BVI Yacht Charter Itineraries
As some of the top places to visit in the Caribbean, the British Virgin Islands and U.S. Virgin Islands are our most popular yacht charter destination. Their picture-perfect white sand beaches, crystal-clear blue water, and intricate coral reef systems make them the perfect sailing destinations for a memorable yacht vacation. Although the BVI and USVI have pleasant weather year round, there are certain conditions to take note of. June-November is hurricane season for the Caribbean, which is why the BVI and USVI are primarily a winter or spring sailing destination. Peak season is actually from December to April, when winds and temperatures are most pleasant.
BVI Sailing Charter Itinerary
There are plenty of different ways to explore the British Virgin Islands on your sailboat and we hope that these BVI sailing itineraries give you a taste of all the incredible destinations you can visit, and things to do while on your BVI charter.
The British Virgin Islands and the U.S Virgin Islands are one of the most popular yacht charter destinations in the Caribbean, due to its picture-perfect white-sand beaches, crystal-clear blue water, and intricate coral reef systems make it the perfect sailing destination for a memorable yacht vacation. The BVI and USVI have pleasant weather year-round, and peak season is actually from December to July, when winds and temperatures are most pleasant.
The tradewinds here are excellent for sailing, with calm protected waters between the islands. The BVI consists of four larger islands—Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke—and 32 smaller islands spread over about 60 square miles, with travel times between islands often under an hour. That means more beach time, party time, or relaxation time. However, if you prefer longer sailing distances, we can suggest an itinerary to accommodate your preferences. Whichever itinerary you choose, there are plenty of exciting things to do on every island.
See the map below to find a BVI and USVI Yacht Charter Itinerary:
Day 1 – St. Thomas to Trunk Bay, St John - 5 nautical miles
- Approximate Travel Time on an 8 Knot Sailing Yacht or Catamaran: 45 min.
- Approximate Travel Time on a 20 Knot (fast) Motor Yacht: 15 min.
Trunk Bay, St. John. Photo by @hanhanbvi. Used with permission.
After a quick sail from St. Thomas, you’ll find one of the world’s best beaches in Trunk Cay, part of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Offshore you can snorkel at the Coral Reef Underwater Park Trail, which has underwater signs of the sea life you may encounter. Behind the beach, hiking trails lead into the hills where the ruins of sugar plantations still remain. As it’s one of the top tourist attractions on St John, there’s also a snack bar and souvenir shop close to the beach.
Day 2 – Trunk Bay, St John to Soper’s Hole, Tortola - 5 nautical miles
- Approximate Travel Time on an 8 Knot Sailing Yacht or Catamaran: 45 min.
- Approximate Travel Time on a 20 Knot (fast) Motor Yacht: 15 min.
Soper's Hole, BVI. Photo by @hanhanbvi. Used with permission.
Day two of your yacht charter Itinerary starts with a short trip to Soper’s Hole Wharf & Marina on Tortola. One of the most picturesque and friendly marinas in the BVI, it has a little something for everyone with cafes, bars, shops, and restaurants in bright, welcoming colors. Stop by Pusser’s Landing, a famous local restaurant chain. Its terrace is a great spot to enjoy Caribbean food or try their famous, specialty Pusser's Painkiller cocktail blended with Royal Navy Rum.
Day 3 - Soper's Hole, Tortola to Peter Island - 9 nautical miles
- Approximate Travel Time on an 8 Knot Sailing Yacht or Catamaran: 1 hr. 15 min.
- Approximate Travel Time on a 20 Knot (fast) Motor Yacht: 30 min.
Peter Island. Photo by @hanhanbvi. Used with permission.
Sailing through the pristine Caribbean waters, you’ll cross over to the Little Sisters, a chain of islands south of Tortola. Peter Island, the largest of the seven, is a popular spot for yachts and has a number of beautiful beaches to enjoy. Watersports fanatics can kayak, snorkel, or stand-up paddleboard here or scuba dive amongst the offshore reefs. End your day from the flybridge of your charter as you overlook the Sunset Loop, a spot on the western tip of the island, admiring the golden color of the sun as it fades behind the sea.
Day 4 – Peter Island to The Baths, Virgin Gorda - 15 nautical miles
- Approximate Travel Time on an 8 Knot Sailing Yacht or Catamaran: 2 hr.
- Approximate Travel Time on a 20 Knot (fast) Motor Yacht: 45 min.
The Baths, photo by @alrivera5. Used with permission.
Your next stop is The Baths on Virgin Gorda, a beach full of fascinating geological formations that have formed natural tide pools, tunnels, and caves. Part of Devil’s Bay National Park, this unique natural attraction has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Virgin Islands. Swim, snorkel and explore until you work up an appetite. Then follow the path up to Top of the Baths restaurant for an incredible of the Sir Francis Drake channel as well as shops and a restaurant.
Day 5 – The Baths, Virgin Gorda to Cane Garden Bay, Tortola - 15 nautical miles
- Approximate Travel Time on an 8 Knot Sailing Yacht or Catamaran: 2 hr.
- Approximate Travel Time on a 20 Knot (fast) Motor Yacht: 45 min.
Cane Garden Bay. Photo by @hanhanbvi. Used with permission.
Pull up a lounger and take in some rays on the beach of Cane Garden Bay. Restaurants and bars line the waterfront, including popular Quito’s and Myett’s where there’s often live music. While you're here, take a tour of the Callwood Distillery, a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t soon forget. Established in the 17th century, one of the oldest continuously-run rum distilleries in the Caribbean. The 80 proof rum is made just as it has always been made for hundreds of years, from pure sugar cane without any preservatives (take aip: great souvenir!)
Day 6 – Cane Garden Bay, Tortola to Jost Van Dyke - 5 nautical miles
- Approximate Travel Time on an 8 Knot Sailing Yacht or Catamaran: 45 min.
- Approximate Travel Time on a 20 Knot (fast) Motor Yacht: 15 min.
Soggy Dollar Bar White Bay. Photo by @hanhanbvi. Used with permission.
On Jost Van Dyke, you’ll find some of the best places for refreshing swims, tasty drinks, lively music, and nightlife. Two of the most popular beach bars in all of the Virgin Islands are located here: Foxy’s and The Soggy Dollar, where rum lovers can send each other drinks via their Drink Board. If your yacht charter is scheduled through New Year’s Eve, be sure to end up at Jost Van Dyke’s Great Harbour when boats of all sorts descend on the island to celebrate with a huge, rowdy party.
Day 7 – Jost Van Dyke to St. John - 7 nautical miles
- Approximate Travel Time on an 8 Knot Sailing Yacht or Catamaran: 1 hr.
- Approximate Travel Time on a 20 Knot (fast) Motor Yacht: 30 min.
Maho Bay Beach, St. John, USVI. Photo by @ericgolda. Used with permission.
Visit the lush landscapes of St John’s Virgin Islands National Park, which covers nearly all of the island. Hiking trails wind their way through the vegetation and down to the pebble beaches. There are even ancient petroglyphs carved into the rocks along the Reef Bay Trail. Aside from its natural and historical attractions, you can also find fine jewelry shops, upscale restaurants, and luxury hotels on St John.
Day 8 – St. John to St. Thomas - 9 nautical miles
- Approximate Travel Time on an 8 Knot Sailing Yacht or Catamaran: 1 hr. 15 min.
- Approximate Travel Time on a 20 Knot (fast) Motor Yacht: 30 min.
St. Thomas Harbour. Photo by @ericgolda. Used with permission.
The end of your BVI and USVI Yacht Charter itinerary takes you back to the island of St. Thomas in the USVI. Here you can find vintage warehouses filled with sailor supplies such as rum, spices, and molasses. For a livelier atmosphere, take a stroll around the world-class Yacht Haven Grande Marina where you might catch a glimpse of a celebrity’s superyacht while enjoying lunch at one of the excellent restaurants. The view of all the beautiful yachts docked at the marina is the perfect memory to take with you as you depart, knowing your return to the islands can’t come soon enough!
Now that you’ve seen a sample itinerary, start looking for a charter yacht!
Find more useful information for your BVI yacht charter itinerary in our BVI guides on activities, beaches and nightlife
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