Explore: British Virgin Islands - General Info
Time Zone
UTC (-4)
BVI does not utilize Daylight Saving Time and is Atlantic Standard Time.
Yachting Essentials
Electricity
The electricity runs at 110 volts at 60 cycles, and outlets will accept the standard two and three-pronged plugs found in the USA.
Water
The island’s drinking water is supplied by both desalination plants and by treating local supply. It’s considered potable—but ask before use.
Fuel
Fuel is available at multiple locations throughout the islands including on Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, Marina Cay, Peter Island, and Virgin Gorda.
LPG / Gas
Propane is available at several places in Road Town, also at Parham Town, Nanny Cay, and Spanish Town.
Last updated:Â January 2019
Opening Hours
Money
The official currency of the British Virgin Islands has been the United States dollar (US$) since 1959.
Not all businesses accept credit cards so it is advisable to check ahead if you can. Most businesses accept Traveller’s Checks in US dollars and US dollar currency.
Euros are not accepted in the BVI, nor is it possible to change Euros to US dollars, despite what it is reported in various guides, including the official tourism authority.
However, it is possible to withdraw US dollars from ATMs.
Last update: December 2019
Communications
International dialing for the BVI:Â dial 1 + 284 + local phone number.
Mobile Phones:
CCT, Flow and Digicel provide the local service. SIM cards are easy to get to local shops in Road Town and at large marinas. They cost about US$20.
Internet:
Internet cafes exist and are typically located near marinas. Access generally costs US$5 per half-hour. Wi-fi is widely available, but expect slow service.
Post:
The BVI postal service is reliable but unpredictable. Mail sent to the USA takes four to 17 business days. Having mail sent to general delivery is currently not a good option due to service disruptions post Irma.
Last updated:Â January 2019
Transport
Air Travel
Tortola, the main island of the British Virgin Islands, is the location of the BVI’s only major airport, the Beef Island Airport (EIS)) at Tortola’s adjoining Beef Island on its East End. There are also two smaller airstrips on Virgin Gorda and Anegada. Tortola’s Beef Island Airport does not accommodate major jets, only 70-80 seat turboprops, and small jets.
Airlines flying into the BVIs include:
- American Eagle: +1 (284) 495 2559
- LIAT: +1 (284) 495 1187
- Air Sunshine: +1 (284) 495 8900
- Cape Air: +1 (284) 495 2100
Ferry Services
Between the US and British Virgin Islands:
- Native Son Inc. Tel: (284) 495 4617
- Smiths Ferry, Tel: (284) 495 4495
- Nubian Princess, Tel: (284) 495 4999
- Inter-Island Services, Tel: (284) 495 4166
- Speedy’s Ferry, Tel: (284) 495 5240
- Roadtown Fast Ferry, Tel: (284) 494 2323
Diplomatic Missions
Foreign Embassies in British Virgin Islands
United States Embassy, Bridgetown, Barbados (also responsible for the BVI): +1 246 436 4950.
Canadian High Commission, Bridgetown, Barbados (also responsible for the BVI): +1 246 429 3550.
Australian High Commission, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (also responsible for BVI): +1 868 628 0695.
Related Businesses
Department Of Conservation And Fisheries
Address: 33 Admin Drive, Wickhams Cay 1, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands,
Fishing License... Read More
United Kingdom
Address: Governor's Office, Waterfront Drive, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands,
VETERINARY DIVISION-Department of Agriculture
Address: Paraquita Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands,
The website has a link to the permit application and details of the regulations applicable.... Read More
Events
Note: The traditional happenings are gradually coming back up to speed—but check ahead.
Full Moon Parties, Trellis Bay, the Bomba Shack, and Aragorn’s Studio
Monthly (adults-only) full moon parties are held at Trellis Bay on Tortola (walking distance from the Beef Island airport) and at the legendary Bomba Shack on Tortola’s West End. Aragorn’s Studio holds an artsy, family-friendly event kicking off around 8 pm with calypso music, stilt walkers and fire jugglers.
February: Sweethearts of the Caribbean and Classic Yacht Regatta
Tortola plays host to the BVI’s annual Sweethearts of the Caribbean and Classic Yacht Regatta, at the West End Yacht Club.
March: Dark and Stormy Regatta
Named after a rum drink, this regatta is hosted by the Jolly Roger on Tortola and Neptune’s Treasure on Anegada.
April: BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival
A seven-day sailing event that includes cruises, smaller races, and the three-day main-event regatta. Sponsored by the Nanny Cay Marina on Tortola.
Easter: Spanish Town Fisherman’s Jamboree/Fishing Tournament
The BVI’s top angler’s event is held in Spanish Town, capital of Virgin Gorda, and is the same time as Virgin Gorda’s Easter Festival, featuring parades, calypso music, and funji bands.
May: BVI Music Festival
The Music Festival includes reggae, calypso, funji, R&B, rock, dance, and jazz groups from across the regional and around the world. Held over a three-day weekend in May at Cane Garden Bay Beach on Tortola.
August: Emancipation Festival
Also known as the August Festival or the BVI Festival, this event marks the BVI’s emancipation from slavery in 1834. Includes the annual freedom march, emancipation service, calypso monarch competition, boat races, and parade.
October: Wreck Week
Festivities include a treasure hunt, wreck-diving certification courses, and a big party on Cooper Island.
Last updated:Â January 2019
Emergencies
Peebles Medical Centre
+1 284 852 7500 or
+1 284 394 3497
Police Department
Note: 911 and 311 services are currently not always functional
+1 284 468 9001 or
+1 284 468 9000
+1 284 344 1818
+1 284 344 1822
+1 284 344 1977
+1 284 545 4866
Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR)
VISAR is a non-profit, non-governmental volunteer marine search and rescue organization operating in the BVIs, established in 1988. They have two bases: one in Tortola and the other in Virgin Gorda, with a total of 50 volunteer crew members and two fully-equipped rescue vessels. Their crew responds to medical emergencies ranging from slips and falls, dehydration, strokes, heart attacks, and boating accidents.
VHF Channel 16
Dial 767
+1 284 499 0911 (emergency)
Virgin Islands Search & Resuce (VISAR)
Fire and Rescue
+1 284 468 4267 or
+1 284 468 4268
To initiate a rescue at sea call MRCC Fort-de-France (Martinique).
They will hear you on VHF Ch 16 anywhere from Northern St Vincent to half way between Guadeloupe and Antigua via several sensitive radio repeaters.
They monitor comms 24/7 and can speak both French and English.
https://www.facebook.com/MRCCFortdeFrance
Publications
Atlantic, Caribbean, Mediterranean: Atlantic Pilot Atlas
A book anyone planning an Atlantic crossing, cruising the Caribbean or the Mediterranean should not be without. By: James Clarke Published by: Adlard Coles Nautical (5th Edn, Feb 2011) See review here. ... Read More
Atlantic, Caribbean: A Thousand Miles From Anywhere
Following Dolphins Under My Bed and Turtles in Our Wake comes the third leg of the Claytons' voyage, two early retirees who decided to live life sailing from place to place to fulfil their dream. This book covers their Atlantic crossing and cruising the Caribbean on the third leg of... Read More
British and US Virgin Island: Virgin Anchorages
Excellent companion to the Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands, featuring stunning, color, aerial photography, it captures 46 of the most popular anchorages in the Virgin Islands. Graphic illustration overlays aid in navigation to show you where the reefs and rocks are and where you will find safe passage. By Nancy... Read More
British and US Virgin Islands: The Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands
This 2022 edition marks the publication's 40th year of assisting sailors and vacationers cruising the tropical waters of both the British and U.S. Virgin Islands. The new edition is packed with the latest information on navigation (including key GPS coordinates), customs and immigration regulations, weather, communications, marinas, haul-out facilities, chandleries, dive... Read More
British, Spanish and US Virgin Islands: A Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands
This 2nd edition is vastly improved with extensive full-color aerial photography and completely updated harbour charts. Also includes 84 GPS-accurate sketch charts, piloting instructions, GPS waypoints, photos, approaches and routes, anchorages, services, dive sites, history and loads of local knowledge. By Stephen J. Pavlidis Publisher: Seaworthy Publications (2011) www.seaworthy.com ISBN: 9781892399359... Read More
Caribbean, Central and South America: Cruising Guide to the Caribbean: Including the North Coast of South America, Central America and Yucatan
By William T. Stone Publisher: Sheridan House; 2nd Revised edition edition (Aug. 21, 1998) ISBN-13: 978-0924486579... Read More
Caribbean: A Cruising Guide to the Lesser Antilles
Available at Kindle as well as all other EPub bookstores (September 2012) The three .pdf files are free to download at: www.freecruisingguide.com See Noonsite further details here Author: Frank Virgintino Published by www.freecruisingguide.com (July 2012)... Read More
Caribbean: A Cruising Guide to the Lesser Antilles 2.0 (Volume 1: Virgin Islands)
Available free from www.freecruisingguides.com as well as a Kindle version from Amazon and other EPub bookstores. Author: Frank Virgintino... Read More
Caribbean: A Thinking Man’s Guide to Voyaging South
Written by Frank Virgintino, author of numerous cruising guides for the Caribbean. In this book, the author represents the Caribbean basin in four quadrants to aid with route planning and discusses the pros and cons of the various options to depart from North America plus the various entry points into... Read More
Caribbean: Cruising Guide to the Caribbean
By William T. Stone and Anne M. Hayes Publisher Sheridan House. Rev Rep edition (August 21, 1998) ISBN-13: 978-0924486579... Read More
Caribbean: Cruising Guide to the Leeward Islands
This thirteenth edition covers the islands from Anguilla to Dominica and is an essential tool for all cruisers sailing this region. See more here. By: Chris Doyle Publisher Cruising Guides Publications - 13th Edition ISBN 13: 13: 978-0944428979... Read More
Caribbean: Cruising Guide To The Leeward Islands: Anguilla Through Dominica
Covers the islands from Anguilla to Dominica, and is an essential tool for all cruisers sailing this region. Chris Doyle, the author, spends months sailing these islands to update each edition. This book includes over a hundred up-to-date color sketch charts, full-color aerial photos of most anchorages, island pictures, and... Read More
Caribbean: Cruising Life – The Best Stories from Caribbean Compass
A collection of 49 stories by sailors cruising the Caribbean Sea, selected from the popular Caribbean Compass monthly magazine. These are first-hand tales of experiences ranging from hurricane survival to hilarious shoreside happenings, ranging throughout the Caribbean while giving glimpses of seldom-visited anchorages as well as unique perspectives on the... Read More
Caribbean: Grenada to The Virgin Islands
Fully illustrated with plans and photos, many of which are new for this third edition, the guide is packed with interesting and useful background information on the Caribbean; its history, tourism, geography, and details on sailing in the islands. By Jacques Patuelli Published by Imray (3rd Edition 2014) DISCOUNTS available through Imray and... Read More
Caribbean: Marina Melee
How hard can it be to run a marina in the tropics? Freshly divorced for the third time and fired from his "allowance"-paying job in the family oil business by his father as a result, George Marshall is invited by his friends Ricky and Katie May to join them on... Read More
Caribbean: Puerto Rico, the Spanish, U.S. and British Virgin Islands (Street’s Cruising Guide to the Eastern Caribbean)
These guides give the mariner all the information needed to safely cruise the area, not only piloting information but also interesting background information on people, places and history. By D.M. Street Publisher: iUniverse.com Inc (March 2001) Available from amazon.com ISBN: 978-0595173518... Read More
Florida, Caribbean: The Reef Set (Reef Fish, Reef Creature and Reef Coral)
3 books in slipcase. Copies of: Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean & Bahamas ; (4th Edition); Reef Creature Identification: Florida, Caribbean & Bahamas (3rd Edition) and Reef Coral Identification: Florida, Caribbean & Bahamas (3rd Edition) packaged in a beautifully printed shelf case. All 3 books are Flexibinding - pages are stitched in... Read More
Puerto Rico, The Virgin Islands: Yachtsman’s Guide to the Virgin Islands & Puerto Rico
Editor - Meredith Helleberg Fields Publisher Tropic Isle Publishers Inc ISBN - 9780937379004... Read More
Reeds 9-Language Handbook
The pocket dictionary is centered around clear, color, annotated diagrams, such as parts of the rig and engine, in each nautical subject area, and makes it very easy and convenient to translate between nine languages (English, French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Danish, Portuguese and Greek). The diagrams can easily be... Read More
Links
- BVI Tourist Board
- BVI Now App – free download
Designed to help visitors discover all the BVI has to offer including restaurants & bars, shopping, water sports, taxis and more. In addition, it provides information on beaches and tourist attractions as well as insider tips. - www.bareboatsbvi.com/british_virgin_islands
Useful photo gallery with over 500 photos and maps of the individual islands. - www.bviwelcome.com
Another online guide including some interesting info. on anchorages for yachts. - BVI Cruising Guide
- Online Cruising Guide
- The Different Faces of the Virgin Islands
- Association of Reef Keepers (ARK) BVI
Good information about the state of dive sites in the BVIs following the hurricane season, plus volunteer reef-check opportunities.
