Sailing in the Virgin Islands

• BVI Sailing and Yacht Charter
• USVI Sailing and Boat Charter

The Virgin Islands are a mariner's paradise, with literally hundreds of islands in the archipelago ideal for exploration by sea. Steady trade winds, plenty of protected anchorages, and numerous marinas and sailboat charter companies make sailing the Virgin Islands an excellent choice for your next Caribbean sailing vacation.

Sailing the BVI

There are all kinds of boats sailing in the BVI, from dinghies to megayachts to "pirate ships".

The British Virgin Islands are justifiably famous as one of the premier sailing destinations in the world. Many a world cruiser had their start here on a bareboat charter in the calm waters of the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Some people enjoy their BVI sailing charter experience so much that they come back year after year, each time discovering a new island, a hidden harbor with another beautiful reef for snorkeling, and a laid-back beach shake ashore to help take the edge off.

For help planning your BVI sailing vacation, we recommend VISailing.com, who have a ton of resources online:

Boating and Sailing in the USVI

A bareboat catamaran charter is an ideal way to explore the islands.

The U.S. Virgin Islands lay claim to the largest commercial charter fleet in the Caribbean, with both power and sailing vessels available for either crewed or bare-boat charters. Visitors who want to explore the islands at their own pace can rent a powerboat and design their own itinerary, visiting the islands of their choice to snorkel, picnic or sightsee. The range of scheduled trips by boat includes day sails and high-speed ferry rides to the British Virgin Islands. One favorite day sail is the full- or half-day excursion around the islands, with stops at beaches where you can lunch, snorkel, swim and sunbathe. The U.S. Virgin Islands hosts boat races year-round, including the International Rolex Cup Regatta on St. Thomas and the Mumm's Cup Regatta on St. Croix. Of particular interest is the U.S. Virgin Islands' new role in the international sailing arena. For the first time in history, the U.S.V.I. will compete for the America's Cup in the year 2000. The Virgin Islands America's Cup Challenge is already underway, and the staff is busy recruiting talented designers, managers, sailors and sponsors for this exciting event.

Beautiful anchorages abound in the Virgin Islands.

A crewed yacht charter can be an enjoyable way to explore the islands even if you don't know how to sail.