BVI & USVI Updates-Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria

BVI Update

We are happy to announce, that we have started welcoming guests to our islands November 1st, 2017.  As the Sailing Capital of the world, it is our yachting sector that is the first to “open for business” and our charter yachts are sailing now.
Anegada, the drowned island, was spared the brunt of the storm and as such, we will host the Anegada Lobster Festival as scheduled on November 25th and 26th. It will be a delightful culinary event; lobster in all its glory.

We are thankful and appreciative to friends of The BVI for their unwavering support over the last two months. We remain energized that the BVI tourism will rebound, and we will continue to offer an unparalleled experience – one that is personalized and continues to exceed expectations in terms of its product, natural beauty, and the luxurious experience that focuses on service, friendliness, authenticity and safety.

We are here to assist you in planning your BVI vacation so please feel free to call up on us or one of our travel partners. And, the people of the BVI look forward to welcoming you to our shores.

Sharon Flax Brutus,
Director of Tourism

 

FAQS

When can guests visit the BVI?

The territory started welcoming guests from November 1, 2017.

Are the airports open for private charters and commercial flights?

All airports are open for charters and commercial flights 7:30am to 5:30pm daily.
Persons wishing to use charter flights are reminded the territory’s airports are PPR airports. Log on to www.ppr.bviaaops.com to complete and submit the form with your PPR request.

What is the status on upcoming events?

The people of the British Virgin Islands are resilient and in that same spirit, a number of our annual events are still ‘a-go’! Please check back as we continue to add more confirmed events. (Link to events)
• BVI Charter Yacht Society Boat Show: November 7-10, 2017
• Anegada Lobster Festival: November 25 -26, 2017
• Painkiller Cup: January 2018
• 2018 BVI Spring Regatta: March 26-April 1, 2018

How can I help?

We want to thank you for your willingness to support the BVI Community. To Support out our Recovery Fund, please visit http://pledgeling.us/bvi. During this time, we welcome relief workers only who would have secured previous permission and gained authorization from our authorities.

Which ferry companies are operational?

Daily ferries and charters have resumed service between Tortola, BVI and St. Thomas, USVI. Speedy’s resumes service between Virgin Gorda and Tortola. New Horizon Ferry resumed service between Tortola and Jost Van Dyke, please see temporary ferry schedule below.

Please contact your ferry company of choice on day of travel to confirm schedule.

Native Son
Departing from: Tender Dock Cruise Pier, Road Town at 9:30am
Returning from: Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas at 2:30pm

Road Town Fast Ferry
Departing from: Tender Dock Cruise Pier, Road Town at 7:00am and 12noon
Returning from: Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas at 8:30am and 4:15pm

Virgin Gorda Transport – Speedy’s
Departing from: Virgin Gorda at 8:00am and 3:30pm
Departing from: Road Town Ferry Dock, Tortola at 9:00am and 4:30pm

Smith’s Ferry Services- Tortola Fast Ferry
Departing from: Charlotte Amalie at 8:25am
Departing from: Tortola Pier Park at 2:45pm

New Horizon Ferry Services (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays)
Departing from: Jost Van Dyke at 7:00am, 12:00noon and 5:00pm
Departing from: West End at 8:00am, 1:00pm and 6:00pm
For more information, please call 284-499-0952

Dolphin Water Taxi
Anyone wishing to travel from St. Thomas to Road Town/West End, Tortola can call Dolphin Water Taxi and make a reservation – quick and reliable private transport from bag claim to any BVI destination. Call for reservation and more information 340-774-2628.

Inter-Island Boat Service
Departing Red Hook, St. Thomas – 7:15am and 12:30pm
Departing Cruz Bay – Non-Stop
Departing Road Town – 9:00am and 1:45pm

Ocean Dreams Water Taxi
Water taxi services available between St. Thomas, USVI and Tortola, BVI with ground transportation. Call 340-998-6720 for reservations.

ISLAND INFO

TORTOLA

There was minimal damage to our cruise pier in Tortola, which means we expect to be ready to receive cruise passengers in November following necessary inspections. There was, however, damage to our new Tortola Pier Park shopping, dining and art area. Our National Parks Trust is working specifically on relief efforts at the Botanical Gardens and Sage Mountain in Tortola.

 

VIRGIN GORDA

Virgin Gorda, the crown jewel of BVI tourism and known for its luxury accommodations and vibrant culinary scene will focus on its small properties and restaurants and will be ready to receive guests also in November.

 

 

ANEGADA

Anegada, the drowned island, was spared the brunt of the storms’ ravages and we anticipate that Anegada will be ready to receive guests at some of their properties beginning November 1, 2017. To this end we will host the Anegada Lobster Festival as scheduled on November 25th and 26th.

 

 

JOST VAN DYKE

Jost Van Dyke, Home of the PainKiller and beautiful White Bay has started its rebuilding process with some of the establishments on White Bay already open for business.

 

 

OTHER ISLANDS

Our private island resorts namely Peter Island Resort & Spa, Scrub Island Resort, Cooper Island and Guana Island are all rushing to complete assessments so they can begin the road back to a luxury vacation experience. (reprinted from BVIStrong, bvitourism.com)

 

 

 

 

USVI Update

Hurricanes Irma and Maria Recovery

Dear Friends, On September 6th, 2017 and again on September 19th, 2017 the U.S. Virgin Islands were hit by category 5 hurricanes. Hurricane Irma devastated St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island. Hurricane Maria arrived under two weeks later, devastating St. Croix and added further damage to the sister islands.

Thank you for your emails with prayers, and requests to donate and volunteer. And thank you for your questions asking when you can come back to the islands. Right now, our islands’ residents are picking up the pieces and figuring out how to make do one day at a time. Soon we will shift to rebuilding. We will keep you posted on our recovery. We look forward to welcoming you to our islands again as soon as we can. (reprinted from Vinow.com Recovery Blog)

 

Things are looking good on St. Thomas, USVI!  Had an opportunity to view in person this week while attending the Charter Yacht Show at Yacht Haven Grande in Charlotte Amalie.