BVI Bareboat Charter Packing List: What to Bring and What to Leave at Home

If this is your first BVI bareboat charter, here's the most important packing advice we can give you:

Pack less than you think you need.

Most guests arrive with far more clothing than they ever wear. A week in the British Virgin Islands is remarkably casual. You'll spend most days in a bathing suit, shorts and a T-shirt or cover-up, and even most restaurants don't require you to dress up.

The other reason to pack light is practical: you're staying on a yacht, not in a hotel room. Storage is limited, and eight large rolling suitcases become a much bigger problem once everyone is aboard.

Virgin Charter Yachts has been based in the BVI since 1996, and after watching thousands of guests unpack at Nanny Cay, this is what we recommend bringing — and what you can safely leave at home.

The Quick BVI Packing List

If you don't want to read the entire guide, start here.

Definitely Bring

• Passport

• BVI e-entry documentation

• Soft-sided duffel or collapsible luggage

• 2–3 bathing suits

• Shorts and lightweight shirts

• Bathing suit cover-up

• One casual dinner outfit

• Flip-flops or sandals

• Sneakers or walking shoes if you plan to hike

• Hat

• Sunglasses

• Plenty of sunscreen

• Aloe or after-sun lotion

• Insect repellent

• Prescription medications

• Seasickness medication if you may need it

• Phone and chargers

• Dry bag or waterproof phone pouch

• Credit cards and some U.S. cash

• Personal toiletries

• International cellular plan or travel pass

Usually Leave at Home

• Hard-sided luggage

• Lots of dress clothes

• High heels

• Expensive jewelry

• Multiple pairs of shoes

• Beach towels

• Bath towels

• Bed linens

• Cooking utensils

• Navigation equipment

• Large amounts of food in your luggage

• Hair dryer for use aboard the yacht

That's really most of it.

1. Start With Soft-Sided Luggage

This is probably the single most important packing decision you'll make.

Bring a soft duffel bag or another piece of luggage that can collapse when empty.

Hard-sided rolling suitcases are wonderful in airports and terrible on boats.

Yacht cabins have lockers and storage compartments, but there isn't a hotel closet where you can line up eight large suitcases. Once you've unpacked, a soft duffel can be folded or compressed and tucked away.

A hard-shell suitcase remains exactly the same size for the entire charter.

If everyone in your group arrives with one, you may end up storing luggage in cabins or walkways all week.

How much should you pack?

For a one-week BVI charter, most people need considerably less clothing than they expect.

You are probably going to spend the majority of the week in swimwear.

Pack accordingly.

2. What Clothes Should You Bring to the BVI?

The BVI is very casual.

For most guests, we recommend:

• 2–3 bathing suits

• Several T-shirts or lightweight tops

• 2–3 pairs of shorts

• Bathing suit cover-up

• Lightweight long-sleeve sun shirt or rash guard

• Underwear

• Sleepwear

• One casual dinner outfit

• Light rain jacket if desired

For women, a sundress is perfect for dinner ashore.

For men, shorts and a polo or casual collared shirt will work almost everywhere.

There are some nicer restaurants in the BVI, but this is still the Caribbean. You do not need a suitcase full of formal clothes.

What about long pants?

You can bring a pair if you want them, but there's a very good chance they will return home unworn.

Heavy jeans are particularly unnecessary. They're hot, bulky and take forever to dry if they get wet.

3. Shoes: You Need Fewer Than You Think

You do not need a different pair of shoes for every occasion.

For most guests:

• Flip-flops or sandals

• Sneakers if you plan to hike or explore ashore

• Water shoes if you like using them

That's enough.

Many guests spend much of their time aboard barefoot.

Leave the high heels and expensive dress shoes at home.

If you bring shoes aboard, make sure they are clean and won't mark the deck.

4. Sun Protection Is One Thing You Shouldn't Under-Pack

You are going to spend considerably more time in the sun than you would on a normal vacation.

Bring:

• Plenty of sunscreen
• SPF lip balm
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Rash guard or sun shirt
• Aloe or after-sun lotion

A long-sleeve sun shirt is particularly useful for snorkeling or after you've already had enough sun for the day.

And don't underestimate how quickly you can burn on a boat. You're getting direct sun as well as reflection from the water.

5. Toiletries: What Is Already on Your VCY Bareboat?

You don't need to arrive with everything required to set up a bathroom from scratch.

Virgin Charter Yachts provides a starter supply aboard our bareboats, including travel-size:

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Body wash
• Soap

We also provide an initial supply of toilet paper and other basic starter items.

You should still bring your preferred personal toiletries and enough of anything important for the week.

That includes:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Razor
• Skincare products
• Personal shampoo/conditioner if you prefer your own
• Insect repellent
• Any other personal-care items you normally use

6. Don't Pack Towels or Linens

This is easy space to save.

VCY bareboats include bed linens, shower towels and beach towels.

You don't need to fly to the BVI with a suitcase full of towels.

If you have a particular specialty item you love — perhaps a very small microfiber towel — you're welcome to bring it, but it isn't necessary.

7. Medications: Bring What You May Need

Bring all prescription medication with you and enough for the entire trip.

We also recommend considering a few things you might normally buy at home if needed:

• Pain reliever
• Antihistamine
• Seasickness medication
• Aloe or sunburn treatment
• Any allergy medication you regularly use

There are pharmacies on Tortola, but you don't want to spend your charter searching for a medication you could easily have packed.

If anyone in your group is prone to seasickness, bring whatever remedy works for them.

The BVI generally offers protected waters and relatively short passages, but it is much better to have seasickness medication and never use it than wish you had brought it.

8. Bring a Dry Bag

This is one of the genuinely useful extras.

A small dry bag or waterproof pouch is great for:

• Phone
• Wallet
• Camera
• Cash
• Room/yacht keys
• Dry clothes

Remember that getting from your yacht to shore often involves a dinghy.

Dinghy rides can be wet.

At some beaches, you may also need to step into shallow water when getting out.

A dry bag solves a lot of problems.

9. Phones, Internet and Chargers

Bring your phone and normal charging cables.

VCY bareboats have onboard internet, so you can remain connected while aboard.

Your U.S. cell phone will also generally work in the BVI, but contact your cellular provider before you leave home and make sure your plan includes international service in the British Virgin Islands.

Don't assume that because the U.S. Virgin Islands are covered by your normal domestic plan, the BVI will be too.

A travel pass or international roaming plan can prevent an unpleasant phone bill after your vacation.

A portable battery pack can also be useful for long days ashore, although it isn't something everyone needs.

10. Cash and Credit Cards

The U.S. dollar is the currency used in the British Virgin Islands, so there is no need to exchange money.

Credit cards are widely accepted, but we still recommend carrying some cash.

Cash can be useful for:

• Tips
• Smaller vendors
• Taxis
• Mooring-related expenses
• Places where card systems are temporarily unavailable

Visa and Mastercard are much more widely accepted than American Express in the BVI, so don't rely exclusively on an AMEX card.

Bring at least one Visa or Mastercard as a backup.

You don't need to travel with a huge amount of cash. ATMs are available on Tortola and in several other locations.

11. Your Passport and BVI Entry Documents

Do not leave this one until the night before your flight.

Every guest should travel with a valid passport and complete the required BVI Online Immigration and Customs Form before entering the British Virgin Islands.

This applies whether you arrive by air into Tortola or by ferry/private water taxi from St. Thomas.

The official BVI e-entry form is free.

We recommend saving the completed documentation to your phone and having it easily accessible when you arrive.

12. Snorkeling Gear: Bring It or Rent It?

If you have a personal mask that fits perfectly and you love using it, bring it.

Otherwise, you don't need to fill your luggage with bulky snorkeling equipment.

Snorkeling equipment can be rented locally at Nanny Cay.

This is especially helpful with fins, which take up a surprising amount of luggage space.

If you're an enthusiastic snorkeler, a rash guard or long-sleeve sun shirt is one item we absolutely would bring.

13. Do You Need to Bring Food?

Generally, no.

There is no reason to fly to the BVI with a suitcase full of groceries.

Provisioning can be arranged before your charter so your food and beverages are ready when you arrive.

There may be a particular specialty item, snack or brand you can't live without, and bringing a small amount is fine.

But for normal groceries, beverages, beer, wine, snacks, produce and other provisions, ordering locally is considerably easier than flying with them.

We are also happy to help our guests with provisioning questions before arrival.

14. What Does VCY Already Put on the Boat?

One of the easiest ways to overpack is to bring things already supplied aboard your yacht.

VCY bareboats include the basic equipment you need for the charter, including:

• Bed linens
• Shower towels
• Beach towels
• Plates, cups and glassware
• Silverware and cooking utensils
• Pots, pans and basic galley equipment
• Wine and can openers
• Dock lines and fenders
• Cooler
• Dinghy and outboard
• Basic first-aid kit
• Flashlight
• Life preservers and required safety equipment
• VHF radio
• Charts and navigation equipment
• Basic starter cleaning supplies
• Starter toiletries and paper products

You are chartering a fully equipped yacht.

You aren't expected to bring the equipment required to operate one in your luggage.

15. What About a Hair Dryer?

This is one of those questions we get all the time.

You are welcome to bring a hair dryer if you really want one, but plan on using it ashore at a marina rather than aboard the yacht.

Hair dryers draw a tremendous amount of power and can overload yacht electrical systems.

Our recommendation?

Embrace boat hair for the week.

You're in the Caribbean.

16. A Few Optional Things That Are Actually Useful

None of these is essential, but depending on your group, you may enjoy having:

• Playing cards or a small travel game
• Kindle or book
• GoPro or waterproof camera
• Small backpack or beach bag
• Reusable water bottle
• Waterproof phone pouch
• Small portable battery pack
• Sunglasses strap
• Rash guard
• Lightweight rain jacket

Keep the word small in mind.

You don't need to recreate your living room aboard the yacht.

What NOT to Pack for a BVI Bareboat Charter

If you're trying to get your luggage weight down, start here.

Hard-Sided Suitcases

Our number-one packing recommendation: leave them at home.

Use luggage that collapses after you unpack.

Too Many Clothes

You aren't going to wear them.

Most guests live in bathing suits, shorts, T-shirts and cover-ups.

Towels and Linens

They're already aboard.

Expensive Jewelry

You'll spend your vacation swimming, snorkeling, boating and taking dinghy rides.

Leave anything at home that you'd be heartbroken to lose.

High Heels

You won't need them.

Lots of Shoes

Sandals plus sneakers or water shoes are enough for almost everyone.

Kitchen Equipment

Your yacht has a fully equipped galley.

Navigation Equipment

Charts and navigation equipment are provided aboard.

A Week's Worth of Groceries

Provision locally instead.

Anything You'd Be Upset About Getting Wet

It's a boat vacation.

Eventually, something gets wet.

Bareboat Packing vs. Crewed Yacht Packing

If you're taking a fully crewed charter, you can pack even less.

Food and beverages are arranged based on your preference sheet, your crew handles meals and housekeeping, and linens and towels are provided.

Your job is essentially to bring your clothes, personal items, medications, travel documents and yourself.

For a bareboat charter, you are more involved in provisioning and operating the yacht, but that still doesn't mean you need to bring boating equipment from home.

Our Advice After 30 Years of BVI Charters

The most common packing mistake we see isn't forgetting something.

It's bringing too much.

People imagine they'll need an outfit for every dinner, several pairs of shoes, extra towels and all sorts of things they would normally bring on a land vacation.

Then they spend the entire week in a bathing suit.

Pack the things that are difficult to replace: your passport, prescriptions, phone, credit cards and anything personally important.

Pack plenty of sun protection.

Put everything else in a soft-sided bag.

And when you're deciding whether to add one more outfit?

You probably don't need it.

BVI Bareboat Packing List FAQ

What type of luggage should I bring on a BVI bareboat charter?

Soft-sided, collapsible luggage is best. Avoid hard-shell suitcases because storage aboard a yacht is limited and rigid luggage cannot be compressed after you unpack.

Do I need to bring beach towels?

No. Virgin Charter Yachts bareboats include shower towels and beach towels.

Do I need to bring bed linens?

No. Bed linens are provided aboard VCY bareboats.

How many bathing suits should I bring?

We recommend at least two and usually three. You'll spend much of the charter in swimwear, and having another suit while one dries is useful.

Do I need dress clothes for restaurants in the BVI?

Not really. The BVI is very casual. A sundress or casual outfit for women and shorts with a polo or collared shirt for men will work for most dinners ashore.

Should I bring snorkeling equipment?

You can bring your own mask if you prefer a particular fit, but snorkeling equipment is available to rent locally at Nanny Cay. Leaving bulky fins at home can save considerable luggage space.

Do I need cash in the BVI?

Bring some U.S. cash for smaller purchases, tips, taxis and situations where credit cards aren't practical. The U.S. dollar is used throughout the BVI.

Does American Express work in the BVI?

Some businesses accept American Express, but it is much less widely accepted than Visa or Mastercard. We recommend bringing a Visa or Mastercard rather than relying exclusively on AMEX.

Will my cell phone work in the BVI?

Generally, yes, but the BVI is international for most U.S. cellular plans. Contact your carrier before traveling and add an international plan or travel pass if needed.

Do VCY bareboats have internet?

Yes. VCY bareboats have onboard internet, although connectivity can vary by location around the islands.

Should I bring a hair dryer?

We don't recommend using a hair dryer aboard a bareboat because of its high electrical load. If you bring one, plan to use it at marina facilities ashore.

What documents do I need for a BVI charter?

Bring your passport and complete the official BVI Online Immigration and Customs Form before entering the territory.

Ready for Your BVI Bareboat Charter?

Packing for a BVI yacht charter should be simple.

Bring less clothing than you think you need, plenty of sun protection, your personal essentials and a soft bag that disappears into a locker after you unpack.

Virgin Charter Yachts has been helping guests explore the British Virgin Islands since 1996, and our team is happy to answer questions about what is aboard your particular yacht, provisioning, transportation or anything else you need before arrival.

Pack light. We'll take care of the boat.

Did You Know?

The BVI are only accessible by boat. Check out our charter yachts that can get you there. View Our Fleet