APRICITY
2023 · Bali Catamarans · Catamaran
46 ft
Length
8
Guests
4
Cabins
2
Crew
Caribbean · British Virgin Islands
BVI Yacht Charter
The Caribbean’s sailing capital: protected, turquoise waters and effortless island-hopping.
The Sailing Capital of the Caribbean
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
The British Virgin Islands have long dazzled the global jet set, yet remain delightfully unpretentious, a seamless blend of barefoot beach culture and superyacht luxury. The region’s unique “line-of-sight” sailing allows effortless short hops between the granite cathedrals of Virgin Gorda and the powder-soft sands of Jost Van Dyke. From lush rainforest hikes to kaleidoscopic coral reefs, the BVI sets the gold standard for a luxury charter experience. If you’re weighing crew, yacht size and pacing, our guide to planning a crewed BVI charter walks through everything before you book.
What Not to Miss
The Best of the BVI
Six anchorages and shore stops your crew will build the week around, from granite grottoes to the Caribbean’s most storied beach bar.
Virgin Gorda · Southern Tip
The Baths National Park
Sculpted over 70 million years, these house-sized granite boulders rest on a crushed-pearl beach like an ancient art installation, forming illuminated grottoes and shimmering sea pools. Your crew will time your arrival to explore the trail to Devil’s Bay while avoiding the cruise-ship crowds.
White Bay · Jost Van Dyke
Soggy Dollar Bar
A Caribbean institution named for sailors who swim ashore with money in their pockets. As the birthplace of the legendary Painkiller cocktail, it’s the perfect spot to while away an afternoon in the shade of a coconut palm on cowlicks of ivory sand.
Spanish Town · Virgin Gorda
CocoMaya
An elevated culinary experience blending Latin American and Asian flavors, set directly on the beach with fire pits and plush lounge seating. The ideal destination for a dressier evening ashore, steps from the water’s edge.
The Bight · Norman Island
The Willy T
A legendary floating bar anchored in the harbor, known for its spirited energy and maritime folklore. A rite of passage for many charter guests, a casual lunch scene that transforms into a lively gathering spot as the sun dips below the horizon.
Setting Point · Anegada
The Lobster Trap
A celebrated pier-side venue where the table-to-ocean distance is measured in inches. Watch as staff pull massive spiny lobsters from underwater holding crates to be grilled over open flames, a rustic, authentic experience that captures the essence of Anegada.
Near Norman Island · Southern Islands
The Indians
Four dramatic rocky pinnacles rising from the water, offering some of the territory’s finest snorkeling. Shallow, protected waters and an abundance of tropical fish make this an accessible, high-reward underwater experience for families and seasoned divers alike.
Know Before You Go
Destination Brief
The practical essentials for a British Virgin Islands charter, at a glance.
When to Go
December through May
Peak season brings dry, breezy trade-wind sailing and the liveliest anchorages. Shoulder months trade a little buzz for lower rates and emptier bays.
Peak · Dec–May
Shoulder · Jun & Nov
Cruising Style
Protected waters, short island hops, easy line-of-sight navigation.
Language
English, spoken throughout the territory.
Currency
US Dollar (USD), no exchange needed for US travelers.
Getting There
Fly to Beef Island (EIS), or to St. Thomas (STT) and take a water taxi or ferry to Tortola.
Plan With a Broker
Tell us your dates and group and we’ll match the right yacht and route. Start an inquiry →
Arriving via St. Thomas
Flying into St. Thomas (STT)? See how to cross to Tortola by ferry, private water taxi or plane, with current schedules, fees and timing. USVI to BVI ferry and water taxi guide →
Renting Water Toys
Want an eFoil, Seabob or sea scooter on board? See who rents them in the BVI, what they cost and how the gear is delivered to your yacht. eFoil, Seabob and sea scooter rentals →
Our Ten Best Catamarans
Want a shortlist? See the ten all-inclusive crewed catamarans we rate highest in the BVI, with weekly rates, crews and why we like each. 10 best all-inclusive catamarans in the BVI →
Comparing Charter Companies
Weighing who to book with? See the operators, brokers and booking platforms that sell BVI yacht charters, each checked on its own website, with real weekly prices. List of BVI yacht charter companies →
Comparing the Caribbean
Still choosing between islands? Our ranking of the best Caribbean yacht charter destinations compares five of them by crewed yachts and price. For 10 to 12 guests, our list of Caribbean catamarans for large groups covers every catamaran that takes that many.
By the numbers
The BVI fleet, measured
Vital Charters works from live crewed charter industry booking data and analyses it independently. These are the figures behind the British Virgin Islands, the largest crewed fleet of any Caribbean cruising ground.
| Measure | Figure | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Crewed yachts available | 385 | The largest crewed fleet of any Caribbean cruising ground. |
| Median all in week | $37,000 | Base rate plus APA, seven nights, across all group sizes. |
| Per stateroom, per night | $1,257 | The median week divided across staterooms on a seven night charter. |
| Catamarans in the fleet | 80.0% | The most catamaran heavy ground in the Caribbean. |
| Median yacht length | 59 ft | Eight feet shorter than the Leewards and Grenadines median of 67 ft. |
| Departures from Nanny Cay | 28.3% | From 1,745 recorded departures across 13 ports, the widest spread of any ground. |
Figures drawn from live crewed charter availability and booking records for the British Virgin Islands, analysed independently by Vital Charters. Weekly rates are base rate plus APA. Per stateroom figures assume a seven night charter. Percentages are printed with the number of records behind them. Reviewed quarterly.
Available in the BVI
Featured Yachts in the BVI
A glimpse of the crewed catamarans cruising these waters. Browse the full fleet to compare layouts, crew and availability.
VIVI
2024 · Sunreef Yachts · Catamaran
60 ft
Length
8
Guests
4
Cabins
2
Crew
Tycoon
2025 · Azimut · Motor Yacht
118 ft
Length
11
Guests
5
Cabins
7 ft
Draft
Ready to look at yachts?
See all 346 crewed yachts in the British Virgin IslandsThe whole fleet on one page. Sort by length, guests, cabins or weekly rate.or search your dates
Good Questions
BVI Charter FAQs
The things first-time charterers ask us most about the British Virgin Islands.
U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport but generally do not require a visa for tourism. Citizens of other countries should check with the BVI government’s current entry requirements.
The BVI is unique because the islands surround the Sir Francis Drake Channel, creating a large, protected “inland sea.” The water is generally much calmer than the open ocean, making it the most suitable destination for guests prone to seasickness or those chartering for the first time.
Connectivity in the BVI is surprisingly robust. Most luxury yachts are equipped with Starlink or high-speed cellular routers, ensuring you can stream a movie or take a conference call from the aft deck. However, signal can be intermittent in remote bays like Anegada’s north shore, so consider it a gentle invitation to disconnect.
The BVI is the definition of “barefoot elegance.” Leave the rigid suitcases and high heels at home; soft-sided duffel bags are essential for easy yacht storage. You will live in swimwear, kaftans, and linen shirts. A light windbreaker is wise for breezy evenings on the water, but otherwise, simplicity is key.
Keep Exploring
Explore Other Cruising Grounds
The BVI is one of six distinct waters we sail. Here's where else a Vital Charters week can take you.
Sample Itineraries
British Virgin Islands Sailing Itineraries
Two routes to start the conversation: five days that stay inside the islands, and seven that add Anegada. Scroll through the days and the yacht follows on the map.
Prefer a day-by-day narrative first? Read our 7-day BVI island-hopping itinerary, or if it is your first charter, start with our guide to first-time sailing in the BVI.
Five days that stay inside the islands: Norman, Cooper, The Baths, North Sound and Jost Van Dyke, with no open-water passage.
The full circuit. The same start, then north to Anegada for the lobster dinner and back by way of Scrub Island and Jost Van Dyke.
Day 1
Norman Island
Tortola to The Bight
- Under way
- 7 nmAbout 1 hr
- Overnight
- The Bight, on a mooring
Board around midday, settle in over lunch, and make the short crossing of the Sir Francis Drake Channel. The Bight is one of the most protected anchorages in the territory, which makes it an easy first night.
- The CavesThree sea caves at the foot of the cliffs at Treasure Point. An easy first snorkel, and the source of the island's buried treasure legend.
- The Willy TThe floating bar and restaurant moored in The Bight, for anyone who wants a livelier first evening.
Day 2
Cooper Island
The Indians, the Rhone and Manchioneel Bay
- Under way
- 9 nmAbout 1 hr 20 min, in short hops
- Overnight
- Manchioneel Bay, on a mooring
Start at The Indians, a mile from the anchorage, while the day moorings are quiet. Lunch is on the beach at Pirates Bight, and the afternoon is an easy run east past Peter Island and Salt Island to Cooper.
- The IndiansFour rock pinnacles beside Pelican Island and some of the best snorkeling in the BVI.
- Wreck of the RMS RhoneThe Royal Mail steamer lost off Salt Island in the hurricane of 1867, now the centerpiece of a marine park. It lies in roughly 20 to 80 feet, so snorkelers see the shallow section and divers go with a rendezvous dive operator.
- Cistern PointA short tender ride from the moorings, with turtles feeding on the seagrass in the bay.
Day 3
Virgin Gorda
The Baths and Spanish Town
- Under way
- 6 nmAbout 1 hr
- Overnight
- Off Spanish Town
Leave early and you are on a mooring at The Baths ahead of the day visitors. The afternoon moves a mile up the coast to Spanish Town, and the evening belongs to CocoMaya.
- The BathsHouse-sized granite boulders forming grottoes and sea pools at the southern tip of Virgin Gorda. Moorings are for day use only and landing depends on the swell, so your captain picks the moment.
- Devil's BayThe trail through the boulders comes out on a white sand cove, a national park since 1964.
- Savannah BayA long, quiet beach behind the reef just north of Spanish Town, for an afternoon swim in settled weather.
Day 4
North Sound
Saba Rock, Bitter End and Oil Nut Bay
- Under way
- 9 nmAbout 1 hr 20 min
- Overnight
- North Sound, on a mooring off Saba Rock
Up the west coast of Virgin Gorda and through the reef into North Sound: more than 3,000 acres of flat, protected water ringed by small islands and resorts. It is the best day of the week for eating ashore.
- Flat waterThe calmest water of the trip for foiling, wakeboarding and paddleboarding.
- Prickly PearA national park island with beaches around Vixen Point.
- Saba RockA resort on an islet of about an acre and a half, in the gap between Prickly Pear and the Bitter End shore. The tarpon are fed off its dock at about 5 pm, a good reason to arrive early for a drink at the rooftop bar.
Day 5
Jost Van Dyke
The long run west
- Under way
- 27 nmAbout 3 hrs 50 min, with a stop
- Overnight
- Great Harbour or White Bay
The longest day of the trip, downwind the length of the territory. It breaks naturally at Monkey Point for a snorkel and lunch aboard, and ends with your feet in the sand on White Bay.
- Monkey PointPark moorings at the southern tip of Guana Island, with small caves and dense schools of baitfish.
- Sandy CayAn uninhabited island with a loop trail and a long beach, given to the National Parks Trust by the Laurance Rockefeller estate in 2008.
- White BayThe Soggy Dollar Bar, home of the Painkiller, and a beach to spend the afternoon on.
Departure morning
Back to Tortola
- Under way
- 12 nmAbout 1 hr 40 min
A last swim off the stern, breakfast under way through the cut at Soper's Hole, and back on the dock by late morning. Charters usually end at noon.
Day 1
Norman Island
Tortola to The Bight
- Under way
- 7 nmAbout 1 hr
- Overnight
- The Bight, on a mooring
Board around midday, settle in over lunch, and make the short crossing of the Sir Francis Drake Channel. The Bight is one of the most protected anchorages in the territory, which makes it an easy first night.
- The CavesThree sea caves at the foot of the cliffs at Treasure Point. An easy first snorkel, and the source of the island's buried treasure legend.
- The Willy TThe floating bar and restaurant moored in The Bight, for anyone who wants a livelier first evening.
Day 2
Cooper Island
The Indians, the Rhone and Manchioneel Bay
- Under way
- 9 nmAbout 1 hr 20 min, in short hops
- Overnight
- Manchioneel Bay, on a mooring
Start at The Indians, a mile from the anchorage, while the day moorings are quiet. Lunch is on the beach at Pirates Bight, and the afternoon is an easy run east past Peter Island and Salt Island to Cooper.
- The IndiansFour rock pinnacles beside Pelican Island and some of the best snorkeling in the BVI.
- Wreck of the RMS RhoneThe Royal Mail steamer lost off Salt Island in the hurricane of 1867, now the centerpiece of a marine park. It lies in roughly 20 to 80 feet, so snorkelers see the shallow section and divers go with a rendezvous dive operator.
- Cistern PointA short tender ride from the moorings, with turtles feeding on the seagrass in the bay.
Day 3
Virgin Gorda
The Baths and Spanish Town
- Under way
- 6 nmAbout 1 hr
- Overnight
- Off Spanish Town
Leave early and you are on a mooring at The Baths ahead of the day visitors. The afternoon moves a mile up the coast to Spanish Town, and the evening belongs to CocoMaya.
- The BathsHouse-sized granite boulders forming grottoes and sea pools at the southern tip of Virgin Gorda. Moorings are for day use only and landing depends on the swell, so your captain picks the moment.
- Devil's BayThe trail through the boulders comes out on a white sand cove, a national park since 1964.
- Savannah BayA long, quiet beach behind the reef just north of Spanish Town, for an afternoon swim in settled weather.
Day 4
North Sound
Saba Rock, Bitter End and Oil Nut Bay
- Under way
- 9 nmAbout 1 hr 20 min
- Overnight
- North Sound, on a mooring off Saba Rock
Up the west coast of Virgin Gorda and through the reef into North Sound: more than 3,000 acres of flat, protected water ringed by small islands and resorts. It is the best day of the week for eating ashore.
- Flat waterThe calmest water of the trip for foiling, wakeboarding and paddleboarding.
- Prickly PearA national park island with beaches around Vixen Point.
- Saba RockA resort on an islet of about an acre and a half, in the gap between Prickly Pear and the Bitter End shore. The tarpon are fed off its dock at about 5 pm, a good reason to arrive early for a drink at the rooftop bar.
Day 5
Anegada
Setting Point and the north shore
- Under way
- 14 nmAbout 2 hrs
- Overnight
- Setting Point, on a mooring
The one open-water passage of the week, due north to an island that barely breaks the horizon. Anegada is coral rather than volcanic, about 28 feet at its highest point, with Horseshoe Reef trailing off its eastern end.
- Loblolly Bay and Cow Wreck BeachThe north shore beaches, reached by open-air taxi from the dock. Loblolly has the reef snorkeling; Cow Wreck has the beach bar.
- FlamingosA flock reintroduced in 1992 lives on the island's salt ponds.
- Horseshoe ReefEighteen miles of coral off the eastern end of the island. Anchoring on it is prohibited, and the approach to Anegada is made in good light.
Day 6
Scrub Island
The Dogs, Marina Cay and Scrub Island
- Under way
- 18 nmAbout 2 hrs 30 min
- Overnight
- Scrub Island marina, or a mooring at Marina Cay
A downwind run back toward Tortola, with a snorkel stop at The Dogs on the way. The night is on the dock at Scrub Island Resort or on a mooring off Marina Cay next door.
- The DogsFive uninhabited islets north-west of Virgin Gorda with day moorings. The Chimney at Great Dog is the best known site.
- Marina CayAn eight-acre island ringed by reef, with moorings and a bar and grill that reopened in 2023.
- Scrub Island ResortA 55-slip marina with the resort's restaurants and spa a short walk from the dock.
Day 7
Jost Van Dyke
Monkey Point, Sandy Cay and White Bay
- Under way
- 15 nmAbout 2 hrs
- Overnight
- Great Harbour or White Bay
West along the north shore of Tortola, with a snorkel at Monkey Point and a walk around Sandy Cay, to the island that made the beach bar famous.
- Monkey PointPark moorings at the southern tip of Guana Island, with small caves and dense schools of baitfish.
- Sandy CayAn uninhabited island with a loop trail and a long beach, given to the National Parks Trust by the Laurance Rockefeller estate in 2008.
- White BayThe Soggy Dollar Bar, home of the Painkiller, and a beach to spend the afternoon on.
Departure morning
Back to Tortola
- Under way
- 12 nmAbout 1 hr 40 min
A last swim off the stern, breakfast under way through the cut at Soper's Hole, and back on the dock by late morning. Charters usually end at noon.
Distances are measured along the route shown and rounded. Sailing times assume about 7 knots; a power catamaran or motor yacht covers the same legs faster. Every charter is routed around your group, your yacht and the weather on the day. Map imagery is an illustration generated for Vital Charters, with coastlines from OpenStreetMap contributors.
For Half-Board Charters
Where to Eat Ashore in the BVI
On a half-board charter your chef serves every breakfast and about half of the lunches and dinners. The rest are taken ashore: usually three lunches and four dinners across a seven-night week. These are the tables worth planning those meals around.
Spanish Town · Virgin Gorda
CocoMaya
The dressier night of the week. Asian and Latin sharing plates and sushi served on the beach, with a fire pit, swings at the bar and the sun going down over the channel. Read our CocoMaya guide.
Good to knowOpens at 3 pm for tapas and sushi, with dinner from 6. There is no lunch service. Tender to the restaurant's own dock. Reservations are essential.
North Sound · Virgin Gorda
Saba Rock
A resort on its own islet in the middle of North Sound, rebuilt from the ground up and reopened in 2021. Arrive for the tarpon feeding at about 5 pm, go up to the rooftop Sunset Bar, and stay for dinner.
Good to knowLunch 11:30 am to 3 pm and dinner 5:30 to 9:30 pm, daily in season. Moorings and slips for visiting yachts; tenders go straight to the dock.
The Bight · Norman Island
Pirates Bight
A beach restaurant and bar on the sand at The Bight, with a beach club alongside and a dinghy dock at the door. This is the lunch stop: conch fritters, snapper and a swim between courses.
Good to knowOpen 11 am to 9 pm daily from October to July. Dinner is served too, and is worth reserving.
Along the route
Peter Island Resort · Deadman's Bay
The Drake Steakhouse
Peter Island Resort is open again after seven years. The Drake, on Deadman's Beach, is its steakhouse: tableside tomahawk and chateaubriand for two, and salt-crusted branzino. The Drunken Pelican at the yacht club is the relaxed alternative.
Good to knowLunch 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, dinner 5:30 to 9:30 pm. Dress up a little in the evening. Moorings and a dock for visiting yachts.
Manchioneel Bay · Cooper Island
Cooper Island Beach Club
A small resort with a beachfront restaurant, a solar-powered microbrewery and a rum bar stocking more than 400 rums.
Good to knowTimed lunch and dinner seatings, booked up to 10 days ahead. Smart casual.
Virgin Gorda
Rosewood Little Dix Bay
The dressiest tables on Virgin Gorda. Sugar Mill is beachfront and led by seafood, Pavilion cooks over open fire, and Reef House is the farm-to-table option.
Good to knowResort elegant in the evening: a collared shirt and closed shoes for gentlemen at Sugar Mill. Tables for visiting guests are by reservation, which we arrange with the resort. Taxi from Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour.
Oil Nut Bay · North Sound
Nova
An overwater restaurant and lounge with its own pool at the Oil Nut Bay marina village. The menu is global with an Asian lean, and sushi is served all day.
Good to knowLunch 11:30 am to 4 pm, dinner 5:30 to 9 pm, brunch at weekends. Visiting yachts and day guests are welcome. Reservations required.
Biras Marina & Resort · North Sound
Ikigai and The Mangrove
The former Biras Creek resort reopened in December 2025 with a superyacht dock and two serious restaurants. Ikigai is a 12-seat counter serving a 12-course Japanese and Caribbean omakase. The Mangrove, opened in January 2026, is Mediterranean and on the waterfront.
Good to knowIkigai is dinner only and closed on Thursdays. The Mangrove serves lunch and dinner. Dress is elegant at both.
Bitter End Yacht Club · North Sound
The Clubhouse
The North Sound institution, flattened in 2017 and reopened in December 2021. The Clubhouse serves sea-to-table Caribbean cooking on the waterfront, and the Buoy Room next door does stone-fired pizza.
Good to knowLunch 12 to 3 pm, dinner 5:30 to 9 pm. Reservations recommended.
Setting Point · Anegada
The Wonky Dog and The Lobster Trap
The lobster dinner is the reason to sail to Anegada. The Wonky Dog has the most developed menu, with Lobster Thermidor and Lobster Rockefeller alongside the grill. The Lobster Trap serves on a deck over the water. For lunch on the north shore, Anegada Beach Club. Read our Lobster Trap guide.
Good to knowReserve and order your lobster by late afternoon.
Scrub Island Resort
Cardamom & Co.
The signature restaurant at Scrub Island Resort, set above the marina: seafood, steaks and sushi.
Good to knowDinner 6 to 10 pm, closed on Wednesdays. Resort casual.
White Bay · Jost Van Dyke
Hendo's Hideout
The sit-down lunch on White Bay, a short walk along the sand from the Soggy Dollar Bar. Caribbean plates, sushi on Thursdays and brunch on Sundays.
Good to knowLunch daily. Dinner on selected evenings, which we check when we book.
Hours and opening days are as published by each restaurant in October 2026. Most BVI restaurants close for several weeks between August and October. We confirm what is open for your dates and make the reservations.
From the Journal
Latest Destination Blogs
Planning guides and firsthand notes from the brokers who plan your charter.
Charter Guides
BVI Crewed Yacht Charter: Complete Insider Guide 2026
A BVI crewed yacht charter lists a $32,000 median week for 8 guests, all-inclusive. See what the rate covers, the size bands, and the one line that never does.
Destinations
BVI 7-Day Island-Hopping Itinerary
A 7-day BVI crewed catamaran sample itinerary: Norman, Cooper, The Baths, Anegada, North Sound, Jost. Daily sails of 5 to 25 nm, plus what a 2026 week lists at.
Yachting Tips
Sailing the BVI: A First-Timer's Guide
Sailing the British Virgin Islands for the first time? On a crewed charter you sail nothing. The week, the documents, and what a 2026 BVI charter really costs.
Destinations
Where to Stay: Best BVI Hotels
Find the best BVI hotels near charter bases at Nanny Cay, Road Town & Virgin Gorda. Rates, logistics & insider tips from a charter broker. Updated 2026.
Destinations
Best New Restaurants in the BVI
Five best restaurants in the BVI opened since 2021, from a $100M Peter Island steakhouse to a 4.9-star family shack on Jost Van Dyke.
Destinations
The Baths National Park, BVI
Swim into granite grottoes off Virgin Gorda. Here's how to visit The Baths by crewed yacht: moorings, the dinghy swim-in, and beating cruise crowds at dawn.
Plan Your BVI Week
Let a broker build your charter.
Tell us your dates, your group and the kind of week you want, and we’ll match you to the right yacht, crew and route through the British Virgin Islands.