Why Sail in the British Virgin Islands?
Why only 8 students per boat?
What do you mean by full participatory trips?
Is everyone the same age?
What if I have never sailed or used scuba before?
What type of SCUBA equipment do you use?
What about sleeping arrangements?
Will I get seasickness?
Are the voyages safe?
What about the weather?
Do we get to sail the boat?
Do we sail every day?
What about the food?
Do we go ashore?
How about going ashore at night?
What do we learn and can I get school credit?
Are the voyages co-ed?
Can I contact other participants on my voyage?
Can I send letters and postcards?
How do we stay in touch?
What is NAUI?
What is a "referral"?
Do I need to buy dive gear to participate?
What if I already own my own equipment?
Can I dive with asthma?
What is a Zero Tolerance Policy?
Should I sign up now?
Do you have friend or family discounts?
What if I want to do more than one voyage in a summer?
Does SeaTrek offer financial assistance?
Does the price of the voyage include airfare?
Does SeaTrek do my travel arrangements?
Do I need a passport?
What about traveling alone?
What are travel days?
Will I be able to call home?
How much money should I bring?
What about customs and immigration?

Why Sail in the British Virgin Islands?
The British Virgin Islands feature the best of civilization and nature. The sailing is some of the best in the world. The protected waters of the BVI’s offer calm seas with great wind for sailing and crystal clear water for diving. It is rich with colorful reefs and spectacular shipwrecks that abound with marine life. The islands feature succulent rain forests, mountain peaks, and an abundance of local history and culture.
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Why only 8 students per boat?
The Directors of SeaTrek, believe that keeping our groups small (8 to 10 participants) will give the students the kind of attention they need. Traveling with programs that do not limit their size allows for the student to get “Lost in the Crowd”. Our size also allows us to be flexible in our schedule.
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What do you mean by full participatory trips?
Our voyages are designed with the idea of bringing together experienced staff that want to share their knowledge with the participants as they learn to work together as a team. Staff is available for instruction and to ensure safety. Participants work as a team. Daily jobs are divided up among the teams. The teams work together to operate the vessel thus greatly expanding their abilities and skills.
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Is everyone the same age?
SeaTrek feels that placing students of comparable age together on a trip is important for development. Students are grouped primarily by age though some Trek 4 and 5 participants are intermingled for training purposes.
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What if I have never sailed or used scuba before?
No prior sailing or diving experience is necessary. Our programs are designed to take the novice diver or sailor and turn them into a confident, experienced diver or sailor. Most participants have never been on a large boat much less at sea for several days; all we ask is that you come with an open mind and a willingness to learn.
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What type of SCUBA equipment do you use?
We purchase the highest quality dive gear available for our dive programs. We then make this equipment available for purchase by participants at a highly discounted price.
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What about sleeping arrangements?
There are four double cabins on each vessel. Most participants prefer to sleep outside under the stars on the front tarpoline where the tropical breeze makes it very comfortable and cool. Participants are encouraged to bring a sleeping bag for this purpose. We also have several waterproof hammocks that can be strung onto the rigging. Most people end up using their cabins for storage of their personal belongings.
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Will I get seasickness?
Our boats are very stable and are anchored in sheltered bays at night. If you are prone to sea sickness we have medication onboard that will help alleviate the problem. Generally, after a day or two, you will get your sea legs.
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Are the voyages safe?
Your safety is our foremost concern. All activities are overseen by our professional staff. Our 3 to 1 student to staff ratio aids in supervision and ensures a safe and fun voyage.
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What about the weather?
The weather in the BVI’s is usually very beautiful and mild in the summer. We keep in contact with The Moorings and have internet access and radio to receive weather reports. If a tropical storm approaches we return to the Mooring Yacht Basin and take whatever precautions are necessary for your safety. At no time do we attempt to weather out storms at sea.
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Do we get to sail the boat?
Yes, you do! We know we have done our best work if , by the end of your voyage, your crew can plan, navigate, sail, and anchor the yacht all by yourself.
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Do we sail every day?
Sailing is how we get from point A to point B. We try to sail everyday with lots of diving, marine science and water sports thrown in. We do not sail at night and are always in sight of land.
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What about the food?
The food is simply the best. Captains Monk and Kat are excellent cooks, but you are the chefs. We provide fresh ingredients, simple recipes and staff guidance. We want you to eat as much as you want and we have a never ending fruit basket available. If you are a vegetarian, we will do our best to accommodate you. You need to tell us in advance of any special needs or requests you may have so that we may accommodate them.
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Do we go ashore?
Yes, we try to go ashore for hikes and local excursions every other day or so. We also go into port every 4 or 5 days to get water and supplies. We encourage you to call home anytime we are in port.
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How about going ashore at night?
We do go ashore at night on occasion. We have a bonfire on Sandy Spit and at Savannah Bay. We also go ashore at Saba Rock and enjoy the sounds of a Steel Drum Band.
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What do we learn and can I get school credit?
All of our programs offer basic marine science and ecology, SCUBA certification and sail training. The educational opportunities are limitless; all you have to do is take advantage of them. You can receive college credit if you are willing to do the paperwork. The dive training courses can provide transfer credit transcripts for up to five semester hours in physical education. Marine science credit should be arranged beforehand with your home institution for independent studies. We can put you in touch with our resident marine biologists before the voyage so you can work out specific course work.
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Are the voyages co-ed?
Yes they are. We are very careful to ensure that fraternizing does not take place.
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Can I contact other participants on my voyage?
You will receive a list of emails in the middle of May so that you can make contact with fellow participants.
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Can I send letters and postcards?
Yes, parents in particular love to receive mail from you. You do have to use BVI postage and the staff will show where to get the postage that you need.
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How do we stay in touch?
SeaTrek is one of the leaders in onboard technology. We have email access onboard available to everyone as well as cellular service. Students can set up a private cellular number onboard the boat but it is very expensive. Some personal cell phones will work in the BVIs. We are also in contact with our US based office on a daily basis. They can be reached at 877 GO SAILING for relaying messages. Letters may take several weeks to get to the BVI’s. The Moorings address in the BVI is:

Care of: SeaTrek BVI
The Moorings
P.O. BOX 139
Road Town, Tortola, BVI
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What is NAUI?
NAUI the National Association of Underwater Instructors is a dive training certification agency. NAUI is the oldest non-profit agency whose motto is “Dive Safety through Education."
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What is a "referral"?
A referral is used when you complete your academic and confined water sessions for your SCUBA certification at home and your open water training dives with us. Your local dive shop can explain the details and do the paperwork. We are happy to accept all training agency referrals. Please tell us if you are planning on doing a referral with us ahead of time so we may plan accordingly.
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Do I need to buy dive gear to participate?
SeaTrek supplies you with the highest quality Sherwood SCUBA equipment. You need to supply your own personal snorkeling equipment. We recommend that you contact the office for recommendations. You should also have a thin wet suit or shorty to keep you warm during your dives. Your local dive store can help you with this as well.
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What if I already own my own equipment?
By all means bring it!
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Can I dive with asthma?
Unless you have exercise induced asthma or some acute, severe form of it, diving is usually just as safe for asthmatics as for anyone else. You will be required to furnish a medical release from your doctor.
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What is a Zero Tolerance Policy?
Absolutely no alcohol, illegal drugs, smoking or inappropriate sexual behavior is allowed aboard. SeaTrek reserves the right to dismiss anyone who is considered detrimental to the program.
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Should I sign up now?
By all means yes, enrollment is limited on all SeaTrek voyages. With a limited number of berths available the voyages fill quickly. We do have a waiting list but why take a chance? Feel free to call the office at any time to inquire about space available.
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Do you have friend or family discounts?
Yes we do. If two or more family members attend during the summer or one of your friends attend, a 5% discount will apply.
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What if I want to do more than one voyage in a summer?
No problem. Make sure to sign up early to ensure your spot.
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Does SeaTrek offer financial assistance?
Yes, we do offer a payment plan and we have a few scholarships available.
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Does the price of the voyage include airfare?
No.
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Does SeaTrek do my travel arrangements?
We recommend that you call The Moorings Travel Service at 800-535-7289. They do an excellent job of arranging airfare at a discounted price or feel free to use your own travel agent. You may also choose to travel by using frequent flyer miles. It’s your choice. You should plan your arrival and departure as early as possible on your days of travel to account for any delays.
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Do I need a passport?
Yes, a valid passport is required.
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What about traveling alone?
For many students, this is the first time they been away from home without friends or family. You can arrange with the airline to be met in the connecting city and to be escorted to your connecting flight. Since 9-11 most airlines require that anyone below the age of 15 use a service called "Unescorted Minor" and charge a fee of $75. It is possible that there will be other SeaTrek students on your flight, especially if you are coming from or connecting in a major city. You will be given a “Crew” shirt to be worn on your day of arrival to help our staff recognize you at the airport. You should keep an eye out for fellow travelers.
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What are travel days?
Your travel days are the first and last days of your program. You should plan to arrive on the first day of your program and you will depart on the last day. For example, if your trip dates are June 14 to July 4, you will fly to the program on June 14th and home on July 4th. If you experience any difficulties on your days of travel please call our office at 877- GO SAILING and inform our office staff. They will help get you going again.
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Will I be able to call home?
Yes, you will be asked to call home upon your arrival and several times that we are in port. Keep in mind that your AT&T calling card will work most of the time but not always. The phone system in the BVI's is a monopoly controlled by the British Government. Most pre-paid calling cards available in the US do NOT work in the BVI's. There are pre-paid Caribbean Cable & Wireless cards available at most of the ports we visit.
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How much money should I bring?
We suggest approximately $50 per week for personal items, a coke, ice cream etc. You are also required to bring $100 (traveler’s checks or cash) that will be deposited with the captain to be used in the unlikely event of an emergency. The money is returned on the last day of the voyage. There is also a departure tax at the airport of $20.
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What about customs and immigration?
You will go through customs and immigration both coming and going from the BVI. You shouldn’t have any problems; just follow the directions of the customs and immigration officers. You will be met at the airport by a Moorings representative and a SeaTrek staff member.
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