The BVI offers 60+ anchorages within a 50nm radius. This guide covers the best routes, mooring regulations, entry requirements, and charter costs for a BVI sailing holiday.
Why the BVI is the world's most popular charter sailing destination
The British Virgin Islands comprise 60+ islands, cays, and rocks within a 50nm radius of Road Town, Tortola. Year-round northeast trade winds of 15–25 knots, 29°C water temperature, and a managed mooring buoy network covering every major anchorage make the BVI the most predictable and accessible blue-water sailing destination on earth. The island group handles approximately 5,000 charter boats annually — the highest concentration of charter yachts in any single island group worldwide.
The classic BVI one-week route
- 01Day 1 — Road Town to The Bight, Norman Island (12nm): Snorkel The Caves, sea caves accessible by dinghy. Night: mooring buoy in The Bight ($30/night).
- 02Day 2 — Norman Island to Cooper Island (10nm): Pass Peter Island Resort (private island). Cooper Island Beach Club: reef accessible from anchored boat. Bar ashore.
- 03Day 3 — Cooper Island to Virgin Gorda (12nm): Afternoon at The Baths National Park — granite boulders, tidal pools, Devil's Bay snorkel trail. Mooring buoys required: $30/night.
- 04Day 4 — Virgin Gorda to Anegada (15nm): Approach from the west only — Horseshoe Reef extends 3nm SE. Anchor in 2–4m over sand. Anegada: flat coral island, 300 shipwrecks, flamingo colony. Lobster dinner at Cow Wreck Beach.
- 05Day 5 — Anegada to Jost Van Dyke (22nm): Soggy Dollar Bar (home of the Painkiller cocktail), Foxy's Tamarind Bar. White Bay mooring field.
- 06Day 6 — Jost Van Dyke to Cane Garden Bay, Tortola (7nm): Rhymer's Beach Bar, Callwood Distillery (est. 1800s, rum tour). Calm swimming bay.
- 07Day 7 — Return to Road Town (6nm): Clear customs, hand back the boat.
BVI entry and cruising regulations
- Cruising permit: USD 75 for the first 7 days (payable at customs, Road Town Harbour)
- Port of entry: Road Town, Tortola — or Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke for boats arriving from the US Virgin Islands
- Mooring buoys: compulsory within national parks (The Baths, The Caves, Sandy Spit, Pelican Island). Cost: USD 25–50/night
- Anchoring: permitted outside national park boundaries in depths under 30m
- Passports: required for all nationalities. EU citizens: 30-day visa-free entry. US citizens: US passport required (US territory is USVI, not BVI)
- No fishing licence required for recreational handlining from a charter vessel
BVI charter costs in 2026
| Charter Type | Vessel Size | Low Season (May–Jun) | Peak (Dec–Apr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bareboat catamaran | 42–45ft | $3,200–$4,800/wk | $5,500–$8,000/wk |
| Skippered catamaran | 45ft | $5,500–$7,500/wk | $8,000–$12,000/wk |
| Full crew (skipper + host) | 50ft | $9,000–$14,000/wk | $14,000–$22,000/wk |
Add to base rates: provisioning $35–$70/person/day, mooring buoys $25–$50/night, cruising permit $75 flat, fuel $150–$400/week (motoring average). Total budget for 6 guests on a bareboat catamaran in peak season: USD $10,000–$16,000 for the week.
Best time to sail the BVI
Peak season runs December through April: hurricane-free, consistent NE trades 15–20 knots, water 28°C, 70% of annual charter volume. Book 4–6 months ahead for peak dates. Low season (May–June): 20–30% cheaper, water 29°C, winds slightly more variable but still reliable. Hurricane season is July–November: most charter fleets reduce inventory or relocate; prices drop 40–50% for those willing to accept weather uncertainty (the BVI was severely affected by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and has since fully rebuilt).
Required qualifications for a BVI bareboat
- Skipper: RYA Coastal Skipper, ASA 104, USCG certificate, or equivalent with minimum 500nm offshore evidence
- Most operators require a sailing resume and a brief checkout sail before departure
- No BVI-specific licence; UK and EU certificates accepted
- Recommended: co-skipper or experienced crew for island-hopping navigation
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need sailing experience to charter in the BVI?
For a bareboat charter, yes — a coastal skipper qualification and offshore experience are required. For a skippered or crewed charter, no sailing experience is necessary. We arrange certified BVI-experienced skippers who handle all navigation, docking, and passage planning.
What is the Painkiller cocktail and where is it from?
The Painkiller is the official cocktail of the BVI, invented at the Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke in the 1970s. Ingredients: Pusser's Rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, cream of coconut, grated nutmeg. The Soggy Dollar Bar is named because sailors must swim ashore (no dock), getting their wallets wet.
Is the BVI good for first-time charter guests?
Yes, with a skipper. The BVI's short inter-island passages (6–22nm), reliable trade winds, and mooring buoy system (no anchoring required) make it extremely beginner-friendly when a professional skipper handles the boat. Many guests with zero sailing experience have one of the best holidays of their lives in the BVI.
Are there flights to the BVI?
Tortola's Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport accepts regional flights from Puerto Rico (40min), St. Martin, and Antigua. Most transatlantic travellers connect via San Juan (American Airlines, JetBlue) or St. Martin (Air France, KLM). Travel time from London: approximately 11–13 hours including connection.