New 2025 BVI Legislation Implements a 4,150% Fee Increase for USVI Day Charters Operating in BVI Waters
The Commercial Recreational Vessels Licensing (Amendment) Act was passed at the end of May 2025 and will take effect on November 1, 2025 when current licenses are renewed. In addition to the already existing daily fees, this new tariff will dramatically increase operating costs and change how USVI Charter operators run their trips in BVI waters.
The short story of it all… Annual BVI licensing fees currently set at $200 per boat is increasing to $8,500 per boat! That’s a $4,150% price hike. Industry wide, there’s likely to be an increase in BVI charter trip prices in response to the enormous change.
Before that happens, we’d like to inform and encourage all guests, new and old, to think about reserving your upcoming 2025/2026 boat charter NOW and secure a trip under our current pricing structure. Note that we require only a small deposit and offer a flexible cancellation policy should anything in your plans change.
As always, we appreciate your continued support of our family owned small business as we navigate through this process.
With much love from under the sun
-Island Roots Charters-
Why New BVI Fees Were Introduced
British Virgin Islands operators and regulators argued that foreign charters were taking advantage of the BVI without paying their fair share of fees or contributing adequately to the local economy. The new law was created to force foreign-based charter vessels coming from the USVI to contribute more to BVI revenue.
How This New Act Impacts US Virgin Island Charter Companies Like Island Roots
For locally owned and resident-operated companies like Island Roots Charters, these new 2025 BVI fees on charters are more than just an extra line item as they represent a dramatic shift that could make many beloved cross-border trips financially unsustainable.
What was once a nominal $200 annual fee (in addition to the daily fees we’re all familiar with), USVI-based day charters will see a 4,150% increase in operating costs with annual permits jumping to $8,500 per vessel.
USVI to BVI Charter Booking Cost Increases Coming Soon
Most charter operators are likely to simply pass the new fee cost on to guests.
In the long run, these drastic BVI fee hikes could potentially backfire on the BVI’s own tourism industry by reducing the steady flow of USVI charters that introduce thousands of visitors to the BVI each year. There will likely be less visitors who opt for longer stays, dining, shopping, and hotel nights that fuel the islands’ already fragile local economy.
| Item | Before June 1, 2025 | After June 1, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Annual License Fee (Foreign-based, <115ft) | Approx. $200–$500/year (varied) | $7,500/year (restricted) or $24,000/year (unrestricted) |
| Per Cruise Fee | Minimal or none | $1,200 per charter |
| Maximum Charters Allowed | Unlimited for many USVI-based boats | 7 per year (unless unrestricted license purchased) |
| Crew Security Clearance | None | $125 per crew member, per year |
| Time Limit in BVI Waters (large vessels) | No limit | 60 continuous days unless extension and inspection certificate ($1,500) obtained |
| Water Taxis and Day Boats | Loosely regulated | Fully included in new licensing framework |
Avoid The 2025 BVI Charter Cost Increases By Booking Now
As of July 11, 2025, you can still reserve a future BVI charter trip with us under our current pricing structure.