BVI Yacht Charter
The home of Caribbean cruising! Stunning scenery, crystal-clear waters, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Spectacular Yachting Holidays In The British Virgin Islands
Pristine waters, palm-fringed beaches, and perfect sailing conditions almost all year round - it's easy to see why the British Virgin Islands are one of the Caribbean's top sailing destinations.
The vibrant sun shines on a pale blue canvas, a cooling easterly breeze at your back as you sail between Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada.
It's not just about the great sailing weather, though - the BVIs offer spectacular natural beauty, a full spectrum of aquatic life, and legendary watering holes.
The BVI are good for:
Scuba Diving
Beach bars
Beaches
Tropical fish
Watersports
Hiking
Start planning your BVI Yacht Charter
Why choose the BVI?
A BVI yacht charter is an unforgettable experience, and with HELM, you can choose from a variety of crewed, skippered, and bareboat charter options to explore these stunning islands.
With consistent trade winds, well-equipped marinas, easy island hops and line-of-sight navigation, the BVIs are a wonderful choice for every sailing holiday.
Whether you head northeast towards Virgin Gorda or start downwind along Tortola and then up to Jost Van Dyke, you'll find that when it comes to a British Virgin Island yacht charter, there's no wrong way to sail around paradise!
Find Your ideal yacht to charter in the BVI's
When is the best time to sail in the BVIs?
The British Virgin Islands are fortunate to have an almost year-round sailing climate, (except for the hurricane season around September) but as above, the best weather is to be found between November and March, with peak season running across Christmas and New Year.
February is our favourite time to head to the BVI, as it is out of the mad rush of high season but still blessed with exceptional weather.
November and March are also brilliant times to rent a yacht in the BVI - the temperatures average 27°C (around 80°F), and you benefit from quieter anchorages and better deals.
Knowledge hub
See & do
Check the following attractions before going to the BVIs
Anegada Island
Soggy Dollar Bar
Willy T
Foxy's
Bitter End Yacht Club
RMS Rhone National Marine Park
Cane Garden Bay
The Baths Cave, BVI
Welcome to the home of Caribbean Cruising
The British Virgin Islands are a wonderful place to explore on a yacht charter holiday. Blessed by consistent trade winds and year-round warm weather, they are truly a Leeward Island sailing paradise.
Throw in the line-of-sight navigation and legendary rum cocktails, and you can see why a BVI charter is one of our favourite holidays.
This laid-back Caribbean idyll is the perfect setting for a relaxing yacht charter, with lazy days spent sailing between islands balanced by long evenings sipping painkillers as the sun slowly sets over Norman Island.
Beef Island and Tortola are great places to start a motor yacht, catamaran or sailing yacht charter, with easy trips over to Norman Island, Peter Island, Jost Van Dyke, Scrub Island and Cooper Island.
Embrace island time and you'll have the time of your life!
Popular yachts in the BVI
Start your BVIs yacht charter from Tortola - the largest of the islands - where bougainvillea adorned hillsides serve as the backdrop to gorgeous sandy bays and beach bars serving rum cocktails that will help you relax into that famous Caribbean vibe.
Over a week sailing the BVIs you will have your choice of secluded anchorages, vibrant bays and serviced marinas offering excellent shops and restaurants.
Spend your days swimming in crystal waters and uncovering the many hidden wonders of these islands. Take in the breath-taking Baths at Virgin Gorda where a unique formation of huge granite boulders has resulted in myriad caves and secret pools to explore.
Why sail in the British Virgin Islands?
Sailing in the British Virgin Islands is different from sailing anywhere else in the world, and for good reason. Here you will find some of the whitest beaches, incredible aquatic life, and a mix of natural beauty and friendly locals.
Whether you want to spend your days lounging on deck, soaking up the sun, and snorkelling in the BVIs with a crewed sailboat charter, or you want to hop from island to island to explore on a bareboat yacht charter, we can meet your needs.
Weather and Sailing Conditions in the BVI
Sailing conditions in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) are generally very good, with consistent trade winds blowing from the east-northeast, and naturally calm seas thanks to the sheltered nature of the islands. The islands are blessed with perfect weather, too - most days are warm and dry with a good breeze (you might get the odd tropical shower, but they are usually short and warm, and you will dry quickly!)
The winds are usually benign. During the peak season winter months (December to April), the NE trade wind is at full strength and average winds are 15-20 knots, but over Christmas time they can reach up to 25 knots.
The summer months (May to November) are slightly less windy, and by June the trade wind moves around to a SE wind with average speeds of 10-15 knots. The exception to this is September and a couple of weeks either side, when the tropical hurricane season closes the bases and winds can get very strong indeed.
Luxury Yacht Charter BVI
A luxury yacht charter in the BVI is the ultimate way to experience the islands from the deck of a crewed yacht. A crewed yacht charter offers luxury and comfort, privacy and exclusivity, a customised sailing itinerary, a professional crew, unbeatable views and scenery, and a memorable experience that you will treasure for years to come.
We work with the best catamaran companies in the BVI, selecting the finest boats in Great Harbour, Nanny Cay Marina or Scrub Island resort that offer state-of-the-art amenities, professional crew, and gourmet cuisine. With spacious interiors and ample deck space, you can relax in comfort and style as you cruise the Sir Francis Drake Channel.
Popular Yacht Types
Best of the BVI
Here's out pick of the things you absolutely must see and do when you go the BVI:
- Dive the wreck of the HMS Rhone
- Dine at Hog Heaven, Leverick Bay
- Visit Anegada Beach Club
- Explore the Baths at Virgin Gorda
- Relax at the renewed Bitter End Yacht Club
- Snorkel at Mountain Point
- Sip a painkiller at Soggy Dollar Bar, White Bay, Jost van Dyke
How to get to the BVI?
The British Virgin Islands' spectacular cruising grounds make it more than worth the effort to reach this Caribbean sailing paradise. The BVI is served by the Terrence B Lettsome International Airport (EIS) on Beef Island.
There are no direct flights from Europe to the BVI, but there are several indirect options. It's easy to fly from most major European and Eastern Seaboard hubs to Antigua, Saint Martin or Bridgetown and then catch a LIAT or InterCaribbean flight on to the BVI. Mainland USA customers are served by flights from Puerto Rico or Miami, among others.
Direct routes:
- Miami (MIA)
- San Juan (SJU)
- Saint Thomas (STT)
- St John's, Antigua (ANU)
- Sint Maarten (SXM)
- Bridgetown (BGI)
- Saint Kitts (SKB)
There are a number of airlines that offer indirect flights to Beef Island airport with one or two stops via another Caribbean airport. Some of the most popular airlines for this route include:
- British Airways
- Virgin Atlantic
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- United Airlines
The most common indirect flight route from London to the BVI is to fly to Antigua or St. Maarten and then connect to a smaller plane to the BVI with a local operator like InterCaribbean or LIAT. The flight time from London to Antigua or St. Maarten is approximately 9 hours. The flight time from Antigua or St. Maarten to the BVI is approximately 45 minutes.
From New York, you can fly via either Puerto Rico or Miami. Flights to San Juan Luis Munoz Marin take around 4 hours, and flights from there to EIS take approx. 45 minutes. Flights to Miami take around 3 hours, and flights between Miami and EIS take around the same length of time. We always recommend checking out your flight options before confirming your BVI yacht charter booking.
There are a number of ferry companies that offer service between the US Virgin Islands and the BVI. The most popular ferry companies are:
- Speedy's Ferry
- Smith's Ferry
- Road Town Fast Ferry
Ferries depart from St. Thomas and St. John in the US Virgin Islands and arrive in Tortola, the BVI. The ferry ride takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Top tips for getting to the BVI
- Book your flights in advance, especially if you are traveling during peak season (December to April).
- Consider flying to Antigua or St. Maarten and connecting to a smaller plane to the BVI. This can be a more cost-effective option, especially if you are traveling with a group.
- Be sure to check the entry requirements for the BVI before you travel.
- Allow plenty of time to get to the airport and go through security.
How much do BVI yacht charters cost?
At HELM, we know that cost transparency is essential. Yacht rent prices in the British Virgin Islands vary depending on several factors. The type of charter, size and type of the yacht, and the time of year of your charter, play a significant role in determining the price.
Bareboat
During peak seasons, you can expect a bareboat entry-level 40-foot monohull to start at $3,000 per week. The price increases with the size of the boat, with a 52-foot catamaran, which comfortably sleeps 8, closer to $15,000 per week.
Crewed
A BVI crewed catamaran charter starts from $20,000 for a captain and host and can rise to over $150,000 for a 50-metre superyacht with 14 crew.
Charter fees will also vary depending on the time of year you go. If you choose to charter during the off-peak season, you may enjoy savings of up to 30% off the high-season rates.
We want you to have the best experience possible, so we offer the option to hire a skilled captain, whose daily fee ranges from $200 to $250.
BVI Sailing Itinerary
We’re here for you
Need some help?
If you are unsure about charter or boat selection, contact us at HELM to help you decide.
We only choose boats that are in excellent condition, and we are here to help you every step of the way and to make sure the whole process is as easy as possible.
