Category Archives: Caribbean

A Very British (Virgin Islands) Christmas!

Specializing in Caribbean charters, here are our top 5 reasons to charter a yacht and why the British Virgin Islands is officially one of the best places in the world to charter for your 2020 holiday season!

Escape the bleak mid-winter and spend Christmas 2020 island hopping between the white sand beaches of the British Virgin Islands. The world’s best sailing conditions, island hopping, world-class scuba diving grounds, and a Christmas day conch meal. All of this plus an unforgettable New Year’s Eve makes the British Virgin Islands the only place to charter a yacht this Christmas!!

Christmas day on the yacht

Whether you’re a seasoned yachtie or sailing around the best sailing grounds of the Caribbean is something you’ve always dreamt of, a yacht charter in the BVI is guaranteed to make 2020 your best Christmas yet.

Although you’ll be on a yacht in the Caribbean, don’t worry there’s still plenty of decorations to make you feel just at home. Expect to see masts with fairy lights going to the top, red and white bikinis and palm Christmas trees!

Spend this Christmas walking around the white sand-beaches of Anegada and join in the local celebrations! Chose from having your own personal crew onboard to sailing solo around the many BVI white-sand beached islands.

New years eve at Foxy’s

Be sure to head to the island of Jost Van Dyke to bring in the New Year. Foxy’s on the island is renowned as being one of the top 5 parties in the world on New Year’s Eve.

Instead of celebrating the ‘New Year’, this bar celebrates the ‘Old Year’s Night’, making this iconic location different from every other New Year Party on the globe.

Hop off your boat and enjoy being in one of the best places in the world this New Year. Be sure to catch the theme before deciding on your outfits!

December diving

Switch the traditional family board games on Christmas day for a scuba diving lesson! Scuba dives are an extremely popular Christmas day activity and really make it a Christmas day to remember.

The BVI waters surrounding the islands of Norman Island are renowned for being extremely clear during the months of December and January. The Caribbean waters are full of different corals, turtles, shipwrecks and thousands of different species of fish.

Surprise your loved ones with a diving course and give the gift of the ocean this Christmas!

A Caribbean Christmas lunch

Eat like a local and celebrate the festivities with a freshly grilled lobster or conch! Head over to the Bitter End Yacht Club in Virgin Gorda for your Christmas lunch, be sure to book early this year as most restaurants serving local Caribbean Christmas delicacies tend to get booked up very quickly.

Unrivalled weather conditions

The trade winds blowing across the islands of the BVI offer a consistent breeze, ideal for sailing and for keeping slightly cool during this period. Christmas is without a doubt one of the best times of year to visit the BVI due to long, sunny days with ocean breezes coming through in the afternoon and slightly cooler evenings.

The BVI is known for ‘line of sight’ sailing and protected bays for anchorages and sailing. Unlike other locations in the Caribbean, the waters in the BVI are usually a lot calmer than many other locations.

Aftermath of Irma

Despite the saddening damage, caused by hurricane IRMA in 2017, the BVI’s are being cared for and maintained. The process of rebuilding infrastructure has been a work in progress since the hurricane struck, however, the BVI is back on track and the boat standards and sailing grounds are as popular as ever.

Don’t let the damage caused in 2017 put you off from a yacht charter in the BVI this Christmas – the BVI is up and running. For current information, we please see our “what is open in the BVI after Irma” page, which is updated regularly.

Give Santa a change from the chimney and let him slide down your mast this Christmas! Get in touch today!

Posted on by

New Caribbean Air Charter Service!

Following the tragedy of IRMA and MARIA, we at Boatbookings have watched the Caribbean rebuild after the devastating effects of these natural disasters.

The ever-popular holiday destination, the Caribbean, (Jeremy Clarkson voice) in the WORLD, has rebuilt its infrastructure from the routes up. This has paved the way to more visitors than ever before! We have been documenting it’s growth and are proud to say we have put hundreds, if not thousands of people onto the water since IRMA and MARIA struck.

Hurricane Irma Boatbookings Page

FLY BODE

Bode Aviation has launched a new Caribbean Air Charter service to the BVI. Their new private air charter service will trade as “Fly Bode Caribbean Air Charter” which offers an exclusive experience to start your vacation ahead of commercial airlines! This “On Demand” service will allow passengers to surpass the queues to get you to your desired island in luxury and style!

Fast Facts

  • Formed in 1994, based in the US.
  • Over 20 years of commercial and private aviation knowledge.
  • It offers flights to the British Virgin Islands (Tortola and Anegada) and other destinations in the Caribbean.
  • Private air charter.
  • Operating from their base in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
  • Flights to commence on the 1st of November to the BVI’s and other destinations in the Caribbean.
  • Capable of carrying up to 6 passengers

Hurricane Dorian Boatbookings Page

Destinations

Boatbookings Weather page

Thinking of a hot winter getaway? Speak to one of our team today to see how you can experience the beauty of the Caribbean.

Posted on by

Where to stay before your Virgin Islands Yacht Charter

The Caribbean Virgin Islands are back in full swing following regeneration works required after Hurricane Irma. You will most likely start your charter from St Thomas in the US Virgin islands, which has fantastic flight connections to most of the US East Coast. It is therefore the perfect pitstop to get into the Caribbean zone ahead of your Virgin Islands crewed catamaran charter. But where should you stay?

Ritz-Carlton, St Thomas

The most exclusive hotel on the island of St Thomas was always The Ritz-Carlton, which overlooks Great Bay. After a thorough two year renovation, The Ritz-Calton is now accepting bookings from the 22nd November 2019, just in time for your BVI Christmas Catamaran charter.

Ritz-Carlton, St Thomas

Guests will experience a new era of refinement at the Ritz-Calton, which welcomes families, couples, and adventure-seekers to encounter the beauty of the Caribbean in a new light. Get ready for turquoise bays, spectacular scenic views, white sandy beaches and exhilarating water sports. Our Brokers love it and know you will too!

Get in touch with the Boatbookings Broker team to plan your BVI bareboat sailing vacation, crewed catamaran charter or luxury motor yacht vacation!

Posted on by

The BVI Bounces Back for 2020

Following the hurricane IRMA and MARIA, it is a well-known fact that most of the BVI’s infrastructure, boats and marinas were completely destroyed. Most charter companies had entire fleets either damaged or destroyed. However, the BVI has taken this nightmare as an opportunity to renovate and re-establish itself as the best place to charter in the Caribbean. The resilience of a tight-knit community, devoted holidaymakers and a great tourist board has allowed the BVI to be completely rejuvenated for 2020.

Forbes magazine reported that 75% of the territory’s marine berths and 37% of land accommodation reopened this Spring.  Airways and ferries have also opened back up to full capacity following the destruction with the hurricane.

Willy T’s comeback

The infamous William Thornton floating back is back on Norman Island for 2020. The new Willy T is rumored to be bigger than ever! As one of the most iconic floating bars in the world, the new Willy T was constructed in the US before returning to the BVI on May 10th.  The New boat is very similar to the original vessel and is already making its comeback for being renowned for parties, food, shots, and tattoos! Be sure to visit the new Willy T when you can.

Scrub Island Resort and Marina

The resort has just reopened with ten new villas and 52 guest rooms. This is the perfect place to relax and unwind before or after your yacht charter.

Foxys – Jost Van Dyke

After all, having served food and drinks to sailors since 1968 this bar was not going to let a storm affect their service, There is still an infamous BBQ running on Friday and Saturday night and a great menu and party vibe throughout the week.

Have a read over the recommend Boatbookings post IRMA sailing itinerary to get an insight into your yacht charter with Boatbookings this winter!

Posted on by

Summer 2020 on DRAGONFLY in the Grenadines

Have you been chartering in the BVI for years and tempted to try a new Caribbean island? With an increasing number of quality catamarans heading down islands during the summer months, there has never been a better time to consider a Grenadines yacht charter.

One of our favourite Lagoon 620 crewed catamarans, DRAGONFLY, has confirmed that they will be down in the Grenadines from June 2020. DRAGONFLY is one of the newest Lagoon 620s in the Caribbean with a vastly experienced crew in Christiaan and Hanrie, who always offer exceptional service, food and enjoyment for guests of all ages.

DRAGONGLY Feedback

“ The most amazing start to a year anyone could dream of – thank you. We have been absolutely spoilt rotten by your food, hospitality and endless activities for the boys and you have chosen a spectacular backdrop for showcasing your skills. Whether swimming with turtles, stingrays or tarpons, tubing or snorkelling on incredible reefs, we had a series of unforgettable experiences. Thank you so much Boatbookings, we can`t wait to come back! ”

The Grenadines are the perfect catamaran cruising ground. They offer stunning sunsets, long sandy beaches and some of the clearest waters in the Caribbean. Embark in Grenada and head for the peaceful anchorages of Carriacou, before kite surfing on Union Islands and visiting the famous Basil’s Bar in Mustique.

The Grenadines really do offer something for everyone. Contact your Boatbookings Broker today to start planning your next adventure.

Posted on by