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British Virgin Islands Yacht Clearance / Virgin Gorda / Gun Creek, Virgin Gorda
North Sound · Virgin Gorda · clearance status

Gun Creek Yacht Clearance Status, Virgin Gorda

Gun Creek serves the North Sound of Virgin Gorda, but BVI Tourism currently describes it as reopening soon. Do not plan to clear there until current availability is explicitly confirmed; use St Thomas Bay / Spanish Town as the working Virgin Gorda option.

Gun Creek, Virgin GordaBVI Tourism currently describes Gun Creek as reopening soon. Do not rely on it for clearance until availability is explicitly confirmed.
Virgin GordaGun Creek, Virgin Gorda and nearby yacht locations
Manual reviewEach request is assessed before an agent introduction.
Clearance checklist

What to have ready to clear at St Thomas Bay instead

Because Gun Creek is not currently confirmed available, plan around St Thomas Bay / Spanish Town and keep the original records aboard for any attendance or passport presentation requested by the authorities.

A valid passport for everyone aboard, plus any visa required for entry
Crew and passenger list
Vessel registration papers and registration number
Online ED Card receipt, completed within 72 hours before arrival or on arrival before seeking entry
Proof of ownership or authority to operate the yacht
Valid yacht insurance
Previous port clearance or outbound clearance record where issued
Charter agreement and applicable permit details for charter or commercial vessels
Local assistance

How our North Sound clearance service works

Gun Creek is not currently confirmed available for yacht clearance. Send the vessel, crew and route details for review and possible coordination with a local agent serving St Thomas Bay / Spanish Town.

1

Check the current Gun Creek status

Gun Creek is not currently confirmed open for clearance. We can help confirm whether an official reopening has been announced before you commit to a North Sound arrival.

2

Send your details

Provide the vessel registration, people aboard, passports, last and next port, and your expected arrival or departure time.

3

The agent coordinates clearance

A local agent prepares and coordinates the formalities at St Thomas Bay, Spanish Town and any required attendance or inspection, so you are not working through each authority yourself.

Local process

Cruising the North Sound with Gun Creek closed

Gun Creek is not a working port of entry, so build your clearance around St Thomas Bay, Spanish Town, then enjoy the North Sound once cleared.

Do not rely on Gun Creek

Gun Creek is not currently confirmed open for Customs and Immigration, so arriving there may not clear your vessel into the BVI. Clear at an active port instead.

Complete the ED Card

Each traveller's ED Card can be completed online at bviedcard.gov.vg within the permitted advance period, or on arrival before seeking entry from Immigration, at whichever active office you use. Have your vessel registration number to hand.

Clear at St Thomas Bay first

Make your BVI clearance at St Thomas Bay, Spanish Town, following current arrival-signalling instructions, including use of the Q flag where required until the crew is cleared. A local agent can prepare and coordinate the formalities for the yacht.

Then sail to the North Sound

Once cleared you can cruise up to Gorda Sound — Bitter End, Saba Rock, Leverick Bay and the eastern anchorages — without clearing again until you leave the territory.

Ask a local agent

A local agent can confirm the current Gun Creek status and help arrange clearance at an active port before you sail.

Clear out at an active port

When leaving the BVI, outbound clearance is completed at an operating port of entry, with departure usually within about 24 hours; a local agent can coordinate it. Do not count on clearing at Gun Creek.

Route planner

North Sound routes with Gun Creek closed

The North Sound is a superb sheltered cruising ground, but it has no working clearance office while Gun Creek is closed. Tell us your route and we can confirm the current position.

Arriving from the east

Yachts crossing from the east once found Gun Creek convenient for the North Sound. As it is not currently confirmed open, clear at St Thomas Bay, Spanish Town, then sail up to the North Sound.

From elsewhere in the BVI

If you have already cleared into the BVI at another active port, you do not need to clear again to enter the North Sound — cruise straight in.

Leaving from the North Sound

To clear out, sail to an operating port of entry such as St Thomas Bay; do not count on clearing at Gun Creek.

Confirm shortly before you sail

Status can change. Check with BVI Customs, BVI Tourism or a local agent close to your departure in case Gun Creek has reopened.

Nearby locations

Where to clear instead of Gun Creek

Gun Creek historically served the North Sound cruising area, but it is not currently confirmed open for clearance. These are the active BVI ports of entry to use instead.

Nearby port or marina

St Thomas Bay, Spanish Town

The active Virgin Gorda port of entry, with the clearance office by the ferry dock next to the Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour.

Nearby port or marina

Road Town, Tortola

The capital on Tortola's south coast, with the main charter bases and full shore services.

Nearby port or marina

West End (Soper's Hole), Tortola

On Tortola's western tip, the closest clearance to St John and St Thomas when arriving from the USVI.

Nearby port or marina

Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke

The Jost Van Dyke port of entry, a popular first clearance for yachts crossing from St John.

Route-specific guidance

Gun Creek: what to do now

Until current clearance availability is explicitly confirmed, treat Gun Creek as a non-clearance stop and handle your formalities at an active port.

If Gun Creek is still closed

Clear in or out at St Thomas Bay, Spanish Town, then cruise the North Sound freely. Do not arrive from outside the BVI expecting to clear at Gun Creek.

Ask us to confirm the current status →

If Gun Creek has reopened

If BVI Customs confirms Gun Creek is operating again, it is once more the natural North Sound clearance. We can verify this and confirm current hours and procedures.

Request a status check →
British Virgin Islands requirements

Gun Creek status and what it means

Current status: not confirmed open

Gun Creek is not currently confirmed open for yacht clearance. BVI Tourism lists it as “reopening soon”, Any hours, fees or contact details published for it should not be relied on until current clearance availability is explicitly confirmed.

ED Card and vessel notification

The digital ED Card at bviedcard.gov.vg can be completed within 72 hours before arrival or on arrival before seeking entry. BVI Tourism also currently publishes SailClear instructions for private cruisers but notes that the process should be reconciled with the newer ED Card; confirm the current yacht-specific notification requirement before sailing.

Authority charges and permits

Applicable Customs, permit, levy, overtime and other authority charges may depend on the yacht, timing and itinerary. Confirm current requirements and amounts before arrival.

North Sound practical notes

Gorda Sound is one of the best-protected anchorages in the BVI, almost enclosed by reef and islands, with extensive moorings around Bitter End, Saba Rock and Leverick Bay. Shore facilities have been rebuilt since 2017, but the clearance office at Gun Creek has not reopened. These are practical observations, not clearance requirements.

Skipper preparation

Practical points while Gun Creek is closed

Do not plan your BVI arrival or departure around Gun Creek while it is closed.

Use St Thomas Bay, Spanish Town as your Virgin Gorda clearance, then cruise the North Sound.

Confirm Gun Creek's status with BVI Customs or an agent shortly before you sail in case it has reopened.

FAQ

Gun Creek, Virgin Gorda Yacht Clearance questions

Is Gun Creek currently open for yacht clearance?

No. Gun Creek, in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda, is not currently confirmed open for yacht clearance. BVI Tourism lists it as “reopening soon”, Do not rely on Gun Creek until current clearance availability is explicitly confirmed.

Can I plan Gun Creek as my first BVI port of entry?

No. Because Gun Creek is not currently an operating port of entry, you should not plan to make your first BVI clearance there. Clear in at an active port instead; for Virgin Gorda that is St Thomas Bay, Spanish Town.

What is the active Virgin Gorda alternative to Gun Creek?

St Thomas Bay at Spanish Town is the active Virgin Gorda Customs and Immigration port of entry, with the office by the ferry dock next to the Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour.

Why is Gun Creek useful when it is open?

When operating, Gun Creek is a natural clearance point for the North Sound cruising area and has historically been convenient for yachts arriving from the east. That role is on hold while it is not confirmed open.

Should I rely on published Gun Creek opening hours?

No. Any opening hours, fees or contact details you find for Gun Creek should not be relied on until current clearance availability is explicitly confirmed. Check the current status with BVI Customs, BVI Tourism or a local agent shortly before you sail, and plan to clear at St Thomas Bay.

1Contact details
2Yacht details
3Voyage and clearance request
4Crew, documents and consent

Your request is reviewed before it is shared with a suitable local Yacht Clearance agent.

Personal clearance support

Send the voyage details once. We help route the request.

Use this page to check Gun Creek's status and arrange clearance at an active Virgin Gorda port such as St Thomas Bay.