Got questions about the British Virgin Islands program? Because each program and location is different, we have included answers to our most frequently asked questions about this program. If you don't see your question, or would rather speak to us directly, please feel free to call any time on 1.800.808.2115. For general questions about Lifeworks, please look to our Frequently Asked Questions section.
- What is the main focus of the BVI program?
- How many people go on this program?
- What is our accommodation like?
- Who will be my staff?
- What's the weather like?
- Can I call home?
- How will I pay for calls home?
- How can parents find out what's going on during the program?
- Can I get mail on the program?
- Can I email home from the program?
- Do I need any specific immunizations for this program?
- What about the travel arrangements?
- Can I use frequent flyer miles to get there?
- Do I need a passport or any special visas?
The British Virgin Islands is our biggest and broadest program, not just in the number of students who join us, but also in the range of community service activities that we participate in. It's a great program for involving both environmental and people to people project and, of course, there is the added bonus of living aboard a yacht and learning to sail. Off the water, we'll visit the islands, explore the towns, cook out on the white sand beaches and hike to the top of the tallest mountain.
This is our largest program and two boats of 13 students sail together full time. This allows us to split the group based upon age and grade.
During the program we live full-time aboard either a large catamaran or monohull sailing yachts. We use only the finest charter yachts available, all of which are in the 45+ foot range. Typically, we use the Fountaine Pajot Bahia 46 catamaran. Each Bahia 46 has 8 separate sleeping areas, a large salon which converts to a 9th cabin, and four full bathrooms (heads). The world's largest charter company, Sunsail, maintains all of our yachts to the highest standard.
From the moment you arrive, you'll move aboard your yacht and live on board
full-time. If you've never lived aboard a yacht before, you'll find that
there are a lot of differences to living on land! What's the head? Where's
the lazarette? How do you pump the bilge? All the boats have 5 cabins and
a large salon that converts to a 6th, so there's enough room for us all
to sleep down below if it should rain, but, for the most part, the evenings
are clear and dry and most of us like to sleep out on deck, swinging in
a hammock under the stars.
Two or three staff members live with you aboard your vessel full-time. There will be your skipper, your first mate and a third staff member who could possess other special skills. Take a look through the staff FAQ section for more information on our Lifeworks staff.
The short answer to this question is, GORGEOUS! Well, usually anyway! In the British Virgin Islands, the trade winds blow a steady 8-14 knots and the average summer temperature is 83*F with 76% humidity and 81*F water temperature (South Florida by comparison averages 89*F with humidity of 87%.) What's great about the BVI weather is that there is always a breeze, so it feels very comfortable almost all the time. Yes, it does rain now and then, but it is more of a tropical shower, lasting only a few minutes, rather than a complete day of rain.
Yes, we are in port where public phones are available, on average, every 4 days or so, and we encourage students to call at every opportunity. However, we do not require this, as our staff is usually busy with other activities such as stocking the boats with fresh food over this time. The old saying "you can lead a horse to water..." comes to mind, as some students call home every time and some never call! In the BVI, there are ample opportunities, and the phone service is pretty reliable.
There are a few different methods to call home. We have found the cheapest way is to purchase a local phone card. These can be purchased at local stores or directly from the program director. Other methods include using a credit card, AT&T Calling Card (or other major calling card), and on some phones you may even be able to call collect. These other methods are expensive, which is why we recommend using a local calling card.
The easiest way is for students to place a quick call home to let Mom and Dad in on what's going on! Sometimes this doesn't happen though so, in 2004, we instigated a trip update system in which, at the end of each day, the shipmate skipper of the day writes a few remarks in the log. At various times (typically once every 3 or 4 days) this is typed up and posted on the Lifeworks website. This way, Mom and Dad can vicariously live aboard too!
Typically not, since mail can take up to three weeks to make it to the BVI. Of course, with us being out on the water and in a different location every day, this adds a further dimension to the dilemma. In the packet of forms and contact information that we send out in the spring, we do give a general mailbox address but, for the most part, letters never arrive on time and only have to be returned to the sender at the end of the summer.
Our vessels do not have computers or Internet connectivity, so email contact will be very limited. There may be a couple of times when we are ashore and it might be possible to send an email or two from Internet Cafes.
No special immunizations are required to visit the BVI. We do ask that all students check that their Tetanus and Hepatitis B inoculations are up-to-date.
Students come from all points of the compass, so coordinated air travel is of vital importance.
For this reason, we highly recommend that students flying to the Caribbean book through Reservation Services International as they regularly obtain the best fares available, arrange group seating and provide close monitoring on travel days in case of flight difficulties. As airlines often change their schedules, Lifeworks cannot be responsible for the coordination of air flights that were not booked through Reservation Services International.
For those booking through Reservation Services International, Lifeworks staff assist with flight changes in San Juan, meet flights at the Tortola airport and arrange for ground transportation for all programs.
For more information on flight itineraries and travel information, please contact...
Leah Hernandez
Reservation Services International
1.800.329.9000
Texas +1.281.528.7727
leahctn68@hotmail.com
Sure, those students joining us for a Caribbean program may use air miles, but do book early to get the itinerary that works for both you and your shipmate. In the past, parents have booked itineraries on air miles that have students transferring though San Juan late at night, when we have no staff supervision. In this case, we would suggest purchasing a ticket that allows for arrival a reasonable time on the travel day.
All students traveling to the BVI need to have a passport which is valid for a minimum of six months after the date of departure from the BVI. Visitors from certain countries other than the US. UK and Canada may require visas. To confirm whether or not a visa is required, please call us or contact the Chief Immigration Officer, Government of the British Virgin Islands, the nearest British Consulate or the nearest BVI Tourist Board Office.
