Chartering a yacht can be an enthralling way to explore the British Virgin Islands, but finding the right vessel for your needs requires diligence and planning. We’ve taken a look at one of the charter sector’s biggest players in this captivating corner of the Caribbean.
(Photo: Virgin Charter Yachts)
Established in 1996 by two UK natives who had fallen head-over-heels in love with the islands, Virgin Charter Yachts (VCY) swiftly became a renowned name for those seeking to rent a boat in the area. If you’re considering chartering a yacht in the BVIs and would like some guidance on how best to weigh up your options, we’ve done some of the leg work for you by creating a comprehensive guide to the company and their operations in and around one of the Caribbean’s finest boating destinations.
Fleet & Destinations
VCY have a diverse fleet of over 50 yachts available for charter, including a large number of catamarans, as well as luxury motor yachts and powercats. Some of their yachts are owned by the company while others are owned by private individuals who sub-let them through VCY. Among all of the yachts available, 35 can be hired with a crew and captain, while the rest are offered as bareboat vessels which require a license to helm. In terms of destinations, all of the company’s yachts can be used to explore the full extent of the waters around BVIs and the surrounding Caribbean region. Boats depart from the docks at Nanny Cay marina on the south side of the island of Tortola, which is also where the company is headquartered and where guests are required to check in ahead of their charter.
How to book
Once you’ve identified your preferred yacht, the first step in booking your charter is simply to make an inquiry. The team at VCY are available during working hours from Monday through Friday, and all you have to do is reach out to them either through a online contact form or via their live chat function. Once your interest in a vessel has been lodged, the company will get back you with availability on your preferred dates of travel. It should be noted that for privately owned yachts, the availability of a boat is dependent on the owners approval and can take some time to confirm. However, if the boat is VCY-owned, there is no delay. Your charter is confirmed once VCY have received a returned and signed charter contract from you. Signed contracts need to be submitted along with 25% of the quoted price that will act as your official deposit.
Charter services
VYC cater for all different types of charter experiences across the BVIs, regardless of your budget, taste and needs From bareboat charters where you take the helm yourself with no captain or crew, giving you the maximum freedom and flexibility, through to fully crewed adventures which let you kick back, relax and enjoy the experience along with fresh meals cooked on-board, there’s something to suit every chartering whim and desire.
The company also offer a wide range of itinerary and activity ideas to help inspire you ahead of your trip. These an be tweaked and tailored depending on your individual preferences and then relayed to your on-board team in the case of crewed excursions. This veritable concierge service also includes the option to pre-book activities and experiences, whether it be water sports or bookings at local bars and restaurants.
There are a number of alternatives for finding your ideal yacht charter. Among them, we would recommend Ritzy, which has a large number of crewed yachts available, and SamBoat, which also offers a wide variety of vessels, both crewed and bareboat.