Chartering a Yacht

Crewed Charter

A crewed yacht package is the ultimate luxury sailing experience. With a captain and crew, and usually a first class chef aboard either a catamaran, a mono-hull, or a power boat, holidayers in the British Virgin Islands can charter a wide range of boats from the many charter companies located there.

Bareboat Charters

For the experienced sailor, a bareboat vacation is the ideal sea excursion. Clients can captain their own boat and explore secluded islands that are only accessible by boat such Diamond Cay and Prickly Pear Island.

Day Sail Charters

Dozens of day sailing yachts ply the BVI waters, catering to those staying in the islands' numerous hotels and guest houses, so even if your clients choose to stay at a land-based hotel, they can charter a yacht for a day sail and dive, swim, snorkel, or explore the national parks on uninhabited islands such as Great Camanoe and Fallen Jerusalem. A day out on the water is an invigorating experience. As the captain cuts the engine and hoists the sails, there is a feeling of casting one's cares to the wind and the thrill of journeying to an unknown destination. Most day charter yachts provide lunch on board or at an out-island restaurant, as well as snorkel gear and instruction. BVI Day Sailors range from roomy schooners to wide decked multihulls. There are also a number of monohulls ranging in size from 34 to over 80 feet which specialize in small groups and customized itineraries. Many boats offer half days in addition to full days, and some offer discounted rates for children. Another option is a sunset cruise which generally departs mid-afternoon and returns early evening. The crew of almost all day sail yachts will brief passengers on island facts and lore of the BVI. Many hotels have a range of or access to day sail boats, and will organise trips as requested.

Flotillas

Your clients could join a flotilla if they wanted to sail their own yachts, with the added support of a lead boat crew. All the UK companies listed below can assist with arranging this.

Contact one of the following UK companies to arrange your client's yacht charter:

The Moorings
0 1227 776 677
clwcontactres@mooringsnet.com
www.moorings.com

Nautilus Yachting
0 1732 867 445
charter@nautilus-yachting.com
nautilus-yachting.com

Sunsail
0870 112 8612
yachting@sunsail.com
flotillasales@sunsail.com
www.sunsail.com

Tenrag
0122 772 1874
info@tenrag.com
www.tenrag.com

Yacht Connections
0 1590 626 291
ac@yacht-connections.co.uk
yacht-connections.co.uk

For other BVI crewed charter companies and boats, please follow this link.
For other BVI bareboat charter companies and boats, please follow this link.
For other BVI daysailing charter companies and boats, please follow this link.

Clearance Procedures

When sailing into the BVI, all vessels should proceed directly to a port of entry for customs and immigration clearance. If your clients wish to travel between the BVI and USVI, they must clear out of BVI waters at one of the ports of entry/exit and clear into US waters either at Cruz Bay, St. John or Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. Non-US crew or guests must have requisite US visas.

Yacht Provisioning

Many BVI companies specialize in provisioning yachts. See the contact information for several suppliers below:

Tortola/Beef Island

Ample Hamper 284.494.2494 amplehamper@surfbvi.com 284.495.4684
With locations in Road Town, and Soper's Hole, West End

Bobby's Yacht Provisioning 284.494.2189 bobbys@surfbvi.com
With locations in Road Town, Nanny Cay and Cane Garden Bay

The Gourmet Chandler 284.494.2894
Located at Nanny Cay

Harbour Market 284.495.4541 info@harbourmarket.com
Soper's Hole, West End

One Mart Superstore 284.494.4649 kmarksprov@surfbvi.com
With locations in Port Purcell and at the Moorings in Road Town

Rite Way Food Mkts. & Provisioning 284.494.2263 rtwllh@surfbvi.com
With locations in Road Town and East End

Port Purcell Market 284.494.2724
Located at Port Purcell

Shore Side Yacht Services 284.494.5135 info@shoresideservices.com
Soper's Hole, West End

Tico: Beer, Wine, Spirits and Mixes 284.494.2211 mail@ticobvi.com

Trellis Bay Market & Deli 284.495.1421
Beef Island

Virgin Gorda

Buck's Food Market 284.495.5028 provisioning@rtwbvi.com
Located at The Valley

Chef's Pantry
Located at Leverick Bay 284.495.7154 thechefspantryatleverickbay.com

The Emporium 284.494.2745
Located at Bitter End, North Sound

North Sound Superette 284.495.5228
Located at North Sound

Road Town Wholesale 284.495.5028 provisioning@rtwbvi.com
Located at The Valley

Rosy's Enterprises 284.495.5245
Located at The Valley

Marine Conservation Permits

A National Parks Mooring Permit allows boaters to use the mooring buoys in the marine park for a yacht or dinghy (these moorings accommodate yachts up to 60ft). All charter yachts with fee paying passengers need a Cruising permit and a National Parks Mooring Permit. This is usually arranged by the charter company.

Beaches, Islands and Marine Parks List

The Baths National Park is a major attraction for residents and tourists alike. The most striking feature of The Baths is the numerous giant, granite boulders, some as large at 40 feet in diameter. It has been estimated that more than 50 percent of the visitors to the BVI visit the Baths. It is probably the most popular daytime charter boat anchorage in the BVI and provides good snorkelling among the boulders

Large granite boulders are also the hall mark of Spring Bay National Park. The boulder-studded beach provides excellent swimming and snorkel opportunities for novices and professionals alike. Its small coves, which provide safe snorkelling is popular with charter boats guests, who moor their boats in the area. Massive boulders form coves that allow a steady, but calm flow of water back and forth. Marine life is vibrant at Spring Bay since fishing is not permitted in the park, which adds to its attraction as a site for snorkelling.

The Wreck of the Rhone is the only marine national park. It is the remains of a Royal Mail Steamship called the “Rhone” that sank in 1867 after being caught in a hurricane while anchored off Peter Island. It is the most celebrated dive site in the BVI, and a major recreational attraction. The park includes examples of fringing reef habitat and sea grass beds. The wreck is that of a Royal Mail Steamer, which sunk during the hurricane of 1867 with 125 people on board. At 310 feet long and 40 feet wide, the wreck of the Royal Mail Steamer lies in two main parts in waters between 30 and 90 feet deep. Much of it is still intact and visible, including decking, parts of the rigging, the steam engine, and propeller. The marine park stretches from Lee Bay on Salt Island westward to include Dead Chest Island. The ship's anchor broke away outside Great Harbour, Peter Island, and this site forms the second portion of the park. The park is used by several commercial dive operators daily. Other dive sites in the park include Rhone Reef, Blonde Rock, and Painted Walls. Anchoring is strictly prohibited in the area in and around the Rhone. The National Parks Trust has installed mooring buoys for use by all commercial, charter, and private vessels. If moorings are unavailable around the Rhone, vessels are required to use the Salt Island Settlement or Peter Island anchorages.

Cam Bay National Park, on the eastern shore of Great Camanoe, is comprised of an extensive shallow reef and lagoon system. Its calm waters, colourful reef fish and pristine marine environment attract swimmers and snorkellers. Birdwatchers enjoy the salt pond, where a variety of migratory wading birds and shorebirds can be seen. Pottery shards discovered in Cam Bay also suggest the presence of a pre-Columbian settlement in the area.

Dead Chest National Park, an uninhabited National Park, has three dive sites reached by dinghy from Deadman's Bay. Coral Gardens, a friendly site for novices and snorkellers in very calm weather (but watch for boat traffic), gets its name from the many massive heads of brain, star, and sheet corals resembling an aquatic garden. Dead Chest West, a series of discoveries, including an archway, caves, bowls, and mazes. Dead Chest Island reputedly got its name when the notorious Blackbeard, after a mutiny, put 15 men ashore on this island with only a bottle of rum, hence the song: "15 men on a dead man's chest, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum."

Fallen Jerusalem National Park is 30 acres and is comprised of beautiful coastal vegetation and strewn with enormous boulders, similar to those found at The Baths. The island was declared a national park in 1974 because of its importance as a sanctuary for several species of birds. The endangered red-billed tropic bird finds refuge on the island. In addition, Fallen Jerusalem is an important nesting site for seabirds such as the brown boobies, laughing gulls, noddies and brown pelicans, along with sandwich, royal and bridled terns. Secluded beaches border delightful snorkelling areas; North Lee Bay beach being the best on the island. On the northwest shore, underwater tunnels and caves are a haven for nocturnal fish, while schools of glassy sweepers glisten like bits of shiny copper. Overnighting is not encouraged, as there is no safe, overnight anchorage.

Little Tobago/Great Tobago National Park lie at the north-western corner of the BVI chain in the Tobago Cays: two islands surrounded by rugged cliffs, and whose seabeds slope dramatically to depths of 165 feet. The cays are an excellent habitat for seabird nesting, as Great Tobago is the only nesting site in the BVI for the magnificent frigate birds. East of this island, experienced divers can explore the waters around Mercurious Rock, where open ocean meets land and shoals of fish congregate.

Prickly Pear National Park is a 243-acre island located in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda. The cacti covered hills of Prickly Pear slope down to several pristine beaches. In the low-lying areas, white and black mangroves grow along the island's four salt ponds, providing an important habitat for resident and migratory birds. Red mangroves on the southern shore are home to a variety of fish, sea urchins, and other marine creatures. The northern and eastern shores boast two of the territory's best beaches. The north beach, in particular, offers great swimming and snorkelling. For hiking enthusiasts, the National Parks Trust and Visions International created a hiking trail which leads from the Sand Box Bar, over a gentle slope, down to the North Beach. While hiking, you can rest under the shady tamarind tree, at the top of the hill, and enjoy the cool, Caribbean breeze.

Nestled in a cluster of islands known as The Dogs west of Virgin Gorda, West Dog National Park is a rugged, volcanic island rising steeply out of the sea. It provides an ideal habitat for nesting seabirds seeking protection, as well as a fascinating environment for divers and snorkellers. The surrounding waters are filled with fish, colourful coral reefs and submerged pinnacles.

Devil's Bay National Park can be reached by a 15-minute hike from the top of The Baths on Virgin Gorda's southwestern tip. Its beaches are a tranquil location for swimming and snorkelling. Mooring buoys and a dinghy dock allow boaters to access the beach.

Traditional BVI Boating/Waterports Calendar

January

• Governor's Cup
• Royal BVI Yacht Club

February

• Sweethearts Regatta
• West End Yacht Club

March

• Dark and Stormy Regatta
• West End Yacht Club/Anegada
• BVI Sailing Festival
• Bitter End Sailing Club
• BVI Spring Regatta (Usually in March and/or April)
• Royal BVI Yacht Club

April

• Fisherman's Jamboree
• Virgin Gorda

May

• Foxy's Wooden Boat Regatta
• West End Yacht Club

June

• Highland Spring HIHO Windsurfing

July

• Highland Spring HIHO Windsurfing
• KATS Chief Minister's Cup Youth Regatta
• Firecracker 500
• West End Yacht Club
• Anegada Race
• Royal BVI Yacht Club

November

• Charter Yacht Society
• West End Yacht Club/Anegada

December

• No events planned