BVI Yacht Charter
Where trade winds meet paradise in the Caribbean's premier sailing destination.
Yachting Holidays In The British Virgin Islands
The morning sun ignites turquoise waters so clear you can count angelfish at twenty feet, while steady 15-knot trade winds blow with a reliability that makes sailing effortless.
This is the Caribbean’s yacht charter capital, full of life above and below the waterline, from pirate favourite (and real-life Treasure Island) Norman Island to beachy Beef Island and laid-back Cooper Island.
Palm-fringed beaches stretch between granite boulders as old as time, while the scent of conch fritters mingles with salt air and the distant promise of sunset rum punches.
The BVI are good for:
Line-of-sight navigation
Year-round trade winds (12-18knt)
World-class beach bars and rum punches
Pristine snorkeling and diving
Sensational beaches
Great for Hiking
Start planning your BVI Yacht Charter
Find Your ideal yacht to charter in the BVI's
Why choose the BVI?
The home of Caribbean cruising since the early 1960s, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) have to be seen to be believed.
A tight-knit group of over 60 gorgeous islands, all blessed with warm, consistent trade winds and ridiculous white sand beaches fringed by palm trees, the Virgin Island chain is as close to yachting paradise as it’s possible to get.
The Anchor team are all experts in BVI yacht charters, and your personal broker will listen to your wants and needs before picking the perfect yacht to suit your group.
When is the best time to sail in the BVIs?
The British Virgin Islands are blessed with an almost year-round sailing climate, (except for the hurricane season, usually around September).
The finest weather is usually between November and March, with peak season running across Christmas and New Year.
Peak Season (December-April): BVI winter sailing delivers the conditions that built the destination's reputation: steady 15-18 knot trade winds, minimal rainfall, and comfortable temperatures (78°F - 86°F). Weather patterns are so consistent that itinerary planning is a doddle.
Shoulder Seasons (May, November): BVI shoulder seasons offer the sweet spot between reliable conditions (76°F - 85°F) and reasonable pricing.
Knowledge hub
Popular yachts in the BVI
Where to Sail in the British Virgin Islands
Tortola
Tortola functions as the BVI's charter capital, housing the Caribbean's largest bareboat fleet and providing the infrastructure that makes week-long sailing holidays seamless.
Tortola functions as the BVI's charter capital, housing the Caribbean's largest bareboat fleet and providing the infrastructure that makes week-long sailing holidays seamless.
Charter Bases:
- Road Harbour Marina: Largest charter base, comprehensive services
- Nanny Cay: Full-service marina with resort facilities
- Soper's Hole: West End location, customs clearance available
Key Attractions:
- Cane Garden Bay: Protected beach perfect for first-night anchoring
- Smuggler's Cove: Hidden beach accessible via dinghy
- Mount Sage National Park: Highest point in the BVI
- Road Town: Provisioning, dining, duty-free shopping
Best for: Charter logistics, reliable wind patterns, easy outer island access
Virgin Gorda
Virgin Gorda showcases the British Virgin Islands' geological diversity; white sand beaches stretching between protected coves, and the famous Baths formation, massive granite boulders that transform simple beach visits into underground cave exploration.
Spanish Town provides the BVI’s second-largest marina complex, while the northern Sound offers some of the Caribbean’s most protected sailing waters.
Must-See Destinations:
- The Baths: Granite boulder formations creating natural pools and caves
- Devil’s Bay: Pristine beach accessible via boulder scrambling
- Spanish Town: Marina facilities, customs, provisioning
- Gorda Sound: Protected waters, multiple resort anchorages
- Bitter End Yacht Club: No trip to the BVI is complete without a night at this legendary watering hole, rebuilt even better in the wake of Irma
Jost Van Dyke
Jost Van Dyke earned its reputation as the BVI’s entertainment headquarters, where beach bars serve rum punches strong enough to make chartered accountants consider career changes and live music continues until trade winds carry the sound across moonlit waters.
This four-mile-long island punches above its weight in charter importance: White Bay’s Soggy Dollar Bar invented the Painkiller cocktail, while Great Harbour hosts Foxy’s Tamarind Bar, where New Year’s Eve celebrations attract yachts from across the Caribbean.
Legendary Beach Bars:
- Soggy Dollar Bar: Birthplace of the Painkiller cocktail
- Foxy’s Tamarind Bar: Live music, local legend Foxy Callwood
- Corsairs: Upscale dining with mooring balls
- Ivan’s Stress Free Bar: Local atmosphere, authentic West Indian cuisine
Charter Strategy: Popular anchorages fill early in high season. Plan arrival by 2PM for premium spots, or consider mooring ball reservations at established restaurants.
Anegada
Anegada stands apart from the BVI's volcanic islands, unique as a flat coral atoll rising just 28 feet above sea level, surrounded by reefs that provide the Caribbean's premier lobster fishing grounds.
The 15-mile passage from Virgin Gorda to Anegada is worth it for the reward you get at the other end: flambouyances of flamingoes, pristine beaches, world-class snorkeling, and fresh Caribbean lobster gently grilled over driftwood fires.
Unique Attractions:
- Loblolly Bay: Pristine beach with beach club facilities
- Conch Bar: Famous for fresh lobster and local atmosphere
Horseshoe Reef: Snorkeling among shipwrecks and tropical fish
Best for: Experienced sailors, authentic Caribbean experiences, adventure stories
The Dogs and Outer Cays
The BVI’s smaller islands and cays provide the perfect sailing-to-swimming ratio—short passages between pristine snorkeling spots, protected anchorages with swinging room for multiple boats, and beaches accessible only by yacht.
Notable Destinations:
- The Dogs: Four small islands offering excellent snorkeling
- Sandy Cay: Picture-perfect beach, protected anchoring
- Diamond Cay: Secluded spot popular with local day boats
- Marina Cay: Resort island with mooring facilities
Sailing Strategy: These outer cays work perfectly for day sailing from major island bases, providing variety without requiring overnight anchoring in exposed positions. Plus, it's often easier to get a mooring ball in these spots!
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.
Conditions:
- Wind: 12-20 knots, predominantly easterly
- Temperature: 75-82°F (24-28°C)
- Rainfall: Minimal, brief afternoon showers
- Sea state: Moderate chop, comfortable sailing conditions
Understanding Trade Winds
BVI trade winds create the consistent sailing conditions that define Caribbean yacht charters.
These northeast to southeast winds blow across the Atlantic, gathering strength and consistency as they approach the Caribbean islands.
Seasonal Patterns:
- Winter (Dec-Apr):12-20 knots, most consistent direction and strength
- Spring (May-Jun): 10-18 knots, occasional calm periods
- Summer (Jul-Sep): Variable 8-15 knots, afternoon thundershowers
- Fall (Oct-Nov): Building consistency, 10-16 knots
Daily Variations:
- Morning: Light winds building through mid-morning
- Afternoon: Peak wind strength 2-4 PM
- Evening: Gradual decrease, perfect for sunset sailing
- Night: Light winds, comfortable anchoring conditions
Weather Monitoring Resources:
- Caribbean Weather Center forecasts
- National Hurricane Center during season
- Local knowledge from charter base staff
- VHF weather broadcasts updated regularly
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)
