Rockhoppin’ Charters entered a team in the 2015 Painkiller Cup that took place last Saturday, January 17th. It is a 14 mile downwind race from Beef Island, Tortola to infamous Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost van Dyke. Read More
BVI Customs and Immigration
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
Team Rockhoppin’ is ready to go…
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.
Anegada Lobster Festival, Nov 29th
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-$12 per sampler plate.
Along with spectacular sightseeing, great food, drink, and a sunset party, attendees will have a unique Anegada experience unlike any other in the Caribbean.
Culinary tourism has increasingly sparked interest amongst travellers worldwide that seek to experience a destination’s local culture through authentic dining opportunities.
Shared Day Trip St John – Virgin Gorda Dec 14th
Would you like to go on a day trip to Virgin Gorda from St. John or St. Thomas to see the truly magical boulders at The Baths but don’t have a party of 6? We will have a shared trip on December 14th. We have 3 guests so far and are looking for up to 3 more. The price is 390$ per couple or 200$ single incl. Captain and fuel, excl. BVI customs and mooring fees. Read More
Get your Rockhoppin’ hat or T-Shirt at Beach Bum
Good news, you can now buy your Rockhoppin’ hat or T-Shirt at St. John Beach Bum, a cool new store in Cruz Bay, right across the ferry dock on the first floor, next to St. John Spice. Read More
Gonzalo missed us and the new hats have arrived
First of all, we are really grateful that hurricane Gonzalo, that was headed straight for the USVI magically turned North and missed us. We had taken all boards down from the roof onto the veranda and towed the boat out of water, better safe than sorry. A few days later, the boards are back on the roof and the boat is back in the water. Read More
October Special: Shared Day Trip St. John – Willy T.
A private charter is great, but can also be pricey if you are just alone or a couple. So we are running a special: Day trip St. John – Willy T. (Norman Island) which can be shared by couples / singles. The price is 290$ per couple or 150$ (single). These prices are incl. fuel and captain excl. BVI customs fees. The possible dates are Oct 16th and 21st. Our powerboat is a 32FS regulator, with twin Yamaha 250s and cushioned, forward-facing seating. It will provide a very comfortable ride from St. John to Norman Island. NEW DATES! Read More
Shared Day Trip Jost van Dyke
A private charter is great, but can also be pricey if you are just alone or a couple. So we are running an October special: Day trip St. John – Jost van Dyke (Sandy Cay, Foxy’s, Soggy Dollar Bar, White Bay…) which can be shared by couples / singles. The price is 200$ per couple or 125$ (single). Read More
SUP St. John – Paddleboard Lessons & Rental St. John, USVI
Learn to paddleboard in one of the world’s most stunning SUP destinations! St. John with it’s beautifully turquoise, clear, warm water is ideal for paddleboarding. It is great for beginners, who can learn to paddle in calm, protected beaches but also experienced paddlers won’t get bored. They can do challenging crossings, circumnavigations and downwinders or go surfing! Or you can try out SUP Yoga.
Our paddleboarding division, SUP St. John teaches you how to Stand Up Paddle.
If you have paddled before, know what you are doing and don’t require a lesson, or prefer to try by yourself, for example with a video tutorial, we also have high quality Fanatic, SUP USA, Lahui Kai, Starboard and Liquid Shredder paddleboards (Allround SUPs in 11’6″, 11″ and 10″, Touring Sups, Carbon Raceboards in 12’6 & 14′, Kids SUP, Inflatable SUPs, Family SUPs and Wave SUPs) and paddles for rent (including complimentary delivery). More information can be found in the respective sections of the SUP-Stjohn website.
PADDLEBOARD LESSONS
PADDLEBOARD RENTAL
FOR FULL INFORMATION ON OUR SUP OFFERING HEAD OVER TO SUP-ST.JOHN
We are a paddleboard- friendly charter and don’t mind you taking your SUP on the trip. You can also rent one from us for a special price for your day trip on the boat! (50$ per board per day instead of 65$). Plus, with weekly rental of 2 or more paddleboards, you will get a 10% discount on any day trip!
