The presence of almost constant trade winds in Tortola, the warm temperature of the seas, the idyllic coastline with its pristine white sand beaches, fringed by swaying palm trees – all these aspects combine to produce perfect yachting waters. With upwards of 50 bays and cays and anchorages to select from, it is little wonder that the British Virgin Islands are amongst the Caribbean’s most popular sailing areas.

Novice sailors enjoy the security of knowing that they are very rarely out of sight of land while sailing in the British virgin Islands.  There’s nearly always an island close by! Perhaps the only time you would be out of sight of land altogether might be if you decided to sail north to Anegada -the drowned island – a truly captivating island, of coral reef beginnings, which is 10 miles long, 2  miles wide but only 28 feet high!

Selecting a yacht for your vacation will be full of options. Obviously, the larger the boat you select, the larger the staterooms that will be available to you, with catamarans customarily providing the most spacious accommodation. As you might expect, the variety of yachts available for you to charter is considerable – monohulls or catamarans, sailboats or motor charters.  You will be able to find something to suit every budget and requirement.

Around the BVI you will be able to safely enjoy line of sight sailing with a reliable breeze and perfect visibility, and few open water hazards. This makes it easier for the less experienced sailors to get up and running. Although hazards can present themselves whenever your sailing, it’s less likely you’ll get lost while sailing in the BVI’s. Here you will be able to safely enjoy line of sight sailing from one white sandy beach to the next!

There are several charter companies in Tortola and the BVI’s to choose from. A little online research will get you off in the right direction. The charter companies based in Tortola will normally require some evidence that the skipper of the vessel has had previous experience. At least one person on the vessel should know what they’re doing! Although certifications are not always mandatory, they are useful.

Some crewed charters offer both a captain and a cook, so that no-one on the journey needs to worry about cooking, cleaning or making sure there is enough ice! When it comes to selecting a crewed charter, the possibilities are very wide.  Some companies offer a ‘captain only’ service, with the qualified skipper being totally responsible for the safe operation of the yacht but perhaps needing your assistance with the sailing.

Come and discover exactly why Tortola has become one of the world’s favorite sailing and yacht charter hot spots. Chartering a great yacht is the ultimate luxury of the sea; your own private cruise, with nothing to do except relax and watch the Caribbean flow by. Whatever your charter requirements, there will be companies in Tortola who will not only meet your expectations but far exceed them.