Wazzup Pilipinas!?
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) is one of the most sought-after yacht vacation destinations. Known for its vibrant culture, beautiful landscapes, and crystal-ear waters, BVI is where leisure meets adventure. It is the perfect Yachting destination for seasoned sailors and newbies alike. However, a tour of these pristine beaches in the heart of the Caribbean requires extensive planning.
Not planning and preparing in advance is the recipe for confusion and missed opportunities. You want to prepare yourself, gather everything you will need for the excursion, and decide what to do each day of the tour.
Seven Expert Tips for a Successful BVI Yacht Charter Vacation
Planning a maritime adventure to the British Virgin Islands and want to make it a lifetime moment? Make everything right, from crafting an itinerary to choosing the best yacht for the job. Follow these expert tips to arm yourself with information and material for the best maritime journey.
1. Decide When to Visit
The ideal time to sail through the BVI on a yacht charter depends on many factors, but your preferences should get top priority. Any time of year offers an atmosphere suitable for sailing, but the dry season is more favorable for charter yachting. The weather is calmer and sunnier, and the winds are not aggressive between December and April.
The peak season is usually between December and February, and it can miss top deals and best rides during these months. However, you can still get great deals on the best yacht charter BVI in the off-peak. There are fewer crowds, better deals, and amiable weather between November, December, March, and June. But December, January, and February offer superb ambiance and party access.
2. Pick the Best Yacht For Your Needs
Getting the ideal yacht size and type for the budget and expected number of users is paramount. Catamarans are the best yachting solutions for veteran sailors who want to explore rough seas. These stable and spacious boats offer enough deck space to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Luxury motor yachts are top options for a luxury sailing experience, offering gourmet kitchens, private cabins, and en-suite bathrooms. They sail faster, enabling you to cover large surfaces and discover more islands within a shorter period. Other popular yacht charters to consider are bareboat and crewed charters.
3. Craft a Feasible Itinerary
The British Virgin Islands is a scenic archipelago covering over 69 islands. You cannot explore all these islands once, so choose the places to explore and when. When creating an itinerary, you must be conscious of your available time and interests. Great BVI yacht destinations you do not want to miss include Norman Island, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke.
4. Pack Everything You Need
Pack adequately for the maritime journey to the BVI. Remember, there is no access to introductory provisions in some remote islands. The BVI is friendly for casual tours, so get light and comfy clothing, sunglasses, insect repellent, hats, sunglasses, and swimsuits.
You can sample local cuisine in some of the island-themed restaurants. To keep your memories of the tour alive, carry your camera or a smartphone with a high-definition camera.
5. Plan on What to Do
Sailing is not the only thing you can do in the British Virgin Islands. Some tourist centers in these islands are friendly for shoppers, snorkelers, hikers, and divers. You do not want to limit yourself to specific activities but explore as much as possible with your charter members.
You only need to research top spots for a charter yacht tour. Places that come highly recommended are the popular beach bars, Indians' snorkeling centers, and the Virgin Gorda Baths.
6. Hire Professional Crew
If none of the people you are sailing the BVI with has sailing experience, hire a qualified crew. You want the sailing experience to be safe and enjoyable. The easiest way to achieve that is to have a professional guide on board.
A crew on board takes care of all things sailing and logistics. They plan everything to avoid inconveniences and allow you to relax and have fun.
7. Be Flexible
Getting everything planned does not mean your BVI sailing journey will go per the book. The weather might change abruptly, affecting your tour timing and planned activities. The yacht may develop problems, delaying your excursions. Some of your travel mates may experience delays, arriving a bit late. Just be ready to adjust and adapt to emergencies and delays.
Wrapping Up
It is time to tour the British Virgin Islands on a yacht charter, and the last thing you want is to make mistakes. Regardless of how many people you travel with, you want a spacious yacht to accommodate everyone and their belongings.
You must plan your itinerary and be ready to adjust if things do not go as planned. Set a budget big enough to cater to all your expenses and the extra luxuries you might want to indulge in. Do not forget to take your camera with you to capture those beautiful moments in the BVI attractions.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
