Yes, if you plan to snorkel in BVI waters you need to clear BVI customs first. Permission is usually good for thirty days. The BVI has customs boats that cruise around and periodically check papers, especially at popular dive and snorkel spots.

That was a really good question. I had never thought of the possibility of not going ashore and, therefore, not needing to clear customs.

Thanks for the answer on this one dntw8up - and the 30 day info. Good to know!

to seize the boat

very good question ,I'm planning the same thing in July. That helped me a great deal. It's so good to pick up points from other post, I'm getting somewhat paranoid to post, not wanting to to annoy locals with stupid questions, and getting the "ignornant person" quote. I try to use good etiquette to keep everyone happy,,, it benefits all us less than savvy island travelers.
Honestly, my sincere thanks to the island folks that spend the time to help.

Thank you for the great info. I have been finding it hard to get an answer to this question. I actually spoke to someone from the BVI tourist board today and he stated that I should be able to get multi day clearance. that way I only have to go to customs once on the first day. Does anyone have an idea of how long it will take to go thru the customs procedure at Jost and what time they open in the morning. I forgot to ask the guy from BVI. Thanks again for all your help - this is really a great resource.

The last time we sailed around BVI and checked into customs they charged each person $3 for each day we told them we were going to be in BVI territory. Is still true?

The contact from the BVI Board stated that the cost was $4 per person per day.

We are going to Jost Van Dyke on a boat one day and coming back to spend the night on St. Thomas. The next day we are going on a different boat and going to Virgin Gorda and other islands for snorkeling again coming back to spend the night on St. Thomas. Is 30 days only good for the same boat or for the same person? It would be great if I just paid the first boats fee of $25 one time and $4 the next day rather than having to pay $25 twice - two days in row.
Please let me know if I can save money this way. Thanks.

For the most accurate information try:

BVI Customs (284) 494-3475
BVI Immigration (284) 494-3701 (ext. 2536 or 2538)

Boats may clear customs Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM and Saturday 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Customs is closed Sundays and on BVI public holidays but after hours clearing may be arranged in advance for an additional fee.

I called the first BVI customs office number and they told me each day I have to check in and check out in their customs office. I can check in and check out at the same time but once I leave I have to come back in again the next day. I have to pay a fee and fill out paper work each day. No saving money more me. My check in is only good until I leave not for 30 days.

And there is why so many of the boats from the USVI are no longer anxious to take people over to the BVI! One thing you don't want to do is anchor in Roadtown. You toss and toss and there is no real dinghy dock to tie up to. Besides that the officials there are highly rude. Much better to check in at Soper's Hole and best to check in at Jost. Just read in the BVI Beacon that there are going to be some new rules very soon as to the exact order in which you will have to check in-re: customs first or immigration first. Sorry I can't remember which comes first.

kraushaus: Wouldn't it be easier to take the boat over to Jost, clear in,clear out at the same time, stay overnight then head over to Gorda?

Midwestblues, Did you understand what Kraushaus said, If you leave their waters (BVI) you have to check back into US waters and then do the whole thing again the next day. That is wether you switch boats or not the 30 day expiration is for staying in their waters. I would arrange to stay overnight somewhere in the BVI if possible or rent a larger boat with a cabin.

Sorry I didn't mean to confuse anyone. I was trying to see if I could save money because I was going to be going to the BVI two days in a row but each day I am coming back to St. Thomas to spend the night. The two trips are with two different boats but that didn't really make a difference. The condo on St. Thomas was rented by the week. In the end I should have chartered a boat for the week with all the boat trips I have planned but it's too late to change - deposit is already paid on the condo.

The customs man I talked to said that if I go to the BVI and then back to USVI on the same day, I have to make one customs stop in the BVI to fill out a form and pay a fee. On that form I have to put that my arrival and departure are the same day. THe next day I have to come back in to BVI customs office and fill out all new paperwork and pay the fee the second day too because I had left the BVI and went to USVI to spend the night. If I had stayed overnight in the BVI I could have just done the paperwork one time with a return date for the next day and would have been fine.

I had to have the BVI customs guy repeat it a few times to me to make sure I understood correctly too. I thought it worked like some kind of a pass for going back and forth to BVI from the USVI for up to 30 days in a row. It doesn't work that way. I understand now why it is such a pain for the day trip charter boats that go and come back every day. (They should come up with some kind of a montly pass for them.)

Don't forget that you'll have to go back through U.S. customs as well and you have to do it before 5pm.
It's easiest to go through customs at Jost. However, don't rely on what anyone tells you on the phone as far as fees go. Each time I've been through it's been a different price. We had 6 people on our boat and it was $54. The time before with only 2 of us it was $35.
If you do go through customs at Jost, a good way to score brownie points is to bring the newest state quarter because one of the ladies who works in the office there is collecting them. As of last Saturday she was looking for New Mexico.

This all really sounds like a pain. I think I will limit by visit to BVI to one day and spend the remaining days exploring around St John and US waters. Does anyone have any suggestions on great snorkeling spots in US waters? I am aware of the recommended locations off of St John like Watermelon Cay and Salt Pond. I am hoping there are other spots only accessable by boat. Any ideas welcome. Maybe I need to repost this question with a new title.
Thanks everyone, your advice is (as American Express would say) priceless!

You do not have to clear back in to the U.S. unless it is a charter boat. Bareboats without a payed captain no not have to. New homeland security rule?

The man at U.S. customs told me everyone has to check in. I asked him specifically because we didn't receive a stamp once in the BVIs and I was questioning him about not checking back in since there was no proof in our passports that we actually went anywhere. Just the two of us were on a private boat and we had to clear back through. I asked him what the penalty would be and he told me to just try it. I guess he didn't take kindly to my inquiry.

And, by the way, the lady in Jost is looking for Nevada, not New Mexico.

hey sleeper

post away, it only bothers a few of the old grumpies. it has become quite fun reading how grumpy they can be.

it is easy to do a quick search on any topic. but if you cant find any answers, please ask. it will help someone else down the line. isn't this board here to help?

hey midwestblues, we just got back, we went to norman island, and congo snorkeling, norman would be very good for kids, pretty protected from current, lots of fish. add alittle bread and lots of big fish follow you. coral was pretty good to. congo was strong current swimming back to the boat. and a little cloudy water. only seen alot of bait fish here.didn't go to the indians, but i thought i heard on the board this might have some current to. fyi. another midwestern, scooby