More Information
Cruising Permits, Fees and Departure Taxes
Cruising Permit Fees for home-based charters is $6.00 per person per day; the cruising fee for foreign based boats is $16 per person per day. A home-based charter boat is a boat operated in the Virgin Islands, generally maintained in the Virgin Islands and managed by a company or any other legal entity incorporated, registered or licensed in the Virgin Islands for a period of five (5) months or more in any 12-month period.
National Parks Moorings Buoys Permit: To Protect our reefs and underwater environment, boats are required to use the National Parks Trust’s moorings buoys, which have been installed at popular anchorages and diving areas. Permits can be purchased at the National Parks Trust Office on the second floor of the Mill Mall building on Wickhams Cay I in Road Town.
Departure tax of $15 is charged for each passenger leaving by air. There is also a $5. Per person security tax. The departure tax for people leaving by sea is $15 for residents and $20 for visitors.
Currency, Credit Cards and Banks
The BVI uses the US dollar as its official currency. Major credit cards including Visa and Mastercard are the most frequently accepted; American Express is only accepted in a limited number of establishments. A few of the smaller locally owned bars and restaurants though may only accept cash. If using a traveler’s check, don’t be surprised if you are charged an extra 10 cents; there is a 10 cent stamp duty on all bank checks and traveler checks. Traveler checks can be cashed at banks.
The primary retail banks in the BVI are: First Bank, VI; Banco Popular, Republic Bank, National Bank of the Virgin Islands and First Caribbean CIBC.
Medical Matters
You do not need an international vaccination certificate to enter the BVI. The health services include Dr. Orlando Smith Hospital in Road Town, which has surgical, emergency, X-Ray and Laboratory facilities. There are also several private medical clinics and laboratories, including B&F Medical Complex, Eureka Medical Clinical, Penn’s Medical Centre among others. There is a government clinic on Virgin Gorda.
Weather Report
The famous trade winds that blow in the equatorial regions include the British Virgin Islands. These famed winds were vital to early shipping and are also responsible for the cooling breezes that blow from the southeast much of the year, making the BVI’s climate pleasant, even in summer. The temperature range in the islands varies little more than 10 degrees Fahrenheit between winter and summer. Winter temperatures average 70 degrees in the evening and 80 degrees in the day; while summer temps run in the low 80s at night and low to mid 90s in the day.
What to Wear
The dress code for visitors is simple and makes packing easy. Shorts, tee shirts and other cool casual clothing and just one or two dressier outfits for a nice dinner out. Jackets are not required for men in most establishments. The only rule is do not wear a bathing suit or skimpy attire when anywhere other than the beach or pool.
Where to Shop
Visitors generally come to the BVI for the sun, sea and sand, not a shopping experience. But nonetheless, there are several eclectic shops with fine jewelry, crafts and unique Caribbean style merchandise to be found on Tortola throughout Road Town on Main Street, the Waterfront Road and Wickhams Cay. Several pharmacies, as well as supermarkets are located in Road Town. The supermarkets offer an extensive range of fresh produce, meats, seafood and staple goods from the US, UK and the Caribbean.
Crafts Alive is a vibrant shopping area in Road Town housed in a series of colorful wooden buildings; here you can find a variety of gift items including Caribbean tee-shirts, tropical clothing for men, women and children and local crafts and art. The Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park offers shopping for all visitors and BVI residents, not just cruise ship passengers. Clothing boutiques and international jewelry store chains can be found here. Picturesque Soper’s Hole Marina and Wharf on Frenchman’s Cay on Tortola’s West End has additional shopping. Other boutiques and small grocery stores can be found throughout the territory including Cane Garden Bay, and Trellis Bay on Tortola.
Elsewhere in the BVI: there are a number of grocery stores, pharmacies and boutiques in Spanish Town and elsewhere on Virgin Gorda, on Jost Van Dyke, and Anegada; as well as on outer island beach bars and hotels.
Wedding Bells
Getting married in the BVI is growing in popularity. Couples have been married with the ceremony officiated by the BVI Registrar or a willing pastor on beaches and on yachts. To tie the knot you must apply for a marriage license; a three-day process. If you want to be married by the Registrar, book prior to your arrival by calling ahead of time: application for the ceremony must be made after the license has been granted. The Registrar will perform the ceremony in the office, although for an additional fee, plus transportation costs the Registrar will travel to the site of your choice (within reason). Several wedding planners are located in the BVI and some of the larger hotels and resorts will also assist with wedding arrangements. For complete requirements, fees and documentation for getting married in the BVI, contact the Registrar’s office at (284) 468-3701.
Religious Denominations
Most of the major denominations, as well as some smaller ones are represented in the BVI. Among the churches found here are Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Seventh Day Adventist, Jehovah’s Witness and Pentecostal Church of Christ.
A Word About Driving
A temporary driver’s license is not necessary for visitors if they are staying for 30 days or less and have a valid overseas driving license. Otherwise a temporary license is required and can be obtained from rental car company offices, or the Department of Motor Vehicles at Pockwood Pond on Tortola.
Purchasing Property
It’s also possible to buy land in the BVI, but a Non-Belonger Landholding License is required before ownership is conferred. A locally based lawyer is used in most cases to assist in the process. One of the several realty companies based here in the BVI can provide additional information. You can also contact the Ministry of Natural Resources at (284) 468-3701.
Belonger and Non-Belonger
Visitors often wonder what these terms mean, and if you are going to spend any time here,it is helpful to understand the difference. Belongers are those who are native born British Virgin Islanders, but they are also outsiders who have had the status conferred on them through naturalization or applying through the Dept of Immigration. To apply for Belongership status, one must first apply for “Residency” and have lived here a minimum of 20 years. Property holders can apply for a special non-working residency status that needs to be renewed annually. If you are working in the BVI you must apply through your prospective employer for a Work Permit which you obtain through the Department of Immigration.
