Why does everyone want to charter the BVI or British Virgin Islands?
There are good reasons why everyone wants to charter the BVI, and one of them is that there are more yacht rentals available to charter. It has some of the most idyllic sailing conditions on the planet! The BVIs show off tropical weather. Pristine anchorages. Constant, reliable trade winds. Hundreds of anchorages and all this coupled with the fact that the Sir Francis Drake channel gives protection from the sea conditions usually associated with tropical trade wind sailing.
BVI – Island Paradise
The Island chain has two lines of islands that run roughly east-west with the channel separating them. The trades constantly blow in the winter months at 15 – 18 knots, sometimes a bit more, sometimes a bit less. This is a perfect amount of wind for sailing. Unfortunately, this amount of wind blowing over open seas would create 5 to 8-foot sea conditions. This is nice for hardened sailors, but for mom and the kids, not so much. This is where the BVI shines because of the way the two rows of islands are situated. They protect the channel from the swells and waves of the Caribbean sea and Atlantic oceans. This makes the BVI a reason everyone wants to charter. On a day when the outside is in the 5 to 8-foot range, the channel is more in the 2 to 4-foot range, still with the steady trade winds blowing through, which means great sailing without having to batten down the hatches. This also makes the area ideal for power boating because, as we all know, going upwind in a powerboat in large seas is not what anyone would call fun! This makes The Virgin Islands great for taking the yacht out.
What islands are there in the BVI?
The island’s span is approximately 35 miles long. The BVI has around 64 islands, inlets, and cays, with eleven of them being inhabited in some sort. Tortola, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, Scrub Island, Guana Island, Necker Island, Eustatia Island, Moskito Island, Cooper Island, and Peter Islands are the main inhabited islands.
How do you get to the BVI?
Many guests get to our sailing capital by going through St Thomas in the USVI. Or for your sailing vacation, the airport on Beef Island. Charters can no longer start in St Thomas or end in St Thomas coming to or from the BVI- or at least very few are able. It is in your best interest to start and begin your charter where your yacht is based. Keep in mind that small hopper planes fly between Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands. If going through St Thomas, you can then take a ferry or a water taxi to the BVI customs before sailing on your vacation.
Can your yacht pick you up at the BVI airport?
Yes! Trellis Bay anchorage is located a short 5-minute walk away or a two-minute cab ride. There is no dock for the yacht, but they can send their dingy to shore easily.
