We don’t judge a great crewed charter catamaran by the brand name alone. Layout, refit quality, and the crew matter just as much. That said, brands do give a clear signal of design philosophy and help us match the right yacht to the right group.
Some catamarans are built around luxury living and space, others put real emphasis on sailing performance, and some focus on smart layouts that deliver excellent value for the money. Below is how we see the main catamaran brands used in crewed BVI charters, based on what actually makes a difference once you’re onboard.
SUNREEF
The Most Superyacht-Like Charter Catamaran
Founded in 2002 and built in Gdańsk, Poland, Sunreef has become one of the most recognizable names in luxury catamarans. They were among the first to push the idea that a multihull could offer true superyacht comfort—and they’ve stayed at the top of that niche ever since.
We recommend Sunreef catamarans for charters when clients want the highest level of finish and the biggest wow factor you can get in a cat—without stepping into a full monohull superyacht. In some cases, we even steer clients away from motor yachts toward a Sunreef 80. They often outperform motor yachts in layout, design, and value—while still delivering that same level of luxury.
Where we’re careful is expectations around sailing. Sunreef is luxury-first, so if someone’s priority is performance and “we really want to sail,” we’ll often guide them toward a different style of catamaran. But if the goal is a floating villa with top luxury amenities and water toys, a Sunreef is often at the top of the list.
Best Sunreef model for charter: the Sunreef 80 (Sail or Power)
What we like:
✔ Much wider than typical charter catamarans
✔ Noticeably more interior volume
✔ Beach-club style stern with real toy storage
✔ Motor yacht level flybridges with bar & jacuzzi
✔ Built and finished to superyacht standards
What we don’t like:
❌ Designed for comfort, not sailing performance
❌ Wide beam can limit marina options
❌ Higher charter cost than most production cats
Our Favorite Sunreef Catamarans for Charter in the BVI
NAUTI NICKEL
ENDLESS HORIZON
MARIA THERESE
LAGOON
The Most Proven All-Round Crewed Charter Catamaran
Lagoon is one of the most established names in charter catamarans. With decades of experience and a massive global fleet, they’ve built a reputation for reliability, smart layouts, and easy onboard comfort. For many clients, Lagoon is the safe, proven choice–especially for consistent charter performance.
That said, the lineup is broad, and we do find that some of the lower and mid-range models can feel a bit production-line in styling and finish–solid, but not especially distinctive. But at the top end, Lagoon pushes much closer to true luxury. The Lagoon 77, for example, offers an incredible layout, a standout master cabin with a fold-down balcony, and a level of finish that rivals far more expensive brands such as the Sunreef.
If you’re looking for a charter catamaran that’s versatile, dependable, and backed by a strong global service network, Lagoon remains one of our top recommendations.
Best Lagoon model for charter: Lagoon Seventy 7
What we like:
✔ Spacious without looking boxy (balanced)
✔ Very comfortable salon–cockpit–flybridge flow
✔ Bright, minimalist interiors + lots of natural light
✔ Layouts that suit families and mixed groups
✔ Proven, reliable performance in charter
✔ Available across many sizes and budget tiers
What we don’t like:
Lower-tier models can feel generic/mass-produced
Not performance-focused: comfortable, not fast
Less “wow” factor than Sunreef at the top end
Some layouts prioritize volume over crew separation
Our Favorite Lagoon Catamarans for Charter in the BVI
AEOLUS 77
SIETE MARES
XANDROS
FONTAINE PAJOT
French Sailing Tradition meets Luxury Yacht Charter
Fountaine Pajot is a French catamaran builder, and the emphasis on sailing performance is very much part of that heritage. France has a long tradition of performance multihulls, and in our experience, FP carries that mindset into their charter models — with designs that put more weight on balance, efficiency, and how the boat feels under sail, not just how much space it offers at anchor.
They’re still comfort-focused enough for crewed charter use, but compared to volume-first brands, Fountaine Pajot tends to reflect a French pride in sailing ability rather than treating sailing as an afterthought.
Best Fountaine Pajot model for charter: Fountaine Pajot 67
What we like:
✔ Better sailing performance than most charter cats
✔ Light, efficient hull designs = smoother motion underway
✔ Stylish, modern interiors with a European feel
✔ Smart use of space without going full “volume-first.”
What we don’t like:
Not as available in the Caribbean (more popular in Europe)
Less interior volume than Lagoon or Sunreef equivalents
Flybridges tend to be smaller and less lounge-focused
Interior fit and finish not as refined as top-tier luxury brands
Our Favorite Fontaine Pajot Catamarans for Charter in the BVI
JEWEL (67)
Semper Fidelis
TRU NORTH
BALI
The Floating Villa Built for Charter Living
Bali Catamarans are designed first and foremost around living aboard, and that’s immediately obvious once you step on deck. In our experience, Bali appeals to guests who care less about how a boat sails and much more about space, light, and seamless indoor–outdoor flow. These are catamarans built to feel like a modern waterfront apartment.
Bali is one of the most popular catamaran brands in the lower-to-mid luxury tier of crewed charters. They’re not the most sophisticated in finish, and the boxy profile isn’t to everyone’s taste, but the layouts are smart, the value is excellent, and the living space per dollar is hard to beat.
Best Bali model for charter: Bali 5.4
What we like:
✔ Open-plan salon with the signature “garage door” opening aft
✔ Excellent indoor–outdoor flow for social groups
✔ Very generous interior volume for the length
✔ Lots of natural light and a “villa on the water” feel
✔ Excellent value in the lower-to-mid luxury charter tier
What we don’t like:
Boxy exterior styling isn’t for everyone
Worst sailing performance of all brands
Fit and finish can feel basic
Flybridge and topsides can feel bulky in windy conditions
Our Favorite Bali Catamarans for Charter in the BVI
Endeavour
NO INHERITANCE
BIG NAUTI
MOON YACHTS
Modern Luxury With a Boutique, Design-Forward Feel
Moon Yacht is a newer European catamaran builder that we recommend for clients who want standout design and a more boutique luxury feel—for a mid-range price. These cats are visually striking, often finished in dark greys or deep blues, and clearly designed to be noticed. Think of them as a sleeker, more compact alternative to brands like Sunreef.
Compared to traditional production builders, Moon puts more emphasis on aesthetics, materials, and layout flow. The result is a yacht that feels elevated even in the lower size and price tiers—perfect for clients who care more about style, comfort, and presence than sailing performance or brand familiarity.
Best Moon model for charter: Moon 60
What we like:
✔ Bold, modern design–stands out from typical charter cats
✔ Good volume and comfort, especially in main living areas
✔ Feels more boutique than mass-produced brands
✔ Feels like a “mini Sunreef” for half the price
What we don’t like:
Newer brand = smaller fleet and shorter track record
Little focus on sailing performance
Not aimed at performance sailing
Layouts and finishes may vary more due to semi-custom builds
Our Favorite Moon Catamarans for Charter in the BVI
Perfect Moon
Tryst
Moon Shadow
Ready to Plan Your Dream BVI Yacht Charter?
With over 1,000 charters booked, we bring hands-on knowledge you won’t find everywhere. Our team includes ex-captains, former charter crew, and lifelong sailors who’ve raced, owned, and run catamarans.
We understand what works—from both the owner’s side and the guest’s. Whether it’s layout, crew flow, or guest experience, we know what makes a great charter catamaran.
