Whether you’ve never set foot on a charter yacht or you’re comparing options for your fifth trip, this guide covers everything you need to make a confident, well-informed decision — written by brokers who have personally sailed these waters.
Why Book With BVISAIL’s Charter Brokers?
Because trusted expertise turns a good yacht trip into an unforgettable one.
More than 20 years of combined yacht and travel experience Independent comparisons across multiple fleets Firsthand yacht and crew knowledge No additional broker fee Planning support before, during, and after the charter
What is Yacht Chartering?
A crewed yacht charter gives you exclusive use of a private sailing or motor yacht, complete with a professional captain, chef, and crew. Unlike a cruise ship, your itinerary is yours to set — you choose the anchorages, the pace, and the activities. Unlike a resort, you wake up somewhere new every morning.
Charter yachts range from 40-foot sailboats for couples to 300-foot superyachts for large groups. Most BVI first-timers charter a crewed catamaran in the 50–65 foot range, which comfortably accommodates 6–8 guests across four private cabins, each with its own bathroom.
New to yacht chartering with children? Our BVI yacht charter for first-time families guide covers the essentials, from choosing a suitable crewed yacht to planning your family’s first week aboard.
New to Crewed Yacht Chartering?
If this is your first charter, BVISAIL can also help you understand how chartering works, what is included, how pricing works, and how to prepare for your week aboard.
🚩Why Charter?
Discover why yacht charters offer more freedom, privacy, and value than resorts and cruises.
Discover the Benefits → ⚓How It Works
See the simple 5-step process from inquiry to embarkation.
See the Process → 💰Pricing Guide
Understand weekly charter costs and what’s included.
View Pricing → 📅Sample Itinerary
Explore a day-by-day sailing plan for families and couples.
See Itinerary → 📝Inquiry Form
Share your travel dates, group details, and preferences to get matched with the perfect yacht.
Plan Your Yacht Escape → Types of Yacht Charter — Which Is Right for You?
The four main charter styles each suit a different group size, budget, and experience level. Here’s how our brokers explain them to first-time clients.
⛵ Crewed Sailing Catamaran
From $15,000/week · 6–10 guests
The most popular choice in the BVI. Wide, stable decks; private cabins; full crew, including chef. Best for families, first-timers, and groups who want comfort without sacrificing the sailing experience.
View Options →🚤 Power Catamaran
From $25,000/week · 6–10 guests
All the space of a sailing catamaran with faster passages between islands. Fuel-efficient relative to motor yachts, with shallow drafts that access the same anchorages. Best for groups who want speed and flexibility.
View Options →🛥️ Motor Yacht
From $35,000/week · 6–12 guests
Maximum comfort, dedicated crew, and elevated service standards. Ideal for guests who prioritise luxury over the sailing experience itself — think resort-quality dining and spacious deck entertaining areas.
View Options →🧭 Bareboat Charter
From $3,500/week · requires sailing certs
You sail the yacht yourselves with no crew. Requires verifiable sailing experience (typically ASA 104 or RYA Coastal Skipper equivalent). The most affordable option — and the most hands-on.
View Options →👨✈️ Captain-Only Charter
From $8,000/week · 2–6 guests
A licensed captain handles navigation while guests manage their own provisioning and meals. The middle ground between bareboat and fully crewed — good for experienced sailors who want guidance in an unfamiliar area.
View Options →🌊 Crewed Monohull Sailboat
From $18,000/week · 2–6 guests
A traditional sailing experience for those who want the feel of the boat heeling through the wind. Increasingly rare in the BVI but available seasonally, particularly in winter from the Mediterranean.
View Options →What Does a Caribbean Yacht Charter Actually Cost?
The charter fee is just one number. Here’s a full breakdown of what you’ll actually pay — and what’s included — explained the way our brokers explain it to first-time clients.
| Charter Type | Weekly Base Rate | Typical Group Size | What’s Included |
|---|
| Crewed Sailing Catamaran | $20,000 – $50,000+ | 6 – 10 guests | Yacht, captain, chef, crew, most meals & drinks, water toys |
| Power Catamaran | $25,000 – $65,000+ | 6 – 10 guests | Yacht, captain, chef, crew, meals & drinks, water toys |
| Motor Yacht | $55,000 – $150,000+ | 6 – 14 guests | Yacht, full crew, chef, premium provisions, water toys |
| Bareboat | $3,500 – $12,000 | 2 – 8 guests | Yacht only — provisioning, fuel, and marina fees extra |
| Captain-Only | $8,000 – $22,000 | 2 – 6 guests | Yacht + licensed captain — provisioning arranged by guests |
Rates shown are approximate weekly base charter fees (before APA, gratuity, and any extras). High season (December – April) rates are typically 10–20% higher than shoulder season rates.
How to Book a BVI Yacht Charter: The 11-Step Process
This is exactly how CKIM Group manages a charter from first enquiry to post-trip follow-up. Book at least 9–12 months ahead for high-season dates.
- Define your yacht charter goals
A. Share your details with BVISAIL:
Preferred charter dates
Destination, including BVI, USVI, Bahamas, or wider Caribbean
Special occasions, such as a honeymoon, anniversary, or corporate retreat
Interests and activities, such as diving, island-hopping, and cultural tours
B. Who will be traveling with you?
Family
Friends
Business associates
C. What’s your charter budget range?
$150,000+ per week plus expenses
$100,000+
$75,000+
$50,000+
$35,000+
D. What type of yacht do you prefer?
Motor Yacht
Power Catamaran
Sailing Catamaran
Sailboat
E. What’s your group’s charter history?
Booking tip: Families with young children should mention ages upfront — some yachts are better suited to families than others, and crew experience with children varies significantly.
- Schedule a broker consultation
A CKIM charter specialist reviews your requirements in a 20–30 minute call or video meeting. We discuss destination options (and help you choose if you’re undecided), yacht types that fit your group, and whether travel insurance is appropriate for your dates and itinerary.
- Receive your tailored proposal
Within 24–48 hours, your broker sends a personalised proposal with 3–5 shortlisted yachts, sample itineraries for your preferred destination, current rates, crew bios, and links to relevant client reviews. You’re never shown inventory we haven’t personally vetted.
- Select your yacht
Review the shortlisted options, ask any questions about layout, crew, or amenities, and confirm your yacht selection. At this stage, you can also discuss add-ons such as a diving instructor, masseur, or specific excursions pre-arranged through the crew.
- Finalise contracts and hold dates
Your broker reviews the charter agreement on your behalf, confirms the hold dates with the operator, and arranges your deposit payment (typically 50% of the charter fee). All payments are processed securely. CKIM handles all communication with the yacht operator directly.
- Prepare for your trip
Complete your preference forms — covering dietary requirements, food and drink preferences, cabin assignments, and activity interests. These are sent directly to the captain and chef so they can provision the yacht to your exact specifications. Schedule a captain’s briefing call and arrange travel to the embarkation point.
- Pre-departure call
7–10 days before departure your broker reviews final logistics: weather patterns for your window, any itinerary adjustments based on conditions, and last-minute questions from your group. This call also confirms the APA amount and payment method.
- Embarkation
Board the yacht, meet the full crew, complete a safety briefing, and review the onboard systems. Most charters begin in the early afternoon to allow the crew to complete provisioning and final preparations. The captain will walk you through the first day’s itinerary over a welcome drink.
- During your charter
The crew provides daily briefings on weather and the next day’s anchorages. The captain manages the APA and gives you regular updates on the balance. Itineraries are flexible — if the group wants to spend an extra day at a favourite anchorage, the captain accommodates.
- Disembarkation
The captain provides a full APA statement with receipts. Any unspent balance is refunded; any overrun is settled. Gratuity is paid directly to the captain for distribution to the crew. Typical disembarkation is by 12 noon on the final morning.
- Post-trip follow-up
Your broker sends a short feedback survey and follows up with a call to discuss the experience. Feedback is shared with the yacht’s management to maintain crew standards. Many CKIM clients book their next charter during this call.
Work through every step of planning a BVI charter.
Also, review the Virgin Islands sailboat charter and what you need to know.
Top Caribbean Yacht Charter Destinations
Our brokers have sailed or placed clients in every area below. Here’s how we describe each destination to clients choosing between them.
British Virgin Islands
The benchmark Caribbean sailing ground
The BVI is the reason most clients come to us first. Calm, protected waters, consistent 15–20 knot trade winds from December through April, and line-of-sight navigation between islands make it the most forgiving and most rewarding sailing destination in the Caribbean. The Baths on Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke’s White Bay, and Norman Island snorkelling are world-class.
The Bahamas
700+ islands, turquoise flats, world-class diving
The Bahamas suit clients who want dramatic contrasts — shallow turquoise Exuma Sound, deep-water blue holes of Andros, and Nassau’s social energy. Famous “swimming pigs” of Exuma are iconic, but the real draw is remoteness: anchor off an empty beach. Best for adventurous groups and families with teenagers.
St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Secluded anchorages, volcanic scenery
The Grenadines attract experienced charter guests after their first BVI trip. Bequia has one of the most beautiful anchorages in the Caribbean. Mustique has the reputation; Tobago Cays has the reality — a protected marine park with untouched reefs. Longer passages than the BVI, but the reward is proportional.
US Virgin Islands
Easiest US-accessible Caribbean charter
The USVI is the most accessible Caribbean charter destination for US-based clients — no passport required, direct flights to St Thomas, and US customs throughout. St John’s national park covers two-thirds of the island with top snorkelling. Many USVI charters cross into the BVI for a day or two if permits allow.
Bonaire & Curaçao
World-class diving, Dutch Caribbean character
The ABC Islands are the choice for dive-focused groups. Bonaire’s reef is one of the most protected in the Caribbean — anchoring restricted but shore diving exceptional. Curaçao adds colonial Willemstad (UNESCO site) and wreck diving. Fewer charter yachts here — a genuine advantage for privacy seekers.
Guadeloupe & Martinique
French Caribbean — gourmet, volcanic, dramatic
The French West Indies suit clients who want the Caribbean with European flair. Martinique has the best provisioning — Fort-de-France markets are outstanding. Guadeloupe’s Les Saintes is one of the most photogenic anchorages. French customs and cuisine throughout — a distinctive experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yacht Chartering
How much does a Caribbean yacht charter cost?Crewed yacht charters in the BVI and Caribbean range from $15,000 to $150,000+ per week, with most families spending $20,000–$50,000 for a crewed catamaran that includes a yacht, captain, chef, and meals. In addition to the base fee, plan for an APA of 30–40% to cover expenses and a gratuity of 15–20% for the crew.
Do I need sailing experience to charter a yacht?No sailing experience is needed for a crewed charter — the captain handles everything while you relax. Bareboat charters require sailing certifications, and captain‑only charters offer a middle option with a skipper navigating while guests manage provisioning.
What is the best time of year to charter in the BVI?High season runs December–April with steady trade winds, low humidity, and little rain. May–July offers great sailing with fewer crowds, while August–November is hurricane season with the lowest rates and reduced yacht availability, though many charters still succeed in September and October.
How far in advance should I book a BVI yacht charter?Book 9–12 months ahead for high season (December–April), especially peak weeks like Christmas, New Year, and Easter which often fill 12–18 months out. For shoulder season or last‑minute trips, 3–6 months is usually enough, with occasional discounts on open weeks.
More questions answered in our full Crewed Yacht Charter FAQ.
Talk to a Broker About Your Charter
The BVI, Bahamas, and Caribbean Yacht Charter experts will match you with the right charter yacht and crew. Your trip of a lifetime is just a phone call or email away.
Share your dates and group size. We’ll shortlist the best-fit yachts and send you a tailored proposal within 24 hours — no pressure, no obligation.
Read more about what to expect on a luxury yacht charter.
Featured Yachts
Power 
From $55,000 - $60,000 /wk
- 112 feet
- 8 guests
- Built: 2001
- Power
From $85,000 - $95,000 /wk
- 90.2 feet
- 8 guests
- Built: 2021
- Power
Contact us at 1-321-777-1707 or complete this form to discuss your vacation plans.
