BVI Yacht Charter

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British Virgin Islands overview, cruising conditions, sailing itinerary, and yacht charter guides

sunset at Cane Garden Bay in the BVIs on a bvi catamaran charter

HMS Rhone diving on a bvi catamaran charter

Benures Bay, Norman Island British Virgin Islands

Virgin Gorda Sound sunset with Saba Rock in the background (Pre-Irma) on a bvi catamaran charter

Conch mounds in Anegada on a BVI catamaran charter

Sunset at Setting Point in Anegada on a BVI yacht charter

Willy T Bar at Norman Island British Virgin Islands

painkillers at the soggy dollar bar in white bay jost van dyke — Painkillers and an evening sunset while anchored at White Bay

The British Virgin Islands is the global yacht charter capital, for good reason.

Not only is the BVIs the best place for first-timers, but you’ll find yourself returning year after year. There’s something about it that keeps drawing you back.

I’ve spoken with some old salts that have made over 30 trips!

It’s popularity owes itself to the unique geography, with many islands and bays to explore, sheltered from the trade wind driven swells.

What makes it so great?

Idyllic Caribbean surroundings – numerous tropical islands that rise sharply out of the ocean. Plenty of protected anchorages. Coconut palm lined white sandy beaches. Great snorkeling and fishing. What else do you need?
Settled weather – you can expect steady trade winds out of the east year round. If you avoid the summer months when tropical systems can develop, there is little risk of a major weather disruption
Easy navigation – the BVIs have few major navigational hazards (if you pay attention to red-lined areas) and the sailing is usually line of sight
Amenities – there are bars and restaurants to fill your heart’s desire
Mooring balls – plenty of well maintained balls are available, making it easier and less stressful for crews
Well established bareboat yacht charter industry – lots of operators, a deep bareboat charter fleet, and many services to help make your trip easy

Idyllic Cane Garden Bay on a typical BVI day

Highlights of a British Virgin Islands yacht charter

Hike through the gigantic granite boulders at the Baths to Devils Bay
Anchor in North Sound and enjoy the sights of one of the finest harbors in the Caribbean
Sail offshore to the sunken island, Anegada. Sip cold beverages at rustic beach bars on the beautiful north shore
Go Beach Bar hopping for painkillers at famous White Bay, Jost van Dyke
Jump into the water from the second deck of the floating pirate ship bar, Willy-T
Discover abundant marine life at the many snorkeling sites, such as the Indians and the Treasure Island Caves

Lagoon and beach at Cow Wreck — Lagoon swimming at Cow Wreck on the north shore of Anegada

Devil's Bay beach at the Baths in BVI — The boulders at Devil's Bay - part of the Baths

Benures Bay Sunset at Norman Island, British Virgin Islands — You can expect spectacular, year-round sunsets in the BVIs | This one is at Benures Bay, Norman Island

You’ll enjoy some of the best yacht charter sailing conditions anywhere thanks to the steady easterly tradewinds and the protection in the lee of the islands from waves and swells.

Generally, for weather conditions, you can expect steady 10-15 knot trade winds from the ENE-ESE, puffy tradewind cumulus clouds, and an occasional shower or squall.

I like to break the BVI yacht charter sailing calendar into 4 seasons. Read more detail about each below.

High season: December to March
Shoulder season 1: April to June
Peak hurricane season: July to October
Shoulder season 2: November

To learn more about the unique weather features that affect the Virgin Islands, read my BVI weather and marine forecasting post.

Climate by month

Sailing seasons

Windy current forecast

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Wind Speed (kts)	15.2	15.1	14.1	13.4	13.5	15.0	16.0	14.8	12.9	12.2	13.8	15.2
Wind Direction	NE	NE	E	SE	SE	SE	E	E	SE	SE	NE	NE
Daylight (hrs)	11.2	11.6	12.1	12.6	13.0	13.2	13.1	12.7	12.2	11.7	11.3	11.0
Precipitation (in)	0.4″	0.4″	0.3″	0.9″	2.1″	1.3″	1.2″	1.6″	2.8″	2.8″	2.5″	1.1″
Avg. High Temp.	83°	83°	84°	85°	86°	88°	88°	89°	88°	87°	86°	84°
Avg. Water Temp.	79°	79°	79°	80°	81°	82°	82°	83°	84°	84°	82°	81°

BVI Yacht Charter Sailing Seasons

BVI high season (December to March)

This is the busiest and most expensive time of the year. Hurricane season is over, and the annual pilgrimage of cruising boats has made it’s way from mainland U.S. and Europe to enjoy the warm Caribbean winter.

Expect crowded mooring fields and frustrated skippers who lost the Boatyball lottery.

Days are shorter (~11 hours vs ~13 hours in the summer).

Most notably, you can expect the Christmas Winds: several days of strong winds (15-30 knots) created by strong high pressure systems in the Atlantic. Make sure you know how to reef those sails!

Wind is usually out of the E to NE and less precipitation falls this time of year.

BVI shoulder season 1 (April to June)

This is my favorite and I believe the best time to visit the British Virgin Islands for sailing trips. We’ve been to the BVIs 3x in May. The crowds have thinned out somewhat and the weather has become more settled.

Expect easy 10-15 knots from the E to SE and an occasional shower to cool things off.

Double rainbow over Anegada in the British Virgin Islands — A typical BVI day in Anegada with some cumulus clouds and the occasional shower

BVI peak hurricane season (July to October)

It can be hot, the trade winds lessen (5-15 knots), and tropical mischief can be brewing.

But, you might have the place to yourself. On the flip side, however, some establishments are closed, so keep that in mind if you are planning to hop around the beach bars.

This is the wet season thanks to developing low pressure systems.

BVI shoulder season 2 (November)

This is my second favorite time to sail in the Caribbean and the British Virgin Islands.

Again, the crowds haven’t arrived yet and the weather tends to be settled – similar to April-June.

Trades blow 15-20 knots with wind direction from the E to NE.

The biggest downside of this time of year is the days are shorter. It can make a difference if you plan to spend long days on the water. Otherwise, not a big deal!

We’ve visited the BVIs many times now, and every time we return our itinerary gets a little bit better. Here’s what I would do on a first time visit or for those that want to hit all of the hot spots. You can also read my in depth post, BVI sailing itinerary, where I cover the trip in more detail.

Want to get off the beaten path? Check out my secret BVI anchorages.

Muskmelon Bay and Guana Island — A lunch stop at Muskmelon Bay at Guana Island

Travel day

Day 1: Travel day

Arrive, get settled in, and stow away your provisions. Familiarize yourself with the boat's systems if you'd like. Crack a beer - you've made it!

Travel day

Cooper Island Beach Club

Day 2: Cooper Island

Plan for an easy, short sail on your first full day on the water. Cooper Island Beach Club is a perfect stop. Grab a mooring ball and head ashore to enjoy the facilities, bar, and restaurant. Arrive early - the mooring balls fill up quickly! You may also enjoy a snorkel at Cistern Point to the south.

Cooper Island Beach Club

Devil's Bay at the Baths, a top BVI Beach

The Baths & North Sound

Day 3: Baths & North Sound

Get an early start and sail up the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Stop for lunch at The Baths, a must see visit. Swim ashore and hike through the monstrous boulders to Devil's Bay.

Round Virgin Gorda and enter North Sound through the well-marked channel. There are many places to choose from including the Bitter End Yacht Club, Saba Rock, and Leverick Bay. Plenty of mooring balls are available.

The Baths & North Sound

Anegada & Setting Point

Day 4: Anegada

Some will say to avoid Anegada if you are a beginner, but I disagree. The channel is well marked and it is only a couple hours sail offshore. Check with your charter company. Anegada is a low lying, coral island making up part of Horseshoe Reef - the 4th largest barrier reef in the world. Rent a car and visit the spectacular beaches on the north shore. Enjoy a freshly caught spiny lobster dinner at one of the many Setting Point restaurants.

Day 5: Cane Garden Bay

Head back south and sail counter clockwise around Tortola. Monkey Point at Guana Island is a great snorkel lunch stop. Cane Garden Bay is a picturesque spot with lots of room and plenty of mooring balls. This is a great opportunity to head ashore and shop for additional provisions if you need them. There are lots of restaurants to choose from if you want to eat ashore.

Cane Garden Bay

Sandy Spit

Day 6: Sandy Spit & Great Harbour

Make your way north and try your hand at anchoring near Sandy Spit. This is a fun day spot. Dinghy ashore for a picnic. Great Harbour at Jost Van Dyke is home to the famous Foxy's Bar. Enjoy some late night live music and dancing. Over the weekend, they have a famous Beach BBQ.

Sandy Spit

White Bay & the Soggy Dollar Bar

Day 7: White Bay & The Soggy Dollar Bar

Get an early start to grab a mooring ball on the east side of the bay. Check with your charter company to make sure it is not off limits. Enjoy a full day of beach bar relaxing and fun. The Soggy Dollar Bar is world famous for its invention - the Pain Killer. If you're a beginner, I don't recommend anchoring at White Bay. Stay at Great Harbour and dinghy over, or walk.

Day 8: The Indians & the Bight

Pass nearby St. John, USVI and head for a lunch stop and snorkel at The Indians. Make a loop around the rock formations and enjoy the abundant sea life. Stay overnight at the Bight and join the party at Willy-Ts, the famous floating pirate ship bar and restaurant. The Pirate's Bight restaurant is also a very good choice for a last night send off.

Day 9: Travel Home

Leave early enough to motor back to the base to comply with checkout procedures. Radio your charter company on your way back in if you'd like help docking the boat.

Travel Home

Cane Garden Bay's beach in BVI — The beach at Cane Garden Bay

Do you have a few extra days to sail on a BVI yacht charter? Slow down and check out this 10-day plan to inspire your next sailing itinerary. Read about it in more detail in this post.

North Sound

Day 1: North Sound

Get your yacht charter underway with a sail to North Sound at Virgin Gorda. On your way, stop at the Dogs or Mountain Point for a lunch stop and snorkel.

Pick up a mooring ball near the Bitter End Yacht Club or Saba Rock and marvel at the beauty or the protected harbor of North Sound. Pour yourself a cocktail, you’ve arrived in paradise!

Consider making a reservation ahead of time at either the BEYC or Saba Rock. You can’t go wrong with either to enjoy an excellent meal to kick off the trip.

North Sound

Devil's Bay at the Baths

Day 2: Explore Virgin Gorda & the Baths

Today we’re going exploring ashore. Make the quick motor across the sound to Leverick Bay for a change of scenery. Grab some walking shoes and arrange for a taxi to take you for a shore-based visit of the Baths. I like this option since you don’t have to worry about red flag conditions on the beach from a northerly swell.

On the way, consider grabbing a bite at Hog Heaven and marveling at the panoramic views. Today is also a great opportunity to eat that CocoMaya, one of the top-rated restaurants in the BVIs with a gorgeous setting. Make sure to make reservations early! Leverick Bay also has excellent options for dinner.

Devil's Bay at the Baths

Anegada & Setting Point

Day 3: Sail to Anegada

Anegada is a low lying, coral island making up part of Horseshoe Reef - the 4th largest barrier reef in the world. Rent a moke or two and visit the spectacular beaches on the north shore such as Flash of Beauty, Loblolly, and Cow Wreck. It's my favorite BVI destination.

After a long day, take it easy and mix up something easy for dinner aboard your catamaran with a sundowner and an epic sunset.

Day 4: Tour Horseshoe Reef

A couple weeks before your trip, you’ll want to reserve a reef tour with Kelly or Sherwin. They’ll pick you up right from your yacht sometime mid-morning. t’s a fun ~30 minute speedboat ride out to the reef. He’ll set you up on a drift snorkel and you can also help him look for lobster.

The reef is really beautiful, and we’ve even seen nurse sharks and eagle rays. After the snorkel, you’ll stop by the famous conch mounds on your way back. Make sure to hop in the water and get your picture taken. Back at the yacht, relax and get ready for an awesome lobster dinner party, right on the beach.

Cow Wreck Beach

Cane Garden Bay