Virgin Islands Charter Yacht Shows Debrief

I'm just back from an incredible week at the USVI and BVI charter yacht shows. The Yacht Warriors team spent the days catching up with familiar faces, meeting standout new crews, and stepping aboard more than 100 yachts to see what’s new for the 2025–2026 season.

Check out this quick recap reel on my Instagram to check in on some of the past week's action!

There’s always a bit shifting beneath the surface in this industry—and trust me, this year was no exception. If you’re considering a crewed charter in the next year or two, here are the three takeaways from the show you’ll want to pay close attention to.

The biggest talk on the docks? How dramatically the balance has tipped between the USVI and BVI charter yacht shows.

The BVI show was nearly twice the size of the USVI lineup this year. And while that may sound like a simple attendance swing, the reason behind it matters—because it affects your charter.

You’ve likely seen my deep-dive on the new BVI regulations (I’ll link it here). No need to re-hash all the specifics, but here’s the headline: New cross-border restrictions are pushing many USVI-based yachts and management companies to rethink how—and where—they operate.

This year’s shows reflected that reality. USVI attendance was noticeably smaller, while BVI fleets were packed with crews already adapting to 2025’s rules.

What this means for you: If you’re considering a BVI-heavy itinerary, we continue to recommend choosing a BVI-based yacht with BVI pickup/drop-off. It gives you full access to the islands and avoids the risk of a disrupted itinerary.

That said—it’s still possible to sail from the USVI. Plenty of crews are finding creative (and compliant) ways to make USVI pickups work. If that’s your preferred flow, we can absolutely help guide you through those shifting waters.

Let me tell you, walking the docks this week was a reminder of something I’ve said for years: When it comes to crewed charters, the crew is what makes your vacation unforgettable.

Yes, yacht selection plays a role—layout, features, toys, finishes. But once you’ve narrowed down your size and style, the real differentiator is the team welcoming you aboard.

Take the Bali 5.4 as a perfect example. It’s the most common charter yacht in the islands right now. Many are nearly identical: a hydraulic platform here, upgraded decking there, a slightly different salon finish. But the experience? Worlds apart—because of the crew.

A great crew turns a beautiful boat into the best week of your life.

That’s the #1 reason we attend these shows every year: To reconnect with familiar faces… to meet the new, up-and-coming rockstars… and to hand-select the right matches for your next charter.

When you ask us why we recommend one yacht over another—the answer is almost always the people.

Here’s something that surprised even me: Yacht calendars are noticeably fuller right now than they were at this time last year.

The holidays? Almost full. If you’re hoping to pull off a last-minute Christmas or New Year’s charter in paradise, I would act quickly!

But the good news: There’s still excellent availability for the 2025–2026 season—for now.

If a charter is on your radar, even loosely, reaching out earlier will make a big difference. We’re seeing more advanced bookings, more repeat guests locking in their favorite crews, and more yachts limiting their USVI/BVI cross-border availability due to next year’s regulations.

The early birds really will get their preferred selection.

The shows this year were a reminder of why this industry is so special: the people, the passion, and the constant evolution of how we explore these islands.

Whether your dream Virgin Islands charter starts in St. Thomas or Tortola—we’re here to help you find the right yacht, the right crew, and the right adventure.