US Virgin Islands - Facts

Jan 25, 2026

US Virgin Islands FAQs

Pre-Arrival Boat: If you plan to clear in via the ROAM App, ensure that you have the latest version downloaded and preload vessel and crew information. See Clearance for full details.
Pre-Arrival Crew: All nationalities (other than citizens of the US, Canada or Bermuda) arriving by private yacht need a valid US B1/B2 visa obtained in advance. An ESTA does not apply if entering the USA for the first time by yacht. However, if your first entry to the USA is by commercial carrier, or on foot across the border first with an ESTA - then subsequently entering by yacht is a valid form of entry for short visits. Note: Foreign nationals arriving without a valid US visa will be fined and/or refused entry. The CBP ROAM app only checks in the boat, not the crew. A face-to-face procedure is required for all crew as well. See Immigration for full details.
Where can I enter? There is one port of entry on each of the three main USVI islands: Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Cruz Bay, St. John; and Christiansted, St. Croix. Click on the anchor symbol in the blue “Explore Country” drop down, to see ports of entry.
Are fees high to enter by yacht? There are no fees for entering or exiting the USVIs. For mooring and anchoring fee details see Fees.
What security concerns should I know about? USVI is generally a safe country with the normal tourist and Caribbean precautions. See Security for more information.

US Virgin Islands Facts for Sailors

The Virgin Islands are an archipelago comprising hundreds of small islands and cays. The western part is US territory, while the eastern half is a British dependency.
The islands are located to the east of Puerto Rico are in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles.
The USVI consist of the main islands of Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas, and many other surrounding minor islands. The territory's capital is Charlotte Amalie on the island of St. Thomas.
St Thomas is the most developed island and gets busy with cruise-ship traffic. St John has most of the parkland and is equally popular for hiking and snorkeling. St Croix has great scuba sites and rum factories.
Several enclaves exist for cruisers such as Crown Bay Marina, Yacht Haven Grande, American Yacht Harbor, Independent Boat Yard and St. John. Elephant Bay on Water Island is open for anchoring and there are a number of small beach bars welcome visitors.
The population of 110,000 includes large communities of Caribbean, American, Danish, French, Asian, African and Middle Eastern residents. The official language is English, though Spanish and Patois are spoken.
The official currency is the United States dollar (USD), the currency also used by the British Virgin Islands.
Time zone is (GMT-4).
The climate is tropical rainforest, influenced by the trade winds. From December to March the daily average temperature is around 24/25 °C (75/77 °F), it is hotter and more humid during hurricane season; from May to October. See Weather for more details.
Hurricane Irma, the most powerful Atlantic hurricane in recorded history, hit the USVI in early September 2017. The storm had a sustained wind speed of at least 185mph.
The island uses the IALA-B (red right returning) buoyage system.
See Yachting Essentials for more.

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US Virgin Islands was last updated 6 days ago

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