Charter a sailboat in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) – Sail in

Experience relaxed Caribbean cruises in gentle tropical breezes.

Your sailing trip in this protected area will allow you to follow in the footsteps of historical explorers and legendary pirates and permit you to taste new and exciting cuisines on land. Don’t forget that you can also take part in sporting activities right on the water’s edge.

50 magnificent islands, just waiting to be discovered.

Set sail with your family and friends, and drift from island to island. This is truly the perfect location for yacht charter novices with a passion for sailing.

Renting a sailboat in the British Virgin Islands: your dream Caribbean sailing trip

The islands that make up the BVIs are mostly volcanic in origin, and form a true sailor's paradise. Surrounded by a crystal clear sea on one side and dreamy tropical landscapes on the other, the BVI is the perfect area for an island hopping adventure. Each of the countless islands are within sailing distance of each other, and yet each still has their own unique character.

The Virgin Islands, as christened by Columbus, are considered an ideal sailing area for beginners. Even the more exposed islands, namely Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Tortola, are able slow the trade winds and the Atlantic swell. This provides them with characteristics relatively similar to that of an inland area. These trips are all short enough to permit you to navigate with your eyes alone, and there is little to no risk of either tidal currents or fog hindering your journey. Any reefs and shallows are clearly marked and the translucent water provides an anchor bottom that is easily visible.

These islands live up to their title as a world-class holiday resort. There is so much to discover during your sailboat rental in the BVI. There are many small bays which are home to exquisite sandy beaches - perfect for anchoring your boat. Family crews especially appreciate the idyllic combination of sailing and swimming holidays.

On land, there is a great selection of pubs and resplendent restaurants for you to visit.

If you book a sailboat rental in the British Virgin Islands, you can’t miss out on visiting The Baths, located in the southwest of Virgin Gorda. Over the centuries, the Atlantic Ocean has washed away the huge granite stones, creating natural swimming pools.

The capital of the British Virgin Islands is Road Town, Tortola. The capital exudes a colourful Caribbean flair, enchanting all who visit with a mixture of sumptuous local cuisine and captivating local music.

Foxy’s on Jost van Dyke is famous among sailors from all over the world. Sailors from all over the world have left tokens and flags in the bar, which are representative of the rich history of the establishment.

Key information about the British Virgin Islands

The BVI is a Caribbean archipelago located between Puerto Rico and the Leeward Islands. The archipelago’s larger islands, namely 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. The highest peak in the BVIs is Mount Sage, located on Tortola. In contrast to the islands previously mentioned, Anegada is made up of stone corals and limestone which makes it relatively flat.

With more than 50 islands, the BVI is a British overseas territory with a governor and Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. The BVI has a population of 28,000, around half of whom live on Tortola. Columbus discovered these islands in 1492 and named them after Saint Ursula and her eleven thousand virgins (Santa Ursula y las once mil virgines), which gave the inspiration for their current name. But you will discover more than just Spanish history during your sailboat rental in the British Virgin Islands.

After the Spaniards, the Dutch settled on the islands. They later became an important stopover for ships sailing between America and Europe. At the end of the 17th century, the English occupied Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Anegada. In the past, the islands offered popular escape routes for privateers and pirates, due to the maze of hidden passages throughout. Today, tourism and offshore banking are the main sources of income. The local language in the BVI is English, and the currency is the US dollar.

The BVI is a perfect area for sailing. The Sir Francis Drake Channel and its outer islands offer a great deal of protection from the Atlantic swell. The turquoise sea water is clearand warm. There are beautiful bays with sandy beaches, black granite rocks, coral reefs and many wonderful bars and restaurants, for example, 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 primarily working to protect marine flora and fauna, as a lot of damage was previously caused by anchoring boats, especially in the coral reefs. Sailboats in the British Virgin Islands must acquire a National Park Mooring Permit through their charter company so that they can moor on special buoys. The buoys usually have a diameter of 33 centimetres and are colour-coded:

Orange: no diving, use of the buoy only during the day.

Yellow: only for professional shipping.

White: private yachts with crews who want to dive.

Blue: for dinghies only.

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 a "first come, first served..." basis. Private yachts with an overall length of 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.

Sailing conditions

Weather

As you set sail on your sailboat rental in the British Virgin Islands, you will be greeted by a pleasant, subtropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 30°C in the winter and 27 to 32°C in the summer. The trade wind will provide you with a fresh, cool, breeze that is present throughout the year, whilst water temperatures remain at around 25°C.

Wind conditions

The trade winds are constantly blowing in the BVI. In the summer, they come from the southeast with a strength of 3 to 4 Bft, and in the winter from the northeast with a strength of 4 to 6 Bft.

Water depths and Tides

On the windward side of the islands, the wave height is rarely more than 1.3 metres and is often less than 1 metre high in protected areas. The sea is mostly very calm in the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Coastlines and straits between the islands influence the direction and speed of the currents. Near the outermost points of the islands, currents can be up to three knots.

Special climatic conditions

From November to April, you may experience the notorious ground/northern swell, especially on the north coasts of the islands. These currents can cause yachts to suddenly collide together when anchored. Groundswells are announced in the local weather report. Hurricanes can also occur between July and November.

Must-see locations for your sailboat rental in the BVI

Tortola

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 islands’ maritime history. J.R. O’Neal Botanic Gardens is a small, peaceful garden which is home to a plethora of tropical plants, butterflies and birds.

Sunny Caribbee Spice Shop & Art Gallery offers spices, Caribbean sauces and tea. You can also find a variety of nice little souvenirs for family and friends at home.

The Allamanda Gallery Photo Exhibition. This place is responsible for the 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.

Bamboushay Pottery is a pottery shop selling ceramic items, lamps and plates all made in a Caribbean style.

Pusser's Bar, Restaurant & Store has a unique vibe and excellent views of the harbour of Road Harbour.

Callwood Rum Distillery has been producing dark and white speciality rum for over 200 years.

At 523 metres, Sage Mountain in the Sage Mountain National Park is Tortola’s highest peak. You can climb the mountain either on your own or with a guided tour.

The BVI Spring Regatta is a six-day event that usually takes place at the end of March or the beginning of April, starting at the Nanny Cay Marina.

Norman Island

Here, you will find the caves that are said to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Treasure Island.

Pirates Bight Restaurant in The Bight boasts beautiful views of the bay.

Peter Island

Here you will find Peter Island Resort & Marina, which has many restaurants and a bar.

Salt Island

On Salt Island, you can dive and snorkel at the wreck of the Royal Mail Ship "Rhône". This ship, which is approximately 95-metre-long, was built in 1865 in England with an iron hull, and sank off the coast of Salt Island in 1867, due to a hurricane. The shipwreck was also a filming location for the 1977 film "The Deep", starring Jacqueline Bisset and Nick Nolte and directed by Peter Yates. This really is a must-see site during your sailboat rental in the British Virgin Islands.

Virgin Gorda

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

Gorda Peak and Gorda Peak National Park contain a variety of native and exotic plants, and have been extensively reforested with mahogany trees. An observation tower offers spectacular views of some of the surrounding islands.

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

The Bitter End Yacht Club & Resort, is a fully serviced marina with restaurants, bars, and boutiques, which is also visited by regatta yachts during the BVI Spring regattas.

Jost van Dyke

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

Foxy's Bar and Restaurant in Great Harbour offers freshly tapped beer from its own brewery and two speciality rums called Sly Fox and Dread Fox, where the rum for which is also made in-house. Local bands regularly play in the beach bar.

The Soggy Dollar Bar in White Bay has a restaurant and hotel. The name comes from the fact that you have to wade or swim through the sea to get to this bar. Here you get the original ‘Painkiller’ made from aromatic dark rum, cream of coconut, pineapple, and orange juice with a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg. The exact mixture for the recipe is, of course, kept secret.