BVI- Immigration/Customs

[minnjim]

As I look at different pictures of people at The Soggy Dollar Bar and their boats pulled up to, or anchored just off of the beach I think to myself, how many of these people have rented their boat (w/o a skipper), boat over to White Bay and hang out at the bar, skipping the whole customs thing? Does anybody there check you? Everybody's in a swimsuit. I can't imagine everyone's walking around with their passports and papers.

[captainjay]

The BVI's make it a little easier on the customs. At Jost you clear in at the dock at Great Harbor. Only one person per boat, normally the captain, or the operator for the day has to go into customs. There is a small form you fill out in advance and the captain takes your paperwork and cash with you ID in and clears the whole boat in and back out at the same time. Most of the people do clear in and out like they are supposed to. I understand enforcement has been stepped up on this and you don't want to risk the fine or jail time for illegal entry.
Jay

[Gromit]

Captain jay is right on this one... it's just not worth it in today's day and age to try to get around the system.

They are pretty efficient-- not necessarily cheery --but efficient.

Just build time into your itinerary and make the stop.

For more information and warnings visit the State Departments Consular Info sheet on the BVI's:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_t ... _1079.html