The British Virgin Islands - (usually called the BVI) - are a Caribbean sailing and holiday paradise. A BVI Yacht Charter offers everything you want for an amazing sailing vacation – fun itineraries that combine deserted islands, interesting attractions, beach bars and restaurants, amazing beaches, great snorkeling and marine life, and lots of other fun sailors to meet share your stories with.
The BVI is a group of volcanic islands just east of Puerto Rico. They were first sailed by Colombus, and Sir Francis Drake fought battles and pirates there. The main islands include Tortola (home of Road Town, where most charter boats are kept), Jost Van Dyke (famous for beach bars including Foxys and the Soggy Dollar Bar), Virgin Gorda (the Baths and exclusive beaches) and Anegada (coral island with Flamingos, amazing beaches.
Bareboat Chartering in the BVI
A bareboat is when you charter a boat without a skipper or crew - you sail it yourself! The BVI is one of the world’s leading bareboating destinations. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of bareboats in the BVI from all the major yacht manufacturers and excellent fleet managers. You can charter bareboat monohulls (traditional sailboats), catamarans, and even small motor yachts. A typical bareboat is between 30 and 50 feet long - it’s difficult to find yachts larger than that for bareboat charter.
Catamaran Charters
More and more people are chartering catamarans in the BVI, for lots of reasons. They are comfortable, private, and have lots of living space. They’re perfect for families because they have lots of living space, both inside and out, and large kitchens. They don’t rock much and are close to the water so you can swim and snorkel easily. You can charter catamarans both bareboat and crewed - and you can always hire a skipper for your bareboat catamaran. Crewed catamarans have fantastic food, excellent service, and pampering like a 5 star hotel.
Luxury Yachts and Crewed Yachts
Many of the world’s most beautiful Luxury Yachts can be chartered in the Virgin Islands. Both Sailing Yachts and Motor Yachts come to the Caribbean in the Winter from the Mediterranean, and can often be seen and chartered in the BVI. They normally leave from nearby St Thomas, and can combine a BVI cruise with other islands in the Caribbean such as St Barths and Antigua. If you’re looking for the most luxurious caribbean holiday imaginable, you should consider a Crewed Luxury Yacht holiday.
New to Chartering?
The BVI is the perfect place to go on your first charter. Sailing is fairly easy (the winds are steady and not too strong, no major currents), and plenty of skippers will be happy to teach you to sail. Moorings are normally not difficult, and you’re never out of sight of the land. If you’ve never chartered a sailboat before, the BVI is the best place in the world to start!
Hopefully this overview gets you excited about a holiday in the BVI! We know you’ll love it, and say that it was the best holiday you’ve ever had!
