If you are considering your first bareboat charter in the British Virgin Islands, you have picked one of the best places in the world to start.
The BVI is particularly well suited to yacht chartering because the islands are close together, most passages are relatively short, and there are dozens of beaches, snorkeling spots, restaurants, marinas and protected bays within a compact cruising area.
At Virgin Charter Yachts, we have been helping guests explore the BVI since 1996. One of the things we have learned over those 30 years is that first-time charter guests tend to have many of the same questions.
How much boating experience do I need? What size yacht should I charter? Do I need a captain? Where do we stay at night? How do we provision the boat? And what happens if something goes wrong during the charter?
Here is what we think you should know before booking your first BVI bareboat charter.
Is the BVI Good for a First Bareboat Charter?
Absolutely!
For boaters who have the experience required to operate their yacht safely, the British Virgin Islands offer an unusually convenient cruising area.
Unlike destinations where you may spend much of the day traveling between stops, the BVI allows you to move relatively quickly between islands. That means your days can be spent snorkeling, swimming, exploring beaches and enjoying the islands rather than simply getting from one destination to another.
A typical week might include Norman Island, Peter Island, Cooper Island, Virgin Gorda, the North Sound, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke.
You also have considerable flexibility. Spend one night on a mooring ball, another at a marina and change your itinerary as you go based on weather, availability and what your group is enjoying most.
How Much Boating Experience Do You Need to Bareboat in the BVI?
This is one of the most common questions we receive, and there is an important distinction if you are chartering with Virgin Charter Yachts:
You do not need to be an experienced sailor to charter one of our bareboat power catamarans.
You do, however, need sufficient boating experience to safely operate a yacht of comparable size and type.
We look at your actual boating background — including the size and type of boats you have operated, your experience docking and maneuvering larger vessels, and your overall comfort level on the water.
Someone who has spent years operating larger powerboats may be an excellent candidate for a BVI powercat charter even if they have never sailed a boat.
If you have boating experience but are not quite comfortable taking responsibility for a 45- to 55-foot power catamaran, that does not necessarily mean a BVI charter is out of reach.
We can arrange a professional captain to operate the yacht for part or all of your charter.
Bareboat or Add a Captain?
One of the advantages of a bareboat charter is flexibility.
Experienced boaters can operate the yacht themselves and have complete independence throughout the week. But if you would rather have someone else handle the yacht, we can arrange one of the professional freelance BVI captains we regularly work with.
Our captain add-on is currently $250 per day, plus gratuity.
This can also be a good middle ground for someone who is comfortable boating but would like some additional help getting familiar with a larger powercat or with BVI waters.
The important thing is to be realistic about your experience. Your vacation should be enjoyable, not a week spent worrying about docking a boat you are not comfortable handling.
Why Choose a Power Catamaran for a BVI Bareboat Charter?
The BVI is an excellent destination for a power catamaran.
A powercat gives you the stability and living space of a catamaran without sails to manage. It also allows you to move efficiently between islands, which can leave more of your vacation for snorkeling, swimming, exploring ashore or simply relaxing aboard.
For many of our guests, especially experienced powerboaters, it is a very natural transition from boating at home.
Our bareboat fleet includes modern power catamarans from several different manufacturers, including Fountaine Pajot, Leopard, Aventura and Aquila.
That variety is important because there is no single powercat layout that is right for every group.
Choosing the Right Yacht Is About More Than Length
One mistake we see guests make is choosing a yacht based primarily on its length or maximum guest capacity.
We think layout matters just as much as size.
Six guests consisting of three couples have very different requirements from a family of six with young children. Likewise, five couples generally want five comparable double cabins and private heads, while a family may be perfectly happy with a bunk cabin or another secondary sleeping space.
Our BVI bareboat powercat fleet includes options ranging from three-cabin yachts for smaller groups to an Aventura 50 with six cabins and six heads for up to 12 guests.
Before booking, think about:
How many couples are traveling?
How many children are traveling?
Does every couple need a private head?
Is anyone comfortable in bunk beds?
Would anyone actually want to sleep in a convertible salon?
How important are features such as a watermaker, hydraulic swim platform or larger flybridge?
Choosing the right layout can make a much bigger difference to your week than simply choosing the longest yacht in your budget.
What Happens Before Your BVI Charter?
Once you have selected your yacht and booked your dates, our team helps you prepare for your arrival.
There are several things worth arranging ahead of time:
Hotel accommodations if you are arriving before your charter
Provisioning
Your proposed itinerary
Dockage reservations, if desired
Guest information and required paperwork
Any special requests for your group
Our team is based at Nanny Cay Marina on Tortola, so you are working directly with the company that will actually prepare your yacht and support you during your charter.
What Happens When You Arrive at Nanny Cay?
Before you leave the dock, our team will complete both a comprehensive boat briefing and a chart briefing.
The boat briefing familiarizes you with the systems aboard your particular yacht, including the engines, generator, electrical systems, water systems, air conditioning and other equipment.
The chart briefing focuses on cruising the BVI. We review your itinerary, navigation, restricted areas, mooring locations and other information you need before leaving the base.
This is also the time to ask questions.
Even very experienced boaters are unlikely to be familiar with every system on a yacht they have never operated before. We would much rather spend extra time explaining something at the dock than have you wondering about it later.
Where Do You Stay Overnight on a BVI Bareboat Charter?
Most nights, you will either stay on a mooring ball or at a marina.
This is an important point for Virgin Charter Yachts guests:
Our bareboat charter guests are not permitted to anchor.
Instead, you will use approved mooring balls or marina dockage.
Fortunately, the BVI has an extensive network of mooring fields throughout the islands. Some moorings can be reserved through BoatyBall, while many others remain available on a first-come, first-served basis.
One thing we tell first-time guests is not to panic if they cannot reserve a BoatyBall.
A BoatyBall reservation is convenient, but it is not the only way to visit an area. Many locations have first-come, first-served moorings, and numerous marinas also offer overnight dockage.
Our concierge team is always happy to help with marina reservations and itinerary planning.
What Is a Good Itinerary for Your First BVI Charter?
One of the best parts about the BVI is that you do not need to travel far each day.
A typical seven-night charter from Nanny Cay might include:
Norman Island – Start with the Bight and snorkel the famous Caves.
Peter Island – Enjoy quieter bays, clear water and excellent swimming.
Cooper Island – Snorkel, relax ashore and enjoy the beach club.
Virgin Gorda and the North Sound – Visit The Baths before continuing to destinations such as Leverick Bay, Saba Rock or Bitter End.
Anegada – Explore an island completely different from the rest of the BVI, rent a moke or scooter and enjoy a fresh lobster dinner.
Jost Van Dyke – Finish your trip with beach bars, beautiful water and the laid-back atmosphere that has made Jost famous.
The best itinerary is not necessarily the one that visits the most islands.
We usually recommend leaving room for flexibility. Weather changes, your favorite stop may deserve another night, or your group may decide that spending an afternoon snorkeling is more appealing than moving to the next destination.
That is part of the freedom of a bareboat charter.
How Does Provisioning Work?
You have a kitchen aboard your yacht, so provisioning is essentially grocery shopping for your floating vacation home.
Some guests prefer to arrange most of their groceries, beverages and alcohol before arrival so they can get underway as quickly as possible. Others prefer to shop after arriving on Tortola.
Think realistically about how your group vacations.
If you plan to eat breakfast and lunch aboard but dine ashore most evenings, you need considerably less food than a group planning to prepare nearly every meal aboard.
Don't forget the items that are easy to overlook: drinking water, coffee, mixers, snacks, condiments and plenty of ice.
We have a detailed section on provisioning that can help break it down for you.
What Should You Pack for a BVI Bareboat Charter?
Less than you think.
Storage aboard a yacht is different from a hotel room, so soft-sided luggage is much easier to stow than large hard-shell suitcases.
For most guests, the essentials include:
Swimsuits
Lightweight casual clothing
Sunglasses
Hat
Sunscreen
Sandals or boat-friendly shoes
Prescription medications
Phone and device chargers
A small dry bag
Passports and travel documents
You do not need an entirely different outfit every day. You will probably spend considerably more time in a swimsuit than anything else you pack.
What Does a BVI Bareboat Charter Cost?
The cost depends heavily on the yacht, season and size of your group.
In addition to the yacht's charter rate, budget for items such as:
- Fuel
- Provisioning
- Mooring balls and/or marina dockage
- Cruising-related fees
- Travel to and from the BVI
- Optional captain, if required
A larger powercat will naturally use more fuel than a smaller yacht, while groups that dine ashore frequently may spend less on provisioning and more at restaurants.
The best way to compare yachts is therefore not simply to look at the advertised weekly rate. Consider the yacht that actually accommodates your group comfortably and then look at the total vacation budget.
The base rates for our power catamaran charters start around $12,000/wk bareboat, and rates go up to $29,900/wk bareboat for our newest powercat that can accommodate 10-12 guests.
What Happens If Something Goes Wrong With the Yacht?
Yachts have engines, generators, air conditioning, pumps, electronics and numerous other mechanical systems operating in a saltwater environment. Even on a newer, well-maintained yacht, something can occasionally require attention.
The difference is what happens next.
Virgin Charter Yachts operates from a single base at Nanny Cay with our own local team supporting our fleet. If you experience a problem during your charter, contact the base so we can diagnose the issue and determine the best solution.
This is one reason we believe there is real value in chartering directly with an experienced BVI-based operator rather than simply choosing a yacht from an online listing.
We know the yachts, we know the BVI, and our team is here when you need us.
Common First-Time BVI Bareboat Mistakes
After helping charter guests for 30 years, there are a few things we would tell almost every first-time group:
Don't over-plan your itinerary.
You are on vacation. Seven islands in seven days is not necessarily better than finding five places you love.
Don't choose your yacht based only on maximum capacity.
A yacht that technically sleeps ten may not be the right yacht for five couples.
Don't underestimate docking experience.
A 50-foot powercat is still a large boat. If you aren't comfortable handling it, hire a captain.
Don't worry if you don't get every BoatyBall reservation you want.
There are first-come, first-served moorings and marina options throughout the BVI.
Don't bring too much.
You really will spend most of the week in swimsuits and casual clothes.
Don't be afraid to ask us questions.
We do this every day. You don't.
Why Book With a BVI-Based Charter Company?
There are many websites where you can search for a yacht.
But once you arrive in Tortola, what matters is the company preparing your boat, briefing you before departure and supporting you during your charter.
Virgin Charter Yachts was founded in 1996 and operates from our base at Nanny Cay Marina on Tortola.
We are a family-owned company, and unlike charter companies limited to one manufacturer, our bareboat powercat fleet includes multiple brands and layouts. That allows us to recommend the yacht that best fits your group rather than simply the model we happen to sell.
Our goal isn't just to help you reserve a boat.
It is to help you have a great week in the BVI.
Frequently Asked Questions About a First BVI Bareboat Charter
Do I need sailing experience to charter a power catamaran in the BVI?
No. If you are chartering a power catamaran, relevant powerboat experience is what matters. You need sufficient experience to safely operate a yacht of comparable size and complexity. Virgin Charter Yachts reviews boating experience before approving a bareboat charter.
Can I hire a captain for a bareboat charter?
Yes. If you do not have sufficient experience or simply prefer not to operate the yacht yourself, Virgin Charter Yachts can arrange a professional freelance BVI captain. Our current captain rate is $250 per day plus gratuity.
Can we anchor during our Virgin Charter Yachts bareboat charter?
No. Our insurance requirements do not permit bareboat guests to anchor. Guests use approved mooring balls or marina dockage throughout the charter.
How long should my first BVI charter be?
Seven nights is an excellent starting point and gives you enough time to see several of the major BVI islands without rushing. If your schedule allows, a longer charter gives you even more flexibility.
Do I need to reserve every mooring ball in advance?
No. BoatyBall offers reservable moorings in several popular locations, but there are also first-come, first-served moorings and marina dockage throughout the BVI.
What is the best power catamaran for my group?
That depends on more than the number of guests. Consider the number of couples, children, cabins, heads and preferred sleeping arrangements. Virgin Charter Yachts offers multiple powercat brands and layouts so we can help match the yacht to your group.
Is the BVI good for families?
Yes. Short travel distances, snorkeling, beaches and numerous activities make the BVI particularly well suited to family yacht charters.
Ready to Plan Your First BVI Bareboat Charter?
Your first BVI charter does not need to be complicated.
Choose the right yacht for your group, be realistic about your boating experience, leave some flexibility in your itinerary and ask questions before you arrive.
We have been helping guests charter yachts in the British Virgin Islands since 1996, and our team at Nanny Cay is here to help with everything from selecting the right powercat to planning your route, provisioning and getting ready for your first day on the water.
Browse our BVI bareboat power catamaran fleet or contact Virgin Charter Yachts and let us help you plan your first BVI charter.
Did You Know?
The BVI are only accessible by boat. Check out our charter yachts that can get you there. View Our Fleet
