Many sailors use their engines
to go from island to island
without ever raising a sail.

Seen from the air, the BVI's 36 islands look like 2 rows of green stones carefully arranged in a huge pond.

The islands provide excellent sheltered sailing conditions that attract yachtsmen year-round but especially in winter when more than a thousand sailboats are available for charter.

Tortola's Road Town marina is usually full.

Sailors usually stay inside the 3-mile wide Sir Francis Drake Channel because the sea highway is so well protected by by the rocks, cays and islands that flank the channel.

Three types of sailing charters are possible: Bareboat, crewed and flotilla sailing.

Bareboat, the most popular, assumes you have some basic skills and will be able to handle a vessel between 28 and 56 feet.

A crewed charter brings a hired captain and a mate who do all the work.

Flotilla sailing assumes some sailing experience as you travel with a small fleet of yachts guided by a lead team. This is a good way to learn new waters.

A sailboat really is nothing more than a waterborne RV. However, you don't have to do any of the cooking, cleaning or really much of anything unless you want to. Hire a crew to do it all. That's camping in style.

Whatever the preference, yachts are normally stocked with ice, fuel and water. Many operators also provide snorkeling gear and include items such as a barbecue grill and a small canvas roof called a Bimini top. Sea kayaks and dive equipment are usually available.

Before setting sail, expect a thorough briefing on your yacht, its operation and the equipment aboard.

Plus a detailed chart briefing that locates the best anchorages, restaurants and beaches and any navigational hazards. And, of course,

There are dozens of charter companies available, including:

The Moorings, P.O. Box 139, Road Town, Tortola, BVI or 19345 U.S. Hwy 19 North, 4th floor, Clearwater, FL 33764. The largest charter company, it also has offices in other parts of the Caribbean and the South Pacific. For bareboat charters, 800/535-7289; for crewed charters, 800/437-7880. In Tortola, 284/494-2331. www.moorings.com .

BVI Yacht Charters, P.O. Box 11156, St. Thomas, USVI 00801. 888-615-4006 or 284/494-289. www.bviyachtcharters.com.

Destination BVI, P.O. Box 3114, Road Town, Tortola, BVI. 284/494-8782. Or www.destinationbvi.com. Also offers crewed motor yachts for charter.

The Charter Yacht Society of the British Virgin Islands, PO Box 3069, Road Town, Tortola, BVI. 284/494-6017 or www.bvicrewedyachts.com .

Sunsail, P.O. Box 609, Frenchman's Cay, Tortola, BVI. 284/495-4740. www.sunsail.com .

Return to BVI Homepage

Return to Tortola Homepage