Last year we cruised in the BVI & USVI. Last year our skipper dropped us off at St Johns and did not want to clear customs. If he wasn't dropping us off at St Johns I don't think we would have exited BVI through customs at Jost Van Dyke. I clearly go the impression from him that if we were cruising around and wanted to stay a night is USVI waters - such as Salt Pond Bay in St. Johns - he would not be clearing customs.

My question is: do most people follow the "proper" protocol by clearing customs when hitting destinations between BVI and USVI OR is it common practice to do this without the time spent clearing customs?