British Virgin Islands Catamaran Charter: The Ultimate Sailing Guide

The British Virgin Islands have been the world’s most chartered catamaran destination for nearly forty years, and the reason is geographic. Sixty islands and cays sit within line-of-sight sailing distance of each other across the Sir Francis Drake Channel, the protected stretch of water that runs between Tortola in the north and Norman Island in the south. You can leave one anchorage at 10:00 and be tied up at the next mooring by 13:00, with most legs running 6 to 12 nautical miles. That density of stops, combined with reliable Christmas-winds trade-wind sailing, is why first-time charterers and seasoned skippers keep coming back.

Why the BVI is built for catamaran charter

The Sir Francis Drake Channel functions like a long, sheltered highway. Trade winds out of the east-northeast blow 12 to 18 knots November through April, easing to 10 to 14 knots in the summer, with rare gusts above 25 except during named tropical systems. Wave fetch is short — most crossings stay in protected water with three- to four-foot seas — so a 45-foot catamaran rides comfortably under main and reefed jib without anyone needing to hold their drink.

Mooring infrastructure that just works

The BVI Moorings system runs over 250 mooring balls across the chain, maintained by the National Parks Trust and several private operators. Picking up a mooring ball costs USD 30 to 40 a night and removes the need to anchor in coral. Marina berths in Road Town, Nanny Cay, and Soper’s Hole run USD 75 to 145 a night for a 45-foot cat in season. The math is unusual for a charter ground — overnight costs stay below USD 50 a night for most of the week.

The classic BVI route from Tortola

Most charters start at one of the three Tortola charter bases — The Moorings in Road Town, Nanny Cay near the airport, or Sunsail at Wickhams Cay — and run a clockwise or anticlockwise loop of seven days.

Day 1 — Norman Island and The Bight

From Road Town it’s a 6 nm reach south-east to Norman Island, the island that inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. Anchor or moor in The Bight, swim out to The Caves at Treasure Point for an afternoon snorkel, and have dinner aboard the famous Willy T floating bar — best ordered with painkillers (the BVI’s signature rum cocktail) and the conch fritters.

Day 2 — Cooper Island and Salt Island

A short 6 nm hop east takes you to Cooper Island. The Cooper Island Beach Club has its own renewable-energy power, espresso bar, and a small reef just off the dock. Detour an hour south-east to Salt Island for the wreck of the RMS Rhone, sunk in the 1867 hurricane, now one of the Caribbean’s iconic dive sites at 30 to 80 feet.

Day 3 — The Baths on Virgin Gorda

Sail 12 nm north-east to Virgin Gorda. The Baths is the BVI’s most photographed natural feature — house-sized granite boulders forming a labyrinth of tide pools and cathedrals. Pick up a National Parks mooring at Devil’s Bay early; the snorkeling at the south end of The Baths is best before mid-morning when the tour boats arrive.

Day 4 — Anegada

The only coral atoll in the chain, Anegada sits 12 nm north of Virgin Gorda across an unprotected stretch — your one open-water leg of the week. Reefs surround the island; charter contracts often require you to take an Anegada-specific channel course, free with most operators. The island’s lobster — slow-roasted at Cow Wreck Beach Bar or Anegada Reef Hotel — is reason enough to make the leg.

Day 5 — Jost Van Dyke

From Anegada it’s an easy 24 nm reach south-west to Jost Van Dyke, the chain’s party island. White Bay is the legendary anchorage; the Soggy Dollar Bar on the beach claims to have invented the painkiller. Foxy’s at Great Harbour is a separate must — Sunday-night BBQ with a steel drum band has been running since the 1970s.

Catamaran types and pricing in the BVI

The BVI is a Lagoon and Bali catamaran market — both manufacturers maintain large fleets through Moorings, Sunsail, and Dream Yacht Charter. A 42- to 47-foot bareboat catamaran in shoulder season (June, September, October) runs USD 6,500 to 9,500 a week. High season (mid-December to April, including Christmas, New Year’s, and US spring break) bumps to USD 11,000 to 18,000. Crewed packages add USD 4,500 to 6,500 for skipper, hostess, and full provisioning.

Bareboat licensing

The BVI accepts the RYA Day Skipper, the US Sailing Bareboat Cruising certificate, the IYT Bareboat Skipper, and the ASA 104. A skipper resume covering at least three multi-day passages on a similar size catamaran is required by most charter companies. If you don’t hold a recognised certificate, a captain-only day rate runs USD 250 to 320; a full week with hostess about USD 4,500 inclusive.

Best time of year

December through April is peak season — high-pressure systems give consistent 15-knot trades, low rainfall, and water temperatures around 79 °F. May, June, and November are shoulder seasons with similar conditions and 20-30% lower charter rates. July through October overlaps the formal Atlantic hurricane season; most operators offer named-storm refunds, but bookings drop sharply and many waterfront restaurants close.

Hurricane reality check

Of the last 25 years, the BVI has been struck directly by named hurricanes in 1995 (Marilyn), 2017 (Irma, the major one), and 2024 (Beryl). Charters in late September and October carry the highest probability of itinerary changes. If you book in this window, confirm with the operator that they offer storm-path refunds.

Provisioning and what to bring

Road Town has two large supermarkets — Riteway and One Mart — both within taxi distance of all charter bases. Pre-order delivery is standard at USD 75 to 120 for a week of provisions. Liquor is duty-free, so beer and rum are dramatically cheaper than at home; pre-arrange a case of Pusser’s Rum (the Royal Navy heritage rum, distilled on Tortola) for the painkiller-making nights. Bring reef-safe sunscreen — non-mineral sunscreens are banned in BVI marine parks.

Local food and drink

The BVI’s culinary identity is built on three things: Anegada lobster (lobster diavolo or grilled with garlic butter), conch served as fritters or in a coconut curry, and the painkiller cocktail. The Bar of Roti on Tortola does the best Trinidad-style roti in the chain. Brandywine Estate on Tortola serves a serious dinner menu with a Caribbean-Mediterranean fusion. For provisioning aboard, ask for fresh-caught wahoo or mahi-mahi at the Road Town fish market.

BVI charter compared with the rest of the Caribbean

Compared with the Bahamas — where distances stretch and fuel becomes the dominant operating cost — BVI sailing is dense and efficient. Read our complete Bahamas catamaran guide for that contrast. Compared to Grenada and the southern Windwards, the BVI sees less swell and shorter legs but lacks the wilder, less-developed feel of the Grenadines.

For full destination details, see our BVI destination overview. To compare specific catamaran models — Lagoon 46, Bali 4.6, Bali Catspace — browse the BVI fleet with cabin layouts and pricing for your dates. Ready to book? Request a personalised quote with preferred dates and crew options.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a typical BVI catamaran charter?

Seven days, Saturday to Saturday, is the standard. The classic Tortola-based loop fits comfortably into a week with daily 6 to 12 nm legs and time for swim stops between sails. Two-week charters extend the route to include Anegada more leisurely and add quieter spots like Sandy Cay or Norman Island’s south-side caves.

Do I need a visa for the BVI?

US, UK, EU, Canadian, Australian, and most South American passports get a 30-day visitor stamp on arrival at Beef Island airport (EIS) with proof of onward travel and accommodation. The BVI is a British Overseas Territory, not part of the EU.

What’s the best month for a BVI catamaran charter?

Mid-January to mid-March hits the sweet spot — peak trades, low rainfall, water temperatures still 78 to 80 °F, and prices ease slightly compared to Christmas and Easter weeks. Early November and late April are both excellent shoulder weeks with pricing 25-30% below peak.

Can a first-time skipper handle the BVI?

Yes, with the right crew. Most charter companies will offer a “captain orientation” half-day for skippers new to the area; many people who hold a Day Skipper certificate but rarely sail catamarans book the captain for the first 24 hours and take the boat over after the Norman Island night. The protected channel and short legs make the BVI the friendliest first-week catamaran ground in the Caribbean.

How much does a Caribbean catamaran charter typically cost?

Bareboat catamaran in BVI shoulder season starts around USD 6,500 a week for a 42-foot four-cabin layout; peak weeks reach USD 18,000 for a 50-foot. Add USD 4,500 to 6,500 for skipper-and-hostess crew on top. Provisioning is roughly USD 75 per person per day for chef-prepared, USD 25 to 35 for self-provisioning groceries plus restaurant dinners.

About this guide

This guide was prepared by the Catamaran Charter Caribbean editorial team — a group of charter brokers and sailors who have been organizing yacht charters in the Caribbean since 2007. Every itinerary, mooring, and pricing range described here reflects current first-hand fleet experience and direct partnership with licensed BVI charter operators including The Moorings, Sunsail, and Dream Yacht Charter. Last reviewed: May 2026.

If a detail looks out of date, write us at www.catamaran-charter-caribbean.com/contact — we update destination guides quarterly.