The Best British Virgin Islands Yacht Charter Guide for 2024 and 2025
Charter a luxury yacht in the British Virgin Islands and discover Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Cooper and Peter Island
BVI Crewed Catamarans | BVI Crewed Motor Yachts | BVI Crewed Sailing Yachts | BVI Bareboat Sailboats | BVI Bareboat Catamarans
BVI Destinations | Getting There | Cuisine | Must Do's | Water Sports | Climate | History
BVI Motor Itinerary | BVI Crewed Catamaran Itinerary | BVI Bareboat Itinerary
The British Virgin Islands are the crown jewels of Caribbean yachting. More commonly known as the BVI, this island chain has all of the ingredients for a perfect Caribbean sailing holiday: consistent trade winds, gorgeous islands, a mixture of deserted white-sand beaches, luxury hotels, shipwrecks, beach party towns, and a charm that perfect seaside charm.
Whether you want to cruise around the British Virgin Islands on a crewed motor yacht, sail into secluded shallows on a crewed catamaran, or let the wind fill your sails on a bareboat sailboat our Boatbookings Charter Experts will find the perfect yacht for you. Our expertise comes from visiting every Caribbean yachting hotspot each year to ensure we know all the local insights and recommendations. For any charter in the British Virgin Islands, we are the first port of call for planning your bespoke itinerary and vacation.
The Best BVI Charter Yachts
BVI Charter and Boat Vacations
A typical BVI yacht charter starts in either Tortola (BVI) or St. Thomas (USVI) and with the opportunity to visit a new island every day, there is so much to discover. Spend a few days at one or two of your favorite islands or spend your trip cruising from island to island while your professional crew takes care of all your needs. There is truly no better way to experience this tropical paradise than from the comfort of a charter.
Wherever you choose to sail, you are guaranteed to be enchanted by these islands. The turquoise waters, emerald canopy, and wide blue sky make for stunning vistas all over, and Every day in the BVI is a new adventure. Our Charter Experts can help you plan your perfect BVI getaway and find the perfect yacht for your needs! But do not just take our word for it, check out some of the reviews posted by our clients!
BVI Catamaran Yacht Charter
Sailing the Virgin Islands on a BVI crewed catamaran is about hopping between the islands of your choice to take advantage of unique diving areas, beach bars, and restaurants. One of the best parts of being on a catamaran is finding a different beautiful anchorage for sunset and dinner with your loved ones on the spacious deck every night. A crewed catamaran is the best way to get in touch with the water and live in luxury while in the BVI.
Nearly all charters start and end in Tortola, the largest of the islands, where all the key marinas are located. Your private catamaran will depart from port and explore the mostly uninhabited and unspoiled isles of the BVI in unsurpassed comfort, style, and stability. Most importantly, its shallow draft will allow you to get shockingly close to shore and give you access to unparalleled snorkeling.
BVI CREWED CATAMARANS Crewed Catamaran Itinerary
BVI Luxury Motor Yacht Charter
The British Virgin Islands are ideal for a luxury motor yacht charter experience with a truly laid-back, warm, and friendly environment. These stunning yachts offer you speed, comfort, and opulence as you vacation and there is no better place to charter a luxury yacht. Leave your worries behind as your private chef delights creates culinary masterpieces and locally sourced delicacies like lobster tails that pair with exquisite cocktails. Between the cooking, the professional service of your staff, and the speed of a luxury motor yacht, there is no better way to escape in the BVI's.
Make your way into a hidden bay to soak up the sun on the spacious deck or to make the most of the wide assortment of water toys available. The impeccable service, generous space, stability, privacy, and exhilarating views provided by your luxury motor yacht will exceed your every expectation. Our Charter Experts know all the ins and outs of every yacht and can help you find the one that fits your needs.
BVI LUXURY MOTOR YACHTS Crewed Motor Yacht Itinerary
BVI Crewed Sailing Yacht
Sail the BVI in unmatched style and tranquility on board your very own private crewed sailing yacht. The serenity, eco-friendliness, and authentic sailing offered by a sailing yacht charter, provide fortunate charterers with an unsurpassable experience of the BVI. Enjoy rays of sunshine on board a timelessly beautiful vessel and retreat into exquisitely decorated staterooms at the end of the day. Enjoy uninhibited views of the BVI's lush green vistas and clear blue waters from the deck of a sailing yacht. When you take a break from slashing through the waves to weigh anchor, make the most of an inexhaustible range of water toys and get in the water to cool off. A sailing yacht charter offers a truly unique way to experience the BVI.
BVI SAILING YACHTS Sailing Itinerary
BVI Bareboat Monohull Sailboats
Perhaps you are a sailing pro, or maybe you just have an adventurous bone in your body– either way, a bareboat monohull sailboat charter is an unforgettable experience. Bareboat monohulls in the BVI allow you to create your individually tailored itinerary and explore the islands at your own pace on your own sailing yacht.
You can go where you want when you want, putting your holiday in the palm of your hand– you decide the itinerary, the menu, and the daily rhythm. Get behind the wheel and set sail for some of the BVI’s more hidden and forgotten treasures like the explorers of old, before heading ashore to try out the very best local cuisine. The options are endless with a bareboat monohull and the BVI's are your Caribbean oyster!
Bareboat sailing yachts with skipper and hostess: You can also add a skipper and/or a hostess to your bareboat to take the hassle out of navigating, sailing, provisioning, and cooking to make this the ultimate BVI experience!
BVI BAREBOAT MONOHULLS Monohull Itinerary
BVI Bareboat Catamarans
BVI Charter Destinations
Tortola
Tortola is the largest and most populated island in the BVI, making it the most common starting point for any yacht charter in the archipelago. The capital, Road Town, is accessible either by ferry from the neighboring US Virgin Islands or by bridge from the airport on Beef Island. At the center of this charming colonial port town is stunning Port Purcell and a buzzing atmosphere.
Tortola is also home to Soper's Hole Marina and some of the world's most pristine beaches; the nicest of which are located along the northern coast of the island. Take the time to explore the quiet coves, bays, and soft white sands of the island. From serene Cane Garden Bay to deserted Trunk Bay beach and the mile-long stretch of sand in Long Bay, there is so much to explore.
Tortola Charter Guide Enquire Today
Jost Van Dyke
Jost Van Dyke is known worldwide for its casual lifestyle, protected anchorages, fine beaches, lobster feasts, beachfront restaurants and bars. This exclusive island is home to Foxy's, a beach bar and restaurant renowned for its New Year's Eve beach parties, and the Soggy Dollar Bar, rated as one of the top beach bars in the world. Jost Van Dyke is the perfect place to celebrate any occasion, especially on a charter.
Jost Van Dyke Charter Guide Enquire Today
Anegada
Anegada is the second largest of the British Virgin Islands but differs from Tortola in that the island is made from coral rather than volcanic rock. With the highest point of just 26 feet above sea level, Anegada is worth visiting for its stunning unspoiled beaches, tranquil atmosphere, and lobster barbecues on the beach. Home to numerous historic shipwrecks, and vibrant reefs the island is a mecca for SCUBA diving. The island is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including turtles, pelicans, the endangered Anegada iguana, and flamingoes. With so much to offer, a BVI charter seems almost incomplete without a stop at Anegada, especially if you're looking for the perfect beach day with a few piña coladas and a lobster feast for dinner!
Anegada Charter Guide Enquire Today
Virgin Gorda
Known for its beauty and stunning sailing attractions Virgin Gorda is the third-largest of the islands in the BVI. The island's major attraction is "The Baths" located on the southern end of the island. The Baths are a rare geologic formation made up of hundreds of granite boulders strewn across the beach. These giant stones form scenic waterways and caves that open to the sea and create a swimming and snorkeling paradise.
Our Charter Guide to Virgin Gorda Book Now
How To Get There
Flying from the U.S.A. or Canada
Flying directly from the US or Canada, you can land at either Beef Island Airport or Saint Thomas in the USVI. Depending on the season, you may have to connect through Puerto Rico rather than flying directly to Beef Island Airport.
If you land at Saint Thomas you will need to take a public or private ferry across to Tortola, whereas if you land at Beef Island Airport you will only need to take a short taxi ride across the bridge to Tortola before beginning your charter adventure.
For your planning purposes, we have included a St. Thomas to Tortola Ferry Schedule page.
Flying from the UK
Flying from the UK, you can take a connecting flight through Antigua, and Puerto Rico, to Beef Island Airport. From there it is just a short taxi ride across the Queen Elizabeth Bridge to Tortola.
For more information regarding UK flights, both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic operate a scheduled service throughout the week.
Flying from the rest of Europe
Take a connecting flight to Beef Island Airport through Saint Martin, San Juan, Barbados, Martinique, or Antigua. After landing on Beef Island, take a taxi to Tortola and begin your adventure.
Please note that you must have a passport and go through passport control to enter the BVI.
BVI Cuisine
The British Virgin Islands boast an array of eclectic yet laid-back waterfront restaurants. With stunning views and food made of fresh local produce, the BVI is deservedly a foodie’s sanctuary.
The cuisine in the BVI has been strongly influenced by West Africa, Europe, and America, meaning you can enjoy some of the world's best seafood (especially the famed BVI lobster) paired with delightful cocktails. Venues such as Saba Rock, Foxy's, and the Scrub Island Resort create the perfect ambiance to go with your delicious meal, encapsulating what the BVI is all about.
Have questions? Please do not hesitate to ask Our Charter Experts about the most popular restaurants and bars in the BVI.
BVI "Must-Do's"
1 - Soggy Dollar Bar, Jost Van Dyke
It’s not just about the famous ‘Original Painkiller’ rum cocktail - the Soggy Dollar Bar sits on a stunningly beautiful white beach and has its own radio station of beach vibes.
2 - The Baths, Virgin Gorda
Virgin Gorda’s mile of scattered boulders is a sight utterly unique to the BVI, with the National Park becoming a hotspot for snorkeling and swimming.
3 - Foxy's - Jost Van Dyke
Having recently celebrated its 78th birthday, Foxy's has become part of the furniture on Jost Van Dyke with a-la-carte dining, and rum, in true Caribbean style.
4 - Deadman's Beach, Peter Island
Deadman’s Beach is a crescent of fine white sand that is truly one of the most striking beaches anywhere in the world. The bay has plenty of turtles to swim with and stunning waters.
5 - Wreck of the Rhone, Salt Island
The tragedy of an 1867 hurricane has turned into a 21st-century marvel as the wreck of RMS Rhone just off Salt Island has become a superb national park and a popular site for diving.
6 - Sandy Spit
The real-life materialization of that cartoon desert island makes Sandy Spit almost legendary. An uninhabited circle of fine white sand encloses a small patch of foliage to create a true BVI wonder.
7 - Grilled Lobster on Anegada
Lobster on Anegada is so celebrated it has earned itself its festival, with November 2016 marking its fourth appearance as numerous top-quality restaurants and bars dish up their specialty to the sound of Caribbean bands and dancers.
8 - Oil Nut Bay, Virgin Gorda
The extraordinary waterfront resort offers a spectacular pool, watersports, and a superb restaurant to create a luxury setting on the island of Virgin Gorda.
9 - The Indians and the Caves - Norman Island
Two of the best-known snorkeling spots in the BVI are near Norman Island. The Caves allegedly inspired the story of Treasure Island and allow you to swim through them and follow marine life as far as you dare. Another hotspot, the Indians are rock formations that jut out of the sea just off the island coast. Offering great snorkeling with colorful fish and marine life these rock formations are a perfect spot to stop.
10 - Willy T's, Norman Island --> Peter Island
Willy T's is the quintessential floating bar/restaurant, named after the 18th-century William Thornton. This boat has been around for a while now, and if you are feeling adventurous, take a dive off the deck to get a free t-shirt.
TOP ATTRACTIONS IN THE BVI Book Now
BVI Water Sports, Diving, and Activities
Due to the natural trade winds, cerulean waters, and stunning anchorages, the BVI is a water sports paradise. Whether you want to dip your toe, dive straight in, or discover your surroundings on top of the water, our BVI charter yacht selection has something for everyone. You'll have a hard choice between paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling, or, if you're licensed, SCUBA diving to amazing sites such as the Wreck of the Rhone.
BVI DIVING AND WATER SPORTS GUIDE Contact Us
BVI Climate and Weather
The climate of the BVI is nearly ideal for all types of yachting and water sports. Each day normally brings periods of clear blue skies and just a few puffy clouds. Additionally, the region features wonderfully consistent daily trade winds - usually from the East, ESE, or ENE at 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 by 10 °F (6 °C) at night.
History of the BVI
The British Virgin Islands 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 so by Columbus because he thought the island resembled a reclining woman with a large belly.
Although the islands were claimed as a Spanish territory, it was French traders who originally made the first settlement. 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. There are many tales and reminders of pirates throughout the BVI, including the island of Dead Chest, where Blackbeard left behind 15 of his pirates as punishment providing only a bottle of Rum. Thus arose the song "15 Men on Dead (Man's) Chest, Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum", from R.L. Stevenson's Treasure Island.
This tradition continued until the defeat of the Spanish Armada. 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 a colony. The BVI remains under British control today and is largely a national park.
THE HISTORY OF THE WRECKS Contact Us
Our BVI Charter Yachts
Our incredible selection of over 200 charter boats in the BVI means that we will be able to find the ideal yacht for you. We regularly inspect the boats and personally know the crews so, whether you’d like to experience the BVI on a catamaran, sailing yacht, or a superyacht, our charter experts can find and organize the perfect yacht for you.
Perhaps you have already been to the BVI and want to try something new? If you loved the Caribbean why not have a look at our other destinations close by such as St. Martin or St. Barths or maybe the Bahamas if you want a similar beach paradise?
Our BVI Crewed Yachts Suggest the Right Yacht for Me
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