Upcoming trip questions

Our family is returning to the BVIs for a bareboat charter in June. We are flying into STT and landing at 3:30. Is there enough time to grab our checked bags and catch the 4:15 RTFF to Road Town?

Also, as I was laying out our trip my wife threw me a curve ball in wanting to sail to St John for a day/two. How time consuming is it to have to clear customs in St John then back into the BVIs? I'd rather visit Anegada, but I'm being out voted.

Thanks for your help!
Deryl

I highly recommend you use Kevin's taxi service...he will know if you'll make that boat and, if not, take you to Red Hook. He just picked up three guests of ours and they raved about his service. As for St J..to me on a short charter it is not worth it but others will disagree..I'd vote with you for Anegada after an overnight at the dock at Leverick..

Clearing customs isn't a problem we checked out at Sopers Hole it only took about 20 minutes then we checked in at St John another 20 min. If I remember correctly not everyone has to check out of BVI in person just passports are OK but in St John we all had to check in with passport in hand. And another easy check in once back to the BVI. I don't think it's worth a day trip. One observation I had was the people and facilities are not as boater friendly as in the BVI. We stayed at Cruz Bay overnight and we're not too impressed with the vibes from the people or the resident boaters

We go to St. John a fair amount, especially when we are there for more than a week. It's an easy process, we just find its not worth bothering if we've only got a week since a week is barely enough time to circle the BVI. With 9-10 days, we can easily circle the BVI and spend a couple days in St. John.

Last November actually with only a Sat-Sun trip, we were on Tortola early morning and off the docks by very early afternoon and on our way to St. John where we were picking up a few more crew. We spent Sat and Sun night in St. John before heading back to the BVI for the rest of the trip. It's one of the shortest trips where we actually visited St. John and it actually worked out great - mainly because we headed there right away - I think we just motored too as it was a very long travel day (starting the Friday night before..)

No doubt Kevin Campbell is the way to go. We've contemplated St. John before but it seems like too much work for vacation. Anegada seems like the better option.

You can call or send Kevin a text at 340-643-0025. Give him a few days advance notice of your schedule.

Thanks for the quick feedback. I'm still debating the visit to St John, but my wife really wants to do it. We will have our 9 and 12 year olds with us so it might be more interesting than Anegada for them.

As far as the ferry why would I catch one out of Red Hook? Isn't that the other side of the island? I thought I checked and there were not any later ferries leaving from there, but I'll check again. I've also found an email for Kevin and will send him a note. Road Town Fast Ferry offers a pick up service and we were leaning that direction so that they would potentially hold the ferry for us if we were a few minutes late.

Also, our trip is for 8 days.

Hey Deryl,

95% of the sailors here would take Anegada over St Johns 100% of the time!

It isn't really a hard thing to do but you will have a few extra hours invested in clearing in and out etc... (don't forget you have to stop and clear out of BVIs) the sail is easy run from Road Harbor... just really isn't worth it... we had to do it as friends were getting married in Great Cruz Bay in 04... it was fine... but going back would never even cross my mind! Maybe clear in or out of JVD so you don't have to make a special trip or deal with Ferry loads of people in immigration line!

Take kids to North Sound, or Scrub if they need a little resort like feel.

We also stopped trying to plan what ferry or taxi to take anywhere... just fly in to STT, taxi to ferry dock, get on the next boat and you will be fine... if you missed that... keep driving to Red Hook to get boat there... we usually arrive around that time and always had time for drink at the bar before boat departs! No worries! The ferrys work around the airlines schedule.

There's a 5pm ferry from Red Hook that you can fall back on. Kevin doesn't always have Internet access, so if he doesn't reply to your email, send him a text.

St. John is our favorite destination across the VIs. Clean swimmable anchorages, $15 mooring fees, National Park beaches, great snorkeling, well maintained hiking trails and our favorite walkable harbor town in Cruz Bay.

Clearing out of the BVI is straightforward and only requires the captain. Much easier at the Jost customs office, last two times it was less than five minutes. If you're charter company does not provide BVI forms, buy some forms when you check out. Clearing back in is captain only, but is a bit more work and can take half an hour if you go to Sopers Hole and its busy.

For the USVI you can download the forms and fill them out ahead of time. All crew must check in. You can anchor in the creek at Cruz Bay if you draw less than 6 feet. We have a deep keel, so we take a mooring ball at Caneel Bay and dinghy over and lock up at the National Park dinghy dock. We usually walk through customs, in and out in a couple of minutes.

Form 1300 - Vessel Clearance - one per vessel
http://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CBP%20Form%201300_0.pdf

Form 418 - Crew List - one per vessel
http://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CBP%20Form%20I-418_0.pdf

Form 6059B - Customs Form - one per family
http://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/CBP%20Form%206059B%20English%20%28Fillable%29_0.pdf

Cheers, RickG

"95% of the sailors here would take Anegada over St Johns 100% of the time!" interesting quote, inaccurate but interesting. Where did you get your data? BTW St.Johns is in Antigua.

Rick, when you have the privilege to turn 62 USVI moorings are $7.50. The pass is good for all U.S state parks. Salt Pond, Lamshurs, and Maho are not to be missed.

St John, we highly recommend!

I was there, where those pictures were taken, just a couple of days ago. It really is a wonderful anchorage and ranks among my favorites. I've got pictures as well, but only boring colorful sunset ones.

I did not realize you have to clear out of the BVI's prior to going to St John. Then clear into St. John. Returning you just clear into the BVI's? You do not have to clear out of USVI? This will be our fourth trip to the BVI's but we've never visited the USVIs.

We've been to Anegada on our last two trips so I'm thinking my wife just wants to do something different. I was thinking we would just stay the prior night in Norman then try to get to Cruz Bay as early as possible since their customs office opens at 7 am, but if we have to clear out of the BVI's prior to going into the USVI that throws a third step into the process. Have to think about the logistics and possibly stay the prior night in JVD. I just want to minimize our downtime.

Thanks again for all the feedback!

We usually just spend the night in Soper's hole - it's a great opportunity to top up on anything we need as well - water, air for dive tanks, food..etc. We typically check out first thing in the morning, but I believe you can check out the day before and have 24(?) hours to leave. That being the case you could check out and stay at Norman too.

Easy to do. Certainly no more work then going to Anegada .

Sunsets are not boring, post your photos!!! Here's a sunset from the top of Rams Head, It was also a full moon night so it was an awesome hike from Salt Pond!

Well if we are posting sunset pictures...Here is one from our last trip to the BVIs

Ok... St John is still a wonderful island and my quote may noy have been completely accurate.

So if you are all ready anchored in Great Harbor JVD, Sopers Hole, and plan to return right back to one of those spots upon return to BVIs, it really isn't a big deal. I just think clearing customs 5 times in a week is overkill...

And sure, once you are at the customs desk with all paperwork sorted, it only takes 5 mins...

I'm on the fence honestly. I agree I'm not wild about clearing customs so many times over a 8 day period, but if I can make it relatively painless we might do it. Realistically I don't want to spend the half day to visit a place I wouldn't normally plan on visiting. I wasn't planning on visiting Sopers on this trip, but if we visit St John then we'd probably come back through there then to Norman or Peter. Going I think I can jiggle our plans around to visit JVD then head to St John so going isn't that much of an issue.

I'm still thinking through this....Thanks again for all the help. I don't think I'm going to go wrong either way!

When you leave the BVI to go over to St. John, do you also have to pay the departure tax?

You don't pay a departure tax, but there are fees - I think just when clearing back in - I forget. Always seems to be a different price, but it's fairly insignificant.

The clearing of customs is not a big deal. We take the opportunity when clearing in at St. John to stay a bit in Cruz bay - walk around, have a drink/lunch..etc.

Clearing in and out of the BVI, its all about timing - just don't do it when there's a ferry or a ton of other boats coming and going

Private vessels in Soper's Hole check in on the other side of the ferries. You walk around the back and first you go to customs and pay at immigration and back to customs, silly but true.

Now what is this $20 per person fee to leave the BVIs???

http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/bvi-adds-new-5-security-fee-to-departure-tax-1.1684378

This is only when you are departing the island, kind of an escape clause

That's a really nice way of saying Departure Tax. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

So family of five with a stop at at john should prepare to spend $200.00 in departure fees on their trip... NICE!!! At least you will feel safe... On the Bombay charger! Lmao!!!!

So, am I understanding that if you start your trip on BVI, and set sail for St Johns for a couple of days and go back to BVI for the rest of the trip and to turn in the boat, You have actually departed the BVI twice so this means paying the departure fee two times?

But they are keeping you safer <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Doh.gif" alt="" /> Nobody knows how to tax like the British do!

Somebody has to pay for diapers for Kate and Williams new baby, right?

We've never had to do that. We pay under $20 typically when checking out to visit St. John.

Matt,
When was your last trip to St John? See article... just jacked up the fees for the fees.

no, no, no, this departure tax is when you are leaving the island, not just visiting another island. Leaving as in your charter is over and you are taking a ferry to STT for your flight departure.

Last July and November we visited St. John. I don't recall the cost being very high. I didn't check us out in November though, but in July it was maybe $10 or so.

Evan,
So you recently cleared out of BVIs for a few days to go to USVIs and cleared back in and were not charged the $20pp mandatory departure security fee?

If this is true... and they didn't take your money.. how did the BVI gov keep you safe from terrorists???

always, many times a trip, checking out is easy and doesn't cost but a few bucks.

Sorry... was this last week, month, or year? Just curious as we will be down next week and want to have accurate info... I know the last time I did it was with just wife and just paid $5 for each of us. I didn't argue with them... I did say we were coming back in 3 days and were on a moorings chartered boat. Then clearing in in JVD they wanted a few bucks for what ever. US office in Cruz didn't want any money but went over the paper work in great detail... but that was it.

Our visit was last year - twice. I don't think anything has changed - there's always been a departure tax that we've paid at the airport - never paid it when leaving BVI for USVI for a few days. You will pay it when you leave to go home.

Bombay Charger? What's next The Delhi Son?

HAHA... auto correct by my phone but ironically if you've been to Mumbai... the Bomba Charger isn't far off!!

We checked out and back in a day later last December. I think that the charge was around $20 with 5 people on board.

When you say last December... do you mean this past December 2014? Or last December 2013? According to article, rule went into effect last summer around May 2014...

So at this point we just know they will hit you up for something, alcohol was involved so nobody remembers how much but it wasn't all of their money as they would have remember not having enough money when they made it to the next bar...

Having sailed the BVI 14 times, here is my take. I love St. John. Been there three times, all land based for a week each. Two-thirds of St. John is a US National Park - gorgeous, pristine, and unusual critters galore. Grabbing a mooring at one of St. John's incredible anchorages is not the way to see St. John. You will miss far too much. And it takes too long to clear in and out of customs. Anegada is someplace that you will never go to for a week-long land-based trip. So sail there! It's so different from all of the other Virgin Islands. It's fascinating. It's one of those places that should be all your bucket list if you love the Caribbean, whether by land or water. Maybe you will go back to Anegada, maybe not. But I know that I am so thankful that I went!

St John is by far the best and most beautiful island in the Virgin Islands
It has excellent restaurants with very good service which is non existent in the BVI. The beaches and bays are quiet with decent snorkeling and in the park waters $15 moorings

Some may disagree with you..St John is beautiful as are all the Virgins, each with its own personality. As for food and service in the BVI's its time for you to check out some amazing experiences..for less $$ than St John. Off to The Clubhouse at Frenchman's tonight after an an amazing ginger wine chicken at Palm's Delight last night...

As for prices in tourist restaurants,the BVI are higher then St John and the service can't compare to it. Also you have a more diverse selection of food.

You may find that once in awhile service will be decent but it's not the norm.

I did not realize I was touching off such a lively discussion. I'm not sure I've mentioned this, but we have already visited Anegada twice on previous trips. I clearly understand the attraction and this was my original plan no questions asked. With that said we have never visited St John. Honestly the sailing time to/from Anegada is probably a wash with the inconvenience of customs. We'll have 2 younger children with us and letting them out to visit Cruz Bay might be more attractive to them.

Even though I love Anegada at this point we are leaning toward St John. Now the difficulty becomes where to visit when we will be there for 1-2 days. Visiting the USVI forum hasn't yielded much information.

Spend a little time in Cruz bay and then decide if you will visit the north side or south side - both are nice but depending on conditions, one might not be as nice as the other.

On the north side, go in and see the annenburg (sp?) sugar mill.. South side there's also some ruins too.

Pretty much all the anchorages are great stops - much quieter than the BVI too. Having never done it, I'd probably spend your time stopping at the anchorages on the north shore - just head east after cruz bay.. Stop at Hawksnest, cinnamon, maho..etc

One unique feature of St John..only place in the world I've ever snorkled that gave underwater directions on what to do and not to do..a little too Disneyland for this lad! As said..I'll take the natural beauty of a trip to Anegada and the fine cuisine of The Wonky Dog, Neptune's and Pam's amazing bakery..

" Honestly the sailing time to/from Anegada is probably a wash"

not even close, the round trip to Anegada is over 4 hours. I doubt it will take more then an hour to do all three customs stop.

FYI on Hawksnest, great to visit, do not overnight. This can be a very rolly anchorage.

Yeah, bad comparison... sitting in the cockpit enjoying the breeze with an icy cold Carib vs having to swing into soper's furl/drop sails grab a ball, dodge the ferry traffic, get your paper work in order, get shook down for a however much money they feel like taking from you... then sail past the anchorage to Cruz Bay, deal with it all over again then go find an anchorage... LOL... yes, by the time you are finally at anchor or on a ball... your day will be spent!

I will say my favorite liquor store was in Cruz Bay... there was an old guy working /owned the shop who had 4 or 5 decent bottles of aged rum open who wanted to just BS and do shots with us the entire time and teach us about aged rum.

Sailing the islands are great fun no matter where... all spots are great... I wouldn't say I am brought there by the food. If eating is your thing save your money and go to New Orleans, Northern Cal, Austin etc... similar money will get you food twice as good! However, I can use the same ingredients and even a crystal glass for my painkillers at home but they never taste as good as one served/consumed anywhere in the Caribbean!!!!