Yes, and crew do it constantly, but treat it as an international border every single time. The USVI is the United States. The BVI is a British Overseas Territory with its own immigration service. Forty minutes apart, two entirely separate legal systems.
Going into the BVI
Clear with BVI Customs and Immigration immediately on arrival. Ports of entry are Road Town and West End on Tortola, Great Harbour on Jost Van Dyke, and St Thomas Bay and Gun Creek on Virgin Gorda. The master presents ship's papers and valid passports for every crew member. You can pre-clear via SailClear up to 72 hours ahead.
Visitors are normally admitted for one month at a time. Since 1 January 2025 everyone must submit an online embarkation and disembarkation card before arrival.
Coming back into the USVI
This is where your entry document matters.
If you hold a B-1/B-2 visa, you are re-entering on it as normal.
If you were admitted under the Visa Waiver Program, there is a specific rule that saves you. Travellers returning from "contiguous territory or adjacent islands" within 90 days do not have to arrive on an approved carrier, and the BVI counts as an adjacent island. So you can come back on the boat.
Two warnings. First, this only works if you were already admitted; you cannot make your first US entry by yacht on an ESTA. Second, the 90 day clock does not appear to restart when you return, so island hopping will not extend your stay.
Reporting
Small vessels arriving in the US from a foreign port must report to CBP immediately, by phone or in person. The free CBP ROAM app is the standard tool. CBP has issued repeated warnings about fines and vessel seizure for failing to report, so do not treat it as a formality.
Sources
Last reviewed 16 August 2026.