Know Before You Go

Getting to the BVI

Most first-timers underestimate arrival day. You want to be in the BVI the day before your charter begins, not the same day. Flights get delayed, ferry schedules shift, and starting a charter jet-lagged and stressed is a bad opening.

There are two common patterns for the night before:

• “Sleep aboard” — spend the night on your boat at the marina. This is what many experienced charterers prefer because it lets you unpack, get provisions stored, run last-minute errands, and be ready to head out first thing in the morning after checkout.
• Hotel the night before — check into a hotel near the marina and board the boat the next morning. Simpler if you’re arriving late or want a comfortable last night on land.

Ask your charter company which option they offer. Sleep aboard availability varies by company and season.

Passports and customs

Everyone in your party needs a passport valid for the duration of your trip (check the expiration date well ahead of time — this catches people out).

The BVI customs and immigration paperwork is now handled through an online portal. You can fill it out before you arrive, or on the ferry from St. Thomas on the way in. Doing it ahead of time makes arrival much smoother. Your charter company can point you to the current portal link.

Money and payments

The BVI uses the US dollar — no currency conversion needed for American travelers.

• Credit cards are accepted at most establishments, though many don’t take American Express — Visa and Mastercard are the safest bets. Many boaters prefer cards because the smaller islands don’t have banks, so replenishing cash mid-trip is inconvenient.
• Bring cash for taxis and immigration fees. These are almost always cash-only. A few hundred dollars in mixed bills covers most trips.
• Tipping is expected at restaurants, similar to US norms (15-20%).

Provisioning

Most of the major grocery stores in the BVI will deliver provisions directly to your boat if you order ahead. This is the standard approach for a week-long charter and it saves an enormous amount of time.

The catch: you’re not guaranteed to get exactly what you ordered. Substitutions and out-of-stocks happen. That’s a big reason experienced charterers opt for sleep aboard — you can inspect your delivery, top off with what’s missing at a nearby store, and start the trip fully stocked instead of realizing on day two that you’re out of coffee.

If you arrive same-day and have to shop yourself, expect to lose most of the first day. Delivery + sleep aboard is almost always the better play.

App setup before you leave home

A little app prep before you go saves a lot of hunting for wifi at the marina. Get these done at home:

How mooring reservations actually work

One thing that surprises first-timers: you can’t reserve moorings for your whole trip in advance. Regular BoatyBall reservations open each morning at 7 AM local time for that day’s use. Plan to be in the app at 7 AM sharp on days you want a specific popular bay.

The Advanced Reservations upgrade works in two stages. You can request one of a limited number of slots up to 12 months out. Then the upgrade activates 24 hours before your trip starts, and once your trip has begun you can reserve moorings multiple days ahead within your trip window. The value is that holding an Advanced Reservations slot effectively guarantees you a mooring in the bay you want. See How BoatyBall works for the full picture.

Gear and rentals

Most charter companies provide masks, snorkels, and fins as part of the package. Two practical notes:

• A personal mask and snorkel fit better than a shared one. Many boaters bring their own mask and snorkel and use the charter company’s fins — fins take up a lot of space in a suitcase and the charter ones are usually fine.
• Extras can be delivered to your boat. Paddle boards, kayaks, floats, scuba gear — all rentable and delivered directly. Book ahead if you know you want them.

Excursions (day trips, guided dives, land tours) also benefit from booking ahead, especially in peak season. Most operators can meet you at your mooring or at a designated landing.

What to pack

The most common first-timer mistake is over-packing. Storage on a charter boat is limited, and you’ll wear the same rotation of shorts and swimsuits most of the week. Think small duffel, not full-size suitcase — a soft bag is easier to stow than a hard shell.

The essentials

• Sun shirts, hats, and sunglasses. The tropical sun is stronger than most visitors expect. A quality sun shirt is worth more than a bottle of sunscreen.
• A dry bag for phones. Getting in and out of the dinghy is when phones go swimming. A small dry bag saves the whole trip’s photos.
• Water shoes. Useful for beach landings, dinghy transfers, and hikes at places like The Baths.
• Zip ties. A small handful of zip ties is one of the most useful things on a boat — securing flags, fixing gear, closing bags, temporary repairs.

Fun extras

• A flag. Many boaters fly a personal flag — favorite school, home state, sports team, family crest. It’s a nice touch and makes your boat easy to spot in a crowded field.
• A music playlist. Create one before you go. Download offline versions so cell signal isn’t a problem. Cockpit music is a huge part of the vibe.
• Theme night outfits. If your group wants to do theme nights, decide ahead so people can pack. Common themes: white party, pirate night, decade night, tropical/luau.

If you plan to fish

Anyone fishing in BVI waters needs a fishing license. Your charter company can help you submit the application, but don’t leave it to the last minute — get it done as part of your pre-trip prep so you’re ready to fish on day one.