COVID-19 Travel Restrictions in the BVI
Welcome back to Sunsail's Marina in Tortola!
While the BVI are opening their borders for international travellers, certain Policies and Procedures will need to be followed when entering the country, before and during your stay there. Please bookmark this page as travel updates are frequently announced.
Before You Go
Travel Insurance
Guests must provide proof of travel insurance that protects you in case of cancellation, quarantine requirements, or hospitalisations due to COVID-19.
Contact a Holiday Planner to purchase travel insurance coverage through Campbell Irvine Direct Travel Insurance.
Guest List
In preparation for your arrival, we ask that you fill out the Guest List with a list of all of the passengers on your yacht including yourself. Please submit this form at least 30 days prior to departure.
Pre-Provisioning
Guests will not be able to visit markets or shops to purchase provisioning until their Day 0 Test for fully vaccinated travelers / Day 4 test for partially vaccinated travelers / Day 7 test for unvaccinated travelers is confirmed negative.
Order your food and beverages in advance with our convenient online provisioning store and have your provisions delivered directly to your yacht. Please order at least 14 days prior to your charter. The marina will not be able to accommodate orders placed on the day you arrive.
Book Transfers
Arrange for a prepaid transfer from the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) to our marina in Tortola. Ferry service from the U.S. Virgin Islands has been suspended through March 2021. To fly to EIS, you will need to connect from Cyril E. King Airport (STT) or through San Juan Airport (SJU).
Please note: The St. Thomas ferry connection is currently operating with two ferries a day and limited capacity. Until further notice reservations can only be made directly with the ferry companies. You can find the schedule as well as further information on the entry/exit protocols if travelling to the BVI by ferry on the BVI Ports Authority web page.
Contact a Holiday Planner to make arrangements before your flight.
Watch Charter Briefings
We require all guests to watch a charter safety video. The captain and first mate must become familiar with the sailing area by watching a chart briefing. Please watch these briefing videos in the comfort of your own home or office before you are scheduled to depart.
BVI Gateway Portal
Due to the necessary entry requirements for your destination, it has become mandatory for all guests to be issued a BVI Gateway Traveler Authorisation Certificate prior to arrival. Please enter the BVI Gateway Traveler portal to start your application. You will download the Contact Tracing Mobile App when you arrive in the BVI.
Travelers are to begin the process of registration within 7 days of their planned travel date to comply with all requirements and procedures. Applications on the BVI Gateway portal must be COMPLETED at least 24 hours before travel date and time.
All applicants in PENDING status, who have not completed their necessary requirements 24 hours prior to travelling, will be DENIED.
Only NASOPHARYNGEAL RT-PCR tests are accepted for passengers 5 and over.For Tech Support or Questions:
The BVI requires all guests to provide a certified RT-PCR COVID-19 negative test taken within five days prior to arrival. The Travel Certificate application needs to be filled out for each member of your party to ensure you can enter the country. The cost of the two COVID-19 tests and the Contact Tracing bracelet and app is £130 per person; vaccinated travellers pay £70 per person.
Visitors traveling through the USVI (St Thomas) via ferry or flights that are not on the same itinerary as their BVI (Beef Island) leg, will need to register on the USVI Travel Portal within 5 days of their arrival to the USVI in addition to the BVI Gateway portal for entry to the BVI. Visitors also returning through the USVI will need to submit the form again within 5 days of their arrival to St. Thomas.
When You Arrive
COVID-19 Testing
All guests are tested on arrival and after quarantine. The average turnaround time for results is 18-24 hours. The cost of the two COVID-19 tests and the Contact Tracing bracelet and app is approximately £130 per person. Additional tests, if required, cost approximately £56 per person. Upon arrival, you will be provided with instructions for how to make arrangements for the 4-day test. The base can schedule an appointment with a testing site and taxi from Tortola or Virgin Gorda for the final test before departure.
If the results of the arrival test are negative, you are required to quarantine at an approved accommodation/your yacht.
If the results are positive, you will be required to quarantine in an approved accommodation for 14 days. If the results of the 4-day or final test are positive, you will be required to quarantine in an approved accommodation for 10 days.
During Your Charter
Day 0
The day you arrive in the BVI is considered Day 0 of your stay in the Territory. On this day, you will be able to leave the dock at the marina; however, guests are not allowed to go ashore and need to stay in the area of Norman/Peter/Cooper Island indicated on the map until you receive your confirmed negative test results. A curfew order is in place, which requires all yachts to be moored at an approved site between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m. (see list of Approved Moorings).
If you welcome new members to your party (e.g., a friend's flight arrives two days later), the quarantine period resets to Day 0.
It is important to NOT travel to the BVI via the Dominican Republic as you will be denied entry.
7-Day COVID-19 Test
Fully vaccinated travelers are no longer required to take another COVID test to travel within the BVI.
Unvaccinated guests must take another test after seven days of quarantine. The 7-day testing site is located at Peebles Hospital with transport from our Tortola marina for yacht charter guests. Upon arrival, you will be provided with instructions for how to make arrangements for the 7-day test. (The transfer between the marina and the testing site is to be paid extra).
If the results of the 7-day test are negative, you may move within the Territory.
If the results of the 7-day test are positive, you will be required to quarantine in an approved accommodation for 10 days.
For partially vaccinated travellers and children ages 5-17 on a 7 or 8-day charter, the Day 7 test results will currently satisfy this requirement.
For those traveling with children, the following rules will apply:
- Children under 5 years of age are exempt from COVID testing.
- Children aged 5-17 will be tested upon arrival.
- Children will be released from quarantine together with their parents/guardians once the test results for the entire group are negative, but must remain within their family bubble.
- Unvaccinated children will be subject to a further test on day four.
Approved Moorings
Vessels will be able to move within the Territory during the seven-day quarantine period, however, vessels may only moor at sites approved by the Minister for Health and Social Development in consultation with the Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration (list of approved moorings sites).
Public Spaces
Guests must wear a face mask in all public spaces and must always keep a safe distance of 1-2 metres.
Safety Measures
We are dedicated to giving you peace of mind when you charter with us. Our industry-leading safety measures include the fogging and disinfecting of all yachts before each charter begins.
COVID-19 Test Upon Departure
The BVI Government does not require another test to depart the country; however, tests are available for UK citizens and international travellers who may need a test based on their home country requirements.
Please also note: You are not able to go to the airport for any departure flights until you have officially left quarantine.
The Customer Service team in Tortola can help you schedule an appointment for your final test only at Tortola's Peebles Hospital or Virgin Gorda's Iris O'Neal Medical Clinic. The base can organise a taxi from Tortola or Virgin Gorda harbors to the testing sites for your final test. There is also a testing site in walking distance to Foxy's at Great Harbor on Jost Van Dyke. You must return to the testing site to receive your final results.
Visitors traveling through the USVI (St Thomas) via ferry or flights that are not on the same itinerary as their BVI (Beef Island) leg, will need to register on the USVI Travel Portal within 5 days of their arrival to the USVI in addition to the BVI Gateway portal for entry to the BVI. Visitors also returning through the USVI will need to submit the form again within 5 days of their arrival to St. Thomas.
The Government of the Virgin Islands is a good source of information.
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