What yacht charter are you looking for?
BVI Yacht Charter
Here’s how BVI yacht charter works: we plug you into a week-long getaway aboard a fully-loaded, crewed-up yacht, it could be a catamaran charter or a motor yacht charter, cruising the neon turquoise dreamscape of the British Virgin Islands. Let’s think of it as a drifting five-star luxury fortress, cutting through paradise with a captain and crew who handle every detail like clockwork.
Your days? A highlight reel of Instagram-worthy moments: jumping in the water in secluded bays, snorkeling, diving, and mastering futuristic water toys like a Bond villain on vacation. Enjoying gourmet feasts while the sun melts into the sea and sipping liquid sunsets from tiki-hued cocktails on the deck.
Stops include legendary locales like the Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke, where you down a Painkiller strong enough to make you feel it’s Hotel California, or the infamous Willy T’s—a floating pirate bar with Caribbean rum and a tradition for guests jumping from the deck.
Type of Yacht Charters in the BVI
The British Virgin Islands is known for being one of the world’s top catamaran charter destinations, with a huge fleet ranging from 50-80 feet. The conditions are just perfect for catamarans, calm waters, nice winds, and islands located close together.
That said, luxury motor yachts are becoming increasingly popular, offering greater speed and more luxury for guests seeking a high-end experience. With their ability to cover more ground quickly, motor yachts simply give you more freedom. For example, with a motor yacht, you can easily reach the more remote Anegada Island, or even incorporate destinations in the USVI.
Catamaran Charters in the BVI
BVI catamaran charters are stable, spacious (you can compare a catamaran to a motor yacht 15-20% longer), AND, with all-inclusive packages and minimum fuel consumption, they are the most affordable option!
Another advantage of a catamaran in the BVI is its shallow draft. At White Bay on Jost Van Dyke you will see the catamarans anchored so close to the beach bars, you can literally jump in and swim to the bar, (hence the name of Soggy Dollar Bar). While motor yachts will be anchored further out.
Charter Catamarans (especially the Lagoon, Fontaine Pajot, and Sunreef), have evolved significantly and are now bigger and more luxurious than ever, making them a popular option even in high-end charters. A fully crewed catamaran is a great alternative to motor yachts, especially above the 60ft+ range. For something more motor-yacht-like, a power catamaran is a good option –faster and bigger flybridge.
Related Posts
Motor Yacht Charters in the BVI
Even though the British Virgin Islands has traditionally been known as a catamaran destination, we have seen a growing demand for larger luxury motor yachts among high-end charter guests. There are now over 200 large (100+ feet) motor yachts operating in the BVI in the high season.
Motor yachts offer more privacy and prestige, more water toys, and more luxurious onboard amenities. And then it is the fastest option, allowing you to explore further and faster.
Note that a lack of deep-water harbors in the BVI significantly limits docking for deep-drafted vessels. This is why most larger motor yachts come across from Yacht Haven Grand in the USVI.
Related Posts
Where to Go on Your BVI Yacht Charter?
BVI yacht charters typically start from Nanny Cay Marina on Tortola Island, a half an hour’s drive from the Beef Island Airport. (Most larger motor yachts come across from the US Virgin Islands.)
From here, we suggest you do a counter-clockwise route, first heading down to the smaller islands of Norman Island, Peter Island, and Cooper Island. Then up to Virgin Gorda, famous for The Baths National Park. And finishing by going over the top of Tortola to Jost Van Dyke Island, famous for the legendary beach bars Soggy Dollar Bar, Foxy’s, and Ivans.
If you have more time, or you have chartered a faster motor yacht, you can also head up to Anegada Island, a prime spot for diving on the Anegada barrier reef, one of the largest in the Caribbean.
Related Posts
Best Things to Do on a BVI Yacht Charter?
The British Virgin Islands is first and foremost a paradise for water activities. It is packed with fantastic SCUBA diving sites and shallower reefs where you can snorkel. It is easy to find a bay with flat water where you can test new water toys, popular toys are seabobs, paddleboards, and the efoil is really taking off. Many crew are skilled in using these and can teach you or your kids.
And then you have the land site of the BVI, a playground for good Caribbean relaxation –drinking local rum and tropical cocktails at funky beach bars, eating fresh lobster at seaside seafood restaurants, going on treasure hunts on once pirate-infested islands, or having a bonfire on the beach under the clear star-filled sky.
Related Posts
Best Beach Bars and Restaurants to Visit on Your BVI Yacht Charter
The BVI is packed with legendary beach bars and awesome seafood restaurants, making it a perfect yacht charter destination for beach-side fun. Our personal favorite is Jost Van Dyke, home to the famous Soggy Dollar Bar, where you can anchor so close to the beach you can swim ashore for their signature Painkiller cocktail (hence the name), and Foxy’s, a must-visit for live music and cool island vibes.
Down in Norman Island, The Willy T is a floating bar known for its wild party scene. It is family friendly during the day, but in the evening it is only suitable for salty seadogs, the tradition is to jump off the back deck into the water.
For a more upscale experience, Cooper Island Beach Club offers craft cocktails and a laid-back beachfront setting. On Virgin Gorda, don’t miss CocoMaya, a stylish beachside restaurant with amazing Asian-Caribbean fusion cuisine, or The Bitter End Yacht Club, a yachting institution with fresh seafood and stunning views. Whether you want casual beach bars or refined dining, the BVI has it all.
Related Posts
Top Dive Sites to Visit on Your BVI Yacht Charter
The British Virgin Islands is full of amazing dive sites for all levels; it especially has a lot of shipwreck and plane wreck dives. A BVI charter yacht fully equipped with SCUBA gear, gives you the best access to the BVI’s best dive sites. Many of the charter yachts in the BVI also have a certified dive instructor on staff, so you can dive for the first time or even do your certification while on charter.
Some of the must-visit dive sites in the BVI include the Wreck of the Kodiak Queen, a former navy fuel barge that survived Pearl Harbour, now an underwater art installation; the RMS Rhone, an iconic shipwreck from 1867; Dog Island‘s dramatic underwater landscapes with steep drop-offs and rich marine life; and many, many more.
Related Posts
How Much Does a Yacht Charter in the BVI Cost?
The price of a fully crewed yacht charter in the BVI ranges from $15,000 to over $100,000 per week.
BVI catamaran charters are the most affordable; they typically operate on an all-inclusive basis, which means the price listed is what it costs, including food, alcohol, fuel, and use of water toys (of course, you cannot have a bath of Moet).
Motor yacht charters are more expensive and, with a few exceptions, work on a plus-basis expenses, meaning you pay a base charter rate for the yacht, and then an additional APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance) on top – typically set at around 30-35% of the yacht fee. This covers expenses like food, alcohol, fuel, and any other extras on your charter, and is calculated to fit your needs. –So, if you do want that bath full of Moet, you can have it cause you pay for it.
We recommend our clients to set a budget of at least $30,000 for a one-week charter, ensuring a top yacht, crew, and experience.
In the British Virgin Islands, there is no Value Added Tax (VAT)/ Sales Tax on yacht charters. This makes yacht charters significantly more affordable compared to charter destinations where VAT is applicable.
It is important to note that VAT is the norm in countries where chartering is popular, with some destinations, such as Greece, seeing VAT of up to 25%. Our charter brokers offer a hassle-free process.
Search BVI Yacht Charters by Price
Best BVI Yacht Charters Right Now
We have been onboard the yachts and met the crew. They have made it to the top of our list because they have excellent amenities, they are kept in perfect order, the crew have impressed us with their great sense of hospitality and knack for giving their guests unique experiences. Several of these yachts have also won awards, so it is not only our opinion.
What Does a BVI Charter Yacht Look Like Inside?
Choosing the best BVI yacht charter is all about the details. We personally inspect yachts at multiple shows each year, meeting crews and checking everything—from fuel efficiency and noise levels to family-friendly features and luxury touches. Come aboard with our walkthrough videos to see for yourself!
Our Favorite BVI Yacht Charter Destinations
The southern islands of the BVI, like Norman Island, Peter Island, and Cooper Island, are perfect for a relaxed, pirate-style vibe with excellent snorkeling, cozy beach bars, and peaceful anchorages. Jost Van Dyke, northwest of Tortola, is the lively “wild west” of the BVI, with famous beach bars like Soggy Dollar and Foxy’s—a great place to wrap up your trip.
In the north, Virgin Gorda is home to the iconic Baths National Park and North Sound, a hub for luxury resorts like Leverick Bay and Bitter End Yacht Club, offering watersports and a high-end experience. We definitely encourage this to be a part of any motor yacht charter in the BVI.
Virgin Gorda and North Sound
Virgin Gorda is the third largest island in the British Virgin Islands, and one of the absolute must-visit destinations on a BVI yacht charter. It’s known for its beautiful white sands, The Baths National Park, and the North Sound, a hub for superyachts, luxury resorts, and clubs. If you are on a luxury motor yacht, we strongly recommend you spend some time around North Sound.
There are also some great hiking trails on Virgin Gorda with sweeping views of the island’s coastline. For history enthusiasts, we suggest a visit to the Copper Mine National Park. These 19th-century abandoned ruins are found between Copper Mine Bay and Crooks Bay on the island’s southeastern point. The structures were built by Cornish miners and housed around 130 families before the mine was closed in 1862.
Jost Van Dyke
Jost Van Dyke, one of the smallest leeward islands, is our personal favorite spot in the BVI. What really makes Jost Van Dyke stand out as a charter destination is its super great beach vibe around White Bay and Great Harbour, attracting sailors and charterers of all classes.
The most legendary bars here are Soggy Dollar Bar, where you anchor so close to the beach, you can swim directly to the bar (hence the name) and order a classic Painkiller, a cocktail mixing pineapple juice, coconut milk, and ground nutmeg. In the next bay over in Great Harbor, you have Foxy’s beach bar, a great spot for live music and late night talks about island politics.
Tortola Island
Tortola is the largest island in the British Virgin Islands, and where you will start and end your BVI yacht charter. It’s home to some of the best diving and snorkeling in the Caribbean, especially on the northwest Smuggler’s Cove, a perfect shallow reef that is ideal for SCUBA diving beginners, and Cane Garden Bay, where you should also visit the Callwood Rum Distillery.
The Litte Sistsers (Southern Islands)
The Little Sisters is the name of a group of smaller islands located south of Tortola. It is an area you must visit on your BVI yacht charter – in the order of Norman Island, Peter Island, Cooper Island, Salt Island and Ginger Island.
Norman Island, the real Treasure Island, is a premium snorkeling destination – best spots include the legendary pirate caves and the reef around the Indians, a small group of wild rock formations lying north of Norman Island.
Cooper Island is a bi more upbeat with fun beach bars and restaurants. It is noisy in the evenings. At Salt Island you have the RMS Rhone shipwreck dive, don’t miss it if you are into SCUBA diving. Ginger Island is another hotspot for diving and snorkeling.
Anegada Island
Anegada Island is the most remote island in the British Virgin Islands, and far from every yacht charter makes it here. It is best visited in a motor yacht, or a catamaran when the weather is calm and there is time in the schedule.
If you do have the chance, we recommend you go here. You will find the BVI’s most pristine beaches here: Loblolly Beach, Bay Beach, and Cow Wreck Beach, are not to be missed. Anegada Island is also home to one of the largest barrier coral reefs in the Caribbean. You’ll find turtles, nurse sharks, stingrays, and even manta rays!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I charter a yacht from the US Virgin Island to the British Virgin Islands?
Yes, you can charter a yacht from the USVI to the BVI, but here are some key points to consider:
- Some yachts, especially motor yachts, are based in the USVI but operate in the BVI.
- Many yachts offer USVI pickups, as flying into St. Thomas is often more convenient.
- Not all yachts have permits for both locations—we’ll ensure the paperwork is in order.
- Immigration procedures are required when crossing borders but are simple with proper travel documents.
- While you can see both island groups, we recommend sticking to one, as each has so much to offer.
How do I get to my bvi yacht charter?
These are the two international airports in the Virgin Islands.
Regardless of whether you are going to charter in the BVI or ISVI, you will find better flight connections to St. Thomas.
The airport in the BVI is small, and there are fewer flights on smaller planes.
On the other hand, the airport in St. Thomas has regular connections from many major US Cities such as Miami, Fort Lauderdale, New York, Atlanta, and more.
Most people arrive on the 16.15 flight in St. Thomas, and the last ferry to the BVI has already left, so you need to spend the night.
The next day, you can either take the public ferry, which makes multiple trips daily between St. Thomas and Tortola, or we can arrange a private taxi transfer directly to your yacht.
Once you have arrived at your yacht you will meet your crew and get settled in. Your charter begins at 12 p.m./noon.
When is the best time for a bvi yacht charter vacation?
The main charter season in the British Virgin Islands spans from December to March, with a peak around Christmas/New Year.
Make sure to book your BVI yacht charter well in advance. Ideally, you would inquire about your coming charter 12 months in advance.
WHY? The best charter yachts are often fully booked long in advance, and it’s not unusual to see popular dates booked 2 summers ahead for a BVI yacht charter. Inquiring less than 6 months ahead often means that your first choice is unavailable for charter.
How much does a yacht charter in the bvi cost?
In the past few years, we’ve observed a rise in prices. Finding a decent yacht under 20k in the British Virgin Islands is now a challenge, with most luxury charter deals starting at 30k.
Our yacht selection is huge and ranges in price from $15,000 to over $700,000 per week. Knowing your budget is a good way to narrow down your search for a private yacht charter in the British Virgin Islands.
To give you an idea of what you get for your money, you can take a look at our popular A3 Catamaran Charter, chartering for €29,000 per week, the high-end Ohana Catamaran Charter chartering for €80,000, and set at the same price; the much-loved Tail Light Motor Yacht Charter.
Search by price in our extensive British Virgin Island yacht catalog or chat with one of our charter brokers for advice on setting your budget and expectations.
More BVI Yacht Charter Info
JC
Jordan C.
![](https://dmayachting.com/templates/review-stars.webp)
Apr 23, 2024
Great communication
Communication was the key to our successful trip. Chris at DMA Yachting kept us informed about what to expect, upcoming payments, etc. He was on top of the one hiccup we had and really turned a negative into a positive. Would definitely us them again.
EI
Ecstatic in NJ
![](https://dmayachting.com/templates/review-stars.webp)
Mar 15, 2024
We had an amazing vacation to the BVI
We had an amazing vacation to the BVI. Chris from DMA walked me through the process step by step the entire way. He listened to what I was looking for, answered all my questions, anticipated follow-up questions, and was proactive throughout. I will certainly be using Chris and DMA again.
LF
Lisa Fisher
![](https://dmayachting.com/templates/review-stars.webp)
Jan 9, 2024
William was excellent at assisting at the last minute to locate the charter. He was super responsive and professional. The Oceana was the perfect fit for our family, not only the right size. Captain Umbi took us to amazing locations and hikes and did everything to make sure we were well taken care of. Lindsey worked tirelessly cooking so many delicious dishes, accommodating everyone’s diets, from vegans, to gluten-free. Everything was perfect.
CU
Customer
![](https://dmayachting.com/templates/review-stars.webp)
Apr 1, 2024
Above and Beyond!!!
Above and Beyond!!!! From finding the right boat and crew to ensuring we had everything we needed to make the trip a success. Martina was extremely responsive and was able to take our trip goals and ensure a good fit. The Sun Daze charter in BVIs was truly first class and Kiki and Pieter were amazing. Thanks to everyone!!!
What Do Our Clients Say?
We are proud of our long track record of happy clients, many of whom return for their second or third yacht charter with us. Our clients consistently praise the ease of our booking process, our ability to find the perfect yacht and crew match, and our responsiveness in understanding their needs and making things happen. We are here to set you up with your dream BVI yacht charter.
Talk to Someone Who Knows the BVI
Many of our brokers have sailed the BVI themselves, either privately or as former captains and crew in the charter business. Both Daniel and John have sailed extensively in the Caribbean, including the BVI, on their own catamarans, and Marcelle worked many years in the Virgin Islands as a chef onboard charter yachts. They will give you the real deal.
![Daniel Asmus](https://dmayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/daniel_24.jpg)
Daniel Asmus
Owner, Charter Broker, Active CYBA Member, IYBA, ECPY
+34 678 368 304
+1 484 978 8668
![Marcelle Hailwax](https://dmayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Charter-Broker-Marcelle-Hailwax-from-DMA-Yachting.jpeg)
![John Boullin](https://dmayachting.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Charter-Broker-John-Boullin-from-DMA-Yachting.jpg)