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Sail around the British Virgin Islands or short BVI in your boat rental to discover this little piece of paradise. Incredible sandy beaches, palm trees and turquoise waters await you in this part of the Caribbean. Tortola, the biggest of the British Virgin Islands, is filled with white sandy beaches. From here you can depart and explore the other beautiful spots the islands have to offer.
Sailing in the BVI is a wonderful thing when renting a boat here, but the islands have so much more to offer.
Casual dining in the British Virgin Islands:
Beach restaurants in the British Virgin Islands:
Fine dining in the British Virgin Islands:
Archeologists estimate that the first settlers already arrived on the British Virgin Islands in 1500 BC, but the first known inhabitants of the island are Arawaks, who came here from South America. When Christopher Columbus arrived on the island in 1493 many things changed for the indigenous population. The islands became a playground for the colonial European powers Spain, the Netherlands, the French and the British, but the English were the ones who ultimately took control of the islands in 1672. Sugar cane and cotton were mainly produced here by slaves.
1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works is now a museum showing what life used to be like on the islands, including slavery. Make sure to stop by for a little history lesson.
Her Majesty's Prison Museum is an interesting museum explaining how the law was enforced back in the day and what life was like in the prison. You definitely wouldn’t want to get in trouble hearing those stories!
With many stories of pirates rummaging around the Caribbean in the 1700s and other fascinating tales of the sea, it doesn’t come as a surprise that there are a few myths surrounding the BVIs as well. One of them is the story about the British Isle Mermaids, a pair of mermaids who were always seen together between 1807 and 1828. One was said to be of Caucasian and the other of African descent. The sightings of these two mermaids might have stopped, but there are still regular reports of unusual sightings in the area.
The British Virgin islands are blessed with a tropical climate, meaning that you get to enjoy a lot of warm and sunny days, but need to be aware of hurricane season between August and October when it’s probably not the best time to sail around the area - even as an experienced sailor. The summers are incredibly hot and humid whereas the winter months from December until March are milder, but still warm. This is the perfect time to go on a sailing trip to the BVI. Temperatures average around 25 degrees during this time of year and the winds are not as strong as during other periods of the year. You can also swim in the sea during this time.
If you want to sail in stronger winds and without the crowds, you should come to the British Virgin Islands in May or June.
A BVI boat rental is probably not the cheapest holiday you can book, but it is so worth it! Expect to pay 606 EUR per person per day on average for a catamaran. Renting a sailboat in the British Virgin islands will cost you 120 EUR per person per day on average.
Bear in mind that these are only average prices and that you can find cheaper or more expensive boats depending on the season, the size of the boat, the number of passengers and the age of the boat.
You should choose your boat for a sailing adventure in the British Virgin Islands according to the type of holiday you envision in the Caribbean. If you just want to relax on deck or on some of the most beautiful secluded beaches the world has to offer, you would charter a different type of boat in BVI than the one you would rent when you want to practice your sailing skills and want to have a more adventurous sailing experience.
Pros of renting a catamaran in the British Virgin Islands
One of the major advantages of a catamaran rental in the British Virgin Islands is that they have a shallow draft. This makes them the perfect boat to explore all the scenic secluded beaches, bays and caves this part of the Caribbean has to offer.
Another advantage of renting a catamaran is the fact that they are equipped with a sail as well as an engine, making them prepared for all kinds of circumstances at sea. You can happily set your sail when the wind is blowing, but can retire to using the engine should the wind suddenly stop blowing. This is a great thing, because you don’t have to wait at sea for the wind to pick up again.
One of the great things about catamarans is their size. They are often more spacious than other types of boats and it won’t feel like you are in a tiny cabin on board a boat when going to sleep at night, but it will feel more like a comfortable room on board a hotel on water.
One of the most popular catamarans to rent in the British Virgin Islands is Catamaran Leopard 45 which comes with a spacious kitchen and dining area. Up to 10 people can sleep on board and you can rent it with or without a captain, depending on your personal preferences. Just bear in mind that hiring a captain is connected to additional costs.
Cons of renting a catamaran in the British Virgin Islands
One of the downsides of renting a catamaran can be their size. While it might seem like a major advantage at first glance, it might cause you some trouble later on when trying to find a mooring spot in one of the marinas. There are plenty of spots for mooring in the BVI, but it can become quite crowded during high season.
Charter a catamaran in the British Virgin Islands
Pros of renting a sailboat in the British Virgin Islands
Renting a sailboat in the BVI comes with the advantage that they are run by wind, not fuel. This makes them cheaper than other types of boats. You can sail when the wind is blowing and use the fuel that mother nature provides.
One of the most popular sailboats to rent in the British Virgin Islands is Sailboat Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 419 which offers hot water on board and snorkelling equipment for some extra fun on your sailing holiday.
Cons of renting a sailboat in the British Virgin Islands
One of the downsides of a sailboat rental in the BVI is the fact that they are dependent on the wind in order to move forward. Should the wind suddenly stop blowing, you’re stuck at sea and have to wait until it picks up again. It can become incredibly frustrating if you want to go somewhere in particular and it means that you might have to wait for a few hours to actually get there.
Rent a sailboat in the British Virgin Islands
Pros of renting a motorboat in the British Virgin Islands
Motorboats are often faster than other types of boats, making them the perfect choice for your sailing experience in the British Virgin Islands if you want to tick as many secluded bays, beaches and caves off your list as you can.
Another advantage of chartering a motorboat in the BVI is the fact that they have a shallow draft. This allows them to sail closer to the shore and get as close to the many hidden bays and beaches as possible. If that wasn’t the case, you might miss out on seeing some places that truly look like paradise.
One of the most popular motorboats to rent in the British Virgin Islands is luxury Motorboat Hatteras 86 which offers space for up to 8 people. This boat comes with a crew taking care of you on your sailing holiday in the BVI. The elegant and spacious interior is perfect for anyone wanting to sail in style.
Cons of renting a motorboat in the British Virgin Islands
One of the downsides of chartering a motorboat in the British Virgin Islands is the fact that they run on fuel - and fuel is expensive. This won’t change in the near future either. You will have to keep in mind that you might get a juicy bill in addition to your bareboat charter in the British Virgin Islands. If you don’t want to spend too much on fuel, you should be mindful of how fast and often you drive your motorboat. This can really make a difference in your additional costs.
Motorboat rental in the British Virgin Islands
If you want to explore the British Virgin Islands in style and have the necessary cash on hand, we would recommend you to charter a private luxury yacht. A luxury holiday on a yacht charter in the BVI is a real treat. One of the most popular luxury yachts to rent in this part of the Caribbean is Motorboat Horizon 52 which offers stylish bedrooms that don’t make you feel like you’re sleeping on a boat. There might only be enough room for up to four people on board, but these four lucky people will have the best time! On the main deck there is enough space to soak up the sun all afternoon.
Charter a luxury yacht in Tortola, British Virgin Islands
For a BVI boat rental, there is no boat licence required, but you should ensure to detail your previous sailing experiences as the local authorities want to have this information.
If you want to have a relaxing sailing vacation without having to worry about anything, you should hire a skipper in addition to your boat rental in BVI. An experienced skipper is going to take care of operating and navigating the boat while you sunbathe on deck or enjoy a delicious meal.
One of the most scenic routes in the British Virgin Islands is taking you from Tortola to visit some of the most beautiful sights.
Sail from Tortola to Norman Island: Tortola is the largest of the British Virgin Islands and offers you stunning views as well as picturesque towns and wonderful sandy beaches. Explore the island before heading to Norman island. Head down Sir Francis Drake Channel to get there. It won’t take you long at all to get there, so make sure that you include a stor two along the way to admire the natural beauty. On Norman Island you can explore some of the most scenic caves and cliffs amongst turquoise waters.
Sail from Norman Island to Cooper Island: Cooper Island is probably best known for its sandy beaches and fantastic snorkelling opportunities. Wreck diving is also an option if you want to discover the world under water. Don’t miss out on seeing a beautiful sunset in the evening!
Sail from Cooper Island to The Baths and to The Bitter End Yacht Club in Virgin Gorda: The Baths are a stunning sight where you can walk in crystal clear waters underneath the most amazing rock formations. The Bitter End Yacht Club in Virgin Gorda is one of the best resorts on the island. You are definitely in for a treat!
Sail from the Bitter End Yacht Club in Virgin Gorda to Beef Island, otherwise known as Anegada: Before you head out on your boat, treat yourself to a nice breakfast at Winston’s Bakery. It shouldn’t take you more than two hours to get there, but keep in mind that you have to sail around some reefs that you don’t want to destroy along the way. You can find the longest coral reef in the Caribbean in Anegada - definitely something you shouldn’t miss.
Sail from Anegada or Beef Island to Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke: If you don’t like long sailing adventures, you should not sail this route without a stop at Sandy Cay. It’s the perfect spot to split your sailing adventure in two while discovering a magical uninhabited island surrounded by turquoise waters and filled with white sandy beaches. Once in Jost Van Dyke, you should discover the Bubbling Pool.
Sail from Jost Van Dyke to Peter Island: Before sailing to Peter Island, you get to see something really magical in Jost Van Dyke. Take your time to watch the sea turtles! They are one of the highlights when visiting the island. Sail to Peter Island where you can relax at White Bay Beach or anchor in Little Harbour. You can find a very luxurious resort on the island which is also home to a fabulous restaurant. If you want to treat yourself while on vacation here, you should definitely put this on your bucket list.
Sail from Peter Island back to Road Town, Tortola: Your sailing adventure is coming to an end and you’re sailing back to where it all started. Before heading home, you should enjoy your time being back on land. Go for a shopping spree in Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park or head into the rainforest and up Sage mountain to enjoy the stunning view. After a long day of shopping and exploring the island, you should end the day with a delicious dinner in one of the fabulous restaurants Tortola has to offer.
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