then returned to the USVIs?

Is it a hassle to clear in and out of immigration/customs? Airfares are much cheaper to St. Thomas than Tortola. And, there may be some US Virgin Islands worth cruising to?

Simple solution would be to take the ferry from the US to the British side, but wondered about just picking up a boat in St. Thomas? Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks.
 
Rick I

Rick I

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Jan 6, 2007
414
CS36Merlin and Beneteau 393 - Toronto
Checking in and out in the BVI can be done at the same time. Jost Van Dyke or Sopers Hole. You have to check back in USVI, usually at Cruz Bay. USVI charter boats in BVI have to pay double the cruising tax. More work getting to the good cruising area from USVI. Usually better to get a boat from BVI. Take the ferry over.
 
Gary Kunkel

Gary Kunkel

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Jun 1, 2004
125
Catalina 30 MKII Channel Islands Harbor, CA
Having done both several times, we now prefer taking the first morning ferry from St Thomas to Road Town, then picking up our boat in the BVI. No matter what you decide, it's all good in the islands. Going back in June for our 10th vacation there!
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,360
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
You have to ask yourself what you time is worth to you when you are there and how that offsets with the airfare difference.

We did a USVI charter and had to clear in a JVD and back in again Cruz Bay on St. John n 1986. Not time consuming at JVD, but a waste of time clearing back in. Since then we did the BVIs directly.

So you'd want to addwhatever time it takes you to travel there and back again or for clearing in an out.

Your life, your time. :)
 
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Benny17441

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May 24, 2004
7,215
CC 30 South Florida
If you are going to cruise the British Virgin Islands then by all means charter your boat there. There is no sense in paying the cruising fee of a foreign vessel and having to check into the BVI and then back into the USVI. People that charter out of St. Thomas are hardier sailors looking to make passages to St. Croix or Puerto Rico, Vieques and Culebras. The BVIs are clustered close together and provide great entertainment spots and that is the reason they are most popular.
 
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Steve L22188

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Apr 28, 2005
274
Oday 302 Lake Perry, KS
Sunsail vs. Moorings?

Ron:

Yes, looks like later in February we'll be there.

How did you like the Sunsail service? We went with the Moorings last time, and were satisfied, but they are pricey.

Steve
 
higgs

higgs

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Aug 24, 2005
3,736
Nassau 34 Olcott, NY
I was quite staisfied with TMM for less than Sunsail or the Moorings.
 
Salty

Salty

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Dec 2, 2008
144
Catalina 390 14 Perth Amboy, NJ
Like others said I'll recommend flying into St Thomas and taking the ferry into Road Town and chartering in BVI. We did it last year and it worked out fine even though our itinerary included St John.
 
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Cayennita

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Nov 28, 2009
495
Catalina 30 St. Croix
Sun Sail owns the Moorings. I live in St. Croix. Do what others advice. Charter in the BVI. Save a lot of time and energy. Don't get the full provision package. You won't use it all. BTW there are now 950 bare boats available in BVI. Gets crowded in February and everyone is racing to the next mooring. Get a charter boat that is as far east as possible in Tortola and then stay one day ahead of the mob. Cheaper taxi run from/to the airport.
 
Jim McD

Jim McD

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Mar 29, 2010
12
Beneteau 461 Oceanis St. Thomas, USVI
Steve,

Having moved to St. Thomas this past June, I now have some local knowledge about cruising in the USVI's and the BVI's.

Checking into the BVI's is fairly easy. You will have to check out of the BVI's on the day you leave if your stay is longer than 3 days. Checking back into the US is a bit trickier, but not too bad (you have 24 hours to do it, so checking back in in St. Thomas at the ferry dock in town on the way to the airport works and is free. You will have to pay if you check back into the US on a Sunday or a holiday).

Feel free to PM me or give me a call (340-514-3889) if you would like more info. There is plenty to see and do in the USVI's, especially St. John. Nothing here is too far away so that you can see some places you might not have been to before...

Jim
 
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