BVI Catamaran Charter Guide 2027: When, Where, Which Catamaran and What It Costs

Last updated: November 2026

The British Virgin Islands are the easiest place in the world to charter a crewed catamaran. Most hops between islands are short, the trade winds are steady, and most catamarans are priced all-inclusive. This guide takes the decisions in order: when to go, how to get there, which catamaran, how many crew, what it costs, and how booking works. Each section links to the longer article on that topic. When you are ready to see boats, our BVI catamaran charter page lists every crewed catamaran we can offer, with rates.

1. When to go

The best time is December to April, when it is dry and the trade winds average 12 to 13 knots. May to July is the quieter window. Mid-August to mid-October is the peak of hurricane season. Air temperatures stay between 29 and 32°C (83 to 89°F) all year and the sea is 26 to 29°C.

Catamaran prices barely change by month: in our listings the median is $32,000 per week all year. Most yachts charge winter rates from December 15 to April 30 and summer rates from May 1 to December 14, but some switch on November 1, so check the exact boat for Thanksgiving and early December. Details: the best time to charter in the BVI, month by month and when summer and winter rates start. Christmas and New Year have their own rules: book New Year before July (holiday availability).

2. Getting there and where the week starts

Most guests fly into St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, because there are far more flights there than into Tortola. Nine in ten of our clients still start the charter in the BVI, after a ferry or water taxi. You can also meet a yacht at Yacht Haven Marina, about 10 minutes from the St Thomas airport, but only on a boat licensed to bring guests into the BVI, so we check that paperwork first. Read USVI or BVI pickup, water taxis from St Thomas and what the BVI licence fee means for you.

Arriving through St Thomas means US entry or transit rules apply first, so European guests need ESTA or a visa before they fly. The BVI arrival form opens 72 hours before you land. See BVI entry requirements, and for the night before, where to stay in St Thomas or hotels in the BVI.

3. Which catamaran

Start with three filters: guest count, cabin layout and weekly budget. Groups of 6 to 10 have the widest choice; 12 guests means one of a handful of larger catamarans or two boats sailing together. Browse by group size: 6 guests, 8 guests, 10 guests and 12 guests. The full method is in how to choose the right catamaran.

Sailing or power? A sailing catamaran suits the short hops of the standard loop. A power catamaran makes the longer runs, such as Anegada, easy to fit into the week. Compare them in sailing vs power catamarans and see power catamarans. By size: the 45 ft, 50 ft and 60 ft classes, and the biggest catamarans in the BVI. By builder: Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot, Sunreef, Leopard and Bali, or read which brand fits your charter.

4. How many crew

Two crew, a captain and a chef, is the BVI standard and the minimum for a crewed charter. The captain runs the boat, the route and the moorings; the chef runs the galley and most of the guest service. We recommend three: going from 2 to 3 crew is the single biggest upgrade you can make, and four is better still. Read how many crew you need and what to expect from a captain and chef. For the best cooks, see the best chef catamarans in the BVI.

5. What it costs

Sailing catamarans in the BVI typically cost from $18,000 per week to $56,900 per week. Power catamarans run from $37,700 per week to $96,900 per week. For the experience people picture when they say crewed catamaran in the BVI, budget from $30,000 per week. Most of our clients spend from $30,000 to $60,000 per week.

Most catamarans are all-inclusive: the weekly rate covers the crew, meals, a standard bar, fuel for a normal BVI route and the water toys. There is no VAT on BVI charters. On top, budget the crew tip, 15% to 20% of the charter fee, plus premium wines, dockage on request, transfers and spending ashore. The BVI cruising permit is $4 per person per day on BVI-based boats and $16 per person per day on foreign-based boats; the all-inclusive rate usually covers the yacht’s permits, but terms differ, so confirm it in the contract.

Read how much a BVI yacht charter costs, what is included, all-inclusive vs plus expenses, BVI charter fees explained and tipping the crew. To see what each budget buys: what $40,000 per week gets you, the best-value all-inclusive catamarans, mid-range catamarans and luxury catamarans.

6. The route

The classic week starts in Tortola and loops through Norman Island, Peter Island, Cooper Island, Virgin Gorda and The Baths, Guana Island and Jost Van Dyke. Legs are short: the first is about an hour and the longest, North Sound to Guana Island, about two hours, so the days go to snorkeling, beach bars and quiet anchorages. Anegada is the one island that needs a real passage, two to three hours of open water and a reef entrance. Day by day: the 7-day BVI catamaran itinerary, the 14-day route and a round trip from St Thomas. Ashore and in the water: snorkeling spots, beach bars, restaurants, secluded anchorages and The Baths before the crowds. Jet skis cannot be launched from the yacht in the BVI: here are the options.

7. How booking works

You send dates, group size and budget; a broker sends a shortlist of catamarans that fit. Payments go to the stakeholder and sit in escrow under the CYBA contract. Six weeks before the charter you fill in the preference sheet so the crew can plan the food and the days.

The full walk-through is how booking a BVI yacht charter works. Booking through a broker does not cost extra: why use a broker. For the whole decision list, read the 7 decisions that matter. Traveling with children: the BVI with kids; with a big group: one catamaran or two.

Quick answers

How much does a crewed catamaran in the BVI cost? Budget from $30,000 per week, all-inclusive. Most of our clients spend from $30,000 to $60,000 per week, plus a 15% to 20% crew tip.

When is the best time? December to April. Avoid mid-August to mid-October, the peak of hurricane season.

Where do I fly? Usually St Thomas, then a ferry or water taxi to the BVI.

How many crew? Two is the minimum, a captain and a chef. We recommend three.

Sailing or power catamaran? Sailing for the standard loop; power if you want Anegada or longer runs without long days underway.

Tell us your dates and group size on our crewed catamaran charters in the BVI page, and a broker sends you a shortlist that fits.