Fuel

Customs Fees (BVI trips only)

Gratuity

Food and Drink

Island Roots Charters does not visit the fuel dock at the end of the day like most other boats, allowing you 30 or more extra minutes on the water, snorkeling, exploring or having one last Painkiller in White Bay. Instead we charge a FLAT RATE for fuel depending on where our travels take us for the day. Here are some rough estimates for fuel costs as you prepare for your trip.

• Trips near St Thomas / St John: $150
• Trips circumnavigating St. John: $200
• Trips around Jost Van Dyke: $200
• Trips with Jost and Norman: $250
• Trips around Norman & Easterly BVIs: $250
• Any trip including Virgin Gorda or the Baths: $300

For those traveling to the BVI only, customs fees are $70 per person paid in cash. We collect and prepare all of your immigration documents in advance; keeping you in front of the crowds and sparing you the 30-45 minutes it takes to fill out the numerous forms and documents.

The best way to get that information to us is by filling out our online form. You can access the form fin your booking confirmation email under the traveling abroad section. Click on the link called “sign customs forms” and complete a form for each passenger. This will automatically log your passport information into our system.

Yes, gratuity is customary in the VI and appreciated for a job well done! Your captain has a lot of responsibility, maintains numerous credentials and works hard to make sure you have a safe, fun and memorable trip. If you feel generous enough to tip, industry standard is generally 15%-25% of the total trip expense.

Valid Passport (BVI trips only)

$70 Cash Per Person for Customs (BVI trips only)

Money for Lunch

Refillable Water Bottle

Sun Protection (sun glasses, hat, long sleeve rash guard)

Towel

Dry Clothes (in case you feel like hitting happy hour after the boat trip)

In 2019 the USVI Legislature unanimously passed a bill that bans the sale, distribution, and import of sunscreen products containing oxybenzone and octinoxate; chemicals that devastate coral and marine life and are known carcinogenic and hormone disruptors in humans. We support this effort by requiring all guest on charter to use non-aerosol, reef-safe sunscreen. Safe options are mineral-based sunscreens that contain Titanium and Zinc Oxide. Safe sunscreen can be found locally at the Chelsea Drugstore on the second level of the marketplace. 

We have two pick-up and drop-off locations. If you are on St. John we will meet you at 8:45 AM at the National Park Service dock which is directly across the street from Morgan Mango’s Restaurant in Cruz Bay. If you are on St. Thomas we will meet you at 8:45 AM at the Sapphire Resort Marina dock in Red Hook. There is a $75 dock usage fee and free parking at Sapphire. Special BVI pick-up and drop-off is available by request; contact us for pricing.

Parking is limited in Cruz Bay so we always recommend you come into town early. There’s free parking located in the parking lot across the street from the post office or you can park for free at the gravel lot across from the tennis courts. The closest paid parking is at the lumberyard. We recommend unloading your group and gear at the small square parking lot next to the NPS dock across from Morgan’s Mango restaurant and then have one person go and park the car.

You’ll find that it tends to rain occasional in the early morning, and though it might look like it will last all day, things almost always clear up by midday.

Should anything in your travel plans change, please let us know as soon as possible. You can cancel up to 72 hours before the trip’s departure and receive a full refund of your deposit. Cancelations made within 72 hours of the trip’s departure will forfeit their deposit. Cancelations made inside of 24 hours will be charged for the full charter fee discussed. Weather related cancellations will be refunded in full or, if possible, rescheduled with Island Roots Charters or an affiliated charter company on a different day.