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BVI Charter – October 2021 update

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Are the BVI open for day charters?

The rules have somewhat been relaxed starting October 1st for vaccinated travelers but there still are testing requirements for entering BVI and re-entering USVI that make it unpractical for day charters. We will continue to monitor the situation and update you here.

Effective 1st October 2021

Fully vaccinated travelers with recent test (max 5 days) can enter the BVI but still have to take test upon arrival (50$). The test from entry should then also be good to re-enter the US. So with the normal customs fees you are looking at about 125-150$ extra per person to go to the BVI for the day. The problem is if anyone tests positive (can be false positive) you have to quarantine in the BVI for 14 days or until negative test (so you would need very good travel insurance to cover these costs of staying in the BVI for you and your family but also the boat and captain). The full rules are below and you can check the official update here: http://bvi.gov.vg/travel-protocols

Where captain & crew are fully vaccinated:

A person is deemed to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after they have received both doses of an approved two-dose vaccine such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer, or Moderna, and one shot of a single-dose vaccine such as Johnson & Johnson.

Fully vaccinated persons will not be required to complete the portal.

Present on arrival negative results of a PCR or approved Rapid Antigen test taken no more than 5 days prior, along with proof of vaccination.

Subject to a Rapid or PCR test on arrival. Where a rapid test is taken you will await results at the port of entry.

Fully vaccinated travelers with children:

Children (between 5 and 17) traveling within a group of fully vaccinated adults (as above) will be subject to testing on arrival. They will be immediately released from quarantine along with their fully vaccinated parent or guardian. They must remain within their ‘bubble’.

Present on arrival negative results of a PCR test taken no more than 5 days prior.

USVI Charter Options

While we continue to monitor the situation about day charters, we would love to show you a good time in the USVI on a half day, 3/4 day, full day or sunset cruise and you can also add fishing to the charter. For food stops there is Pizza Pi the Pizza Boat (re-opening in November), Lovango Cay (re-opening December 20th) and Lime Out the Taco boat which has already re-opened for the season. Check out the options here.

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Covid-19 Update August 13th: All non-essential businesses closed.

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In yesterday’s press conference the governor reverted the USVI back to “stay at home” phase. This is due to a spike in covid-19 cases, mostly on St. Thomas where they recorded 55 new postitives this week in only one day, for a population of 55.000

Effective immediately

  • Hotels, airbnb, guest houses cease accepting new reservations for leisure travel for 30 days

Effective Monday August 17 territory goes back to Stay at Home phase orange

  • 6 AM Monday all non essential businesses closed for at least 2 weeks. “After 2 weeks we will assess number of active cases and make decision”.
  • Churches and schools closed.
  • All beaches closed on weekends at noon
  • Restaurant take out only.
  • Max 10 people in stores or gatherings exceptions large stores on St. Thomas

Effective August 19:

  • Effective August 19 no new check-ins for leisure travel for 30 days.

Based on the governor’s order we are suspending all leisure charters immediately, and all bookings for the next 2 weeks have been fully refunded. We could potentially still do supply runs and fishing but for now we have hauled our 32FS Regulator out and have started an overhaul with sanding down the existing paint and bottom paint. We are expecting a very active hurricane season for the next few weeks anyways so the boat is safer in the boat yard. We have for now blocked all reservations until September 19 depending on how the hurricane season and covid-19 cases go this might be extended.

The BVI’s which were the main destination for our day trips are still closed so business was limited already even during the busy summer. The BVIs are schedule to re-open September 1st but this might be extended or they might open for visitors with covid-19 test but not for day charters we will see.

Many people ask about supporting local businesses on St. John

Here are some ways.

  • Leave a positive review for your last charter. You can review us on tripadvisor here and on facebook here
  • Order a Rockhoppin’ T-Shirt, Tank or hoodie here
  • Book a future charter for a random date and pay either the 150$ deposit or the full amount here. Once your future travel date is confirmed we can move the booking to the actual date. All our charters are fully refundable up to 72 hours before the booked date