Sailing Between BVI and USVI with Food

[maytrix]

We'll be chartering from the BVI and want to enter the USVI this trip. How is food handled when checking into the USVI? Should we limit our provisioning until we visit the USVI to avoid issues?

Thanks in advance!

[Cotemar]

Mayrix,

They only ask that nobody but the captain and 1st mate leave the boat to check in.
No one else should leave the boat until you have checked in. Food has never been a topic in the conversation.

[maytrix]

It's my understanding that's the case going into the BVI, but I'm talking about going from BVI to USVI and I believe everyone needs to go ashore - at least that's what I've heard.

[Cotemar]

You should just need there pass ports.
Check with your BVI agent to make sure.
We are going to the Moorings in BVI the last of Feb.
To many thinks to see in BVI to waste the time and money checking in and out.

[maytrix]

I'll probably just give customs a call to be sure. We're with the moorings as well and have been down plenty of times, I've just heard different things about going back through customs in the USVI and looking for info from anyone that has had experience with it.

And there is a lot to see in the BVI, but this is our 4th trip in 13 months and we're looking to spend a couple days in BVI. The checking in and out is not a big deal and pretty quick, its more the food I was concerned about.

[DrivinSteve]

When entering the BVI, only the Master reports for Customs and Immigration.
When clearing back in to USVI, all aboard must report in person with Passport to Customs and Immigration. No produce, fresh meat, plants, wild animals, pets need the usual entry docs. They may also ask about your trash. Best answer is that you have left your trash at your last Port of Call.

[speciald@ocens.]

Everyone on the boat will need to go to C&I when entering the USVI from the BVIs, even your 80 year old grandmother. No reason to go to St. Thomas; St John for snorkleing but only marginally worth the trip.

[Cotemar]

maytrix,

Where will you check in and what did you want to do in the USVI ?

[maytrix]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

maytrix,

Where will you check in and what did you want to do in the USVI ?

We'll check in at Cruz Bay. We'll probably spend 2 days and just relax and visit Cinnamon Bay, Trunky bay and other similiar spots. Maybe see if we can find a dive site that we want to hit too.

We'll be stopping at Soper's Hole to check out of the BVI, fill our dive tanks and empty the trash and then we'd head right to St. John from there.

[Cotemar]

Maytrix,

There is a Great dive spot at Lee pt on the west end of Thatch Cay. It has the dive site called the Tunnels.

The Tunnels of Thatch Cay are favorites among divers, particularly the one that is 60 feet and has a bend in it that divers say you won't soon forget.

Not to far from Cruz Bay

[maytrix]

Thanks, we'll look into that.

[DrivinSteve]

Originally Posted by maytrix

We'll check in at Cruz Bay. We'll probably spend 2 days and just relax and visit Cinnamon Bay, Trunky bay and other similiar spots. Maybe see if we can find a dive site that we want to hit too.

We'll be stopping at Soper's Hole to check out of the BVI, fill our dive tanks and empty the trash and then we'd head right to St. John from there.

Depending on the season/crowds, you may want to pick up a mooring ball in Salomon Bay, just north of Cruz Bay and dink around the point. Cruz Bay has very little good temp mooring.
No need to check out of BVI at Soper's. As an alternative, you might want to consider Nanny for air fill. Blue Water Divers is a short walk from the fuel dock that I find easier.

[Reality Check]

Originally Posted by DrivinSteve

Depending on the season/crowds, you may want to pick up a mooring ball in Salomon Bay, just north of Cruz Bay and dink around the point. Cruz Bay has very little good temp mooring.
No need to check out of BVI at Soper's. As an alternative, you might want to consider Nanny for air fill. Blue Water Divers is a short walk from the fuel dock that I find easier.

Sorry, This it NOT Correct... You Must Check out of BVI if you are leaving the Territory and back in when you return.

Also the tank fill place at Sopers Hole is at the dingy dock... you can not get any closer. At Nanny Cay the walk from the Fuel Dock to the Dive Shop is a MUCH longer way and I would not care to lug a tank that far, Plus you should not tie up the fuel dock doing things other than getting fuel.

It is true that it is often best to take one of the National Park Mooring between Caneel Bay and Cruz Bay and dink in to the Customs office.

Note, if you are not a US Citizen you must check Out of the USVI before you return to the BVI.

[John A]

If you're a US senior citizen, stop at the National Parks building next to Customs at Cruz Bay and purchase a 'Golden Age Passport" for $10, and all moorings in the USVI are half priced. This card is also good for discounts at all US National Parks in PR and the US mainland.

[Highland Fling]

YES you wll be asked about food on board at Cruz Bay.............dont understand why and there seems to be a food inspector - we say yes we have food onboard for our own consumption and we are stopping here to do more food shopping (which we are and always do). The last mooring in Caneel Bay (nearest to Cruz Bay is allegedly for clearing in and out However we generally anchor off the public slip on the port side on the way into Cruz Bay............not a lot of water here and you need to watch the tides IF you stay ashore for a few hours