Rockhoppin’ Charters entered a team in the 2015 Painkiller Cup that took place last Saturday, January 17^th. It is a 14 mile downwind race from Beef Island, Tortola to infamous Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost van Dyke. Read More

Many of our day trips from St. John (Jost van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, Norman Island etc.) are to the British Virgin Islands, they are British overseas territory. The fourteen British Overseas Territories (BOT) are territories under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the United Kingdom; they do not, however, form part of it.

BVI Customs and Immigration

The following measures are to be adhered to by all non-British Virgin Islanders entering the Territory: Bona fide visitors may be granted entry for up to one month at the ports of entry, provided that they possess return (or ongoing) tickets, evidence of adequate means of support and pre-arranged accommodations during their stay. Visitors wishing to stay longer will need to apply for an extension.

From North America: U.S. citizens travelling by air to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda must present a passport or other WHTI-compliant documentation to enter or depart from the United States.

Canadian Citizens:  a passport is preferred however you may also use an original birth certificate accompanied by a valid photo ID such as a driver’s license.

From Europe: European citizens need a valid passport to enter the British Virgin Islands. However visitors that are residents of certain countries, require a visa in order to enter the BVI. If in doubt about the necessity of a visa; contact the nearest BVI Tourist Board Office, the nearest British Embassy, or contact the Chief Immigration Department, BVI Government at Tel: (284) 494-3471 or 468-3701 ext. 4700.

From the Caribbean: Please note that citizens from some islands may need to obtain a visa to visit the British Virgin Islands. Visitors from these Caribbean islands need to have a visa in order to enter the BVI. If in doubt about the necessity of a visa, contact the nearest BVI Tourist Board Office, the nearest British Embassy, or contact the Chief Immigration Department, BVI Government at Tel: (284) 494-3471 or 468-3701 ext. 4700.

For more information on whether you require a visa and how to obtain one, please check the UK Border Agency or the Deputy Governor’s Office of the British Virgin Islands. Click here to see a list of countries that require a visas to visit the British Virgin Islands.

There are 6 ports of entry to the British Virgin Islands:

• Road Harbour , Road Town , Tortola (Ferry Boats and private, charter and cargo vessels
  8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
• Sopers Hole, West End, Tortola (Ferry Boats and private and cargo vessels
  8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. )
• Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport , Beef Island, Tortola (Airborne vessels
  7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
• Taddy Bay, Virgin Gorda:Airborne vessels
  8:00 a.m. to sunset
  Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda
  Ferry Boats and private, charter and cargo vessels
  Tel: (284) 495 5621 ext 6520/6521
• Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke (Ferry Boats and private and charter vessels
  8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
• George Augustine Airport, Anegada (Airborne vessels 8:30 a.m. to sunset)

BVI Customs Information

You will require a valid passport or passport cards to BVI destinations. If you have a large party and want provide the below information in advance via email  for every passenger it will speed up our check-in process!

FAMILY NAME FIRST NAME/Initial DATE OF BIRTH NATIONALITY PASSPORT #

e.g. Stuart Mary A. 5/21/1955 US 21239809890

BVI Customs Fees

While our prices include captain and fuel, the BVI Customs fees  have to be paid separately on the day of charter and in cash. They keep changing but are currently running at about 70-95$ per person. It’s not a fixed fee there is a fee for boat and park permit and entry and departure tax and surcharge on holidays so the above figure is what you pay on average when we break down the total per person. It is slightly more per person for a small party of 2 and slighly less per person for a party of 6

The 2015 Painkiller Cup will take place on January 17, 2015. It is a 12-16 mile team race for 3 paddlers (with at least one female) from Trellis Bay, Beef Island, Tortola to Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost van Dyke. The prize money is a whopping 10.000$. 3 Racers of a team share one Board (14′ and under) and need an escort boat for the switches.

Read More

The Anegada Lobster Festival is for everyone who loves food, loves lobster, loves the Caribbean and dreams of the British Virgin Islands! Rock Hoppin’ will be heading there and we might have a few free spaces. Email info(at)rockhoppin.com if you are interested.

Anegada Lobster Festival 2014 Participating Restaurants Map is a two-day culinary event held on the shores of Anegada on November 29th and 30th. The event was created to entice our community, visitors, new travellers and the niche market of food connoisseurs to the shores of the British Virgin Islands to experience our versatile tourism product.

The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board, together with the population of Anegada, will feature talented local chefs who will be on hand to prepare, cook, and serve plated sample lobster dishes at participating Anegada restaurants. Over the course of two days, attendees will embark on an island adventure that will take them on a culinary journey via safari, scooter or rental car. Participants will dine on three different lobster samplers at each restaurant at a cost of $10-$12 per sampler plate.

Along with spectacular sightseeing, great food, drink, and a sunset party, attendees will have a unique Anegada experience unlike any other in the Caribbean.

Culinary tourism has increasingly sparked interest amongst travellers worldwide that seek to experience a destination’s local culture through authentic dining opportunities.

Would you like to go on a day trip to Virgin Gorda from St. John or St. Thomas to see the truly magical boulders at The Baths but don’t have a party of 6? We will have a shared trip on December 14th. We have 3 guests so far and are looking for up to 3 more. The price is 390$ per couple or 200$ single incl. Captain and fuel, excl. BVI customs and mooring fees. Read More