What is the best yacht charter company in the BVI?

The best BVI charter company depends on your needs. BVI Yacht Charters, The Moorings, Sunsail, and Conch Charters are among the most highly rated. Read our independent reviews to compare all 14 companies.

How much does a BVI yacht charter cost?

BVI charter costs vary widely. A bareboat catamaran for a week typically costs $5,000–$15,000 plus provisioning, fuel, and mooring fees. Budget $2,000–$3,500 per person all-in for a week-long charter.

Do I need sailing experience to charter in the BVI?

For a bareboat charter you need proven sailing experience. If you're new to sailing, you can hire a skipper from any of the 14 charter companies we review. The BVI is considered one of the best destinations for beginner and intermediate sailors.

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Safety 6 min read

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What if Our Hired Skipper Goes Overboard?

What if our hired skipper is the man over board? It's a scenario nobody wants to think about, but every crew member should be prepared for. If your skipper goes overboard, what do you do? This article walks through the steps every crew member should know.

What if our hired skipper is the man over board? It's a scenario nobody wants to think about, but every crew member should be prepared for.

Why This Matters

If you've hired a skipper, there's a tendency for the rest of the crew to become passive passengers. This is dangerous. If the skipper goes overboard — or is incapacitated for any reason — the crew needs to be able to take over.

Basic Skills Every Crew Member Should Have

How to start and stop the engine
How to steer the boat
How to call for help on the VHF radio
How to throw a life ring
How to execute a basic man overboard recovery

The Man Overboard Procedure

. Shout "Man overboard!" and point continuously at the person in the water
. Press the MOB button on the GPS/chartplotter
. Throw a life ring immediately
. Keep the person in sight — assign one crew member to do nothing but watch the person
. Call for help on VHF channel 16 if needed
. Execute a recovery maneuver — the quickest is to gybe immediately and sail back to the person

Practice

Before you leave the dock, ask your skipper to walk the crew through the man overboard procedure. Practice throwing the life ring. Know where the engine controls are and how to use them.

The Bottom Line

A good skipper will make sure the crew is prepared for emergencies. If your skipper doesn't offer this briefing, ask for it. Your safety depends on it.