British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands is a popular destination for sailors, with near-constant trade winds, all-year round high temperatures and dazzling white sandy beaches lapped by tranquil, clear turquoise waters. Sail to the Indians or Dog Islands to see tropical aquatic life by snorkel or scuba, easily hop between uninhabited islands or explore breathtaking, secluded anchorages at Benures Bay, Key Bay and Lee Bay. If you want to party, head to palm-fringed beaches and enjoy the bars, such as Willy T’s, Soggy Dollar Bar or Foxy’s. Whether you want to relax or meet the locals, the BVIs offers choice and well-equipped marinas.

Dream Yacht Charter in BVIs: We have a large fleet of catamarans and monohulls in the BVI to suit any sailor, whether you’re looking for a bareboat, by-the-cabin or crewed yacht charter. Our BVI base in Tortola has its own docks and you’ll be greeted by our friendly and knowledgeable team. If you need help planning your charter, check out our inspirational itineraries section and our blog. Get in touch with our team to find out more.

What our customers say: “The advice, care, and tolerance of our questions (and requests) was over the top. Thank you for making us feel welcomed and explaining away our concerns.”
-Greg (British Virgin Islands)

Boats anchored at White Bay off Jost Van Dyke BVI

Getting around

Traveling around the island is easy, just wave down one of the many taxi mini-vans. The average fare is $1.50 but taxis do not have meters so haggle your price before you get in. If you rent a car, limousine, bicycle or motorbike, drive on the right-hand side and be aware the roads are in variable condition.

Customs and duty free

When you enter the BVI by private or charter boat, you need customs and immigration clearance at your entry port. You’ll also need the mandatory Cruising Permit and National Parks Permits when sailing BVI waters, which you can get from customs or talk to us. There is no sales tax on items purchased in the BVI.

Money and banking

The currency is US Dollars and Euros, travelers cheques, Visa and MasterCard are accepted, but American Express isn’t.

ATMs are easily found in Tortola, look for Virgin Gorda First Bank, Banco Popular, Scotia Bank and First Caribbean Bank.

Banks are open Monday to Thursday (8.30am to 3pm) and Friday (8.30am to 5pm).

Connecting with the outside world

Getting online is easy with plenty of Wi-Fi spots and cyber cafés. Local internet service providers are Wanadoo, Domaccess, CaribServe, PowerAntilles and ADSL available. There are plenty of letter boxes and the main post office is in Road Town.

Bans

Spear fishing is not allowed and illegal drugs are not tolerated. A fishing permit is required for fishing.

aerial of sailboat under full sail in Caribbean Sea BVI

Temperatures in the BVIs are around 25°C to 28°C all year round. August is the hottest and sunniest month and sea temperatures are warmest in September. The hurricane season is between June and October, which is also the wettest month.

The sailing conditions in the BVIs are known for the trade winds season between November and June and the famous Christmas winds in December/January, which can keep you going for several days. Winds are mainly from East or North East, depending on the time of year and the sailing area is less crowded when the winds are lighter. Groundswells can occur between December and March after particularly strong winds.

Love snorkeling, diving or fancy relaxing onshore in some of the region’s most famous restaurants and bars? Check out our BVI itineraries, as we have it covered…

7 DAYS

Day 1: Overnight at Hodge’s Creek Marina, Tortola

Day 2: The Baths Marine Park for a snorkel or hike to Devil Bay through a giant boulder maze. On to Prickly Pear Island, Virgin Gorda Sound, or drinks at the Bitter End Yacht Club

Day 3: Anegada for a safari bus from Setting Point to Loblolly Bay to see flamingos, salt ponds and breathtaking white sandy beaches

Day 4: Monkey Point, Guana Island, for snorkeling and turtle spotting, and Cane Garden Bay overnight

Day 5: Sandy Cay national park and anchor off White Bay for lunch. Visit the Soggy Dollar Bar to try their infamous painkiller cocktail. Great Harbor overnight

Day 6: West End, Tortola, and anchor off at Soper’s Hole Marina. Indians Marine Park for snorkeling and overnight anchor at Bight Bay, Norman Island, where the famous William Thornton has turned a ship into a floating bar

Day 7: Rhone Marine Park to snorkel over the steamer wreck that sank in 1867 during a hurricane. Manchioneel Bay, Cooper Island, overnight at one of the best beaches in the BVIs

Day 8: Back to Hodge’s Creek Marina, Tortola, to disembark

9 DAYS

Day 1: Get to know the Maya Cove base on your first day, provision and explore Road Town or the nearby bays and beaches

Day 2: Head from the base in Maya Cove to Norman Island, hook to a mooring and spend the day exploring the caves and Willy T’s floating bar

Day 3: Make for Virgin Gorda in the morning, explore the water caves known as The Baths, continue through to Devil’s Bay beach and spend in the night in Gorda Sound

Day 4: Spend the day exploring Gorda Sound and discover Mosquito Island, Prickly Pear Islands (avoid cruise ship days) and Colquhoun Reef

Day 5: Make your way toward Marina Cay, stopping for the amazing snorkeling and diving spot at The Dog Islands, then continue to Marina Cay to relax for the night

Day 6: Head out to Jost Van Dyke, moor and swim to the beach to try one of the famous Painkiller cocktails from the Soggy Dollar Bar

Day 7: Morning at Jost Van Dyke before heading over to Peter Island for a relaxing day and night at the exclusive White Bay Beach if you want to splash the cash

Day 8: From Peter Island take your time while heading back to the base at Maya Cove for one last night

Day 9: Disembark

14 DAYS

Day 1: Maya Cove

Day 2: Peter Island (North mooring)

Day 3: Norman Island

Day 4: Jost Van Dyke

Day 5: Cane Garden

Day 6: Marina Cay

Day 7: Bitter End Marina

Day 8: Anegada

Day 9: Trellis Bay

Day 10: Savannah Bay (Virgin Gorda)

Day 11: Cooper Island

Day 12: Peter Island (South mooring)

Day 13: Maya Cove

Day 14: Disembark

Our Tortola Base Manager, Yann Leboyer (Tel: + (1 284) 495 2154 and Mob: + (1 284) 346 86 18), will be pleased to welcome you on arrival.

Fly direct to the BVIs via Princess Juliana International Airport, Saint Martin, with major carriers, such as the main US airlines (Delta, United and JetBlue, etc) and European airlines (KLM and Air France). Within the Caribbean, travel with American Eagle Airlines, Air Caraibes and LIAT to Tortola’s Beef Island Airport. We can arrange airport transfers on request and Beef Island Airport (EIS) is about 3.5km from our base. Make sure your passport is in date and valid for the duration of your stay and look under our Handy Info section for visa advice!

Tune in to the daily weather forecasts in English on CaribWx (ZBVI radio 780 AM). Stock up in the local supermarket (grab a taxi) or save time and hassle by ordering online in advance at www.rtwbvi.com or e-mail: provisioning@rtwbvi.com

Essential information

Only take soft bags and not suit cases as they are too cumbersome onboard
On land electricity is 110 Volts – 60Hz (pack an American adaptor)
Area code from abroad is 00-1-284-49 + 5 figures of your correspondent. Telephone card is available on spot (Cable & Wireless)
Cell Phones can work depending on zones but don’t forget the roaming fees!
There is internet access via cafes and Wi-Fi hotspots, but you may need to pay
If you want to rent water toys in the BVIs, we are an affiliate partner of Island Surf and Sail