Snorkel Gear, Passports and Provisioning: 7 Helpful Tips When Traveling to the BVI
Are you planning a trip to the BVI? There are few greater pleasures than sailing, snorkeling and beaching in the British Virgin Islands, one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful vacation spots. The BVI Insider has a few tips to make your trip easier.
Booking Flights
Traveling to the British Virgin Islands has never been smoother. Pandemic restrictions are now in the rearview mirror, and a new direct flight on American Airlines from Miami to the BVI adds to several options for getting here from the States and Europe.
US travelers can fly direct from many destinations to St. Thomas in the neighboring US Virgin Islands and take daily ferries to ports on Tortola’s West End and Road Town, or several days a week to Virgin Gorda. The ferry is a scenic option, introducing travelers to a panoply of islands as they cruise up the Sir Francis Drake Channel.
Another popular route from the US is to fly to San Juan, Puerto Rico and take one of several commuter flights from San Juan to the Terrance B. Lettsome Airport. Located on Beef Island on Tortola’s eastern most end, the airport is connected to Tortola by a short bridge.
UK travelers usually opt to fly to Antigua where they will also connect with a commuter airline to Beef Island’s airport. Coming from Europe? Travelers can fly from Paris to St. Martin and again take a smaller airline from St. Martin to Beef Island.
Bring your Passport
Pack your passport. Passports are a requirement for entry to the BVI. But for most travelers from US, Europe and Canada, visas are not needed. If you do need to apply for a passport or a visa, do it way ahead of time. US passport waits are longer than previously due to backups caused by renewed interest in travel following Covid. The same holds for Visas.
According to a recent article in the New York Times, “As of March 24, routine processing of (US) passports will take 10 to 13 weeks, and expedited processing, which costs an extra $60, will take seven to nine weeks. That’s a two-week increase from the previous timeline.” https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/03/travel/passport-processing-wait-times.html
To see which countries must apply for a BVI visa go to the British Virgin Islands London office website at https://bvi.org.uk/visas/
Pack Light
The weather here is beautiful and balmy year-round. Whether you are staying on a boat, villa or hotel, one or two swimsuits, a light sweater, pair of slacks and a couple of pairs of shorts, along with tops and tees should be enough. Women may also want to pack a summer dress for a nice dinner out, but they can leave the high heels home, splashy sandals will do just fine. A sarong or beach cover is also a good idea. I live here and this is pretty much my dress code year-round.
The good news for men is that they can forget about sports jackets and ties.
Make Room for Snorkel Gear
What you may want to pack is a snorkel and mask. A good fitting mask that seals to your face is a requisite. The BVI is a snorkeler’s wonderland. Sunken ships and derelict airplanes have created new dive sites, and coral heads and colorful reef fish abound throughout the area. Two of my favorite snorkel spots are The Indians and the Norman Island Caves and its rocky shoreline.
If you don’t have a snorkel and mask and don’t want to carry them, several dive shops in the territory provide snorkel gear (as well as snorkel and dive excursions). Day Sail boats are an excellent way to get out on the water and most provide snorkeling gear. Being on and below the water is a highlight of any trip to the BVI.
Learn more about diving and snorkeling in the BVI at https://thebviinsider.com/diving-and-snorkeling/
Remember Sunscreen and Insect Repellent
This is the tropics and the sun can be intense. It is advisable if sailing or beaching to wear sunscreen. According to the website CNET, “Various health authorities have different recommendations, though all agree that SPF 15 is the minimum. For the best protection when you’ll be outside all day at the pool, park, beach, amusement park or elsewhere, SPF 30 or higher is ideal.”
For more of cnet’s recommendations, go to https://www.cnet.com/health/personal-care/the-ideal-spf-sunscreen-you-should-use-this-summer-not-too-high-not-too-low/
Insect repellent is also a good idea. Tradewinds keep pesky mosquitoes at a minimum but if it’s been rainy, they could be bothersome. There are all kinds of repellents on the market with both natural ingredients and various percentages of Deet, so it wouldn’t hurt to pack a small bottle or spray can just in case. Most BVI grocery stores are also well stocked with OFF and other brands.
Provisioning is Easy
Don’t bother with bringing down food unless you have special dietary needs. BVI grocery stores are well stocked with fresh veg, meats and seafoods. You can treat yourself to a taste of the BVI by trying out locally grown provisions: sweet potatoes, tania, dasheen and other root vegetables can be found in local markets as well as in the larger grocery stores’ produce section. Local sweet potatoes are white and starchy, while pumpkin, known here as calabaza, is lighter in color and meatier than the bright orange Halloween style pumpkins you find up north. I often put calabaza and local sweet potatoes in soups and stews. Locals also boil their bananas and papayas while green to serve as a side dish with stewed fish and chicken.
There are many small grocery stores scattered around the islands but the largest ones will also let you place an order online and deliver to your villa or boat.
Supavalu https://www.facebook.com/supavalultd
There are also a number of specialty shops. The French Deli, Italian Food and Wine, Relish and Steakation are among them.
And Then There’s Rum
The Caribbean is the epicenter of great rums and when in the BVI you will also never lack for something alcoholic to drink. Liquor, wine and beer are all reasonably priced by world standards. You can find wine, beer and booze at almost all grocery stores, and in addition there are a number of wholesalers that will sell to retail customers.
Read about the Callwood’s Rum Distillery in Cane Garden Bay and the BVI’s rum tradition:
You can find other helpful information on traveling to the BVI here:
