Bareboating in the British Virgin Islands
Congratulations! You’ve completed your ASA courses and you feel confident bareboat charter for a family and friend vacation! So what’s next? We recommend bareboating in the British Virgin Islands! Here’s what makes bareboating in Tortola and beyond such a fantastic sailing experience and what you need to do to ensure your bareboat trip is a success:
First we want to help you understand how the whole Bareboat Charter system works. Fleet operators and broker agencies have deep pockets for advertising and they want your business. Fleet operator offer brokers a 10-15% commission of the base charter rate to encourage more boat rentals of the fleet.
As a Go Sail Virgin Islands Graduate, we want to extend our services to help you get the best deal and get your resume approved. This service is at no cost to you and here is why.
1. Bareboat Chartering Demystified.
Fleet Operators: Moorings, Sunsail, Waypoints, BVI Yacht Charters, Dream Yacht Charters, Navigare, Conch Charters, TMM, Horizon Yacht Charters. Voyage Yacht Charters and there are some smaller companies also. You can book direct.
Yacht Charter Broker Agencies: Late Sail, Virgin Island Charters, My BVI Charter, Boat Around, Yacht Vacations, and hundreds of other small companies selling as a broker. You can book and the agency gets a commission. You will pay the same as amount as booking direct.
Go Sai Virgin Islands ( broker with ASA Membership discounts) Book with us and get the extra ASA membership discount -10% and we get a small commission that helps the school offer more courses for students like you. You will pay the same as amount as booking direct maybe slightly less. You will also get a repeat charter discount when you book with the same fleet again and again.
We all use Nausys for backend live booking. Nausys is online booking system designed for world wide use by fleets, agencies and boat owners. All of the discounts are applied automatically. It is kind of like the MLS for homes.
2. Decide on the Perfect trip:
You will want to share with us your choices. Exact dates ( usually 7 days with Sleep aboard the night before), where, what size boat, how many people and cannot live without extras ( Generator, Air-conditioning, water maker, and BBQ grill) Toys like Kayaks, Stand Up Paddle boards, Snorkel gear, Rendezvous Scuba diving and perfect itinerary planning. Fill in the form on this page and we will send you some quotes right away. Bareboat Charter Quote Form
3. Plan Ahead for Bareboating in the British Virgin Islands:
The BVI is an incredibly popular place to sail and the most reliable bareboat charter companies will book up fast. You will get the best deal of you book 6 months in advance. Summer season is also a great time to sail and usually will have additional last minute discounts to sell the expiring inventory. December through April is peak season and can be higher costs. The best time to book your bareboating charter in the British Virgin Islands is as soon as you’ve decided your sailing dates!
4. Expect Champagne Sailing While Bareboating in the British Virgin Islands:
If you received your sailing qualifications and training through Go Sail Virgin Islands in the USVI, you are probably familiar with the gorgeous sailing conditions of the area. Bareboating in the British Virgin Islands will likely offer the same pristine sailing weather you enjoyed on your USVI sailing adventure. Here is recommended itinerary.
Start : Nanny Cay Marina.
Sleep aboard: Arrive between after 4 pm either by EIS airport or ferry (schedule). The boat will be at the dock and unlocked for you to make your self comfortable. There are great places to eat at the Marina.
Day 1. Charter Briefing an check out done by 11 AM. Have you provisions delivered. The Charter company with motor off the dock for you. Trust me they do not expect you to be a docking expert. Sail over to Norman Island the Pirates bight and snorkel the caves. Plenty of moorings here.
Day 2. Snorkel the Indians and book a mooring with Boaty Ball for Cooper island. Snorkel the wreck of the Rhone located just off Salt Island.
Day 3. Hike and snorkel the Baths a Virgin Gorda. Reserve a mooring at North Gorda Sound at Saba Rock, Bitter End Yacht Club or Leverick Bay.
Day 4. Sail to 12 miles to Anegada. This unique place needs most of the day for exploring so start early. Book a mooring in advance with Boatyball.
Day 5. Sail to Marina Cay near Trellis bay. If you need exra provisions this a good stop. Snorkel Monkey Point.
Day 6. Sail to Great Harbor on Jost Van Dyke, home to Foxy’s Tamarind Bar. Book a mooring in advance with Boatyball.
Day 7. Explore more of Jost Van Dyke area, Spend the day at White bay and kill the pain with a few Soggy Dollar pain killers
Day 8. Sail back to Nanny Cay for Fuel up and check in. Call the charter company and let them know your ETA. They will come out and fuel and dock for you. Quick taxi to the ferry dock or EIS airport.
3. Great Provisions in BVI
- RiteWay Nanny Cay Nanny Cay Marina VG1110 Tortola, British Virgin Islands; +1 284-340-2263. Open 7 days a week from 7:00 am – 7:00 pm: This is a short walk down the dock near Omar’s restaurant. They are good for last-minute purchases and the basics.
- RiteWay Provisioning Road Town: Pasea Estate, James Walter Francis Highway, VG1110 Road Town, British Virgin Islands; +1 284-347-1188. You can fill out an online provisioning form from this location which will deliver your items to your boat on the day of arrival. They have a great selection of meats, cheeses, and produce.
4. Receive a 10% Discount on Your BVI Bareboat Charter
Another great reason to book your bareboating charter with Go Sail Virgin Islands is to receive a 10% discount on your trip! Go Sail Virgin Islands offers 10% to all ASA members who book directly with Captain Genevieve. To learn more about how to receive your discount for bareboating in the British Virgin Islands send us a request. Bareboat Charter Quote Form