I have made as detailed guide as possible for entry and exiting the BVIs through San Juan and St. Thomas. I got quite a few questions and thought this may help out. I got up this morning at 4:00am and started typing and just finished at 11:00am central time. (side note I'm dyslexic and extremely southern) I apologize for errors and omissions. please post corrections in the comments and I will make changes. Share with as many people that need it and feel free to reach out to me with any questions. If I don't know the answer I can find someone easily that does. Also I know I was really down on traveling through San Juan but I feel cost and effort is much easier through St. Thomas especially if traveling with young children!

CLICK BELOW
BVI ENTRY GUIDE

I greatly appreciate what you put together. Printing it out for my 18 Jun trip.
G

Thorough but there is an error, you can use the positive antibody test to get back into USVI by land or AIR. Im using it to get into the USVI by air on my way down and by ferry on my way back.

quoted from the USVI portal site front page: https://usvitravelportal.com/

Every traveler aged five or older who enters the U.S. Virgin Islands by air or sea, including anyone in-transit to another destination, is required to use the USVI Travel Screening Portal AND to submit a COVID-19 test result prior to travel.


Travelers are required to provide evidence of:


a COVID-19 molecular (e.g., RT-PCR, viral or nucleic acid amplification) test from a nasal or throat or saliva swab sample taken and NEGATIVE result received (both within five days of commencement of travel to the Territory)

OR

a COVID-19 antigen (rapid) test from a nasal or throat swab sample taken and NEGATIVE result received (both within five days of commencement of travel to the Territory)

OR

a COVID-19 antibody (rapid) finger stick or blood draw test taken and POSITIVE result received (both within four months of commencement of travel to the Territory)

You cannot, as of now, use the antibody test to return to the United States from a foreign country. You omitted the reference to the CDC requirements which take precedence when (and only when) you are returning to the U.S. by air from a foreign country. You can use the antibody test to enter the USVI from the mainland U.S.

The USVI does not require a actual test if you are positive for antibodies. The US however requires everyone to have a negative covid test if arriving from a foreign country by air. If arriving by sea the antibody test is acceptable to the USVI and the US has no testing requirements.

Confused. We are travelling on return via Water Taxi from West End, Tortola through USVI and then flying back to US mainland. Does Antibody test suffice? Very confusing,

Everyone it is a POSITIVE antibody test..meaning you have had the vaccine and built up the antibody to COVID. It is a NEGATIVE Covid test..Confusing I know..but just got USVI approval with my POSITIVE antibody test

pk5352 - That should work as you are entering the USVI by water.

The traveling by sea is a little bit of a loop hole around the CDC guidelines using the antibodies test. I’ve confirmed with multiple sources that it works. The best part about that is you do not have to plan your trip around making it to a testing clinic when you would rather be diving a reef.

Once you get to USVI there are no more requirements to enter back to the mainland. Unless your final destination requires it. I havnt heard of any states that do but I do know of some retirement communities that require a negative test.

I wasn't thinking of it as a loophole since the USVI put their requirements in place months before the CDC requirement was issued. I believe you are correct.

Thanks for doing that...if I can figure out how to get the Adobe cloud link to work here I will add my trip and prep plan to the mix...

Positive antibody test for USVI via vessel is not a loophole. No test is required to enter by vessel into the US mainland.

Unless they have changed something. The USVI website currently states anyone arriving by vessel or air. Also Smith Ferry’s would disagree with you. And Dolphin Water Taxi will too.

Now if you are talking about sailing from the BVIs to the mainland of the US I do not know. Your statement at the end confuses me. Because I’m not talking about traveling by vessel to the US Mainland. I’m talking about traveling to The USVI by vessel and I’m 100% positive at this current time you are required to have one of the 3 approved tests.

If you have evidence of something that proves that to be incorrect please link or share it.

Thank you!

And by loophole I mean it gets you around having to take a exit test in the BVIs. Not that it’s breaking laws. Just getting to follow USVIs rules rather than the CDCs.

You are in fact following the CDC rules. I arrived in the US after 6 days sailing. No tests required.

We head down a week from towith us day so pleeeaaase help me out!! We're returning from BVI's via Dolphin Water Taxi on water (not plane). Am I understanding correctly that we can bring some kind of home test to the BVI's and since we're all vaccinated, it will be all the proof we need to re-enter the USVI????? Sorry to be dense!! I'm actually the leader for my group and they have no idea how much work all of this is!!!!!

The test must meet the USVI requirements. Since you have been vaccinated I would get a antibody test first. If you are positive that will cover you for the return.

Okay at a glance if I understand ( and I skimmed thru but will look close) to get in the bvi besides the testing and vaccine passports, insurance..the testing to satisfy the bvi needs be done within 5 days of travel. We are going thru San Juan and they require a test within 72 hrs. We have checked bags so will have to collect from southwest and check w cape air.

Having been stuck in San Juan more than once, I’m curious what others have done recently.

1) Have those going thru San Juan been waiting until 72 hrs out to get your pcr test sample taken? Or has doing so earlier like 4 days ahead or 5 allowed you to go thru San Juan?

2) Is there a lab that is very dependable available in most towns like Labcorps or Quest or testing thru CVS or Walgreens that assures you of having the results back prior to departure if not taken until 72 hrs out?

We are leaving on 6/13 a Sunday at 6 am and fly to dis about 730 pm and until reading about 72 hrs was thinking we could get the swab done a day sooner.

I’d be curious to know if anyone has been prevented from traveling on to the bvi if you missed a connection and stuck at airport overnight? Anyone not get their testing back in time to start this journey?

I was never a nervous flyer before..as long as I see a bit of gray hair in the cockpit.:)

We fly in the next day 6/14...DCA to SJU to EIS via Island Birds. I have been told if you don't leave the airport you don't need to use the PR portal or get a 3 day test

Our 5 day test are set for 6/9 (Wed) in the AM with departure Monday...

If vaccinated, I second George. Get the antibody test. We did are about to get on plane in STT to ATL.

Puerto Rico dropped testing requirements for fully vaccinated domestic travelers. It looks like this was effective 5/25. A test would still be required when arriving via air from an international destination per current CDC requirements.

agree...on way back EIS-SJU-DCA we are getting the 3 day test (Test Friday, travel Monday) with the time measured by days and not hours

So I can’t recall for sure because it didn’t matter that much AA quite often didn’t make that last flight on its feeder partner, but we were ticketed through. In this case f collecting bags do you think we have to do the 72 hr test ? I’m not sure if you have to leave secure area w Island birds which we likely should have done . Do you know if that is the case or does Island birds take you directly from secure area?

You don't have to leave secure area with Island Birds (or we didn't last time pre Covid). We have 2 of 8 checking bags who have to leave and come back and Nadia at Island Birds said no issue. Don't leave airport...

We did choose SJU vs alternate Island Birds airport so no taxi ride

I have heard others have had same experience at SJU...basically dont ask, dont tell, and dont leave airport and be ready show Island Birds flight info and passenger list

If it matters we are all vaccinated

cite: https://www.afar.com/magazine/is-puerto-rico-reopening-and-when-will-i-be-able-to-visit

I figured out how to share a link finally so here is my trip plan for this 2 week bareboat trip. We are frequent flyers and recognize no trip has ever followed plan.

2021 06 14 Trip Plan

And my Captains notes...

Planning List & Briefing

Hope it helps others and always appreciate TTOL making our trips better

Awesome Bailau! Our days at JVD May overlap - we are on Moon Dance. Note that Corsairs May still be closed - was closed in March with some interesting rumors floating around.

I know someone who tried to get a pizza at Corsairs 2 weeks ago. He was told it was permanently closed. That could mean for the season or worse.

Just a suggestion. Have pre-printed in large type an index card with a single email address for covid day 0 reporting. Give a card to all of the crew to present to clerk to minimize entry errors by clerks at check-in for day 0 test. This may reduce delays in approvals based upon erroneous transcription of email addresses.

xrayman67 and others - what Antibody test did you buy & where?

We had ours at CVS. $38 flat rate. We both knew we had positive antibodies because we had donated blood with Oneblood and they test for free, but never could get the correct paperwork to use that test. I have heard of some using the RedCross antibody test given during donation and that one having the proper results. ie, name, dob, test given and date, lab providing the test and igg and igm results.

we will look for you...I had to jettison the college kids so we will be flying the Virginia Tech Hokies flag-my alma mater

sorry to hear about Corsairs

Based on Vinny's posts on FB, it looks like he is just waiting for the BVI to fully open again without all the quarantine requirements. That way there'll be enough tourists on Jost to make it worth being open full time.

I sure hope that’s true. I would really miss those pizza’s!

Great idea...I was planning on using my email address for all. I assume that will work?

Great idea - I kept getting my name spelled as "brain" rather than "brian" - cheers Brian

What is the current status of Katitche Point Great house? We used to stay there 10-15 years ago when we were land based...such a great view you have at Mahoe Bay

It is still a mess after the hurricanes...nothing, as far as I could tell, has been repaired. Very sad sight!