Planning to visit the British Virgin Islands during your next vacay? You may want to charter a yacht for the trip. Yacht chartering is a popular way to explore the islands, and it’s no wonder why! Sailing around the clear blue ocean on a luxury ship is many travelers’ definition of a dream vacation. If you’re interested in chartering a yacht in the islands, here are our tips on how to choose a British Virgin Islands yacht charter.
Some people spend days poring over message boards to ask people for advice. While people’s individual experiences and travel tips can be valuable, experienced travelers use yacht charter brokers to give them expert guidance. Brokers help you navigate your options and provide insider advice on who to book with and who to avoid.
It doesn’t cost you anything to use a broker, so why wouldn’t you? The job of a yacht charter broker is to know the boats, crews, management companies, and reputations of all the people behind the scenes, making things go smoothly.
Communication is key to finding a yacht that suits your needs and the vision of the ideal yacht chartering trip you have in your head. Tell your broker everything you’re dreaming of, even if it seems nitpicky or unfeasible. What kind of yacht do you want? Do you want amenities like an onboard gym or a pool on the deck? What are your food preferences? Your broker’s job is to find you the perfect yacht for your vacation, but they can’t do that if you leave out critical details.
One of the first things you need to consider is your budget. Once you buy your plane tickets and set aside some money for activities, dining, and shopping, how much do you have left to spend on a yacht? Give your broker an honest and realistic price range to work with. They’ll narrow down options according to your preferences and budget.
The British Virgin Islands consists of three main islands: Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke. There’s no lack of things to do and see in the BVIs, and because the area is so small, you can easily include a wide variety of locations in your itinerary. Some can’t-miss locations include the Baths on Virgin Gorda and the Soggy Dollar Beach Bar on Jost Van Dyke, which has an amazing webcam. It’s fun to text your parents and tell them to tune in when you’re there!
How many guests are accompanying you on this trip? Are you going solo? With a partner? Or with the whole family or friend group? Aboard a catamaran, 6–8 people is the perfect number. You can find some boats that can hold 10 and a small number that accommodate 12.
If you plan on bringing a lot of guests, you’ll also need to have ample room for them. The more cabins, the better. Some yachts also come with side-by-side twin beds or bunk beds so you can fit multiple people into one room.
Our next tip on how to choose a British Virgin Islands yacht charter is to familiarize yourself with the crew. The crew can make or break your trip. A good crew will be friendly, know how to operate the yacht like professionals, and be a source of knowledge about the BVIs and their hot spots. The best way to learn more about the crew aboard your yacht charter is to read the crew profile and recent client reviews.
Charter yachts come with a variety of amenities, such as water toys for tubing, e-foil boards, and equipment for water skiing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Tell your broker what amenities you want, and they’ll do their best to find a charter yacht that has them.
While it may not be the most important aspect of the yacht, it’s still something to consider. What type of yacht do you want? Should you go with a new yacht or one with a few years of use under its belt? What do you want your yacht to look like?
The BVI is known for sailing catamarans. The islands are so close together that you don’t need to be in a rush to get anywhere. This means you can enjoy the trip on a sailboat. From time to time, you’ll find power catamarans and luxury power yachts available in BVI. However, these are hard to come by due to boat registration requirements and work visa restrictions. If you find a luxury yacht, book it while you can!
Both have their perks, but modern-style yachts tend to have more familiar comforts and extra amenities than older, traditional yachts. For example, most modern yachts have a flybridge or upper deck. On a 62–65-ft yacht, the flybridge will be a whole additional level with minibars and dining options. Talk about luxury and convenience!
Do you want to try a brand-new, fresh-from-the-factory charter yacht, or do you want to save a few dollars and go with a tried-and-tested yacht that’s a few years older? The choice is ultimately up to you. Go with what you think would be best for your vacation experience and budget.
When choosing a yacht, get advice from an experienced broker who is passionate about what they do. Look at a company’s reviews, see what others have to say about them, and take a close look at their site to see exactly what services they offer. The right yacht chartering broker can improve your chartering experience tenfold by listening to your needs and making it their mission to find you the perfect yacht.
At Seize the Day Charters, we want to make your next yacht chartering vacation special. There’s nothing we love more than helping clients find the yacht of their dreams. No matter what you need, we can help you find it. We have access to thousands of yachts around the world, giving you plenty of options to choose from. Fill out our form or call to inquire about our BVI catamaran charters. Your next trip awaits; seize the day and start planning today!
