Sailboat Rent in BVI

Set sail with or without a skipper with Scansail

Sailing in the BVI is like being in eternal summer with 40 breathtaking islands waiting to be discovered during any time of year. Personalize your next big sailing trip.

You may choose to sail with or without a skipper and crew and enjoy the ride with your family or friends. Sail from island to island or palm bay to palm bay to discover the best of the British Virgin Islands. If you are a sailing novice, this is the perfect place for new sailing enthusiasts!

The Virgin Islands is considered the gateway into the Caribbean. The windward islands of Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Tortola slow the trade winds and the Atlantic swell, giving them the characteristics of an inland area.

The sailing trips through the British Virgin Islands consist of short distances and navigation on sight. Not only do tidal currents not exist here, but there are minimal reefs in this area. Moreover, the crystal clear water makes it easy for sailors to recognize where to throw their anchor down.

Consider a sailboat rental with a captain, if you are looking for more hands-off sailing vacations with your family. If you are ready to take control of your BVI yacht charter, consider a bareboat charter, so you can fully plan out your perfect sailing trip.

The BVI lives up to its name as the virgin island holiday destination. There is so much to discover during your sailboat charter in the BVIs. There are many small bays with the finest white sand beaches in which you can anchor or stay at one of the many comfortable moorings.

The idyllic combination of sailing, water sports, and places to swim make this a vacation to remember. 

Why you should get a BVI Yacht Charter

The BVI is a Caribbean archipelago located between Puerto Rico and the Leeward Islands. With a boat rental, island hopping can be made easy, so you can fully explore the Caribbean and choose your favorite!

The larger islands in this archipelago are Tortola, Beef Island, Cooper Island, Ginger Island, Norman Island, Peter Island, Salt Island, Virgin Gorda, and Jost van Dyke. These hilly islands originate from volcanic rock formations. The highest point is Mount Sage on Tortola. However, Anegada is mainly flat and consists of stone corals and limestone.

The BVI is a top-tier sailing destination. The Sir Francis Drake Channel and its outer islands offer a great deal of protection from the Atlantic swell. The sea water is clear, turquoise, and warm everywhere, and there are beautiful bays, like white bay, with sandy beaches, black granite rocks, coral reefs, and many wonderful sandbars and restaurants with names such as the Soggy Dollar Bar, Foxy's, Mad Dogs, Pirates Bight, and of course Pusser's, where the famous Pusser's Rum is served and sold.

The BVI National Park Trust is working to protect marine life in particular. Over the years, anchored boats caused a lot of damage, especially in coral reefs. Sailboat charters in the British Virgin Islands must acquire a National Park Mooring Permit so that they can moor on special buoys. The buoys usually have a diameter of 33 centimeters and are color-coded:

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

For all buoys, a time limit of 90 minutes applies on the basis of "first come, first served...". Sailboat charters with an LOA between 55 and 80 feet should not use the smaller buoys but may moor on a large yellow buoy, which is otherwise reserved for commercial shipping.

There is no need to feel confused by the buoys from the National Park Trust and others that are available for overnight stays! At most anchoring spots, buoys for overnight stays are white and have a diameter of 46 centimeters, and are subject to a charge.

Sailing conditions and Weather in BVI

For your sailboat charter in the British Virgin Islands, you will have a pleasant, subtropical climate with temperatures of 25 to 30 degrees Celsius in winter and 27 to 32 degrees Celsius in summer. The trade wind ensures a constantly blowing fresh, cooling breeze. The water temperatures are constant at about 25 degrees Celsius.

Wind conditions

There are constantly blowing trade winds: in summer, they come from the southeast with 3 to 4 Bft, and in the winter they come from the northeast with 4 to 6 Bft.

Special climatic conditions

From November to April, especially on the north coasts of the islands, notorious ground, and northern swell can occur. These currents can cause boats to suddenly collide together when anchored. The occurrence of ground or northern swell is announced in the local weather report. Hurricanes can also occur between July and November.

What to see/do in BVI

Tortola Island

The 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum displays exhibits on sugar and cotton production and the slave era in the BVI. One department explains the maritime history of the islands. Station Avenue, Road Town.

The Allamanda Gallery Photo Exhibition. Sale and shipping of photographs, maps, and stationery with flora, fauna, and landscape motifs of the BVI, taken by the photographer Amanda Baker, who arrived in the BVI in 1988 with a sailing yacht and stayed. 124 Main Street, Road Town.

Pusser's Bar, Restaurant & Store overlooking the harbor of Road Harbour. Lower Estate, Road Town.

Sage Mountain in Sage Mountain National Park at 523 meters the highest peak on Tortola. You can climb to the peak on your own or with a guided tour.

Norman Island

Caves that are said to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's novel "Treasure Island".

Restaurant Pirates Bight in The Bight with beautiful views of the bay

Virgin Gorda

The Baths and Devil's Bay National Park, beaches with large granite rocks, small caves, and natural pools for swimming and diving.

Copper Mine on Mine Hill at the southeastern tip of Virgin Gorda. The mine was built in the 19th century by Cornwall miners and closed in 1862 for reasons of profitability. Restoration work began in 1998.

Jost van Dyke

Diamond Cay, designated a National Park in 1991, is a well-known bird sanctuary. The 1.25-hectare park is a breeding ground and home to bird species such as terns, gannets, and pelicans.