Do I need a passport? 

• If you are a U.S. citizen a passport is not required, but it still serves as the best identification when traveling. Otherwise, you must be prepared to show evidence of citizenship when departing the islands, such as a raised-seal birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. If you are not a U.S. citizen, then a passport issued by your country of origin is required.

• If you wish to travel to the British Virgin Islands, you will be required to present a passport to the agents at Customs.

What kind of sunscreen, if any, is environmentally friendly?

• Wear protective clothing. For still exposed areas use lotions with only titanium oxide and zinc oxide as the active ingredients. Most other active ingredients commonly found in sunscreens have been shown to be harmful to both humans and the reef and are now illegal to use in the Virgin Islands. 

• Effective March 30, 2020, The US Virgin Islands' full ban on sunscreens containing the Toxic 3 Os … Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, and Octocrylene as well as sprays, powders and SPF 50+ went into effect.

​What currency is in the US Virgin Islands?

• The currency is the U.S. dollar. Automated teller machines (ATMs) can be found throughout all three islands. Most establishments accept credit cards and traveler's checks. The most widely accepted credit cards are Visa and MasterCard.

Will my cell phone work there?

• Most standard stateside cellular phone providers work in the Virgin Islands. Check with your provider before you travel. In some locations on St. John, you can pick up the BVI networks, which would incur expensive roaming charges. Make sure you turn 'data roaming' off.

We intend to do business while visiting, so reliable internet is important to us.  How good is your internet? 

• In the last few years, we lived at Cloud Nine and Pebble Cove for many months doing business, streaming, and hosting or attending Zoom meetings without problems. On the rare occasion that the internet does go out, we use the phone as a hotspot for our computer. It is a good idea to keep your phone and computer charged in case of a power outage, which happens sometimes. We suggest bringing a small portable phone charger as a backup if needed. Otherwise, the internet service is good at both houses.

What is the time zone?

• Atlantic Standard Time. During the spring and summer months, we are on the same time as the U.S. East Coast. When the clocks fall back in the autumn and winter, the USVI remains an hour ahead.

What is the legal drinking age?

• 18, however, they cannot transfer bottles of alcohol back to the mainland.

Is it safe to drink the water?

• The water is safe to drink at most establishments. Cloud Nine Villas offers a special tap for filtered drinking water at the kitchen sink. Bottled water is available in stores and at restaurants if you wish to purchase it. It is a great idea to take water with you when going to the beach, driving around, and sightseeing – it gets hot here and it is necessary to keep hydrated.

Is there an admission fee at the beaches? 

• St. John beaches do not have an admission fee. The one exception is Trunk Bay.​

Are the ferries and barges reliable? 

• Yes, they are. Check here for any updates: https://www.vinow.com/travel/virgin-islands-ferry-schedules/

• And here for the barge schedule: https://www.vinow.com/travel/virgin-islands-ferry-schedules/stjohnbarge/

Any particular taboos I should be aware of when visiting the Virgin Islands?

• A long-standing tradition in the Virgin Islands is greeting someone before any transaction of any kind starts. It is strongly recommended to say ‘Good Morning’ or ‘Good Afternoon’ before asking ‘how much is this’ or ‘how do I get to such and such a place.’ This simple greeting will get you farther than saying, ‘Excuse me, how much is this?’

• Virgin Islanders are quite traditional, so it is a law that visitors must wear cover-ups and shirts in public places. Additionally, it is considered rude to be scantily clothed in stores and restaurants. Visitors clad in only a bikini top and shorts (ladies) or bareback with shorts (gents) are likely to receive a surly response from customer service in stores. Please be respectful and wear shirts and/or beach cover-ups when going to places in public, aside from being at the beach and pool.

Where can I get groceries and alcohol?​​

• Starfish Market, St. John Gourmet Market, Dolphin Market: Cruz Bay and Coral Bay

• You can buy alcohol in any grocery store.