After a wonderful week exploring the British Virgin Islands, it's time to return your yacht to Nanny Cay Marina on Tortola.
The good news? Returning your bareboat charter with Virgin Charter Yachts is a straightforward process, and our team handles most of the work for you.
You don't need to clean the yacht, strip the beds or worry about leftover provisions. Our team will help you refuel, bring the yacht back to our docks and coordinate your departure.
Here's exactly what to expect on the final day of your BVI bareboat charter.
What Time Do You Need to Return Your Yacht?
All Virgin Charter Yachts bareboat charters end at 12:00 noon, which means guests must be off the yacht by that time.
However, noon is not the time you should arrive at the marina.
We recommend arriving at the Nanny Cay fuel dock between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m.
This gives our team sufficient time to assist with refueling, complete the yacht debriefing and return the yacht to our docks before your noon departure.
We recommend planning your final evening somewhere that allows for an easy return to Nanny Cay the following morning.
For guests planning their first charter, our BVI Charter Itinerary for First-Time Visitors provides useful guidance on planning your route.
What If You Have an Early Morning Flight?
If you have an early morning flight or need to depart the marina before the normal checkout process can be completed, you'll need to return your yacht to Nanny Cay by 4:00 p.m. the afternoon before your charter ends.
This gives our team time to complete refueling and the yacht debriefing before you depart.
You can still spend your final evening aboard the yacht at Nanny Cay, but the yacht must be returned in time for our team to complete the necessary procedures.
We strongly recommend considering your flight or ferry schedule when planning your final day.
Our customer service team will also be in touch before your charter ends to help coordinate your departure transportation.
For travel information, see our Getting to the BVI Guide.
Send Us a WhatsApp Message When You're Heading Back
When you're on your way back to Nanny Cay, please send a message to your Virgin Charter Yachts WhatsApp group.
This lets our team know you're approaching the marina and allows us to prepare for your arrival.
Throughout your charter, your WhatsApp group connects you with our operations and customer service teams.
On your final day, it's the easiest way to let us know you're returning.
Arriving at Nanny Cay: Head Directly to the Fuel Dock
When you arrive at Nanny Cay Marina, come directly to the fuel dock.
A member of our team will meet you there and assist with the refueling process.
You don't need to bring the yacht back to our charter docks yourself.
Our team will take care of moving the yacht after refueling and debriefing are complete.
Do You Need to Refill the Fuel and Water Tanks?
Yes. Guests are responsible for the fuel and freshwater consumed during their charter.
At the fuel dock, the yacht's fuel and water tanks will be replenished based on what was used during your vacation.
These are normal operating expenses associated with a bareboat charter.
For more information about charter expenses, see our BVI Yacht Charter Costs Guide.
The Yacht Debriefing: We Want to Hear Everything
One of the most important parts of our return process is the yacht debriefing.
While you're at the fuel dock, a member of our operations team will come aboard and go through the yacht's systems with you.
This isn't simply a quick question about whether you enjoyed your vacation.
We want to know about anything and everything that didn't work exactly as it should during your charter.
Our team may ask questions such as:
Was the freshwater pressure consistent throughout the charter?
Was the hot water temperature adequate?
Did the air conditioning cool every cabin properly, or did any cabin seem warmer than the others?
Did the stereo and all the speakers work correctly? Did you notice any crackling or distortion?
Were any interior or exterior lights not working?
Did the refrigerator, freezer and ice maker operate properly?
Were there any issues with the generator, watermaker or electrical systems?
Did you notice anything unusual about the engines, instruments or other equipment?
We encourage guests to mention even the smallest issues.
A light bulb that stopped working, a speaker that occasionally crackled or an air-conditioning unit that wasn't quite cold enough may seem insignificant, but we want to know about it.
Why Is the Debriefing So Important?
Our yachts are often preparing to welcome another group of guests shortly after you return.
The only way our maintenance team can address every issue before the next charter is if we know about it.
Some problems are obvious during routine inspections. Others may only occur under particular operating conditions or after several days of use.
For example, an air-conditioning unit might cool adequately during a brief test at the dock but struggle to maintain the desired temperature overnight.
A speaker might work normally at a low volume but crackle when the stereo is turned up.
These are the kinds of details that guests are uniquely positioned to notice.
We appreciate honest, thorough feedback because it helps us maintain our yachts and provide the best possible experience for the next guests.
Our guide to mechanical support during a BVI bareboat charter explains more about how our team handles equipment issues while guests are cruising.
Our Team Will Bring the Yacht Back to the Charter Docks
Once refueling and the debriefing are complete, a member of our team will move the yacht from the fuel dock back to our charter docks at Nanny Cay.
You and your guests can remain aboard while our team handles the maneuvering.
There's no need for you to dock the yacht yourself at our charter base.
Once the yacht is secured at our docks, you can gather your belongings and prepare to depart.
Do You Need to Clean the Yacht or Strip the Beds?
No!
You do not need to strip the beds, wash the linens, remove the trash or clean the yacht before leaving.
Our cleaning team takes care of all of that after your departure.
They will remove the used bed linens, towels and trash and complete the cleaning required to prepare the yacht for its next charter.
We simply ask that you take your personal belongings with you.
We want you to enjoy your final morning, not spend it cleaning.
What Happens to Leftover Food and Drinks?
You don't need to worry about disposing of leftover provisions.
If you have unopened or unused food and beverages remaining aboard, you can leave them on the yacht.
Our cleaning team will remove the leftover provisions, and suitable items are shared among our staff.
There's no need to spend your final morning emptying refrigerators, carrying groceries off the boat or trying to find somewhere to donate leftover food.
If you're planning your first bareboat charter, our BVI Yacht Provisioning Guide offers advice on ordering groceries and drinks for your vacation.
What About Rented Water Toys and Snorkeling Equipment?
If you've rented equipment during your charter, the return process depends on the supplier.
Water Toys Rented From BVI Water Toys
If you rented water toys from BVI Water Toys, their team will collect the equipment directly from the yacht.
You don't need to arrange to be aboard when they arrive.
There's no need to transport the equipment back to their location yourself.
Snorkeling Equipment Rented From Blue Water Divers
If you rented snorkeling equipment from Blue Water Divers at Nanny Cay, you'll need to return that equipment directly to Blue Water Divers before departing.
We recommend keeping your rented snorkel gear separate from your personal belongings so it's easy to return.
What About Your Taxi, Water Taxi or Departure Transportation?
You don't need to wait until the final morning to arrange transportation.
Our customer service team will contact you the day before your charter ends to coordinate your departure plans.
Depending on your travel arrangements, we can help coordinate taxis or water taxis so that your transportation is arranged in advance.
Whether you're heading to the airport on Tortola, catching a ferry or traveling by water taxi, our goal is to make the transition from your yacht to your next destination as smooth as possible.
For more information about flights, ferries and transportation, visit our Getting to the BVI Guide.
Planning Your Final Night in the BVI
Since guests need to arrive at the Nanny Cay fuel dock between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. on the final morning, it's worth thinking carefully about where you spend your last night.
We recommend choosing a location that allows for a comfortable morning cruise back to Tortola.
You don't want to spend your final morning rushing across the BVI or worrying about whether you'll arrive in time.
If you're visiting Anegada or North Sound toward the end of your vacation, make sure you allow sufficient time to return to the western islands before your charter concludes.
Your itinerary should also account for weather conditions and the cruising restrictions covered during your charter briefing.
Our BVI Bareboat Charter Guide provides more information about planning your time on the water.
Final Day Checklist for Your BVI Bareboat Charter
Here's a simple checklist to help make your return to Nanny Cay easy.
The day before: Confirm your departure transportation with our customer service team.
If you have an early departure: Return to Nanny Cay by 4:00 p.m. the afternoon before your charter ends.
On your final morning: Plan to reach the Nanny Cay fuel dock between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m.
While returning: Send a WhatsApp message to let our team know you're on your way.
At the fuel dock: Our team will assist with replenishing the fuel and water used during your charter.
During the debriefing: Tell us about any equipment or systems that weren't working perfectly, even if the issue seemed minor.
After the debriefing: Remain aboard while our team brings the yacht back to our charter docks.
Before leaving: Collect your personal belongings and return any rented snorkeling equipment to Blue Water Divers.
Leave the cleaning to us: Our team will handle linens, trash and leftover provisions.
By noon: All guests must have departed the yacht.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do we need to return our bareboat charter to Nanny Cay?
We recommend arriving at the Nanny Cay fuel dock between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m. All guests must be off the yacht by 12:00 noon.
What if we have an early morning flight?
You'll need to return to Nanny Cay by 4:00 p.m. the afternoon before your charter ends so there is time to refuel and complete the yacht debriefing.
Do we need to refuel the yacht ourselves?
Our team will meet you at the Nanny Cay fuel dock and assist with refueling. Guests are responsible for the fuel and freshwater used during their charter.
Do we need to dock the yacht at the Virgin Charter Yachts base?
No. After refueling and the debriefing, one of our team members will move the yacht back to our charter docks with you aboard.
Do we need to strip the beds or clean the yacht?
No. Our cleaning team handles linens, towels, trash and cleaning after you depart.
Can we leave leftover food and drinks aboard?
Yes. Our team will remove leftover provisions, and suitable items are shared among our staff.
What happens to rented water toys?
BVI Water Toys will collect rented water toys directly from the yacht. Guests do not need to be present for collection. Snorkeling equipment rented from Blue Water Divers must be returned directly to Blue Water Divers.
Why does VCY ask so many questions during the debriefing?
We want to identify anything that needs attention before the next charter. Even small issues, such as a light bulb not working or a speaker crackling, are helpful for our maintenance team to know about.
Will Virgin Charter Yachts help arrange our taxi or water taxi?
Yes. Our customer service team contacts guests the day before their charter ends to help coordinate departure transportation.
A Stress-Free Finish to Your BVI Bareboat Vacation
At Virgin Charter Yachts, we believe the final day of your charter should be just as enjoyable and straightforward as the rest of your vacation.
Our team will meet you at the fuel dock, assist with refueling, listen carefully to your feedback and bring your yacht safely back to our docks.
We'll take care of the cleaning, linens, trash and leftover provisions, while our customer service team helps coordinate your onward transportation.
All you need to do is gather your belongings, return any rented snorkeling equipment and start thinking about your next trip to the British Virgin Islands!
Virgin Charter Yachts has been welcoming guests to the BVI since 1996, and we're proud to provide personalized service from the moment you arrive until the moment you depart.
If you're planning your next vacation, explore our BVI Bareboat Charter Guide and discover why so many guests return to charter with us year after year.
Did You Know?
The BVI are only accessible by boat. Check out our charter yachts that can get you there. View Our Fleet
