Yes, when leaving the BVI you pay an exit tax to the BVI customs. This is not generally included in the cost of the ferry ticket. It is a pretty small amount I think about $5.00.

thanks,
why do the big day sail companies charge 25.00 or so per person??

Not sure why they charge so much. I've never taken a day charter to the BVI. I just go over on the ferry and rent a car when I get there. I pulled this off www.iexplore.com. It shows the departure tax as being $5.00 if you come by water. You might ask whatever day sail provider you are using why they charge so much.

International Travel:

Getting There by Air
The easiest way to reach the British Virgin Islands from the UK is via Antigua. BWIA West Indies Airways (website: www.bwee.com), Virgin Atlantic (website: www.virgin-atlantic.com) and British Airways (website: www.britishairways.com) offer direct flights from London to Antigua. From Antigua, Caribbean Star (website: www.flycaribbeanstar.com) and Liat (website: www.caribjet.com/liat.htm) fly to Tortola.

Travelers arriving from the USA can take a connecting flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico with American Eagle (website: www.aa.com) or fly to St Thomas, US Virgin Islands and take a ferry to Tortola. The islands are also accessible via St Maarten/St-Martin and St Kitts.

Departure Tax
US$20. Children under five years are exempt.

Main Airports
Terrance B Lettsome International Airport (EIS) is on Beef Island, 14.5km (9 miles) from Road Town, Tortola; the islands are connected via a road bridge. To/from the airport: Taxis are available (journey time – 20 minutes). Many hotels and marinas provide a shuttle service. Facilities: Light refreshments/bar, restaurant, left luggage, tourist information and hotel reservations.

Virgin Gorda (VIJ) is 3.5km (2 miles) from Spanish Town on Virgin Gorda. To/from the airport: Taxis are available.

There is also an unpaved airport on the island of Anegada.

Getting There by Water
Main ports: Road Harbour and West End Harbour on Tortola, Great Harbour on Jost Van Dyke and St Thomas Bay on Virgin Gorda.

Tortola Fast Ferry (tel: 494 2323; website: www.tortolafastferry.com) operates ferries from St Thomas, US Virgin Islands to Tortola (journey time – 50 minutes). Speedy’s (tel: 495 5240; website: www.speedysbvi.com) runs ferries from St Thomas to Tortola and Virgin Gorda.

Note

Departure tax

US$5 for all international departures, US$7 for cruise ship passengers.

The ferries come under a different tariff than the boats coming from the USVIs. That tariff is currently $20 most days and $25 on weekends and holidays for the boats from the USVIs - whether you captain your own boat or are on charter.

Cheers, RickG

Thanks Rick. That is a good thing to know.

Nat