TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Chartering Advice needed

We have chartered a few times in the BVI. We have always used TMM. The boat that we have interest in (FP 48) is not available until April of 2027. We are hoping to charter in January or February 2027.

It has been a few years since our last sailing trip and we are wondering if there are other charter companies that we should consider…. (We are not fond of the Moorings) …. Are there others that you recommend? We are looking for a 4 or 5 cabin Cat and will also need a skipper.

Thanks

I would recommend BVI Yacht Charters and Voyage Yacht Charters. Both have good reps and reviews. We last used Voyage in 2022 and are using BVIYC in June/July this year. Both have wide variety of available yachts. Easy to work with. Worth checking out.

If you are flexible to charter from USVI instead, Waypoints has an FP 48, 5 cabin version, Long Layover, available beginning mid-January. TMM, Horizon, Voyage, and BVIYC always do a great job. I've had success with Navigare - their pricing seems to be the most competitive and if you time it right you can get up to 30% off. But you may want to exercise caution there. I think the DYC/Navigare conglomerate is struggling. They are shutting down operations in the Abacos, Antigua, Belize, and Grenada. Fewer owners buying and putting yachts into charter with them is the key driver I'd guess.

If the boat is more important than the BVIs, Waypoints on St. Thomas is our long time favorite. They are 10 minutes from the STT airport and you have access to the best Virgin Island, St. John.

Cheers, RickG

good read here from TTOL family on the USVI / SVI / BVI route https://www.traveltalkonline.com/ub...usvi-svi-bvi-trip-report.html#Post196804 I believe the STT Waypoints boats can clear into BVI, but something I'd confirm in advance if that's of interest.

We've sailed the entire Caribbean chain on our boat and the Culebra, Vieques, St. Croix, St. John loop is our favorite sailing. Less crowded, less expensive, beautiful.

Cheers, RickG

I did a USVI/BVI/USVI charter awhile back before CYOA got bought by Waypoints. It was a great option.
I checked with Waypoints at the Annapolis boat show last fall.
They said the BVI has made it all but impossible for "charter" boats to pass between the 2 countries. Not an option anymore. ( specifically charters originating in the USVI)
We went with CYOA on Nanny Cay.

Our charter last year was with BVI Yacht Charters. Overall a great experience.

Our last night, spent onboard in their marina, was very unpleasant due to wave action. It was calm on our first night sleep-aboard, which was lucky since a rough night would have been a lousy way to start the trip. If we charter with them again, I think I'll want to skip the sleep-aboard.

Here's what I had to say after the trip:
https://www.traveltalkonline.com/ub...ter-companies-on-tortola.html#Post332975

Dan

We've been going with Conch for about the last 10 years, we like!🙂

I was very happy with our Waypoints charter Thanksgiving 2024 out of USVI. Nice boat, liked the base and staff a lot, super easy to get to from from the airport. That said, I'll probably book out of BVI next time and Waypoints will be my first stop. For us it was just too much ground to cover in a week long charter. YMMV.

Just stopped by Waypoints at the Annapolis spring boat show.
Evidently you can get your US charter cleared into the BVI but for 3 or 4 days only.
The US is still negotiating with BVI to open this up and remove this limitation.

Yes, the BVI government changed the law for this season for charters originating out of the USVI cruising in the BVI. Tax was ~$20k per year per vessel. We did it twice last year, but that made it 8 or 9 nights.

The Moorings are very successful for over 50 years a reason. I’ve charted with them throughout the Caribbean and five times in the Mediterranean. Have never had a bad experience.

But we have moved on and improved the quality of our trips now with all inclusive crewed charters. For some reason, we have discovered that we are not getting younger! And it is much easier to still have a sailing experience with somebody else having the responsibility and enjoy fantastic food with professional chefs.

We are currently in Anegoda today on our second trip this year, doing 8 nights each trip. Much easier flying into EIS, captain waiting at the door, walk to Trellis, dingy waiting, and quickly aboard. Mid week start with first two nights in North Sound and Anegoda, not as busy as early March was.

This is fourth trip with &Beyond Yacht Charters - Great people, 25 boats in the fleet. All inclusive charters. They moved their base from St Thomas to SpanishTown this season, but the charter can meet you anywhere. Very convenient. We're on A3 a 56' Lagoon - ❤️ her!

I’ll try a trip report, but it takes time from having so much fun!

If you’re looking beyond TMM, check Voyage Charters and Catamaran Company for good 4-5 cabin cats and skipper options.

Another strong recommendation for Waypoints. We are on our second year with our boat Feeling Knotty (2024 5-cabin FP Tanna 47) out of the USVI base. We love being able to get on our boat boat within 10 minutes of the airport and being on St. John by late afternoon. Then spend 4-5 days in the BVI and finish with a couple more back in the USVI. Or head to the SVI or St. Croix for something different. The boats are very well maintained and newer. Most/All Waypoints boats in St. Thomas are registered to go to the BVI, but we have a limited number of times that we can send charterers there (so if interested, confirm your plans when booking). Their BVI base in Nanny Cay is great as well. Both have super helpful and friendly staff. Happy to answer any questions - we are there 5-6 times a year.

I guess Captains Compass is out of the question now. I've also used Conch Charters may times and would recommend them.

Another vote for BVI Yacht Charters. Always had a great experience with them.