About the British Virgin Islands - BVI
The British Virgin Islands, or BVI in the jargon of most Sailors, is in many ways a sailor’s Mecca. It has all of the ingredients for a perfect sailing charter – consistent winds, gorgeous islands, destinations varying from posh hotels to deserted beaches, shipwrecks, beach party towns, and a pace and charm that perfectly fits sailing. In fact, nearly the entire economy (with the exception of sheltering companies from tax) is devoted to sailing, and charterers meet people from all over the world of like mind and spirit.
The BVI is unequalled for novice sailors. Navigation is by sight (although there is plenty of opportunity to learn to read charts), anchorages are plentiful, seas are not generally too rough, and a day’s sail doesn’t have to be grueling. There are also plenty of interesting activities besides pure sailing to occupy the crew if they want to mix more standard holiday activities in with the sailing. A typical day sailing in the BVI might involve a leisurely breakfast, a short sail to a snorkeling area, lunch, short sail to an anchorage, sunset drinks, and dinner either on board or in a variety of restaurants, ranging from a hamburger shack to a dinner boat to a resort hotel restaurant to an all night party at Foxy’s.
The largest of the 36 islands is Tortola, at 20 km long and 6 km wide, which has the highest elevation in the BVI, at 540 meters. Virgin Gorda also rises steeply from the sea with a volcanic peak of 410 metes. Though most of the islands in the group are volcanic, Anegada is a very flat coral and limestone atoll 30 miles northeast of Tortola, none of it more than a few meters above sea level and almost invisible to passengers arriving by sea. Most of the other 30 odd islets are uninhabited.
Below is a thorough overview of chartering in the BVI. But if you know all that already and just want to see our boats (we have over 400!) here are some quick links to start your search:
BVI Monohull Sailboats: Bareboat | Crewed
BVI Catamarans: Bareboat | Crewed
BVI Motor Boats: Bareboat | Crewed Chartering in the BVI
Bareboat Chartering essentially was "invented" in the BVI many years ago by the Moorings, and the area continues to be the world's most sought after bareboat destination for the reasons stated above. You can find nearly any bareboat you'd be interested in from many excellent charter operators. Monohulls from the key manufacturers such as Bavaria and Beneteau normally range from 30 to 50 feet and from 3 to 5 cabins. It is rare that you will be able to bareboat charter a yacht greater than 50 feet in length due to owner's risk and cost of insurance. Click here for our list of BVI Bareboat Charters.
The fastest growing area of BVI chartering is Catamaran Charter, both Crewed and Bareboat. Catamarans offer excellent privacy, social space and a proximity to the water that is very appealing for families and groups of friends. Click here to see our Catamarans for charter in the BVI.
It is also possible to charter all types of motor yachts, from small day charters to skip around the islands, to Super Yachts. Most Super Yacht charters will start in the US Virgin Islands, very close to the BVI. Additionally, we've been able to find a number of excellent day charter boats, both sail and motor, if you're interested in a family or business event in the BVI.
Feel free to contact us for any charter needs in the BVI, whatever the boat you require.
Getting There
There is a small airport on Beef Island, quite close to the boats by taxi. But the majority of visitors fly into the US Virgin Islands where there are more flights (especially from the US) and then take the short ferry over to Tortola. Note that you must have a passport and go through passport control to get to the BVI.
Climate and Weather
The BVI climate is nearly ideal for all types of yachting and water sports. It features wonderfully consistent trade winds - usually 15-20 knots rising to 25 –30 during the “Christmas Winds”. The BVI has a sub-tropical climate with temperatures that range between 77-85° F (25-29° C). Temperatures usually drop 10° F (6 °C) at night.
Rainfall averages approximately 40 inches (102cm) per year. The wettest months are from September to December, the direct are February to April, which is one of the reasons why charter prices are high and availability scarce during the school holidays in February and around Easter.
During the Hurricane season, ranging from June to September, there is a risk of these massively dangerous and destructive storms. At this time, many charter operators shut down for the summer, although the Caribbean is a large area and the chances of a direct hit and small and you will get ample warning. During this time, you will find excellent charter rates often 1/2 of peak season.
History of the BVI
The BVI was were initially populated by the Ciboney Indians who arrived from the Americas. A few hundred years later, the Arawak Indians arrived from South America. The Arawaks peacefully inhabited the islands until the arrival of the fierce, aggressive and even cannibalistic Carib Indians from South America in approximately 1400.
Christopher Columbus"discovered" the islands in 1493 on his second voyage across the Atlantic. Virgin Gorda was named by Columbus because he thought the island resembled a reclining woman with a large belly.
Although the Spanish claimed the islands, they were actually originally settled by French traders. The Spaniards ultimately drove them off the islands but the French sought revenge and began raiding the Spanish settlements - thus giving rise to the Buccaneer Pirate tradition.
This tradition continued until the defeat of the Spanish Armada. In fact the Sir Francis Drake Channel is named after the famous British Commander and Explorer who attacked the Spanish in 1595.
The islands were claimed by England as early as 1628, but there were no true British settlements until 1666. The islands were a British Colony as part of the Leeward Islands from 1872 until 1956, when the British Virgin Islands became colony. The BVI remains under British control today and are largely a national park.
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A view of Cane Garden Bay
A view of sir Francis Drake Channel - It doesn't take too much imagination to see the reclining "Fat Virgin" with the large belly
"The Baths" an ancient rock formation on Virgin Gorda
Approaching the Bitter End Yacht club
A view of the hotel in the quaint port of Soper's Hole
The famous Pussers Bar and Restaurant at Soper's Hole
Village Cay Marina
Foxy's - when it's quiet during the daytime
You'll get plenty of these! |
The individual BVI Islands
Tortola. Tortola is the largest and most populated island in the BVI archipelago. It is a mountainous, volcanic island 12 miles (19 km) long and 3 miles (5 km). The main town is Road Town, where most of the boats are moored, and the population of the Island is about 25,000. Access to Road Town is either by ferry from the neighboring US Virgin Islands, or by bridge from the airport on Beef Island.
Aside from Road Town, the other main port on Tortola is Soper's Hole, a clean and pretty colonial port town brimming with charm. The marina offers 20 moorings, 45 slips, fuel, ice, showers and complete provisioning facilities. The famous Pussers Landing Restaurant and Bar two floors of dining, dancing and fun.
Tortola has some excellent beaches. The nicest are located along the north side of the island, where quiet coves and bays are fringed with soft, white sands. You'll enjoy the picturesque Cane Garden Bay, or Long Bay, with its mile-long beach. North of Road Town you'll find Trunk Bay beach, probably the most deserted on the island.
Virgin Gorda. Virgin Gorda (the "Fat Virgin") is the third-largest (after Tortola and Anegada) of the islands comprising the BVI. Virgin Gorda's major attraction is "The Baths" located on the southern end of the island. The Baths are a number of huge granite boulders strewn on the beach, forming scenic caves that are open to the sea. Swimming and snorkeling are the main attractions here. The major resort on the island is Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor, formerly the Rockefeller Resort of Little Dix Bay.
Jost Van Dyke. Jost Van Dyke is a relaxed island known worldwide for its casual lifestyle, protected anchorages, fine beaches, lobster feasts and beachfront restaurants and bars. It is home to Foxy's, a beach bar and restaurant renowned for its beach parties (especially on New Year's Eve). Great Harbor (where you'll find Foxy's) is a large, if sometimes difficult holding, anchorage. It has moorings as well as an easy entrance do in the center, but avoid the large reef that extends 300 yards from the beach.
Anegada. Anegada is the second largest of the British Virgin Islands, but quite different because it is coral, not volcanic in origin. The highest point is only 26 feet above sea level, and it is difficult to approach because of all the coral reefs. It is an island that is worth visiting for its beaches, relaxed style (there are almost no inhabitants) and its lobster barbecues on the beach.
The island has a history of shipwrecks on the reefs and offers wildlife including turtles, pelicans, the endangered Anegada iguana, flamingoes, and of course, lobsters. It is definitely worth a trip if you're looking for a relaxed beach day, with a few pina coladas at a beach bar, and a big lobster roast at night!
Itineraries. Click here and to find a sample 7 day sailing itinerary around the BVI. Or check out the itineraries at our sister site boatitineraries.com.
Our BVI Charter Yachts
Boatbookings.com works very closely with all of the quality charter operators in the BVI, and can find you the ideal charter yacht out of the more than 400 yachts we have to offer. Whether it's bareboat, crewed, monohull, catamaran, motor or Super Yacht, we can find it for you! More importantly, we regularly inspect the boats and know the crews, so you get the quality and service you expect!
Our most popular BVI monohull bareboat sailing yachts are Beneteaus (321, 323, 332, 361, 383, 40cc, 405, 411, 445, 463, 42, 42cc, 473, 505, 523), Jeanneaus (36, 37, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 52.2, 54DS, Sun Odyssey 37 SO 45.2, SO 49) Hunters (386, 420, 42, 44) and Bavarias (32, 33, 36, 39, 41, 44, 46, 49, 50). We have the full range of catamarans including Lagoon (380, 410, 420, 440, 470, 500), Lavezzi 40, Venezia 42, Belize 43, Athena 38, Bahia 46, Island Spirit (37, 40), Leopard 380, Privilege (38, 39, 42) and many others. We also have a complete line of crewed catamarans.
Click here to see our BVI Yachts or simply contact us and we'll recommend the best boat for you.
Other Caribbean Destinations: the Caribbean | St Thomas | Antigua | St Vincent & the Grenadines | St Barth's | Anguilla | St Martin
Thanks to Jane and Gus Bond, and our own Sharon Bahmer and her husband for these shots of the BVI! |
