Getting Here
What are the new passport requirements?
On Tuesday, April 5, 2005, the U.S. State Department announced details of the "Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative." U.S.and Canadian citizens will be required to carry a passport for travel to or from certain countries/areas that were previously exempt.
The implementation is as follows:
December 31, 2006 - Requirement applied to air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda.
December 31, 2007 - Requirement extended to all land border crossings as well as air and sea travel.
Basically, you will need to have a passport on January 1, 2007.
In the meantime, individuals with future travel plans that would be affected by the proposed new rules are strongly encouraged to obtain a passport now.
You may print a passport application or get additional information from the government on this subject by visiting: United States of America use; http://travel.state.gov/passport Canada use; http://www.ppt.gc.ca
Visitors from some countries may also require a visa for entry. All visitors must have a return ticket. There is a government exit tax. The U.S. dollar is the official currency and the only one used.
Airline Information
Scheduled Airlines
San Juan or St. Thomas to Virgin Gorda
Air Sunshine (800) 327 - 8900 "they will also book charters"
San Juan or St. Thomas to Beef Island, Tortola
Caribbean Star (800) 744 - 7827 www.flycaribbeanstar.com
American Airlines/Executive Air (call your local American Airlines Agent)
Caribbean Sun (800) 744-7827 or Puerto Rico (787) 253-9911
**all airlines in to Beef Island connecting to Virgin Gorda via North Sound Express to The Valley**
Charter Airlines
San Juan or St. Thomas to Virgin Gorda or Beef Island
WRA/Caribbean Wing (800) 234-2213 or email carwings@yahoo.com
Island Birds (284) 495-1988 or 496-8240 www.islandbirds.com
Fly BVI (866) 819-3146 or (284) 495-1747 www.fly-bvi.com or email info@fly-bvi.com
Ferry Schedules
General Info - http://www.bvivacations.com/Ferry.htmlNorth Sound Express
Tel: (284) 495-2138
Please Note: Reservations are required
From Beef Island to Spanish Town, Leverick Bay & Bitter End,Virgin Gorda
*New fare schedule as of March 1st, 2004*
To North Sound |
To The Valley |
|||
Round Trip |
One Way |
Round Trip |
One Way |
|
| Adults / 12+ yrs | $55 |
$30 |
$34 |
$19 |
| Children (6-11 yrs) | $32 |
$18 |
$20 |
$12 |
| Infant - 5 yrs | $20 |
$10 |
$10 |
$6 |
**6pm -- if only two passengers you may be charged four passengers rate to Virgin Gorda**
**8pm Ferry from Beef Island to Virgin Gorda at $25 one way**
Daily
Departs Beef Island (15 min trip time): 8:15am, 11:15am, 1:45pm, 4:15pm, 6pm, 8pm
Departs Spanish Town (1 hour trip time): 8:30am, 11:30am, 4:30pm
Departs Leverick Bay (1/2 hour trip time): 6:45am, 8:45am, 11:45am, 3:15pm, 4:45pm
Speedy's Ferry
Tel: (284) 495-5240
Speedy's Ferry service has "direct" service to Virgin Gorda from Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas - www.speedysbvi.com
Tuesday / Thursday - seasonal
Departs St. Thomas 5 pm / Arrives at Virgin Gorda 7pm
Departs Virgin Gorda at 6.30am / Arrives at St. Thomas 8.30am
Saturday
Departs St. Thomas 3.30pm / Arrives at Virgin Gorda 5.30pm
Departs Virgin Gorda 8.30am / Arrives at St. Thomas 10.30am
** A 90 minute check in time is required for flights out of St. Thomas. Please allow enough time to get from Virgin Gorda to the airport on St. Thomas.
** $35 per person / One way or $65 round trip
- Reservations are not required.
Tortola Fast Ferry
Tel: (284) 494 - 2323
www.tortolafastferry.com
Offering direct service from Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas to Road Town, Tortola - 1 hour trip time.
Travel Notes
- Arriving via St. Thomas on a Sunday is not easy due to the limited ferry schedules on Sunday. Here are some options for you;
- There is a "direct" Inter Island Services (284) 495 - 4166 ferry from Red Hook, St. Thomas which departs at 8am, makes a stop at Cruz Bay, St. John and then on to Virgin Gorda and arrives approximately 2 hours later. No reservations are required.
- Smiths and Native Son Ferry depart from the waterfront ferry dock in Charlotte Amalle (downtownSt. Thomas) 8 / 8:30am, 10:45 / 11:15 am, 2:30 / 3pm and take you as far as West End, Tortola - 45 minutes. You would then taxi to Road Town, Tortola (1/2 hour) and then take Speedy's Ferry 1:30pm, 5:15pm or Smiths Ferry 12:30pm, 4:15pm to Virgin Gorda (1/2 hour). No reservations required.
- Take a 15 minute flight via Air Sunshine (800) 327 - 8900.
Getting Married in the British Virgin Islands
Getting married in the British Virgin Islands is relatively simple and for visitors who are in the BVI for only a short time, the entire process can be completed in a week!
The first step is to apply for a license by purchasing $110 in stamps from the local post office, then present the stamps to The Registrar's Office located at the Government Administration Office about a five minute walk from the Road Town Ferry Dock, where you will then fill out the necessary forms. Two witnesses must sign the application. You will need to present a passport and if applicable, a divorce decree or death certificate. The application will take three days to process.
If you want to be married by the Registrar, she can be booked prior to your arrival by calling the office ahead of time BUT application for the ceremony must be made AFTER the license has been granted. The Registrar will perform the ceremony either in Road Town for a fee of $35 or Virgin Gorda for a fee of $100 + transportation costs. If you plan on being married in a local church, please contact the minister or priest for the requirements... much advanced notice is required for this!
For further information as well as complete requirements and documentation for getting married in the BVI, contact Registrar's Office at (284)468-3701.
Cellular Service in the BVI
http://www.bvicellular.com/default.cfm
All land based visitors wishing to access out services could do so by visiting one of our two offices based in Virgin Gorda or on Tortolaat the following addresses:
Virgin Gorda
CCT Boatphone
The Supa Valu Complex
The Valley, Virgin Gorda
Tel: (284) 495-5639
E-mail: info@bvicellular.com
Tortola
CCT Boatphone
Sales & Service Centre
Geneva Place
Road Town, Tortola
Tel: (284) 494-3825
E-mail: info@bvicellular.com