Once a retreat for pirates, the British Virgin Islands is now a perfect area for a yacht charter vacation and one of the most popular sailing destinations in the Caribbean. With good infrastructure, short passages and sheltered waters, the archipelago is also very suitable for sailors with less experience and for family vacations. On the main island of Tortola, we offer a wide range of yachts at our bases.
Climate: tropical with temperatures between 22 and 30 degrees
Winds: northeast trade winds
Sailing season: all year round with attention to the hurricane season from June to November
Popular Yachts | British Virgin Islands
Tortola, BVI| Cabins: | 4 | Berths: | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: | 2020 | Sail | Standard |
| Yacht-ID | 25361 | L/D: | 11.73 / 1.20 |
| Cabins: | 4 | Berths: | 8+1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: | 2017 | Sail | Battened |
| Yacht-ID | 15201 | L/D: | 14.60 / 1.52 |
| Cabins: | 3 | Berths: | 6+1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: | 2018 | Sail | Furling |
| Yacht-ID | 17894 | L/D: | 14.15 / 1.95 |
| Cabins: | 3 | Berths: | 6+2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: | 2018 | Sail | Battened |
| Yacht-ID | 14548 | L/D: | 10.34 / 1.98 |
| Cabins: | 5+1 | Berths: | 10+1+1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: | 2018 | Sail | Battened |
| Yacht-ID | 15625 | L/D: | 15.75 / 1.73 |
Yacht charter British Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands are located east of Puerto Rico and belong to the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. The British Virgin Islands include over 60 islands that make up the northern part of the Virgin Islands. They are an overseas territory of Great Britain, so a passport is required for entry, which should be valid for 6 months beyond the trip. German citizens do not need a visa for a stay for up to 30 days. If you would like to visit more of the Virgin Islands, which are located in the American part, you should think about a visa or ESTA beforehand, if necessary. Further and current information can be found on the page of the Foreign Office.
Even though the islands belong to Great Britain, the common currency is the US dollar. The official language is English.
Travel, activities and discoveries on a yacht charter British Virgin Islands
There are no direct flights from Germany to the islands, but transfers are available via England, other Caribbean islands or the USA. It is advisable to inquire in advance if a visa or other documents are required for transit. You will land at Terrance B. Lettsome Airport on the main island of Tortola. Here, we offer a wide range of yachts with two bases: Hodges Creek, which is very close to the airport, and Port Pucell's Marina Joma, located near the capital, Road Town. Due to its central position in the archipelago, Tortola is an ideal base for a yacht charter vacation. You will find beautiful palm beaches with white sand and turquoise water on all surrounding islands. To the northeast, there are several side islands, including Marina Cay. This small dream island offers a beautiful beach and reefs for snorkeling and diving. It also features restaurants and bars with live music.
On Jost van Dyke north of Tortola you will find good snorkeling in White Bay and a very nice beach. In the evening you can drink the infamous cocktail of the Virgin Islands, the Sundowner, a mixture of Pusser's Rum, pineapple juice, coconut milk, orange juice and nutmeg in the Soggy Dollar Bar.
Norman Island in southwestern Tortola is not only named after a pirate, but is also the setting for Louis Stevenson's famous story Treasure Island. Here you can explore caves at Treasure Point, which are only accessible from the water, by dinghy. There are good diving and snorkeling spots off Pelican Island. In the evening, life awakens in The Bight, either on the restaurant and party ship Willy T. or in Pirates Bight on the beach.
On Peter Island lies a paradisiacal bay with the rather creepy name Deadman's Bay. The name refers to a long ago event where a pirate is said to have drowned here. In the neighboring bay you will find a resort with an attached marina. East of the bay, 
snorkelers and divers can explore the wreck of the RMS Rhône, a British Royal Navy mail steamer that sank in a hurricane in 1867.
Bitter End is the easternmost point of Virgin Gorda and the BVI and the last port before an Atlantic crossing. There is a swanky yacht club here and it's worth having a drink to look at the luxury yachts anchored here. The Baths on the southwest coast are an impressive formation of huge granite rocks, some of which have been eroded by wind and weather to form small pools on the beach. Nearby you can also visit a disused copper mine.
The Dogs are a group of islands west of Virgin Gorda with great diving and snorkeling opportunities. Also 15 nautical miles from the island is Anegada Island. It is the only one of the Virgin Islands that is not of volcanic origin, but the surface of a coral reef and therefore very shallow. Not all charter companies allow their clients to visit Anegada due to the shallow water depth, which makes it a challenge to approach the island. It is best to arrange a visit well in advance. On the island, yacht charterers will find secluded beaches and, of course, great reefs for snorkeling. At the Flamingos Pont on the island, you can see the birds, which are now native again. Anegada's specialty, fresh grilled lobster, is also not to be missed.
Annually in spring, the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival takes place for a week in the British Virgin Islands. The four-day festival starts in Nanny Cay and then moves on through the Sir Francis Drake Channel to the Bitter End Yacht Club. This is followed by the three-day regatta with various races.
