Clearing between USVI and BVI

Hi all! Prior to COVID, we would clear out of the BVI to spend a few days in St. John. We learned the process, and it was pretty easy - but it was manual with forms. I am hearing that you have to use www.sailclear.com now, but I have also seen on here that you can use the ROAM app to check into the USVI.

We have confirmed that this is possible with the charter company, but we will not have the boat information until we get down there. Has anyone done this recently, and if so, will you please share some details about the process? We are big BVI and St. John fans, so doing both would be ideal. Thank you in advance for any help! Steve

I've posted this in two other treads in the last week. We just did this March 31.
You still have to have the captain walk into BVI customs to check out. You can either get on line or use the machine there to create the paperwork which customs prints out and you pass through, customs, the cashier and finally immigration. (just like always) Thier windows are all within 10 feet of each other at Great Harbor. Having the ROAM feature on the boat makes checking into USVI a breeze. All done over the phone using the ROAM apt. Can check in anywhere once in US waters. When returning to BVI, go back to sailclear, hit arrive instead of departure and the paperwork gets created (it will still have all your info saved) it emails gives you a reference number that you give customs, then go to cashier and finally immigration and you're back in. There were 4 of us and the BVI fees were a total of $15 each way. You need to register with ROAM and create an account where you enter the boat info and passports of your crew.

"On our last trip a couple weeks ago, we did just the opposite. We wanted to do some amazing hikes this trip and haven't sailed to St John since 2019. We started out in the BVI, sailed to Jost Van Dyke and checked out at Customes. They now use the apt Sailclear which make checking out very easy. Total fees for the 4 of us, $15. We spent the afternoon at White bay and headed for St. John at 7 AM the next mooring. Using ROAM, we checked into the USVI while moored in Leinster Bay. After being cleared which only took about 20 minutes we hiked over to the sugar mill ruins and then to the Murphy house. Next morning the girls hiked the trail to Coral Bay while my friend Bob and I sailed around St John to Coral Bay. We met up and had a great lunch at "Skinny Legs" before spending the night at Great Lamisher Bay. Since I have a "senior pass" to the national parks, mooring fees were only $13. Next morning we sailed over to Reef Bay and hiked to the sugar mill and on to the Petroglyphs. This is a must trail to hike. After that, we sailed over to Christmas Bay for pizza that evening from the pizza boat, Pizza PI. It's fun taking the dingy for carry out. Next morning we returned to Great Harbor and checked in again using the Sailclear apt. Spent that day at Norman, hiking and snorkeling the Indians before heading back to Fat Hog Bay the next day. We go down 5 or 6 times a year so it's fun to mix it up now and than. Heading back in 2 weeks for a 2 week sail with "the guys". Looking forward to spending a few days in Anegada this time."

Great post!

Thank you for sharing your experience!

Yes, thank you for taking the time to share all of this - super helpful!

Very helpful. When coming back into the BVI from USVI could all the crew go into C&I with you or only you (as the Captain)?

Go by yourself and don’t allow any crew ashore until you clear. You will just annoy them if you bring everyone.

We headed to the USVI this week and back into BVI today. It took an hour to clear out in Great Harbour. We were approved by USVI within 10 minutes of submitting ROAM on arrival in USVI waters. Return in Great Harbour was about 45 minutes. Sail Clear was down. FYI: They wanted to see our Island Birds ticket for leaving BVI.