Before you ask .... we try to answer
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Do I have to start on any particular day of the week?For you convenience, you can start any day of the week, just check availability by using our fast booking form on this website. No starts on the 25 December and the 1 January - sorry! |
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How do I get to Tortola (Paradise)?We have special airfare packages from the USA and Canada, Please contact Caribbean Travel on 1-800-327-5540 and quote discount code 1161. International Rates upon request but we recommend that you first check with your local travel agent. |
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How do I get to Tortola (Paradise) Via San Juan ?This is the most popular route. The short hop from San Juan to Tortola (Beef Island Airport) is the busiest: Your "Puddle Jumper" choices are (Travel Agents don't always know all these!)
American Eagle
Cape Air
LIAT
For flotillas and large groups, 6 to 8 people, a private plane is available, doesn't cost more and is a very cool way to get here.
Fly BVI 284-495-1747
Island Helicopters International 284-499-2663
After customs it is easy (as our airport is small). The Taxi Association has a person on site that will ask you where you are going. Just say "Conch Charters" (The Best Company!) and our taxi driver will "Presto" appear. The taxi fare to Road Town is $6 pp with an $18 minimum. |
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How do I get to Tortola (Paradise) Via St. Thomas (America's Paradise) ?Your airline selection is much larger and price is usually better depending on your starting location. If you have to overnight in St. Thomas before taking the ferry to Tortola, may we suggest the Windward Passage directly across from the ferry dock. Their phone number is 340-774-5200. St. Thomas is a shopping zoo, so watch your credit cards.
St. Thomas to Tortola is easy by Ferry:
See www.bviwelcome.com for up to date ferry times. These are always subject to change so should be confirmed a couple of days before you travel. |
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How do I get to Tortola (Paradise) Via United Kingdom ?British Airways or Virgin Atlantic fly from London Gatwick into Antigua, from there you connect to LIAT to Tortola (Beef Island airport code EIS)
Alternatively you can fly from Heathrow via USA into either Beef Island (EIS) or St Thomas (STT) |
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How do I get to Tortola (Paradise) Via Europe ?Air France and KLM fly into St. Marten and from there you connect to Carribbean Sun, LIAT or American Eagle to Tortola.
Or you can fly via the USA (San Juan SJU) to Tortola. |
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What if I show up after 5:00pm for my charter?Sleeping Aboard
Please bring a flashlight. Some lights will be on your yacht and your panel light/fan switches will be left on.
For your convenience, a chalkboard, with your party's name, boat name and location of your yacht will be left on the dock should you arrive after our office hours of 9:00 ñ 5:00pm. The Pub will normally be open within crawling distance of your yacht for dinner or drinks. |
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What's On Board and What Do I Need To Bring?We suggest you check out our equipment list for a complete list of what's already onboard. All linens are supplied, just like a hotel room. However, we suggest that you bring beach towels.
Snorkel gear is supplied but there is a limited selection, so if you have a personal set we suggest you bring it. Fit is always important, and this is one of the most beautiful past-times in the BVI.
Medical supplies are limited so any special needs should be addressed at home and brought with you.
Don't forget hats, sunglasses and buckets of suntan lotion.
Credit cards work here but remember to tell your credit card company your going on holiday. Some cards get declined the first time for fraud reasons until you ring and tell them your on holiday! |
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Can I hire a captain and/or cook?Should you decide to relax completely and let someone else do the work for you, here are their respective rates.
Captains rate is $150/per day.
Cooks rate is $150/per day.
If you would like to learn how to sail while you're on holiday, an ASA Instructional Captain is $165/per day.
They are responsible for the boat and you are responsible to water and feed them when on charter. Gratuities are greatly appreciated upon completion of the charter and usually a minimum of $25 a day. |
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Is there some place I can rent some fun stuff?SCUBA equipment ñ Blue Water Divers 284-494-2847
Wind Surfers ñ Last Stop Sports 284-494-0564 or Boardsailing BVI 284-494-0422
To arrange for delivery of equipment and toys before you go out sailing, see our office staff early in the morning the day of your charter. |
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In Case Of Emergency or Staying In Touch1. You will be given a cell phone to take with you. It is a free service between Conch Charters and the boat but you can also use it phone the rest of the world with a charge. You will be given your number at the chart briefing. (This does require a deposit on a visa or mastercard)
2. Carrying your own phone? Contact CCT Boatphone on our website and they will be able to hook your phone into their service.
3. Leave our office number with someone (284-494-4868) and we can relay messages to your yacht. Please note that this is in case of emergencies only. |
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Other Costs, Fees, etc..BVI Cruising Permit
This is the Government's piece of the action, payable in cash or travellers cheques only.
$2.00 per person per day December 1st ñ April 31st
.75 cents per person per day May 1st ñ November 30th
The National Parks Trust Mooring Permit
This is payable in cash or travellers cheques only and goes directly to protecting our amazing coral reefs.
$25 per week up to 4 people, $35 per week up to 6 people, $45 per week up to 8 people, $55 per week for up to 10 people
Insurance
This is $28 per day to a maximum of $400 and is non-refundable
Security Deposit
This is $1500 which includes the Yacht and Dinghy. A preauthorisation on your Visa or MasterCard is taken upon arrival.
Sleep-Aboard
This is payable in cash or travellers cheques only. The cost is $25 per person with a minimum charge of $80. If the boat is available for this service, it is only available the evening prior to charter date.
Provisions
This is payable in cash or travellers cheques. If you want to pay by Visa or MasterCard there is a 3% surcharge
Phone
Every boat must take a cell phone with them. It is $20 which gives you $20 worth of credit on the phone, it is $0.25 for international calls to USA, Canada and UK and only $0.20 for a local call. |
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Booking My Charter, When Do You Send Confirmation Contracts?A $500 deposit is required on all charters under $3,000 within 10 days of booking. You may put your deposit on VISA, MasterCard, Cheque or Money Order.
A $1,000 deposit is required on all charters over $3,000 within 10 days of booking. You may put your deposit on VISA, MasterCard, Cheque or Money Order.
A $2,000 deposit is required on all charters over $5,000 within 10 days of booking. You may put your deposit on VISA, MasterCard, Cheque or Money Order
Your final balance is due 45 days prior to your charter date. Please remember the post takes a while get to the islands! |
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Can I buy Travel Insurance for my holiday?We work with a travel insurance company called Travel Protection Services who provide comprehensive insurance. Please follow the link or contact 800-694-5921. |
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How do I get a Fishing License?Fishing is illegal without a permit and each crew member fishing must have a license. Please contact the Department of Natural Resources on 284-468-3701 |
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Can I bring food with me?Duty is payable on any food that you bring with you plus you must get an import form from the Department of Agriculture, Paraquita Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Tel: (284) 495-2532 or Fax: (284) 495-1269.
If you don't have the correct paperwork Customs may destroy the food |
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If I'm from the USA, Do I need a passport?As of the 1 January 2007 new US regulations mean that everyone from the USA that travels overseas needs a passport. We advise you to apply early as first time passport holders have to apply in person. Please follow the link for futher details. Web |
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Can I visit the US Virgin Islands by boat?If you live anywhere else but the USA or Canada and would like to visit the US Virgin Islands on your boat you need a US Visa. The Visa Waiver Scheme only works if you are travelling by a bonded carrier such as plane, or ferry.
You can get your visa from your local US Embassy. Please follow the link for more details http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1262.html
You must get your visa before you come to the BVI. Web |
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I need a visa to travel to the UK, do I need one for the BVI?If you hold a passport from a country that normally needs a visa to visit the UK you will need one to visit here. If in doubt about the necessity of a visa, contact the nearest BVI Tourist Board Office, the nearest British Embassy, or the Chief Immigration Department, BVI Government at (284) 494-3471 or 468-3701 ext. 4700. |
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Can we get WiFi for our boat?Conch Charters can rent you a WiFi unit for $15 per day, it just plugs into the USB port of your computer but we do have to load the software via a disc onto your laptop. Limited availability email our Sales Team on sailing@conchcharters.com to reserve your dates.
Alternatively you can rent a unit from ICE www.icebvi.com for $30 a day that will allow you to have up to 5 users connected at the same time.
Please note coverage is about 85% due to the geography of the BVI |
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