Yacht Charter BVI

For bareboat charters in the British Virgin Islands, you’ll need a recognised sailing qualification such as RYA Day Skipper, ASA 104, or ICC (International Certificate of Competence). You should also demonstrate recent sailing experience—most charter companies require at least 2 weeks of bareboat experience within the last 3 years, including experience with anchoring and mooring. The BVI is considered ideal for relatively inexperienced charterers due to the easy sailing conditions, but you still need basic competence. If you’re not confident, a skippered charter is recommended.

The BVI has excellent sailing conditions year-round, with temperatures consistently between 24-30°C. The best time is December to April—the dry season with steady trade winds, minimal rain, and comfortable humidity. This is also high season with higher prices and more boats. May to November is technically hurricane season, offering significantly lower prices and fewer crowds, with June and November being particularly good value. Hurricanes are rare and well-forecasted. Many experienced sailors prefer the summer months for affordability and availability.

Yacht charter prices in the British Virgin Islands vary significantly by season and vessel type. A basic 38-40ft monohull bareboat starts from around USD $3,800/week in summer, up to USD $9,000/week during Christmas-New Year. Catamarans cost 70-100% more due to high demand. Skippered charters add USD $200-250/day, whilst fully crewed luxury charters start from USD $13,000/week. Budget for substantial extras: fuel (USD $200-400), provisioning (USD $100-150/person), mooring fees (USD $30-50/night), cruising permits (USD $4/person/day), and National Parks fees (USD $25-35).

Standard yacht charters typically include: the yacht itself, standard equipment and safety gear, bed linen and towels, final cleaning, and dinghy with outboard motor. Not included are: fuel, food and beverages, BVI cruising permits and fishing licences, National Parks Trust fees, mooring fees, skipper/crew (unless booked), and optional extras like fishing gear, paddleboards, or kayaks. The BVI operates mainly on mooring buoys rather than anchoring, so mooring fees are a significant additional cost (USD $30-50/night). Always check your charter contract for specific inclusions.

Yes, the US Virgin Islands (USVI) are very close to the BVI—St. John is just a few miles from Tortola. However, crossing between the BVI and USVI requires clearing customs and immigration in both directions, which can be time-consuming. You’ll need appropriate documentation (passports, boat papers) and must check in/out officially at designated ports. Some charter companies allow USVI cruising, others don’t or charge additional fees. If you want to explore both territories, confirm this with your charter company when booking. Many sailors prefer to focus on either the BVI or USVI for a week rather than spending time on formalities.

The BVI has extensive mooring buoy fields throughout the islands, which are the primary anchoring method. The National Parks Trust manages many mooring fields charging USD $25-35/night, whilst private operators like Moor Seacure charge USD $35-50/night depending on boat size. Mooring is straightforward: approach slowly, pick up the pennant (line with a loop), and attach to your bow cleat. Payment is usually collected by staff in dinghies each evening. Mooring buoys protect the coral reefs and are much easier than anchoring. Free anchoring is permitted in some areas outside mooring fields, but check local regulations carefully.