BVI News

After a year, the BVI’s seaport finally reopens for int’l travel

File photo of the Road Town Ferry Dock

For the first time in over a year, the BVI’s marine borders are officially open to international traffic — an important sector of the territory’s economy.

For now, ferry-transported visitors will only be able to enter the territory via the Road Town Jetty on Tortola, where health officials and other resources have been set up to screen incoming passengers.

The reopening of the marine borders to international traffic comes after three previous postponements which the government blamed on a lack of human and other resources to manage incoming traffic.

The reopening also comes after a controversial year. Residents and the business sector sulked at the extended closure and offered other alternatives for the government to reopen the sea borders and simultaneously protect the community from COVID-19.

None of the suggestions were taken by the government and at the official reopening ceremony of the Road Town Jetty on April 14, Premier Fahie commended his administration, saying amid the controversy and economic starvation, lives were saved in the community.

“The good thing over the last year is that we were able to save lives; not as a government but as a people. Yes, we lost one life and that remains etched in the corridors of my mind. But thank God we have not lost any other life during COVID-19. That tells me that the protocols – no matter how they were ridiculed – have worked,” Premier Fahie explained.

In relation to the market share the territory lost in the yachting sector, Premier Fahie said the “BVI is coming back to reclaim whatever is ours”.

“Persons tell me that we have lost a lot and we’re behind. I tell them … we’re dropping the marine fees so boats can register here, we will increase the boating schedule so you’ll have more transportation to come here. We’re not going to get into a war with anyone but we’re back to take what is ours for our economy,” Premier Fahie said.

In the meantime, the Premier reminded residents of the BVI that they may now travel to the USVI for one-day trips once they have the required documentation that the territory requires of international travellers.

The Premier also said persons should be reminded that, upon their return to the BVI, they will have to quarantine for four days.

Only one round trip ferry per day when seaports reopen to int’l traffic

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30 Comments

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  1. strupes says:

    The VIP done killed the economy

    Like 20
    Dislike 13
  2. Help says:

    What is the overall cost of a one day trip?

    Like 9
    Dislike 1
    • shorty says:

      You cannot do a one-day trip if you are from outside the BVI as you will have to quarantine for 4 days. So for instance, a person from St Thomas cannot come to the BVI for a one-day trip as they are required to quarantine for 4 days. With the ferries only allowing one way purchases not sure how a day trip will be feasible for BVIlanders going to the USVI

      Like 10
    • Jah says:

      Too much

      Wait for new ferry business. It will be cheaper

      • BuzzBvi says:

        Because they have somehow oddly been given pioneer status. See the COI looking into that as there is not too much to pioneer in ferry services. Just tax breaks and hand outs for cronies and setting up unfair competition.

  3. EU Citizen says:

    My family is not coming. There are much better alternatives at this point. Wishing the BVI was one of those with reasonable protocols…

    Like 13
    Dislike 9
    • USVI says:

      Come to USVI!

      We are open and business is BOOMING!

      Our waters are different shades of crystal clear blue, beaches are white and sandy, and the drinks are cold. Come visit!

      Like 11
      Dislike 14
      • EU Citizen says:

        We will in a couple weeks.
        We’ve been in St Maarten all winter but will come to USVI before we go home.
        It’s been wonderful here and it was great in USVI last April.
        Used to love BVI but this last year has been a big turn off. Not just the lock down but the tons of cocaine grabbed and all the killings.
        Not good.

    • Lol says:

      That’s ok one less virus carrier

      Like 2
      Dislike 9
      • Make it eight more says:

        My (vaccinated) family of four was planning on traveling to BVI for a charter in July with another family of four. Forget it. Unless the 4 day quarantine is dropped and there’s GOOD access on the ferry’s to and from BVI pronto, we’re going somewhere else.

        Good luck BVI, with the leaders you guys have, you’re going to need it.

        Like 5
        Dislike 1
        • SKIP says:

          TOTALLY AGREE! Booked our 7 day Moorings charter in June of 2020 for early June of 2021. 4 day quarantine on a boat is ridiculous. Everyone has been vaccinated. How can you open Ferry travel and reasonably expect a 4 day quarantine will do a damn thing. You are killing your tourist business. Just ask for proof of vaccination.

  4. Freedom? says:

    I hope that you enjoy your 4 day quarantine upon your return to the BVI and the $175 per person fee. My guess is that there won’t be many BVIers going over to the USVI.

    Like 14
    Dislike 1
    • tim says:

      if they only treated vaccinated people as … vaccinated people it will

      Lots of people will vaccinated but he gives zero incentive …

      I guess this bit too sophisticated … he still think he was smart on the lockdown…

      you know, prisons were able to save lots of prisoners from COVID using same principals…

      Like 3
      Dislike 1
  5. US citizen says:

    Nope, not coming..

    Like 9
    Dislike 1
  6. St. Thomas woman says:

    Congratulations BVI. At least you all are telling the truth about your positive cases and are truly trying to save lives while making money.

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
  7. False Statement says:

    “For the first time in over a year, the BVI’s marine borders are officially open to international traffic — an important sector of the territory’s economy.”

    This is a lie. The marine borders are not open. One ferry per day is allowed to come to the BVI. Private boats cannot even leave the BVI without written permission from the ministry of health. Any vessel attempting to transit the BVI’s marine border is subject to arrest, seizure and imprisonment. BVI News you should be ashamed for printing this lie. THE BVI’S MARINE BORDERS ARE NOT OPEN.

    Like 17
    • tin says:

      always said … those are symbolic moves to claim they opened it up … this is BS but how many people will believe him … way too many ..

      Like 2
      Dislike 1
  8. Still aint ready says:

    This opening is just a show, they clearly aint ready,,,The protocols doesnt support this move to create a success…

  9. Moon visit says:

    Officially you are free to visit the moon any time you want. Just need to build a ship, plan everything really well and go.

    Same thing with the BVI marine borders, just more complicated. Cost about the same though.

    Mr. Fahie – please stop gaslighting us.

    Like 11
  10. Joe says:

    The exaggerated precautions adopted by the BVI scared a lot of people away, and exposed the draconic frame of mind of the local authorities. It will take the BVI, a long time, to make some people forget the medieval atmosphere which reigns among local political leaders. I am not a belonger and I do not live in the BVI, but I used to visit frequently for leisure purposes. I already found more welcoming options.

    Like 11
    Dislike 1
  11. Wait Wait, don't tell me says:

    So can we from here go shopping in St. Thomas for the day?? Why only one way tickets?? Asking for a friend

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  12. USVI to BVI says:

    If we sail from USVI to BVI and check-in, can we quarantine on our boat while sailing?

  13. Incompetence? says:

    At what point does Fahie’s actions go from being questionable, to incompetent and negligent?

    Drop the quarantine and open the borders, this is madness!

  14. Perspective Traveler says:

    Something to consider for people thinking about travelling the BVIs…False Positives…

    What’s to say the test are inaccurate where you are stuck paying for the lodging for 2 weeks?

    Based on what I have been reading, the locals aren’t too fond of the government and their greedy policies, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they would do something of that sort to “generate business.”

    I want to emphasise that I’m strictly talking about the government – not the local businesses!

    Do away with the tests in the BVIs….Americans are willing to take a test in the US but there is genuine concern for taking tests in another country.

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  15. Alan says:

    This is such a joke. Open the borders and get the visitors in. BVI bars and restaurants are suffering over a what is amounting to the common cold.

  16. SKIP says:

    Booked our 7 day charter for 8 people in June of 2020 for a visit in early June of 2021. Been waiting to see if the Ferries being open would change the 4 day quarantine. Guess not. Will have to postpone or cancel now. Too bad, as that $30,000 will not go to the BVI economy. Everyone got their shots, proof of vaccine cards and more than happy to provide our negative Covid Test results 3 days before arrival! What a shame.

  17. SKIP says:

    Booked our 7 day charter for 8 people in June of 2020 for a visit in early June of 2021. Been waiting to see if the Ferries being open would change the 4 day quarantine. Guess not. Will have to postpone or cancel now. Too bad, as that $30,000 will not go to the BVI economy. Everyone got their shots, proof of vaccine cards and more than happy to provide our negative Covid Test results 3 days before arrival! What a shame.

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  18. What's the point? says:

    I never thought I would see the day that I would have to plan and make a budget to take a trip to the USVI.

    Albeit rules are rules, those fees…RIDICULOUS!

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