Posted on October 27 2017. BVI STRONG! For anybody who is wondering what our beaches look like: 'Our Beaches are still White, our Seas are still turquoise Blue and our Drinks are still Cold'!!!! These pictures are taken on October 1 on White Bay, JVD and Sandy Spit and it is still gorgeous! Coco Loco's Beach Bar is already open for BBQ and they even had fresh nutmeg to grate on painkillers!!! Hendo's Hideout and Soggy Dollar Bar will be opening soon as well! Save These ... Read More »
Gofundme for staff of BVIYC
Posted on September 29 2017, by Cassie Roost. On the 6th of September 2017, Hurricane Irma passed directly over the BVI as a category 5 hurricane. For all the people who would like to help us, we have set up a Gofundme page the BVIYC staff to help them get back on their feet. Many lost their homes and personal belongings, so we are asking for your assistance. All donations, no matter how big or small, will go directly to our employees to help them put their lives back together. In an ... Read More »
2017 Hurricane Update
As I'm sure you are aware on the 6th of September, 2017, hurricane Irma passed directly over the BVI. As a category 5 hurricane, she left a trail of destruction in her path. All means of communication with the islands were wiped out, and whilst they are slowly being restored, information is still very limited at this time. First and foremost, with great relief we can confirm that all our staff and their families are safe and unharmed, including Blackie, our beloved dock dog. We are still ... Read More »
Introducing a new face: Hannah
Posted on August 21 2017, by Kirstie Palmer. BVI Yacht Charters continues to grow and we have now added a new staff member to the office, Hannah Hasted, to assist us with the bookings and customer service. Hannah is learning the ropes quickly, and many of you have already spoken with her or received an email from her. "I am Hannah Hasted, I am 19 years old. I was born in the UK but have lived in the BVI since I was 6 weeks old with the exception of two years that I spent living ... Read More »
NEW DIVE SITE: KODIAK QUEEN
Posted on August 18 2017. Experience a one of a kind dive: The Kodiak Queen. A historical World War II ship converted to an artificial reef with a sea monster sculpture. The Kodiak Queen, a ship originally wrecked at Pearl Harbor during WWII that's now sunk off of Mountain Point, Virgin Gorda, has gained new life as an art installation and it’s perhaps the most exciting addition to the Caribbean underwater scene in years: the “BVI Art Reef”, the brainchild of a group of ... Read More »
CONCH FRITTERS RECIPE
Posted on August 2 2017. When trying to describe local BVI cuisine, it’s hard not to start with the Conch Fritter. From island shacks to fine dining restaurants, everyone in the British Virgin Islands has some form of conch fritter on the menu. Definitely a must try, when you are sailing here.... If you would like to try to make them at home after your charter, then here is a good recipe you can try: CONCH FRITTERS This recipe features conch, a national food of the British Virgin ... Read More »
SUMMER SPECIAL CREWED POWER CAT
Posted on July 20 2017. Summer Special 20% off rates for charters taking place between July 1 and Nov. 1, 2017 on Out Of Office 65' power cat. That's $8,800 off for 10 guests! Terms and conditions are: - BVI cruising grounds only. - If clients fly to STT, land tax and water taxi provided at boat expense to BVI. - Includes fuel, on-board water ports and all food and beverage with exception of 2 lunches and 2 dinner ashore at client expense. - Available for up to 10 guests and 5 ... Read More »
Cruising permit fees to increase August 1
Posted on July 15 2017. Effective August 1 2017, The Government of the British Virgin islands will increase the cruising permit fees drastically. BVI based charters will see an increase in cruising permit fees to $6 per person per day all year around. This is a 300% increase from the former cruising permit fees of $2 per person/day in high season and even a larger increase for the low season fees where the cruising permit only was $0.75 per person per day. The new law will take ... Read More »
COPPER MINE VIRGIN GORDA
Posted on July 10 2017. Most charterers visit Virgin Gorda for its impressive “Baths” and then sail further to the Gorda Sound. For those who are interested in the history of Virgin Gorda, a visit to the Copper Mine on the southeastern point of Virgin Gorda is highly recommended. Not only is it interesting to see the ruins of this historical mine, the views from here are spectacular too! It is an easy drive or taxi from Spanish Town or the Baths. Bring your camera, the site ... Read More »
Rate Reduction Nautitech 40
Posted on July 3 2017. Our two Nautitech 40 Open Catamarans are innovative, modern, fast and powerful despite being a small catamaran. These catamarans are versatilable, combining speed, comfort and easy to handle. To make them more affordable, we have reduced their rate as follows: Y-KNOT Nautitech Open 40 4 Cabins & 2 Heads Generator & Air-Conditioning HIGH SEASON:$8,075 NOW $7,750 MID SEASON: $7,500 NOW $6,650 LOW SEASON: $6,900 NOW $6,150 OFF SEASON: ... Read More »
BVIYC GIRLS ATTEND 5K RUN FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
Posted on June 20 2017. BVI YACHT CHARTERS GIRLS SUPPORT COLOR ME PINK RUN/WALK FOR A CAUSE On Saturday morning the streets in Road Town, Tortola turned pink and colourful for the BVI’s Color Me Pink 5k Run/Walk. The run is a fundraiser event to promote breast cancer awareness and generating over $15,000 towards free mammograms for women in the territory. Our BVI Yacht Charters girls Kirstie and Els were there to support the cause. The program was established several years ago by Sensus ... Read More »
WORRY FREE THANKSGIVING
Posted on June 16 2017. Thanksgiving is fast approaching and there are plenty of all-inclusive crewed yachts to help you celebrate in the Caribbean! Celebrate Thanksgiving with your friends and family this year aboard a crewed yacht and get the best Thanksgiving dinner ever without planning, cooking or cleaning up! Thanksgiving is the perfect time of year to take a few weeks off and enjoy the tropical weather and see the best of the Virgin Islands. Unplugged, away from the stresses of ... Read More »
5 NEW BENETEAU MONOHULLS
Posted on June 16 2017. Five beautiful brand new Beneteau Oceanis Monohulls are coming in our fleet and will be available for charters starting this December! Beneteau has created a link to another world with the Oceanis, which stands apart for its space, light and design, coming together in unison to transform life at sea. It has opened the door to new horizons, described by sumptuous spaces and served by noble and luxurious materials. The Oceanis is a safe and efficient sailing ... Read More »
The Wonky Dog Restaurant, Anegada
Posted on June 8 2017. Anegada is a beautiful destination in the BVI to sail to on your charter and most people visit Anegada to explore the beautiful white beaches, snorkel on the outer reef, maybe see the flamingo’s but definitely also to eat the famous Anegada Lobster. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from, but in this blog, we want to introduce one of the newer restaurants on the island: The Wonky Dog bar & restaurant on the water’s edge at Setting Point, ... Read More »
Annapolis Boat Show Oct 5-9 2017
Posted on May 24 2017. Come and meet us in person! Put the dates in your agenda and visit us at the Annapolis Boat Show in October. Our team is excited to meet you and to give you nice brochures and lots of information of our yachts and sailing in the BVI. The show is this year from Thursday October 5 until Monday October 9 Come and visit our booth, catch up with our crew, book your next charter and receive an exclusive boat show discount! Our booth is number D91/D92 (same tent as last ... Read More »
Sea Turtles in the BVI
Posted on May 25 2017. The marine environment of the BVI is an underwater paradise for diving and snorkeling on its varied and beautiful reefs. It is very likely you will encounter a turtle on your charter while sailing, snorkeling or diving. While sailing our beautiful waters, spotting a sea turtle can be a thrilling sight. Always have a look out for a dark spot in the water and then a distinctive head poking out of the water like a periscope. You also might be able to find a sea ... Read More »
Drone Footage BVI
Posted on April 24 2017, by Kirstie Palmer. Check out this fantastic drone footage of the BVI from our Beneteau 35 "Knot too Late" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaQcvOdUJMo&feature=youtu.be https://www.bviyachtcharters.com/yachts/knot-too-late-beneteau-35/ ... Read More »
Donations to FSN
Posted on March 27 2017. Family Support Network (FSN) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization in the BVI, whose primary aim is to aid individuals, couples and families affected by domestic violence. They always are in need of extra supplies - mainly food - to give towards victims of domestic violence who have sought emergency housing and other services from the organization. HOW CAN WE HELP? We ask our guests at the end of their charter to look through the unused ... Read More »
HUMPBACK WHALES IN BVI WATERS
Posted on March 27 2017, by Cassie Roost. There have been several sightings in this last week of humpback whales with their calves, breaching in the channel. It is really a sight to behold. Most places in the world have had a pretty cold winter this year, and many are still shivering under a blanket of snow. We love this time of year as the whales start making their way south, on their annual migration to warmer ... Read More »
2017 Events and Activities in the BVI
Posted on February 9 2017. What is happening in the British Virgin islands in 2017? We have made a list of Events and Activities we thought you should not miss while you are here in the BVI for your sailing vacation. Maybe you want to book your next charter around one of these events..... 1. FULL MOON PARTIES Monthly Full moon parties in the BVI are spectacular and have something for everyone. Island music, dancing, local cuisine, art, shopping, and heavy partying make these ... Read More »
Obama on Vacation in the BVI
Posted on January 25 2017. Former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, arrived in the British Virgin Islands Monday January 23 at 8:47 PM with Richard Branson's private jet for a well deserved vacation. On arrival they posed with immigration officers and our Police Commissioner Michael Matthews. The Obamas were swiftly transported to Trellis Bay where a boat was waiting to take them to Necker Island, Richard Branson's private Island. Necker Island is a ... Read More »
Atlantic Journey of Nailah
Posted on January 19 2017, by Kirstie Palmer. The new Lagoon 400 S2 "Nailah" arrived just before Christmas on our docks with her owner Jose. He sailed together with his crew Trans-Atlantic as his first voyage from Spain. Here is the story we received from Jose: "On 15 November 2016 we departed from Spain with 4 initial crew - Belen: Adventure girl of 42 years and a sea lover - Patric: Sail Instructor and music player - Jose Luis : Captain in practice - Me (Jose): Captain ... Read More »
BVI Yacht Charters goes ORANGE
Posted on January 10 2017, by Abbie Turner. For the New Year, BVI Yacht Charters has decided to brighten things up by adding bright orange flags to the docs and giving all the dock staff new orange shirts. BVI Yacht Charters loves the colour orange. Not only is it a bright fun and happy colour it makes the dock staff "pop-out" so our customers can spot them more easily! Another reason for the Orange colour comes from our owner Arjan, who is Dutch and the Dutch have orange as ... Read More »
Discover “Adventure” at the Miami Boat Show
Posted on January 9 2017, by Kirstie Palmer. Our New Lagoon 450 S "Adventure" will be showing by Lagoon at the Miami Boat Show in February. Adventure is a 3 cabin owner version with a beautiful spacious master cabin in one hull and 2 cabins in the other hull all with ensuite bathrooms. She has a Sportstop, which enables the helmsman to easily socialize with the rest of the crew. The helm station is well-protected from the elements with an extra bimini and the roof provides a large ... Read More »
1Love, our new Lagoon 450 arrived in our fleet
Posted on December 7 2016, by Kirstie Palmer. The brand new Lagoon 450 "1 Love" just arrived on our docks after her delivery straight from the factory in France. She is absolutely beautiful and we are excited for her first charters. On this picture the delivery crew just arrived from France and we are fueling her up. From the French delivery crew (translated): We started our ocean crossing in Les Sables, France on October 17 with 4 crew. Our sail trip took about 5 1/2 weeks with ... Read More »
2016 Christmas Staff Party
Posted on December 21 2016, by Kirstie Palmer. Every year BVI Yacht Charters organizes a Christmas party for the staff with their spouses to thank them for all their hard work and dedication they have for the company. This year the dinner party was held at Cabernet Restaurant in Road Town who served a delicious 3 course dinner and organized a DJ for background music and later on dance music. Everybody was dressed festive and a lot of the boys went to the hairdresser for this special ... Read More »
2016 Crewed Charter Boat Shows, many stunning yachts of all types!
Posted on December 7 2016. Beginning of November the crewed yachts presented themselves to the yacht brokers in two 2016 crewed charter boat shows. The first boat show was held in Yacht Haven Grande in St. Thomas and the second show took place at Nanny Cay Marina, Tortola, BVI . Our broker, Abbie Turner, has visited around 120 crewed yachts and met with the crews for the upcoming charter season. These annual charter shows are important to update our knowledge of the crewed yachts, so we ... Read More »
Soft Opening of our New Base in St Thomas, USVI
This month saw the soft opening of our latest base in St Thomas, USVI. We are ecstatic to be offering charters out of this new location in Compass Point Marina, on the East End of St Thomas. We will have a small fleet of yachts based here permanently and will also be making our BVI based yachts available to pick up and drop off in St Thomas. To our customers this means easy, often direct flights to St. Thomas with no time consuming transfers or ferry boats. Easier travel connections, ... Read More »
Raffle winner Rick, enjoys his free charter aboard Jasper!
Each year at the Annapolis Boat Show we give away a free one week charter to one very lucky winner. Visitors to our booth enter our free prize draw, and at the end of the show we pick out a winner - its as simple as that! Last week, we were very excited to host the Annapolis 2015 winner, Rick Eleck. Rick and 4 of his friends headed on their trip of a lifetime aboard, Jasper. Jasper is a well appointed Beneteau 46, with 3 cabins, 2 heads (1 Electric), a generator, air conditioning, TV & DVD, ... Read More »
2 Helia 44’s Added to Our USVI Base…
We are very pleased to announce that we have signed 2 lovely new Fountaine Pajot Helia 44's to our fleet in St Thomas, USVI. Freckled Parrot and Moxie both have 3 Cabins, 3 Electric Heads, a Generator and Air Conditioning, and will be available to charter from our base at Compass Point Marina in the new 2016/2017 season. For a full review of Fountaine Pajot's Helia 44 by 'Cruising World' follow this link: http://www.cruisingworld.com/sailboats/helia-44-races Click here for full ... Read More »
NEW BASE IN THE USVI, IS NOW OPEN!
BVI Yacht Charters is very pleased to announce the opening of our new base in St Thomas, aptly named 'Virgin Islands Yacht Charters'. Based out of Compass Point Marina on the East End of St Thomas, we will be offering a small fleet of yachts available to charter in the USVI and BVI. Easy direct flights from the US mainland deliver you to this island paradise. Take the stress out your journey by skipping the ferry, save money on over night accommodation in St Thomas or a late night ride on the ... Read More »
Escort a Coconut Retriever to Buffalo…
A plea from the BVI Humane Society for volunteers flying to Buffalo from the BVI! As an open admission shelter, the BVI Humane Society accepts every homeless, abandoned, abused and unwanted animal in need of our help. The shelter is currently home to dogs, cats, rabbits, bunnies, turtles, iguanas, exotic birds and even a monkey. Unfortunately, the number of homes available to abandoned pets on Tortola is limited by the size of our island community. Out Humane Society is a non-government funded ... Read More »
BVIYC Earns 2016 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence!
ROAD TOWN, TORTOLA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS – 25, May, 2016 – BVI Yacht Charters has received a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence. Now in its sixth year, the achievement celebrates hospitality businesses that have earned great traveler reviews on TripAdvisor over the past year. Certificate of Excellence recipients include accommodations, eateries and attractions located all over the world that have continually delivered a quality customer experience. "With the Certificate of Excellence, ... Read More »
La MER-KAT is our new Lucia 40 Catamaran
La MER-KAT, a beautiful new 2016 Lucia 40 Catamaran will be joining our fleet in November 2016. Fontaine-Pajot has done a great job designing a comfortable catamaran that still sails well. She is a bit smaller making her more maneuverable and easy to handle. The new Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40 has been exclusively designed to deliver a simply superb experience at sea and while moored. La Mar-Kat has remarkable volumes and light-filled living spaces, allowing you to comfortably share the ... Read More »
Seascape Beneteau Oceanis 41
Seascape Beneteau Oceanis 41 is on its way Beneteau 41 (2016) Our beautiful brand new Beneteau Oceanis 41 is on its way to our docks and the beautiful sunshine of the BVI's. The delivery captain has confirmed leaving Charlston and they seem to be making great progress. This 2016 model Oceanis 41 is stylish and innovative. The hull design promises fast and comfortable sailing. The stylish mainsail arch, above the companionway, anchors the mainsheet and provides more space in the cockpit. A ... Read More »
Scaramouche – A Piece of Italian Heaven in West End, Tortola
Scaramouche: Tortola's Newest Fine Dining Scaramouche is more than a new restaurant or beach bar. It is about passion and soul, where high quality food and drinks are served in a beautiful atmosphere from clients we now consider family. Roberto's and Chiara's first visit to Tortola was on a BVIYC Sailing charter. We are proud they enjoyed their visit enough to return full-time and share their zest of life with us all. They gave us Scaramouche, an elegant spot in Soper’s Hole, West End ... Read More »
Bitter End Remodeling Completed
In early October the Bitter End Yacht Club re-opened from its annual late Summer hiatus to show-off their brand new facilities for charter guests. The renovations include major upgrades to the resort’s open-air beachfront villas as well as BEYC’s landmark restaurant, The Clubhouse Steak & Grill and Windward Mark bar. Enhancements to the villas include new decor and custom furniture by noted interior designer, Barbara Hulanicki, who is well known for her design work for Island Outposts, ... Read More »
BVI YC Atlantic Crossing Flotilla
BVI YACHT CHARTERS: Atlantic Crossing Sailing is about adventure. This Atlantic Crossing is about enjoying the open seas, with the wind blowing through your hair, and occasionally, about challenging yourself. There are many challenges to be taken on, from small ones like a dinghy race, to big ones like circumnavigating the globe in a solo trimaran. An Atlantic Crossing is certainly a challenge and one that must be for any sailor's bucket list. It provides four week's worth of unique ... Read More »
Top 20 things to do in the BVI
Sailing the BVI is a hard life. The weather is gorgeous; the water clear; the beers cold and the rum plentiful. The reason people come back time and time again though is because there is just so much to do. As part of our 20th birthday celebrations, we have tried to name our favourite activities. It was a tricky job at times but this is what we decided on, in no specific order… Visit the Baths at Virgin Gorda – where else to start?! Follow the trail through the boulders to Devils Bay, ... Read More »
Epic Trip Report
The purpose of this post is to help anyone that is on the fence about taking the adventure of a life time. My advice: Invest in the training, plan, plan, plan, show a ton of respect to the sea (and other sailors), and go for it! Our BVI Sailing Experience Feb 2013: My wife Julia and I took a 7 day live aboard sailing class through Blue Water Sailing School out of Red Hook (USVI). During the week, we completed the following ASA courses: 101,103,104, and 106. Capt. Dick Dawson was our ... Read More »
There Was Quite a Celebration For Our 20th Anniversary!
So, the anniversary celebrations are over! A month of looking back at 20 years of BVI Yacht Charters has whizzed by in a flash. Guests joined in the merriment by enjoying the complimentary champagne on board all June charters and also by booking the heavily discounted charters on offer. The staff got fully involved with special t-shirts donned, speeches, cakes, a violinist, a DJ and a delicious meal for 44 at La Cabernet. It was a wonderful evening with some great dancing, none of ... Read More »
de Moor Dauntless is a Unique Caribbean Experience
Sailing our de Moor Dauntless Isara 50 is a unique Caribbean experience. The skippered charter is a phenomenal way to see some of the world’s most gorgeous seas in ultimate comfort. The de Moor Dauntless is exceptionally well constructed with beautiful finishing and all the features any sailor could need to make their trip a once in a lifetime experience. Her skipper, captain Mike John, knows the BVI intimately and can take you to your favorite spots and many other unknown hideouts. His ... Read More »
Cooper Island Completes their Expansion
Cooper Island is conveniently located an easy day’s sail from our base in Road Town. Several of the BVI’s top attractions are within the next day’s sail: the Wreck of the Rhone, The Baths, The Dogs and even Norman Island downwind. So, Cooper Island has long been a popular first night stop for BVI Yacht Charter guests. This year there are even more reasons to visit Cooper Island and the Cooper Island Beach Club. The resort has just completed a terrific expansion. The Sea Grape ... Read More »
Tortola Torture, the BVI’s first Ultramarathon
‘If you start to feel good during an ultra, don’t worry, you will get over it,’ Gene Thibeault No truer words were ever spoken than these, frankly, terrifying ones uttered by Gene Thibeault, an ultra marathon runner. Most people, possibly the sane among us, think we probably understand this quip but speak to anyone who has run an ultra marathon in tropical heat and they will soon realise that they probably have no real grasp of what real pain is. Short of being actively tortured, a 51km ... Read More »
Scuba Diving in the BVI
Diving has to be high up on any BVI ‘to do’ list. Although there is an abundance of beauty above ground there is a whole new world below the surface that is there to be explored. The BVI are blessed with numerous coral reefs, treasure-filled caves, lava tunnels, canyons, coral pinnacles and more. There are shipwrecks to be explored and an array of sea life to swim amongst. The islands offer an amazing variety of opportunities for the beginner to the heavily experienced and it must form ... Read More »
BVI Athlete of the Year – Chantel Malone
The British Virgin Islands has a population of approx 32,680, give or take. Nigeria is home to approximately 178 million, England to 56 million and Canada to 35 million. So, for an athlete to come fourth in the Commonwealth Games in the long jump to stars from those three countries is no shame, in fact it is an amazing achievement. This is what the BVI’s Chantel Malone achieved in July 2014 at the XXth edition of the ‘Friendly Games’ in Glasgow, Scotland. It was not her only achievement ... Read More »
Nicola has Arrived!
We all know the feeling. You put in a long shift at work, get through the commute and finally get home before finally settling down with a richly deserved beer. Bliss. Now imagine this. Your long shift at work is a week-long battle with constantly strong winds and breaking waves. You sleep only intermittently and eating any kind of meal is a pretty rare treat. Your commute is a 1600km trek and although traffic is light, the journey is challenging. Imagine how sweet that beer tastes when ... Read More »
Chrysomallos, March 2014
We had a great experience with BVI Yacht Charters this Spring Break. My wife and I bareboated Chrysomallos with our two children. Not only was the yacht clean, well kept but she sailed beautifully. Check out and check in was a breeze and the staff was super friendly/helpful. This was my 5th time to the BVI, 4th time sailing. BVI Yacht Charters far exceeded our expectations and we plan to use them for our future voyages. ... Read More »
Escaping New England’s March Madness
My crew and I chartered GITANA during the last week of March 2014. Upon arriving at BVI Yacht Charters, we immediately felt like family. The boat was extremely clean and looked to be in great condition. We chose to do the sleep-aboard so that we could provision the boat and get an earlier start to sailing. Chris stopped by when he saw us on the boat and said that he would do the check out with us that evening, so that we didn't have to wait in the morning! He was fantastic, ... Read More »
Trip #20 to the BVI
We've been chartering in the BVI's since 1985 and this is our 20th trip. We have settled in on BVI Yacht Charters because you never disappoint. Yachts are reliable, clean, fun to sail and comfortable to sleep on. This year the weather was spectacular. We were able to spend a night at Cane Garden Bay, one of our favorite places and got to see Quito Rymer sing. It was really a musical trip as we saw Michael Bean in Levrick Bay and Keytar Jeff played in Spanish town at the Rock Cafe. We were able ... Read More »