Travel Arrangements to Tortola

Passport Required

There are several carriers that service the British Virgin Islands. Tortola’s Beef Island Airport (EIS) is a regional airport with no direct flights from the U.S. mainland. A one-stop itinerary is recommended.

From New York’s JFK International Airport, American Airlines has direct service with American Eagle through San Juan, Puerto Rico and baggage is checked through to the final destination of Tortola’s Beef Island Airport. This is the simplest itinerary.

Other carriers fly to San Juan airport (SJU) where you can change to a regional airline. Jet Blue flies to San Juan from many U.S. cities, but bags must be picked up at the baggage claim in Puerto Rico and checked back in for outbound flights on Cape Air or Liat Air. Most students arrive in San Juan early in the day and have a two-hour lay over to switch carriers. Fortunately San Juan International Airport is small and enables easy transfers to all airlines.

Ages 13 and up are considered adults for air travel. We recommend arriving in Tortola by 4 pm.

Please notify us of your travel plans.  

Packing & Baggage                                                                                     All bags should be of a soft type such as a duffel so they may be easily stowed on board the boat. Less is more when living on a boat. Do not over pack. Most students live in a bath suit, shorts and shirt.

Clothing
Recommended packing list: two bathing suits, four short sleeve shirts, one long sleeve shirt, one pair of pants (not blue jeans), six pair of underwear, light-weight rain jacket, sandals, one pair sneakers, socks, hat, sunglasses. We stop to do laundry at the end of the first week. The sun is strong in the summer and we recommend that students have some clothing that can protect them from the sun’s rays.

Personal Items                                                              
Any necessary medications, eye care items if needed, toothpaste and brush, comb, sunscreen, deodorant, a book, favorite CD's to play on board. Do not bring jewelry or electronic games. Snorkel equipment is provided, but you may bring your own.             

Phone  516-767-SAIL