U.S. Virgin Islands: Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors
12 harbours
U.S. Virgin Islands: 12 harbours, clearing in, papers and fees. Plan your trip with weather, tides and route.
Formalities
outside the EU customs unionCurrency: US dollar
Clearing in: Territory of the USA: US immigration law applies, but for customs purposes it is foreign. Anyone entering on their own boat needs a B1/B2 visa: ESTA does not apply, because a private yacht is not a carrier under the Visa Waiver Program. Report arrival from abroad, including from the BVI, to CBP immediately; foreign crew in person at a reporting location: St. Thomas (Blyden Marine Terminal, Charlotte Amalie), St. John (Cruz Bay), St. Croix (Gallows Bay). The ROAM app covers only the boat and does not apply to people who need an I-94, for a cruising licence or when duty is due. Report to Puerto Rico and back as well. A cruising licence (one year, for flags with reciprocity such as Germany, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom) exempts you from formal clearance, but every arrival in a port must still be reported.
Documents: Passport valid for the whole stay and a B1/B2 visa (apply in advance at a US consulate). According to Noonsite, anyone who previously entered by plane or ferry with ESTA may re-enter by yacht within the 90 days granted: not officially documented, if in doubt B1/B2. Boat papers, insurance.
Fees: Clearance free of charge; for private boats from 30 feet the CBP user fee decal, USD 36.94 in fiscal year 2026, more expensive from 1 October 2026. Virgin Islands National Park (St. John): overnight fee for a mooring or anchoring between 17:00 and 7:00, payable via recreation.gov.
Fairway: Buoyage follows IALA system B: red to starboard when entering from seaward, the reverse of Europe. Anchoring in designated anchorages for at most 14 days per harbour and half-year (DPNR), in the national park at most 7 nights in a row in one bay and 30 nights in twelve months; NPS moorings only up to 100 ft.
Nature: Virgin Islands National Park: anchoring only in Cruz Bay, Lind Point and Francis and Maho Bay, otherwise moorings; fishing from moorings and drones prohibited. Buck Island Reef National Monument: anchoring only in the area on the west side, no overnight stay, no fishing. No sewage or oil into coastal waters (up to USD 10,000 per violation).
Tropical storm season: 1 June to 30 November (the German Federal Foreign Office gives May to November), peak August to October. In the Hurricane Hole of Coral Bay (St. John) the national park allocates free storm moorings every June for up to 100 boats up to 60 ft. Insurers usually restrict cover: check your policy.
Emergency: 911; US Coast Guard Sector San Juan (JRSC) +1 787 289 2041, VHF channel 16 and DSC.
Sources: CBP: Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, CBP: Pleasure Boat Overview, U.S. Embassy Germany: Visa Waiver Program, NPS: Virgin Islands National Park, Superintendent's Compendium, DPNR: Anchoring and Mooring, Noonsite: US Virgin Islands, Auswärtiges Amt: USA (with Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), travel and safety advice (as of 2026-10-20)
Harbours by cruising area
St. Croix (Christiansted, Frederiksted)
St. Thomas and St. John (Charlotte Amalie, Red Hook, Cruz Bay)
Frequently asked questions
U.S. Virgin Islands: Do I need to clear in?
Territory of the USA: US immigration law applies, but for customs purposes it is foreign. Anyone entering on their own boat needs a B1/B2 visa: ESTA does not apply, because a private yacht is not a carrier under the Visa Waiver Program. Report arrival from abroad, including from the BVI, to CBP immediately; foreign crew in person at a reporting location: St. Thomas (Blyden Marine Terminal, Charlotte Amalie), St. John (Cruz Bay), St. Croix (Gallows Bay). The ROAM app covers only the boat and does not apply to people who need an I-94, for a cruising licence or when duty is due. Report to Puerto Rico and back as well. A cruising licence (one year, for flags with reciprocity such as Germany, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom) exempts you from formal clearance, but every arrival in a port must still be reported.
U.S. Virgin Islands: Which documents do I need on board?
Passport valid for the whole stay and a B1/B2 visa (apply in advance at a US consulate). According to Noonsite, anyone who previously entered by plane or ferry with ESTA may re-enter by yacht within the 90 days granted: not officially documented, if in doubt B1/B2. Boat papers, insurance.
U.S. Virgin Islands: What fees apply?
Clearance free of charge; for private boats from 30 feet the CBP user fee decal, USD 36.94 in fiscal year 2026, more expensive from 1 October 2026. Virgin Islands National Park (St. John): overnight fee for a mooring or anchoring between 17:00 and 7:00, payable via recreation.gov.
U.S. Virgin Islands: What is the emergency number at sea?
911; US Coast Guard Sector San Juan (JRSC) +1 787 289 2041, VHF channel 16 and DSC.
U.S. Virgin Islands: How many harbours does Sailseer cover?
Sailseer covers 12 harbours with harbour info, weather and route planning.