Barack and Michelle Obama have arrived in the British Virgin Islands after jetting in to the Caribbean on Richard Branson's plane.

The former first couple posed with staff at Terrence B Lettsome International Airport, the islands' main airport, on Monday night after a flight from California.

A photograph of the pair with their arms stretched around immigration officials and the local police commissioner appeared on social media after their quiet arrival.

They were then whisked away in a waiting motorcade to be taken to a nearby boat to complete their journey to Branson's private retreat, Necker Island.

Workers were seen loading the small wooden vessel with the couple's luggage before it launched.

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Barack and Michelle Obama arrived at Terrence B Lettsome International Airport in the British Virgin Islands on Monday night after flying in on Sir Richard Branson's jet

Branson's Falcon 900EX arrived in at the small island airport on Monday evening

The plane touched down after nightfall. There are no direct flights from the US to the British Virgin Islands

Michelle Obama was earlier seen boarding Branson's Falcon 900EX at Palm Springs International Airport. Her husband also boarded, but was not seen doing so.

The couple spent the weekend relaxing at the home of Spanish ambassador James Costos and his interior designer partner Michael Smith after taking part in President Donald Trump's inauguration on Friday.

Details of their visit to the Caribbean were not previously shared but they are believed to be spending at least some of their time on Branson's private retreat, Necker Island.

The Virgin mogul was in the region last week but has since left to meet his newest grandson, Bluey. He celebrated news of the baby's birth on Necker Island, sharing a video of the special moment in an Instagram video on Monday.

In Palm Springs, an eight-vehicle motorcade was seen leaving the home where the Obamas had been staying at around 10am.

A Riverside County Sheriff's Department vehicle blocked traffic in both directions on Highway 111 as the motorcade sped to the airport.

Once there former First Lady Michelle was seen boarding a private jet owned by Sir Richard Branson.

The Obamas were driven by a motorcade to a nearby marina where they took a boat to Branson's island

The couple were picked up by a chauffeur driven Mercedes. Despite leaving office on Friday, the former president is still being protected by the Secret Service

Assistants were seen loading the couple's luggage on to a small boat near the airport before they launched

The aircraft was waiting on the tarmac next to the Signature Flight Support as the motorcade pulled in just before 11am.

It was later revealed to have filed a flight plan to the British Virgin Islands' main airport. Branson's private island of Necker is part of the Caribbean archipelago.

Her husband wasn't seen boarding the flight but Tom Nolan, the airport's executive director, later confirmed that the former president also departed Monday morning but it's not clear whether the couple left together.

The private jet, a Falcon 900EX is a French made, long range, ultra luxury corporate jet, called Galactic Girl.

The tail sports a blown up decal of millionaire Branson's iris on the tail fin, and a Virgin logo on the front of the fuselage.

The jet has a maximum cruising altitude of 36,000 feet, speed of mach 0.87 (662 mph). it is customized for each owner and can have office space or beds installed.

Michelle Obama was pictured boarding a plane out of Palm Springs International Airport on Monday to head for the Caribbean

And they're off: Michelle Obama was seen boarding this private jet belonging to Richard Branson

The weather on Necker is significantly better than conditions in Palm Springs, which is affected by a winter storm warning.

Necker on the other hand had some rain on Monday but is predicted to be dry, sunny, and around 80f for the rest of the week.

Branson posted an Instagram picture on Saturday of him with the former president during his time in office saying: 'Thank you Obama.'

Earlier Monday morning Obama visited the Thunderbird Country Club gym, where the former president has exercised every morning since arriving in Palm Springs.

The Obamas visited the area after attending the inauguration of Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. on Friday.

Fly in luxury: The plane owned by billionaire Virgin boss Richard Branson was on the tarmac at the private section of Palm Springs airport

Motorcade: Secret Service and police vehicles were parked after dropping off the former first family

Welcome to paradise: Richard Branson lives on the private island of Necker in the British Virgin Islands

Last seen: President Obama looked very deep in thought as he left a workout at the Thunderbird Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, on Sunday.

Not going commercial: The Obamas left from the private section of Palm Springs airport

Heading for the island life: Branson was in the Caribbean last week, sharing a video of the moment he learned his son Sam had welcomed a baby boy in an Instagram video (left). He has since left to be with the new addition, Bluey. Michelle is pictured (right) with Jill Biden at Trump's drizzly inauguration on Friday

On Saturday he spent about five hours at Porcupine Creek golf course, the ultra-exclusive course owned by Oracle founder Larry Ellison.

Obama looked relaxed as he and a handful of secret service agents, negotiated the stunning 18-hole private course in several golf carts.

Obama was seen chatting and laughing with his golfing companions on the first day of his vacation and at one point fist bumped another golfer after watching a decent shot.

The world class private course in Rancho Mirage is one of the desert's best-kept golfing secrets and rests against a mountain backdrop with a stunning rugged landscape.

The course is by-invitation-only and Golf Digest once ranked as one of the top 20 golf courses in California.

Obama played at Porcupine Creek in February this year and back in 2014 he was spotted there during another visit to the desert to meet with King Abdullah II of Jordan.

The course is part of a huge $75million 249 acre estate owned by Ellison.

The estate named Porcupine Creek Ranch boasts a huge 18,400 sq ft main residence, eight guest houses, a pool, spa, gym and an amphitheater.

The property has played host to many benefits and charity events.

Thank you Obama: Branson posted this picture of him meeting the former president when he was still in office

He seemed to be in better spirits when he was driving around a golf cart at the ultra-exclusive Porcupine Creek Golf Club in Rancho Mirage, California, on Saturday

Former President Barack Obama played 18 holes at the ultra-exclusive Porcupine Creek Golf Club in Rancho Mirage, California on Saturday

Obama looked relaxed as he made his way around the golf club wearing light blue Under Armor golf jersey, Nike socks and shoes, grey trousers and a grey baseball cap

The former president was pictured in his armored Secret Service SUV as he left a country club gym where he had worked out before heading to the course

The stunning 18-hole private course is owned by billionaire Larry Ellison

Obama stopped for a break during the round on a sunny day in the Coachella Valley

Why are we waiting: James Costos and his husband, interior designer Michael Smith posted a selfie from inside Air Force One while it circled

Swank digs: Barack and Michelle were staying at the mansion of his Spanish ambassador James Costos and his husband, interior designer Michael Smith, in Rancho Mirage; The couple's 11,000-sq-ft home was featured in an issue of Architectural Digest back in 2015 (pool above)

Getaway: The residence (above) was first purchased as a weekend retreat for the couple

Flower power: Bougainvillea flowers and vines cover the eight-car garage at the Palm Springs home (above)

The perimeter of the estate has a privacy row of trees that blocks the prying eyes of the outside world.

It had been a dreary, wet and windswept weekend from the moment the Obamas arrived in Palm Springs.

On Friday low clouds covered the valley, temperatures dropped to a chilly 50 degrees Fahrenheit and rain flooded the streets of the city - not an ideal start to their vacation.

The weather was so bad the government plane carrying the family was diverted to March Air Force Base, some 44 miles away.

Fortunately, there was a break in conditions on Saturday and the sun came out allowing the former president to enjoy a round of golf.

On Sunday, other than a visit to the gym at Thunderbird Country Club, the Obamas avoided the rain and stayed at home, with sports fan Barack likely watching the NFL playoff games between Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers followed by New England Patriots vs Pittsburgh Steelers.