Pop Quiz Hot Shot.........

...you have friends who need to be picked up in St. Thomas and you're in Roadtown. What do you do? What do you do?

Actually doesn't look as good in print as it does saying it out loud. I know, I know...it's a silly 1990s movie reference but I was trying to make a likely tired group of questions seem more appealing. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/smashpc.gif" alt="" /> I apologize for some repeat questions but my searches haven't gotten me the exact information I was craving.

Was hoping to get some input on the logistics of the said taxi run from Roadtown to the USVI such as:

1) Is it easier to clear customs before leaving Roadtown (Sunsail base) or to make a quick stop at West End on the way past?

2) Assuming we are going to re-enter the BVI the next day, can we somehow clear back in without making a stop at JVD/West End my notifying them the day before as I have seen suggested or is this a fallacy? Similarly, can I clear into USVI and back out the next day without a second trip to the office?

3) I have never spent anytime in the USVI on a charter despite many charters in the BVI due to the time it takes to clear in/out. If we spend one night in St. John, which site would you choose: Hawksnest, Maho/Francis, Leinster, other?

4) Should I pick up my friends at Red Hook or make them take the ferry over to Cruz Bay and pick them up there? Trying to figure out if saving a trip back and forth across the Pillsbury Sound is worth it.

5) Would it just be easier to pick them up (i.e. clear in and out at the same time) and essentially scrap a night on St. John and head to JVD instead and stick to the BVI. I'm curious as to what everyone else would do in the same situation.

Thanks as always for any assistance!
Brett

The answer to questions 1-5: Have them take the ferry from St. Thomas to Roadtown. Or to Soper's Hole and meet them there. I would only go through the hassle of checking out of the BVIs, checking in at the USVIs and checking back in to the BVIs if I was planning on spending some time in the USVIs - as in more than one day. The ferry will get them there quickly and you'll be able to experience more of the BVIs. Just my opinion...

Matt

BTW, I don't believe you have to check out of the USVI - at least if you are US citizens. At least I never have.

No requirement to check out of USVI if you are canadian either.

Last year I did what you proposed because I did not want to take a chance on my adult kids getting stuck in Stt, otherwise they would have taken the ferry.

Two days of sailing plus customs delays on both ends to save a $35 ferry fare and 50 minute ride makes no sense to me.

What time do they get in? How many days and what's your itinerary? If they have afternoon flights then clear in at Cruz Bay and either pick them up in Red Hook or have them Ferry over. Customs is not a big deal and you don't have to clear out over here to go back to the BVI's.

As far as where to stay. Cruz Bay isn't really accessible in the big boat. You have to take a mooring at Lind Point/Caneel Bay and dinghy in. Not my favorite overnight but if your on a cat it's not a big deal. There is ferry traffic. Maho/Francis is my favorite beach and anchorage on the North Shore. Take some food to grill out and enjoy the turtles if you stay here.

As for the naysayers, St John is the nicest Island in the Virgins period. Nicer beaches, better boat access with abundant good moorings for $15 a night. The only thing really lacking is the beach bar scene, that's a trade off being mostly National Park.

Cruz bay is the nicest town in the Virgin's more good restaurants and bars than any other concentrated area in either side of the Virgins. Better shopping as well.

Two days sailing? I hope your sailing for a week or more not two days. Plenty to see and great places to sail on both sides of the chain.

Just a few shots to prove my point.

Friday Beach Picture by captainjay, on Flickr

[img]https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2517/3807773912_ebbdb1b84b_z.jpg?zz=1[/img]Sunset in Cruz Bay STJ by captainjay, on Flickr

[img]https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4010/4370290478_ed3b4dcbfd_z.jpg?zz=1[/img]Francis STJ by captainjay, on Flickr

[img]https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2380/2497168445_525a01c5c5_z.jpg?zz=1[/img]Friday beach pic by captainjay, on Flickr

IMG_1330 by captainjay, on Flickr
Friday Beach Pic by captainjay, on Flickr

Checking in at Cruz Bay is very straight forward. You can download the US forms and prefill them; if you don't know your boat registration information fill that in by hand when you do. If you draw 6' or less you can anchor right in the creek by customs.

Our favorite anchorages are Maho/Francis and Leinster. Maho has more turtles, rays and the occasional manta. Leinster has more starfish, cuttlefish and other grassy wee beasts.

The St. John anchorages are pristine. Closest to it in the BVI on our recent two week trip was Diamond Cay/Sandy Spit area. The kids' favorite anchorage across the VI was Maho Bay.

Remember to buy your BVI forms when you check out. You'll need one immigration form per person, one customs per family and one customs form for the boat.

Easiest approach? Have them take the ferry to Tortola. But, I'd give my crew their first night in Maho Bay. Pick them up in Cruz Bay and wait in one of the beach bars or restaurants near the ferry dock.

So, I agree with Capt. Jay to the point that we own our boat together. I chose to own a boat based at St. Thomas so that I can always start and end our trip in our favorite national park anchorages. Spending time in the our favorit harbor village in the VI helps to.

Cheers, RickG

I second Jay's advice - if they can meet you at Cruz Bay and you've got enough time to hang in STJ for a bit? Do it.

For one night, I wouldn't bother. But for two nights, why not? We're at Maho now. Checked out of Customs Sunday evening and spent the night at Norman and heading across the south side of St John yesterday and checked in at Cruz bay mid day. Anchored just off the channel and took the dinghy in to clear in and then had lunch and walked around a bit. Then we headed to Maho end of day and will be moving at some point later this morning.

Customs isn't a big deal on either end, but it does take time. For two nights not a big deal at all. To just act as a ferry though, I wouldn't bother.

Is sailing the bad part? Customs is very easy and does not waste a day. I know we are not the norm because we are usually down for a month. We enjoy sailing all the way to Crown Bay for the airport pick up. We love the marina, restaurants, markets, and laundry. We either stay the night in Christmas Cove or Maho, depending on the flight arrival. I totally agree with Jay and Rick. You are missing something special not visiting St.John <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

No it's your snide comments that the never ending bad part.

Guess I should have been more specific as to my feelings about the trip. I certainly have thought about having them take the ferry to West End but don't really enjoy staying there over night and would likely have to hustle to CGB or JVD for the night once they got in (around 5 likely with the ferry), so I actually offered to pick them up as I do like the thought of a nice long sail that first day with the admiral and two other crew on board. I like the journey as much as the destination but realize that not all do.

I also have not been to the shores of St. John and thought it a great chance to visit at least one day and maybe two before heading back to the BVI.

To answer your questions CaptainJay, four of us are arriving Sunday to prep and provision and head out Monday morning to pick up the other four who can't make it til the next day. We are back at Sunsail base on the follow Monday morning to head home. Four of the crew are new to sailing the islands. We will likely circumnavigate one way or the other and hit Anegada per my usual but I'm pretty open minded about changing plans based on my crew's desires.

My thought was to clear out of either Roadtown or West End and clear in to Cruz Bay. Their flight arrives at 2:30 and if we are just getting there because of a delay at the base, etc. then we will just pick them up. However, was wondering the feasibility of then heading on over to Maho for the night and making them catch a taxi to Maho where I can then just dinghy in to pick them up at the beach. Then we just clear in to the BVI the next day or the day after depending on how we feel. I can to my other favorite spots in the BVI with 5-6 nights I feel pretty easily as we have done it before.

Nice to know that I do not have to clear back out of the USVI. Sounds as if the BVI clearing in and out will be the crux of the problem. I certainly don't want to pay a 1$/foot/day clearing back in for the bulk of the trip though. That would definitely mean a ferry ride for the others.

Yo NC, I think you’re taking Evan ( sailto’s) comments out of context. If we weren’t down there to go sailing we’d be on a Cruise Ship.

Last year sitting in Trellis my oldest daughters flight was delayed in Atlanta and she couldn’t get to STT until after the last ferry to the BVI MIGHT have run. I told her get to STT the following day and give me a call. Got up the next morning, called Kevin Campbell, took the back door to Jost, cleared out and in @ Cruz then met her on the Red Hook Ferry that afternoon with a cocktail. Back in the BVI’s the next afternoon after snorkeling Waterlemon. Great time was had by all.

As to Evan....once you have been down for life stuff. and not "we have to go there mode". a leisurely sail to wherever is just fine, and doesn't interrupt the trip. Actually we look forward to diversions that pull us out of that mode. I can't tell you how many times people have decided to "just come down" and we accommodate them out of shear ((what the heck)) lets do it, make it happen!

as you learn to navigate the ins-and-outs everything is nothing but a road.

Many on forum, have been down long enough that three nights on a anchor, or three days of sailing, or three month of dry, is just a marvelous idea. I'm not quite at 3 months on water...but I'm working on it.

One thing I can PROMISE is i will never be caught on a cruise ship..dead or alive.

I would think clearing out at West End would be easier than Roadtown. There really isn't a good anchorage that close to RT, heck I'm not sure if there's a dingy dock close. I have seen day boats get close enough to the concrete dock and someone step off the bow to do the clearance while the big boat circled around waiting. Anyway, someone else may have more info on that. Maybe the captain could just taxi over and back. BTW the BVI wants only the captain, the US wants everybody. Every time I've brought a BVI boat back to the BVI I just had to check the arrival box and hand them the copy they gave me when I checked out. The fee wasn't much at all. Since you'll be bringing in 4 more than you left with I'm not sure what extra's you'll have to do. Again others can help on that.

Looks like it will be a little late whether you pick them up at Red Hook, Cruz Bay or West End but you should have time to get to a good anchorage before nightfall. I wasn't too sure about the idea of meeting them at Maho/St Francis but maybe that would work out. It would really help if you can communicate with them by phone just incase the flight is late or they end up having a problem with the ferry. You should have a good ATT signal at any of those places except in Maho if you put the mountain between the boat and St. Thomas.

We actually like cruises have done quite a few. Sometimes it's nice to kick back and be served.

Amen Robert...the most magical trips I have had have been just Ward and I with no real plans. spent 4 glorious nights on the same ball at Lindt point outside cruise bay, explored all the beaches by dinghy on one glorious windless day...amazing.

Another 3 nights at CGB chilling and enjoying the wonderful music. LOVE showing newbies around but can not wait for freedom 55 and a very extended vacation ....4 years and counting <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Hope to see you guys in 2016 ...looks like last week of May first week of June or longer for us in addition to two weeks prior to Easter

If your leaving the same day from Road Town take a cab or walk from the base to customs and cear out before you leave the dock. Sail to Lind Point outside Cruz Bay clear in and enjoy the afternoon in Cruz Bay have a good lunch do some shopping and get a good look around. You will be back everyone comes back it's that kind of town.

Sail up to Maho and get a mooring. Your crew can get a cab from the Ferry Dock to Maho as you stated. The road runs right along the beach. There is a dinghy channel on the far left side of the beach where you can pick them up. Spend the next morning hangin out at Maho snorkling with the turtles, tarpons and rays. Then you can decide if you want to head back the BVI's that day or the next. You might just find yourself sitting at Waterlemon Cay a couple miles away.

Rinse and repeat. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Next time just charter from us ten minutes from the airport and you can avoid the roundabout. You will find yourself wanting to spend more time in St John either way.

Enjoy your trip.

Jay

Or grab a ball bad have crew take a cab to Cancel Bay resort. Then you can use the dinghy dock to load the passengers. Great bar and restaurant is a bonus as are the beautiful grounds. We did this in Feb and the Cancel staff were very welcoming and dinner there was a great start to the trip for our arriving crew.

Agree that a few days at St John are always a treat

Too early for me to type. I meant to say grab a ball at Cancel Bay and have the crew cab there.

Autocorrect is still not your friend....Caneel Bay <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks to all for the help as always. It is nice when planning charters to have such a great resource of knowledgeable and willing experts. I think I like the idea of clearing customs from Roadtown and clearing in to Cruz Bay as CaptainJay suggests and making the crew come to me where we are moored. A couple of more questions if I may.

1) Are they still charging by the foot in Great Harbor, JVD to get back in to BVI? Will plan to hit West End if so.

2) When I clear in to the BVI the day before, do I only list a 1 day stay since I am clearing out the next day or do I go ahead and list the full week. (probably over thinking this but was just curious)

3) Can I go ahead and buy forms from the BVI for the incoming crew to have filled out and can I as captain handle clearing in or will each crew member need to be present?

Thanks again.

I don't beleive they are going to charge you for a BVI based boat. Check with your charter company they will know.
Yes you can buy the forms when you clear out.
Yes the captain can clear everyone in on return.
I would not bother telling customs at the Ferry about a one day trip to St John it will confuse them. You will be leaving in a week by Ferry. The rest will be covered with the boat clearing in and out.
Jay

Is the $1/foot harbor fee still being charged? Acording to this BVIPA press release. from April it has been suspended.

We did not pay the harbor fee in July.

Cheers, RickG

#3 you can add guests to your existing BVI form. For instance my wife and I check out of BVI, pick up guests, return to BVI and we use the same forms we checked out with, just adding our new guests

Good to know sailtowind. Thanks everyone for the help.

Just planned this trip last week. Only 87 days to go and a nice way to cap off the best time of year weather wise in Georgia! Life is good!

Cool. We're 86 out. Maybe see you around.

We're at 91 days.

Indeed Chriskal and warren460. We will be on a Sunsail 444 the Nov. 8-16 so look for us if you're down. Eight adults and no kids this trip so should be pretty relaxing. Going to Annapolis for the boat show in October as well if anyone will be around.

Maybe I miscounted my days, but we're on a Moorings 393 PC 11/9--11/16

Also all adults. Well, sort of anyway. Four college buddies sans wives and significant others. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

we are down nov 13 - 23. Leaving out of nanny cay.

That would appear right on the days but I was just taking my buddy's word for it from his text earlier that day. We will have the wives with us but will certainly look out for you. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />