BVI Yacht Charter
Short passages, flat water, fresh trade winds and a beach bar at every anchorage. There's a reason our clients return to the BVI more than anywhere else
The BVI is good for
We know the British Virgin Islands inside out.
The HELM team has been planning BVI charters for over a decade. We've sent hundreds of families, couples and groups of friends to these islands — we visit the BVI Charter Yacht Show every year to step aboard the yachts, meet the crews, and make sure every yacht we recommend is one we'd happily sail ourselves.
When you enquire with HELM, you won't get a list of search results and a booking form. You'll get a dedicated broker who has been to the British Virgin Islands, who knows which catamaran has the best crew for your group, which anchorages are less crowded in February, and whether your group is better suited to a catamaran or a power cat. That's the difference a decade of BVI experience makes.
Tailored to your group
Build my BVI charter
Tell us about your group, your dates and your budget. Your broker will come back with a shortlist.
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Browse BVI yachts
Every BVI yacht we list has been reviewed by our team. Search by group size, budget and dates to find the right one.
Browse yachts →Our BVI credentials
"Evanne is a brilliant captain — calm, capable and very much in control. Stijn produced Michelin-star quality food for every meal and never repeated himself. We leave with massive smiles and definite plans to return."
James & Victoria — BVI charter, Bacchus
There's nowhere quite like the BVI
The world's most sailor-friendly waters
Sailing in the British Virgin Islands is genuinely different from anywhere else. The trade winds blow steadily from the east-northeast, the seas are sheltered and calm, and every anchorage is within easy line-of-sight of the next. Most passages are two to three hours — long enough to feel like you're sailing, short enough that you can be swimming off the stern by lunchtime.
The islands are scattered across a protected channel — the Sir Francis Drake Channel — that acts as a natural highway between Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Norman Island, Peter Island and beyond. It means you can cover a lot of ground in a week, or barely move and not feel like you've missed anything.
More than great sailing
The BVI's reputation rests partly on its sailing conditions, but mostly on the culture that's grown up around them. This is a place where the best restaurants have no walls, the most famous bars have no docks, and the liveliest evenings start when someone rows ashore from a mooring buoy. Beach bars aren't a nice-to-have here — they're part of the point.
Underneath the surface there's another world entirely: turtles grazing on sea grass, spotted eagle rays gliding through the shallows, and the extraordinary wreck of the RMS Rhone — a Victorian-era Royal Mail steamer that went down in 1867 and is now considered one of the Caribbean's finest dives.
Anegada: the island that surprises everyone
No visit to the BVI is complete without a detour to Anegada. While the rest of the island group is volcanic and hilly, Anegada sits just nine feet above sea level — a flat, coral-ringed outlier at the northern edge of the archipelago. Getting there requires careful navigation through the surrounding reef (your captain will know the way), but once inside you'll find pink-sand beaches with almost no one on them, a colony of wild flamingos, and lobster grilled fresh on the beach at sunset. It's the highlight of more BVI charters than any other single stop.
Find your perfect BVI crewed yacht
The BVI is the home of the all-inclusive crewed catamaran — and there are some great ones. If a sailing yacht or motor yacht is more your style, the BVI has those too. Every yacht we recommend has been hand-picked by our team
Not sure where to begin? Use our Experience Builder and we'll curate a shortlist suited to your group, your budget and your dates. Or simply add your dates and group size in the search below to start browsing.
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Knowledge hub
See & Do - The BVI Highlights
After ten years and hundreds of BVI charters, here are the experiences our clients always come back talking about. Your broker will know how to fit these into your itinerary.
- Dive the wreck of the RMS Rhone
- Dine at Hog Heaven, Leverick Bay
- Visit Anegada Beach Club
- Explore the Baths at Virgin Gorda
- Relax at the renewed Bitter End Yacht Club
- Snorkel at Mountain Point
- Sip a painkiller at Soggy Dollar Bar, White Bay, Jost van Dyke
Yachts for charter in the BVIs
When To Charter In The British Virgin Islands
The BVI has a longer good-sailing season than almost anywhere else in the Caribbean. November through April is peak season, with the NE trade wind at full strength — typically 15–20 knots, with the odd squally day around Christmas. The weather is warm and dry, the anchorages are busy, and the best yachts book up early.
May and June are wonderful shoulder months — lighter winds, quieter bays, and noticeably lower charter fees. July and August are hotter and more humid, but still perfectly sailable. September is hurricane season, and the bases close.
BVI weather
When to visit
Quick seasonal guide
| Season | Months | Wind | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak season | Dec – Apr | 15–20 kts NE | Best weather, busiest anchorages — book early |
| Shoulder — Spring | May – Jun | 10–18 kts | Great sailing, quieter anchorages, good value |
| Off season | Jul – Aug | 10–15 kts SE | Hot and hazy — still sailable |
| Hurricane season | Sep – Oct | Unpredictable | Bases closed — do not charter |
"February is my favourite month to go. The Christmas rush is over, the weather is consistently brilliant, the anchorages are quieter than January, March and April, and you'll find better value than peak season. If you can be flexible, February in the BVI is hard to beat!"
Marcus - BVI Specialist
BVI Sample Charter Itinerarys
Crewed charters in the British Virgin Islands
A crewed yacht charter means a professional captain and host take care of everything — the sailing, the provisioning, the itinerary, and the sundowners. You show up with your group, step aboard, and hand the logistics over to people who know these waters intimately. It's the most relaxing, most indulgent, and — for most groups — the best possible way to see the BVI.
This is where HELM specialises. We've spent a decade building relationships with the best crewed catamaran operators in the BVI — the ones with the standout captains, the best-stocked galleys, and the kind of crew who remember your breakfast order without being asked. When we recommend a yacht, it's because we know the boat and the people on it.
Yacht types in The BVI
What's included on an all-inclusive crewed charter
The all-inclusive crewed charter means exactly what it sounds like — one weekly rate that covers everything. The captain, the chef, all meals, all drinks, fuel, mooring fees, and a full suite of water toys. No APA top-ups, no surprise invoices at the end of the week. You know exactly what you're spending before you step aboard. The BVI is one of the best places in the Caribbean to experience this style of sailing. Short passages of two to three hours mean you're not at sea for long — you're anchored in a beautiful bay by lunchtime, swimming off the stern by early afternoon, and at the beach bar by sunset. The catamaran is the base camp. The islands are the adventure.
All-inclusive explained
What "all-inclusive" actually means on a BVI crewed charter
Whether you're on a catamaran, power catamaran or motor yacht, your weekly rate on a typical BVI all-inclusive charter covers everything below. There's nothing to think about once you're on board.
- Professional captain
- Chef / hostMost charters have 2+ crew on board
- All mealsBreakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks
- All drinks including alcohol
- Fuel
- Mooring fees
- Water toysPaddleboards, kayaks, snorkel gear
- BVI cruising permits and customs fees
- Crew gratuity15–20% of charter fee — customary and well-deserved
- Shore excursion entry fees
- Dining ashoreEntirely your choice — though the food on board is hard to leave
- Scuba divingAvailable on many charters as an add-on
- Flights and transfers to Tortola
Not sure if a charter is all-inclusive or APA? Your HELM broker will tell you upfront exactly what's covered before you commit to anything.
Why a catamaran or power catamaran?
Catamarans have two hulls, which means two things that matter enormously on a Caribbean holiday: stability and space. They sit flat on the water rather than heeling over, so every part of the boat feels like somewhere to be — meals around a proper table, mornings on the aft deck with coffee in hand, afternoons lounging on the wide bow net with nothing but blue water ahead. The shallow draft also means you can tuck into anchorages that a sailing yacht simply can't reach, which in the BVI counts for a lot. Power catamarans take all of that and turn the dial up. More space, more luxury, and a flybridge deck that becomes the heart of the boat — somewhere to eat, drink and watch the sun go down over the islands. Without sails to think about, the whole trip is about the destination. And in the BVI, that's never a bad thing.
Why the BVIs?
Why the British Virgin Islands is the perfect place for a crewed charter
Other Caribbean destinations offer crewed charters. What makes the British Virgin Islands unique is that the islands are genuinely designed for this style of holiday in a way no other destination matches. Short hops between anchorages, consistent trade winds, over 200 mooring buoys and 60 islands — all within easy reach of each other. The sailing is effortless, which means the focus stays exactly where it should be: on the experience.
And what an experience it is. You wake up in a different anchorage every morning. Breakfast is served on deck while the sun comes up over the islands. Lunch is a freshly prepared spread somewhere you arrived at by boat, with no one else around. Dinner is whatever your chef has come up with using local ingredients from the last port.
60 islands, all within easy reach
No long passages. Most hops are 2–3 hours, leaving the rest of the day for swimming, exploring and doing nothing at all.
Consistent trade winds
Reliable easterly trades from November to June mean the sailing is almost always good — not too light, not too rough.
200+ mooring buoys
The BVI National Parks Trust maintains buoys across the islands — better for the reef, easier for everyone on board.
"We recommend crewed catamarans to around 80% of our BVI clients — families, groups of friends, and couples who want a relaxed week without the hassle of sailing it themselves. The all-inclusive model is what seals it. Once you’ve explained to someone that the boat, the crew, all the food, all the drinks and all the water toys are included in a single price — and that they wake up somewhere different every morning — most people wonder why they’d ever go to a hotel again"
Zach - BVI charter specialist
How much does a BVI crewed charter cost?
Getting the most from your charter budget starts with understanding exactly what you're paying for — and in the BVI, the answer is usually everything. Here's a practical breakdown to help you find the right boat for what you want to spend.
Crewedcatamarans are the BVI's most popular choice, and most are fully all-inclusive. Prices start from around $20,000 per week for a captain and chef on a well-appointed catamaran sleeping 6–8 guests. Split between the group, that works out at roughly $400–$600 per person per day — with a private boat, a professional crew, all meals, all drinks, water toys and a different anchorage every morning. It's a very different calculation to a hotel. Power catamarans offer the same all-inclusive experience with more deck space and a more elevated feel on board, typically from $25,000 per week. For those looking for the very best the BVI has to offer, motor yachts start from around $50,000 per week and can exceed $150,000 for larger vessels with a full crew.
Travelling in November or March rather than peak season can save you or mean you get more yacht for the money — with quieter anchorages as a bonus. A note on APA: some crewed yachts are quoted as charter fee plus APA (Advanced Provisioning Allowance) rather than fully all-inclusive. The APA — typically 15–25% of the charter fee — covers food, drinks, fuel and mooring fees during the trip. Anything unspent is returned to you at the end. Your HELM broker will always tell you upfront which applies. It's also customary to tip your crew at the end of the charter. 15–20% of the charter fee, split between the crew, is the norm in the BVI — and given the level of service most crews deliver, it's well earned. Want a specific quote for your group? Tell us your dates, group size and budget and your broker will come back with a shortlist.
Looking for a bareboat or skippered charter?
Luxury Yacht Charter BVI
A luxury yacht charter in the BVI is the ultimate way to experience the islands from the deck of a crewed yacht. A crewed yacht charter offers luxury and comfort, privacy and exclusivity, a customised sailing itinerary, a professional crew, unbeatable views and scenery, and a memorable experience that you will treasure for years to come.
We work with the best catamaran companies in the BVI, selecting the finest boats in Great Harbour, Nanny Cay Marina or Scrub Island resort that offer state-of-the-art amenities, professional crew, and gourmet cuisine. With spacious interiors and ample deck space, you can relax in comfort and style as you cruise the Sir Francis Drake Channel.
How to get to the BVI?
The British Virgin Islands' spectacular cruising grounds make it more than worth the effort to reach this Caribbean sailing paradise. The BVI is served by the Terrence B Lettsome International Airport (EIS) on Beef Island.
There are no direct flights from Europe to the BVI, but there are several indirect options. It's easy to fly from most major European and Eastern Seaboard hubs to Antigua, Saint Martin or Bridgetown and then catch a LIAT or InterCaribbean flight on to the BVI. Mainland USA customers are served by flights from Puerto Rico or Miami, among others.
Direct routes:
- Miami (MIA)
- San Juan (SJU)
- Saint Thomas (STT)
- St John's, Antigua (ANU)
- Sint Maarten (SXM)
- Bridgetown (BGI)
- Saint Kitts (SKB)
The most common indirect flight route from London to the BVI is to fly to Antigua or St. Maarten and then connect to a smaller plane to the BVI with a local operator like InterCaribbean. The flight time from London to Antigua or St. Maarten is approximately 9 hours. The flight time from Antigua or St. Maarten to the BVI is approximately 45 minutes.
From New York, you can fly via either Puerto Rico or Miami. Flights to San Juan Luis Munoz Marin take around 4 hours, and flights from there to EIS take approx. 45 minutes. Flights to Miami take around 3 hours, and flights between Miami and EIS take around the same length of time. We always recommend checking out your flight options before confirming your BVI yacht charter booking.
There are a number of ferry companies that offer service between the US Virgin Islands and the BVI. The most popular ferry companies are:
- Speedy's Ferry
- Smith's Ferry
- Road Town Fast Ferry
Ferries depart from St. Thomas and St. John in the US Virgin Islands and arrive in Tortola, the BVI. The ferry ride takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.
BVI or US Virgin Islands — what's the difference?
The British and US Virgin Islands sit just a few miles apart, and many of our clients visit both on the same charter. But they're quite different places, and it's worth knowing which is right for you. The BVI is the sailor's choice. Line-of-sight navigation, mooring buoys in almost every anchorage, reliable trade winds, and no mass tourism. The islands are quiet, the beaches are largely undeveloped, and the pace of life is genuinely unhurried. If the sailing and the anchorages are what you're there for, the BVI wins easily. The USVI — particularly St Thomas — has easier access from the US mainland (direct flights from many East Coast cities), more of an urban feel, duty-free shopping, and a wider range of restaurants. St John, the quieter of the main US islands, is beautiful and well worth an overnight stop. The good news is that you don't always have to choose. Many crewed yachts are permitted to operate in both island groups, moving freely between the two. And if flying into St Thomas is easier or cheaper for your group, it often makes perfect sense to hop across to Tortola by ferry or water taxi — a straightforward 45-minute crossing — and board your BVI-based yacht there. Your broker will know exactly which yachts have the right permits and can help plan the crossing so it's seamless rather than complicated. Our recommendation? Base your charter in the BVI, fly into whichever airport works best for your group, and dip into the USVI for a day or two if time allows. The contrast makes both feel even better.
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The places you won't want to miss
Anegada Island - Flat, remote and unforgettable. Pink-sand beaches, wild flamingos and the best lobster in the Caribbean — grilled fresh on the beach.
Soggy Dollar Bar - Swim ashore at White Bay and order a Painkiller — the cocktail that was born right here.
Willy T - A floating bar moored off Norman Island. Famous for Painkillers
Foxy's - Great Harbour's legendary beach bar
Bitter End Yacht Club - The BVI's most celebrated sailing resort on Virgin Gorda.
RMS Rhone - One of the Caribbean's finest wreck dives. A Victorian steamship at 80 feet, teeming with marine life.
Cane Garden Bay- A sheltered bay with palm trees, beach bars and the perfect Caribbean vibe. Famous for live music
