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












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British Virgin Islands Overview & Highlights

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

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


BVI Sailing & Cruising Conditions

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.
BVI Climate and Average Weather by Month
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.

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!
Perfect Week-Long BVI Yacht Charter Sailing Itinerary
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.

Day 1: Travel day

Day 2: Cooper Island


Day 3: Baths & North Sound
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.


Day 4: Anegada


Day 5: Cane Garden Bay


Day 6: Sandy Spit & Great Harbour


Day 7: White Bay & The Soggy Dollar Bar


Day 8: The Indians & the Bight

Day 9: Travel Home
10-Day BVI Yacht Charter Sailing Plan

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.

Day 1: North Sound
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.


Day 2: Explore Virgin Gorda & the Baths
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.


Day 3: Sail to Anegada
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
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.


Day 5: Cane Garden Bay
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.


Day 6: Sandy Spit & Great Harbour
Alternatively for a quieter night, check out Diamond Cay and an excursion to the Bubbly Pool.


Day 7: Party at the famous Jost Van Dyke beach bars
We are content to just hang out on the beach at Soggy Dollar Bar all day long, sipping painkillers. But you should check out the others if you want to explore! Hendo’s Hideout, next door, is newer to the scene. The food here is fantastic. Coco Loco, Gertrude’s, and Ivan’s are also worth checking out.


Day 8: The Indians & the Bight


Day 9: Fishing and Chilling at Peter Island
Peter Island is a good overnight – check out Key Bay for some seclusion. There is only room for a couple boats here. Conveniently located here is the wreck of the old Willy T. In 2019, Beyond the Reef successfully sunk the Willy T as an artificial reef. It was beached nearby at Norman Island after Hurricane Irma


Day 10: Fishing and Chilling at Peter Island
Afterwards, sail for Cooper Island. We always try and eat ashore here to celebrate our final night in the British Virgin Islands. The meal never disappoints and the rum bar and brewery are also worth checking out. Sunsets here are spectacular over Tortola and the US Virgin Islands to the west. Not a bad way to finish up your BVI catamaran charter trip!

British Virgin Islands Yacht Charter Guides
Must read BVI sailing trip guides
Recent BVI articles from the Yacht Warriors
BVI Yacht Charter Frequently Asked Questions
Less is more and pack collapsible suitcases. Check out my sailing trip packing list post for all the details.
Food
- Riteways Food & Liquor
- OneMart
- Bobby’s Marketplace (locally owned)
Specialty food (you fancy!)
We usually end up at Cane Garden Bay in the middle of our trip. Bobby’s Supermarket is our spot to re-provision. Grab another couple avocados for that ceviche you are going to make and pick up another carton of eggs.
Other places that are convenient:
- North Sound: Leverick Bay and the Bitter End Yacht Club have small stores where you can pick up essential items
- Scrub Island also has a provisioning store
- If you visit Soper’s Hole, there is a well-stocked Riteway that should have everything you need
Most people get to the BVIs in one of two ways.
- Fly to Puerto Rico or St. Thomas and grab a “puddle jumper” flight to the Beef Island airport (EIS). BEWARE: a lot of these flights have been cancelled or delayed recently due to staffing issues with the smaller airline operators that manage these routes. This is not a reliable option right now.
- Fly to St. Thomas and catch the ferry to Roadtown. You can also book a private water taxi – this will run you about $1,500-$2,000, but it might be worth it for the convenience. You may need 2 taxis depending on your group size. Crews like this option since it is more convenient, faster, and the taxi will also take care of clearing you in to BVI customs (usually at Soper’s Hole).
I think the best time to visit the British Virgin Islands is April-June or November. Learn more about the sailing seasons here.
Why?
- The weather is more settled (10-15 knots of consistent trade winds)
- It is less hot
- There is less risk of a disruption due to a tropical storm
- It tends to be less crowded
Most likely, yes. You’ll need to confirm with your charter company.
I actually think catamaran’s are much easier to maneuver and handle as compared to a monohull. Read more about why I think the catamaran is the better option for your sailing trip here.
Recently because of Covid, some charter companies are only providing fins, but not the masks/snorkel. Your broker can help confirm this for you.
Covid aside, you should purchase a quality mask/snorkel combo and take it with you on every trip. You will have a much better snorkeling experience. Don’t rely on the low-quality gear that you might be able to rent.
I’ve had my snorkel/mask since I got scuba certified in 2009 and it is still in great shape. Make the investment!
General FAQ
It is customary to tip 20-25% of the cost of the charter.
Make sure it is not just reef-friendly. You want reef-safe. We like Reef Repair, SPF 50.
Right now, the answer is most likely no. But, please confirm that with the broker you are working with.
The BVI government put a lot of restrictions in place recently that makes it nearly impossible for USVI charter boats to travel to the BVIs. However, the two countries have stated they are working on solving this.
I expect for this to be solved in the first half of 2023.
It’s a reservation system to book mooring balls at some of the popular bays and anchorages. I break it down in more detail here.
No, you don’t need to use it. But, in peak season, the mooring balls at the most popular spots (Cooper Island and Great Harbour in particular) will fill up fast – sometimes before noon! Most crews would prefer to spend the day enjoying themselves rather than racing to their next destination. In that case, it might make sense for you to try and use their system. Good luck!
We spend a lot of time on the hook. Yes, we enjoy the beach bars and some restaurants, but we like seclusion better.
My favorite places to anchor are Eustatia Sound (if not redlined), Muskmelon Bay (day stop), and Key Bay at Peter Island. I also used to recommend Benures Bay at Norman Island, but there are mooring balls there. It is still a good option if you want fewer crowds.
These are my favorites:
- The Caves, Norman Island
- The Indians
- Cistern Point, Cooper Island
- The Chimney at Great Dog
- HMS Rhone (yes you can see it if the water is not too murky)
- Eustatia Sound
- Loblolly Bay and Flash of Beauty in Anegada
- Muskmelon Bay, Guana Island
Make sure you pick up a copy of the Guide to Snorkeling and Diving in the British Virgin Islands.
BVI Fishing FAQ
Yes! Everyone over 18 years old that plans to fish needs a license. Visit the link above – it has all the details on how to get one.
That depends. You vessel needs to be registered for fishing. Confirm this in advance with your charter company.
Anywhere it is legal!! We always run a line when moving the boat. You never know what you might catch.
Ok, but where are the best areas?
I like to fish the south drop when we are near Norman or Peter Island. I’ve hooked mahi down there.
On your way to and from Anegada is also a good bet. Try trolling over the wreck of the Chikuzen.
Don’t expect to catch much in the Sir Francis Drake Channel.
Offshore on the drops (north or south) you can catch mahi, tuna, and wahoo. The north drop is known to get lots of marlin bites, but we rarely target them and don’t too often visit the north drop.
On the shelf areas, you can also catch mahi as well as mackerel and barracuda.
If you do some bottom dropping at a place like Kingfish Banks, you’ll have good chances to catch snapper and perhaps a grouper.
Check out the link above for more details.
Troll back and forth from 200-600 feet. Another way to do it: go from 200 feet until your depth sounder zeros out, and then head back. Rinse and repeat until the reel alarm goes off!
Anegada FAQ
Yes! Most, if not all charter companies now let you sail to Anegada. The approach is straightforward and the channel is well-marked. You should, however, double check with your broker or charter company – there may be vessel or weather restrictions.
You can even do it if you’re a beginner or if it’s your first time visiting the British Virgin Islands. Check this post out for more info about how to make the trip.
More is better, but two makes sense for most on a charter trip. Arrive mid-morning from North Sound on your first day. Explore the North Shore beaches. On your second day, do a reef excursion.
Flash of Beauty and nearby Loblolly. Cow Wreck Beach is better for lagoon swimming.
Rent a couple mokes or a truck with seating in the back for the crew. Don’t rent scooters unless you would like to end your trip early. I don’t like taxis because they don’t give you the flexibility you need to explore.
Honestly, I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them. If I had to pick, it would be Wonky Dog.
Other questions that come up
Hendo’s hideout, in my opinion, has the best food.
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Let us find you the best option - it doesn't cost you anything extra.