Sailboat Hire in the BVI

Set sail in an eternal summer with a sailboat hire in the BVI

Embark on a relaxed Caribbean cruise with a dream sailboat hire in the BVI

This protected area of the Caribbean is treated to gentle breezes throughout and allows you to follow in the footsteps of historical explorers and legendary pirates, while sampling a wide range of culinary delights. Go on an island-hopping adventure during your sailboat hire in the BVI, trying out a range of different water sports along the way.

Discover over 50 idyllic islands

Set sail on an epic nautical adventure as you take your sailboat hire in the BVI from island to island stopping off at all the most beautiful bays. With ideal sailing conditions for novices and experts alike, everyone is sure to enjoy a boating experience here. 

Embark on your dream Caribbean sailing trip when you hire a sailboat in the BVI

The British Virgin Islands are mostly volcanic in origin and a true sailor’s paradise, given that they are surrounded by tropical landscapes and calm protected waters for as far as the eye can see. Nowhere else in the Caribbean, will you find so many idyllic islands within such close proximity of each other.

The Virgin Islands are considered perfect for beginners due to the fact that islands such as Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Tortola slow both the trade winds and the Atlantic swell, making them seem more like an inland area than the open sea. You will be able to travel from island to island during your sailboat hire in the BVI, given their close proximity to each other and the distinct lack of both tidal currents and fog. Although there are some reefs and shallow areas, these are generally very clearly marked and thus easy to avoid.

The BVI live up to their reputation as a world-class holiday destination with the perfect blend of white sand beaches, protected anchorages and a selection of restaurants and pubs that serve a range of local delicacies. These islands are especially well-suited for families, who will love the combination of sailing, swimming, and water sports.

If you hire a sailboat in the BVI, you simply must visit the Baths in the southwest of Virgin Gorda. Over the centuries, the granite stones have been eroded by the Atlantic Ocean to create impressive natural swimming pools, perfect for a relaxing soak beneath the Caribbean sun.

You will find Road Town, the capital of the BVI, on Tortola. This captivating town really captures the Caribbean vibes in a flurry of colour and activity that is almost completely unique.

If you want to get a real idea of just how sought-after the British Virgin Islands are as a holiday destination, you should visit Foxy’s on Jost Van Dyke. This establishment is a popular stopover for sailors from all over the world, with the numerous tokens that have been left there over the years telling thousands of stories. Be sure to visit Foxy’s and add your story to the legacy!

Country Information

You will find the archipelago where the BVI are located between Puerto Rico and the Leeward Islands. Most of the larger islands, including Tortola, Beef Island, Cooper Island, Ginger Island, Norman Island, Peter Island, Salt Island, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke, are of volcanic origin and hilly, with the peak being Mount Sage on Tortola. In contrast, Anegada is mostly flat, being made up of stone corals and limestone.

With more than 50 islands, the BVI is a British overseas territory whose head of state is Queen Elizabeth. There are around 28000 inhabitants on all of the islands combined, with about half of them living in the capital, Road Town, on Tortola. Christopher Columbus discovered the BVI in 1492 and named them after Saint Ursula and her 11000 virgins.

However, it is not just the Spanish influence which is present throughout these islands. They were also occupied at different points in history by both the Dutch and the English, as well as acting as a stopover for sailors making the journey from America to Europe and vice versa. Furthermore, they acted as a popular escape route for pirates in the past. Nowadays, they receive the majority of their income from offshore banking and tourism. The local language is English and the currency is the US dollar.

The BVI is perfect for sailing, due to the protection offered from the Atlantic swell. The sea water is an impressive turquoise colour and warm throughout the year and on each island, you will find breath-taking bays with white sand beaches, black granite rocks, coral reefs, and a selection of beach bars. A few of the beach bars on offer are the Soggy Dollar Bar, Foxy's, Mad Dogs, Pirates Bight and of course Pusser's, where the iconic Pusser's Rum is served and sold.

The BVI National Park Trust has been working tirelessly over the years to protect the marine flora and fauna after the damage caused by anchoring boats. Nowadays, in order to hire a sailboat in the BVI, you must acquire a National Park Mooring Permit through your charter company, so that you are able to moor on special buoys. These buoys usually have a diameter of 33 cm and are colour-coded according to the following system:

• Orange: no diving, use of the buoy only during the day.
• Yellow: only for professional shipping.
• White: private yachts whose crews want to dive.
• Blue: only for dinghies.
• Large yellow buoys with a diameter of 89 cm: primarily for commercial ships between 55 and 80 feet in length.

In order to use the buoys, you must adhere to a strict time limit of 90 minutes and there is also a policy of first come, first served. Private yachts which are between 55 and 80 feet long should not use the smaller buoys, but may moor on a large yellow buoy, which is otherwise reserved for commercial shipping.

Don’t confuse the buoys of the National Park Trust with the ones that are available at most anchoring spots, where it is possible to stay overnight. These ones are white, with a diameter of 46 cm, and you must pay to use them.

Sailing Conditions

Climate

Throughout your sailboat hire in the BVI, you will be exposed to a pleasant, subtropical climate, with temperatures of 25-30°C in winter and 27-32°C in summer. You will find some respite from the hot temperatures with the omnipresent trade wind and the refreshing waters, which remain consistently at a temperature of around 25°C.

Wind Conditions

The trade winds blow throughout the year in the BVI at a strength of 3-4 Beaufort from the southeast in the summer, and a strength of 4-6 Beaufort from the northeast in the winter.

Water depths and tidal conditions

The sea in the Sir Francis Drake Channel is typically very calm and even in less protected areas, the wave height is rarely more than 1.3 metres. The currents are typically influenced by the straits between the islands and can reach up to 3 knots around the outermost points.

Climatic features to be aware of

From November until April, you should beware of the notorious ground/northern swells that can occur, causing anchored vessels to collide with each other. The occurrence of these groundswells will be announced in the local weather report. You should also beware of the hurricane season, which runs from July until November.

What are the best sights to see during your sailboat hire in the BVI?

Tortola

The 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum is popular among tourists and displays exhibits on sugar and cottom production and the slave era in the BVI. You will also find a section explaining the maritime history of the islands.

J.R. O’neal Botanic Gardens is the perfect place to go to relax surrounded by nature, with an impressive selection of tropical plants, butterflies, and birds on display.

The Sunny Caribbee Spice Shop & Art Gallery sells a selection of different Caribbean sauces, spices, and tea, as well as being the perfect place to pick up some souvenirs for your friends and family.

In the Allamanda Gallery Photo Exhibition, you can purchase photos, maps, and stationary with BVI-related motifs, taken by the photographer Amanda Baker, who arrived in 1988 and never left.

The Bamboushay Pottery Shop sells a selection of ceramic items, lamps, and plates, all created in that special Caribbean style.

At Pusser’s Bar, Restaurant & Store, you can enjoy a tasty treat while enjoying a fantastic view of the harbour.

The Callwood Rum Distillery has been producing dark and white rum specialities for more than 200 years.

If you fancy a bit of a hike, you should make the 523-metre climb to the top of Sage Mountain in Sage Mountain National Park. As the highest peak on Tortola, you can expect fantastic views from the top and can make the trip either alone, or with a guided tour!

If you’re keen to stay on the water the whole time, you should visit during the BVI Spring Regatta, which starts around the end of March to the beginnning of April. It starts at Nanny Cay Marine.

Norman Island

This island is said to be the place that inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. Head to Pirates Bight Restaurant to sample local delicacies while admiring beautiful views of the bay.

Peter Island

The marina on Peter Island is fully serviced, complete with plenty of restaurants and a bar.

Salt Island

Off the coast of Salt Island, you can enjoy diving and snorkellling at the RMS Rhone shipwreck. The ship, which is approximately 95 metres long, was build in 1865 and sank during a hurricane off the coast of Salt Island in 1867. It was the filming location for Peter Yates’ 1997 film, ‘The Deep’, starring Jaqueline Bisset and Nick Nolte. During a sailboat hire in the BVI, you simply can’t miss this!

Virgin Gorda

The Baths and Devil’s Bay National Park are two of the main attractions of Virgin Gorda, with the perfect blend of beaches to relax on and caves and natural pools to explore. Gorda Peak is also a treat to behold, being home to many different native and exotic plants and thick forests of mahogany trees. For some of the best views in the BVI, you can climb to the top of the lookout tower, from which you can see not just the whole of Virgin Gorda, but can also catch a glimpse of some of the neighbouring islands.

At the south-eastern tip of the island, you will find Copper Mine on Mine Hill. It was built in the 19th century by Cornwall miners, and only closed in 1862 due to its lack of profitability. They began to restor it in 1998.

The Bitter End Yacht Club & Resort is a fully serviced marina with restaurants, bars and boutiques, as well as being a key stopover during the BVI Spring Regatta.

Jost Van Dyke

Diamon Cay on Jost Van Dyke is a famous bird sanctuary that was designated a National Park in 1991. It is currently home to a variety of different species, including terns, gannets, and pelicans.

At Foxy’s Bar and Restaurant, located in Great Harbour, you can enjoy freshly tapped beer and rum specialities (Sly Fox and Dread Fox) that have been brewed in-house. The beach bar also sees live music from several local bands.

At the Soggy Dollar Bar in White Bay, you have to try the Painkiller cocktail, made from aromatic dark rum, cream of coconut, pineapple and orange juice, with just a dash of freshly grated nutmeg. The exact recipe is a secret, so you’ll have to visit in order to try the authentic cocktail. The bar’s name comes from the fact that you have to wade or swim through the sea to get there.