Keep a few simple rules in mind when traveling the U.S. Virgin Islands

Sailors looking to enter or even pass through the U.S. Virgin Islands will need to be aware of the following rules and regulations.

Entering the U.S. Virgin Islands

Travelers should remember basic entry requirements for entering the U.S. Virgin Islands, but there are additional considerations when sailing your own or your chartered craft into the islands.

Ports of entry are located on each of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Sailors may enter at Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas, Christiansted on St. Croix, and Cruz Bay on St. John. Once you have entered via one of these ports you must go through immigration, unless you are traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands directly from Puerto Rico.

Travelers planning to travel to Puerto Rico from the U.S. Virgin Islands should obtain a cruise permit in the Virgin Islands. If they do not, they will need to purchase one upon arrival in Puerto Rico, but such permits are issued free in the Virgin Islands. If leaving the Virgin Islands for Puerto Rico, sailors must clear out of customs.

Passengers are not allowed to disembark until they have cleared customs. All travelers should have their paperwork ready. Foreign travelers from countries other than Canada will need a valid U.S. visa or they will be fined $160(USD). Firearms must issued a permit, and all pets must have documented rabies and health certificates.

Customs offices are open 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Overtime fees will be charged to those entering the islands outside these times. For more information about customs and immigration, travelers may contact the offices directly in St. Croix: 340-773-1011; St. John: 340-776-6741; and St. Thomas: 340-774-9700.

Restrictions in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Authorities have issued some important restrictions within the U.S. Virgin Islands to protect the health and safety of humans and nature.

The U.S. Virgin Islands' government is working to cut down on drug trafficking. A special task force patrolling the waters of the U.S. Virgin Islands means travelers are cautioned to avoid being caught with illegal substances.

Sailors traveling within the Virgin Islands National Park will have a few other regulations to consider:

• It is prohibited to anchor on or damage a coral reef.

• Sailors may not anchor in Salt Pond, Reef Bay, Great and Little Lameshur Bays. In these locations sailors may anchor at the mooring buoys that are white with a blue band.

• It is prohibited to take any marine features (coral, shells, and fans) alive or dead.

• Boats may not be tied to shoreline vegetation.

• Anglers may not spear fish within the park. Line fishing is permitted in certain areas only.

• Travelers may take no more than two male spiny lobsters (minimum size 9 in/23 cm) and may only trap them by hand or handheld snare.

For more information about park regulations, sailors should contact the National Park administration, in St. John at 340-776-6201 and 340-773-1460 in St. Croix.