Bareboat Charters – FAQs

A bareboat charter is a popular yacht rental option where you rent a fully equipped sailing catamaran, sailing monohull, or power catamaran without a professional crew on board. You are the captain, handling all navigation and operations. This type of bareboat yacht charter is ideal for experienced sailors seeking the freedom to explore stunning destinations at their own pace.

To qualify for bareboat chartering, you simply need experience skippering a similarly operated (sail or power) yacht that is within 8 to 10 feet of the yacht you wish to charter. With sufficient experience, a certification or license is not required in most locations, except in the Mediterranean (see below). You also need skills in anchoring, moorings, docking, navigating, and related tasks. The level of skill required depends on the difficulty of the location you wish to charter. For example, the British Virgin Islands is considered an "easy" sailing location with very little anchoring, docking, and navigation required. In the BVI, you don’t need extensive experience with these skills to qualify for bareboat chartering.

Mediterranean Bareboat Charters: A license is required for most Mediterranean sailing monohulls, sailing catamarans, and power catamarans. For sailboats, if you do not have a license, an online Mediterranean Sailing Certification has been approved for U.S. citizens: NauticEd, a U.S.-based sailing school, offers bareboat sailing certification that has been formally approved by maritime authorities in Mallorca (Spain), Italy, Greece, Croatia, and the Seychelles. Feel free to email us at bareboats@visailing.com with the details of your experience (including boat size and hours), and we can let you know what size yachts you are qualified to bareboat.

You’ll initially work with one of our charter experts to find the most comfortable yacht at the best value. You can see bareboat charter rates and view available charter companies to start comparing options that match your budget and preferences.Once your charter reservation is confirmed, our top-rated concierge team will assist with your paperwork, payments, and making recommendations for hotels, provisions, water toys, etc. Once you arrive at your charter destination, you will work directly with the excellent charter company's staff. The local phone numbers and office hours will be provided to you prior to your charter.

Yes, you can! The Virgin Islands are one of the top destinations for earning your ASA bareboat certification. With gentle trade winds, calm waters, and beautiful surroundings, it’s a great place to learn.

If you pre-study, you can complete ASA 101, 103, and 104 during a 7-night sailing monohull charter. To meet ASA guidelines, these courses typically need to be completed on a monohull. However, if you prefer a sailing catamaran, you can first take ASA 101 over two days at a land-based school in Tortola. Then continue your ASA 103, 104, and ASA 114 (catamaran certification) on a sailing catamaran charter.

Pricing is straightforward. The ASA-certified captain’s fee is $200 per day, plus meals and gratuity. Course materials and exams cost about $100 per person. If your group is large enough or you'd like a private course, you’ll need a charter yacht with an extra cabin for the instructor.

For the best experience, consider a 10-night charter, 7 nights for certification, and 3 extra nights to explore the islands as a newly certified skipper!

👉 Have questions or need help planning your certification trip? Contact our charter experts or email us at bareboat@visailing.com for personalized support.

We work closely with a reputable sailing school in the British Virgin Islands to offer ASA bareboat certification courses. Whether you're looking for a shared learning experience or prefer a private course aboard your own bareboat charter, we can help tailor the perfect setup.

Our sailing school partner ensures professional instruction and a smooth certification process. If you're planning a charter and want to combine it with learning, this is a great way to gain confidence and credentials while enjoying your time on the water.

👉 Have questions or need help planning your certification trip? Contact our charter experts or email us at bareboat@visailing.com for personalized support.

If you have some boating experience but it’s not quite enough to bareboat on your own, you have two great options to enjoy your charter safely and confidently:

Check Out Skipper: Our top-rated charter experts can arrange a professional skipper to sail with you on your first day. This captain will provide a thorough yacht briefing, help refresh your sailing skills, and share valuable local knowledge to make your trip smoother.

Flotilla Sailing: Join a flotilla, a group of bareboat yachts sailing together on a fixed itinerary led by a professional captain. Flotillas offer a perfect balance of independence and support, letting you bareboat with guidance. These typically run for one or two weeks in many popular destinations. You choose your yacht and pay a small flotilla fee.

If you have no prior boating experience, no worries! We can add a skipper to your bareboat charter, or recommend a fully crewed yacht that includes a captain, chef, and often all-inclusive services to ensure your trip is effortless and luxurious.

Sailing catamarans are becoming a popular choice among sailors, and many with sailing monohull experience are making the switch with ease. The fundamentals of sailing remain the same; what’s new is handling twin engines, each with its own throttle.

If you’ve sailed similarly sized sailing monohulls but haven’t yet used twin-screw engines, don’t worry. For around $200, you can hire a check-out skipper on your first afternoon. They'll guide you through the basics in just a few hours.

Most sailors find that once they get hands-on with the dual engines, operating a sailing catamaran is even easier than managing a single-engine sailing monohull.

The British Virgin Islands is the ideal location for your first charter! The distances between islands are short at 1-1.5 hours and a maximum of 3 hours. The waters are deep and easy to navigate, and you never have to anchor because there are mooring buoys almost everywhere. Plus, the island layout provides protection from open water sailing and, lower probability of seasickness. The BVI has so much to offer: visiting 1-2 new islands every day, a lot of restaurants and beach bars, great beaches, snorkeling, sunsets, and fun for all ages!

Both Tortola and St Thomas are great starting points for a bareboat charter, but the best choice depends on your travel plans.

Tortola offers the largest selection of bareboat charters, shorter sailing distances to top BVI spots like the Baths and Norman Island, and no need to clear customs mid-trip, making it ideal if you want to maximize time on the water.

On the other hand, St Thomas is often easier and more affordable to reach, with direct flights from many US cities. You can start your trip in the USVI, sail to the BVI, and even arrange a one-way charter to Tortola.

Just keep in mind that sailing from St Thomas requires a few extra hours and a customs stop on your first day. If you're unsure which route is best for your group, contact our charter experts or request a quote.

Category	Details
Overnight Moorings	Moorings average $30/night. First-come, first-served. Plan to arrive by 3:00 - 3:30 PM in high season and 4:00–4:30 PM in low season. Payment collected by dinghy or paid to the restaurant ashore. Cash only.
Meals Ashore	Charterers usually dine ashore for at least half their dinners and occasionally breakfast or lunch. Most restaurants accept credit cards - Visa and MasterCard are more widely accepted than Amex or Discover. Average cost: $50/person (excluding lobster).
Ice & Water	Cash only in most locations. Ice costs $4.00 - $6.00 per bag (sometimes up to $10). Water costs approximately $0.15 per gallon.
Fuel	Fuel tanks must be topped off before returning the yacht. Procedure is reviewed during the chart briefing. Average fuel cost: $5.25/gallon. Estimated Weekly Fuel Costs: Sailing vessel w/o generator: $70–$100– Sailing vessel w/ generator: $125–$250– Power vessel: $500–$700
Taxes & Fees	BVI Departure Tax: $20/person (paid when leaving)BVI Environmental Levy: $10/person (paid when entering)
Currency	The currency in both the British and U.S. Virgin Islands is U.S. Dollars.
ATMs	A few ATMs are available within the cruising area.

For information on expenses in other destinations, please contact our charter experts.

Absolutely! A bareboat charter makes for an amazing family vacation, and we wholeheartedly encourage bringing kids of all ages.

In fact, VI Sailing owners Casper and Melody Delgado have been chartering with their daughter since she was just 9 months old—and they still sail together now that she’s in her 20s!

If you're a parent planning a trip, we're happy to share helpful tips and personal advice. You can also check out our detailed guide on chartering with children in the British Virgin Islands.

While we understand many travelers love to bring their furry friends, most charter companies do not permit animals on board due to cleaning requirements and potential damage to the yacht.

No, sorry. Regardless of your experience, for safety reasons, at least two people are required on board.

Charter start and end dates vary by region. In the Caribbean and South Pacific, bareboat charters typically begin and end on any day of the week, offering flexible scheduling. However, in the Mediterranean, most charters follow a Friday or Saturday turnover.

When planning your trip, be sure to factor in travel time, flight schedules, and possible overnight stays to ensure a stress-free start to your sailing vacation.

👉 Have questions about scheduling or destinations? Contact our charter experts or email us at bareboat@visailing.com for personalized advice.

A bareboat charter yacht handover (yacht orientation) will usually take about an hour. You should be as familiar with the vessel as possible before leaving the dock. As a minimum, the skipper and at least one other member of the crew should be shown:

• The location and safe operation of all the safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, life jackets, and first aid kits
• The safe operation of the cooking and refrigeration systems
• Correct operation of the heads
• Engine operation and regular checks
• Operation of the VHF system, including mayday instructions
• The location and operation of all the instruments, including the GPS when applicable
• The location of all charts and pilot books
• The location and operation of all the halyards, winches, reefing lines, and other sail controls
• The anchoring system
• Any other systems specific to that vessel or not covered above

It is important not to rush the yacht orientation and don't be afraid to ask questions! If there is anything you are not sure of or want to know more about, an extra 15 minutes at the start of your charter could save you hours of down time during your sailing vacation. The charter company would prefer you to feel 100% confident before you leave the dock. If you are not familiar with the cruising ground, the charter company will meet with you for full chart briefing which takes approximately one hour. If you are familiar with the cruising ground, you'll most likely receive an abbreviated chart briefing.

Yes, and it’s highly recommended!

Some charter companies offer their own trip insurance, which will be presented as an option when you reserve your charter. Alternatively, for any charter, you can purchase coverage from one of our recommended insurance providers, typically for about 7% of your charter amount.

While no one plans to cancel, last-minute emergencies can happen. All charter companies enforce a no-refund policy once you’re within a certain cancellation window. Please refer to the cancellation policies listed on each bareboat company’s rate page.

Though cancellations are rare, having trip insurance in place can make a big difference in how the situation is resolved.

With all charter companies and in all locations, taxi and/or ferry fees are not included in the charter fee. Throughout the Caribbean and the majority of other worldwide locations, the charter company will arrange for your taxi after receiving your arrival details. With a few companies in Tortola, BVI, you can prepay for your taxi and ferry arrangements.

If you choose a sleep aboard, you’ll usually leave the marina around 10:30–11:00 AM. Without it, most charters don’t depart until 2:00–2:30 PM.

Boarding times for sleep aboards vary by charter company but typically fall between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM. The cost also varies, ranging from $75 per person to as much as 65% of the daily charter rate. You can find exact rates listed on each bareboat company’s pricing page.

With a sleep aboard, you'll load your gear that evening and have time to get comfortable with your yacht before the next morning’s orientation. In most locations, especially the Virgin Islands, you can also begin provisioning that same evening.

If you arrive after office hours, don’t worry: the yacht will be prepped - lights on, fridge cold, and written instructions provided for basic systems and shore facilities. The staff will give you a full orientation the next day.

However, sleep aboards may not be ideal in every case.
In hot summer months, marinas can be warm and buggy, especially if the yacht doesn’t have air conditioning. In this case, many guests prefer to stay in a nearby hotel for the first night.

Hotels near the marinas often accept one-night stays, and our top-rated concierge team can help with bookings. Prices start at around $130 per night in low season, and $170+ in high season, plus tax and service fees. After a long day of travel, a cool, comfortable hotel room can be the perfect way to begin your vacation.

If you reserve a sleep aboard for your arrival night, you can expect to leave the marina around 10:30-11:00 AM after your chart briefing and yacht orientation. Without a sleep aboard, charters typically start at noon, which is also the boarding time. After loading your gear and provisions and completing your chart briefing and yacht orientation, you can expect to leave the marina between 2:00-2:30 PM.

The most convenient provisions/beverages option is to place your order in advance of your charter. The Moorings and Sunsail, offer their own provisions packages, which we recommend if you're chartering from one of these companies. Otherwise, you can order directly from the local grocery stores that do not have an up-charge on the items and offer free delivery. The two largest grocery stores in Road Town are Rite Way and Bobby's Market Place. Simply go on either of their sites and submit your order directly to your store of choice. You can also self-provision at either of these stores on the day your charter starts. For a larger selection of beverages, see Tico. We also have a few suppliers for specialty items that we send to our clients with their Vacation Planner. Almost everything you will consume or dispose of, you will need to supply. This includes charcoal for the grill. Please see the specific yacht information pages for a list of items included with your charter. Provision options are generally the same for all locations, but please contact our charter experts for details.

Fuel is not included for most power catamarans and many sailing catamarans.
You’ll be expected to refuel before returning your yacht. The best locations to top off your fuel tanks will be explained during your chart briefing.

There are some exceptions:

• The Moorings (in the Caribbean and South Pacific) include fuel for sailboats in the charter fee; no refueling required.

• Sunsail offers a prepaid fuel surcharge, so you don’t need to refuel at the end of your charter.

You need to clear customs when entering a new country (BVI to USVI or vice versa). Clearing customs into the USVI is usually done at Cruz Bay, St. John, or Red Hook, St. Thomas. Clearing customs into the BVI can be done at Soper's Hole on the west end of Tortola or Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke. The process of clearing customs typically takes 45 minutes. Clients starting their charter in St. Thomas need to clear customs once they enter the BVI; this is also when you pay the BVI Cruising Tax and National Park Permit fees. You can clear out of BVI customs at the same time, you just need to indicate how many days you'll be in the BVI. US citizens can pre-register on ROAM, which allows you to check back into the USVI with your phone; otherwise, you need to check into the USVI in person. Clients starting their charter in Tortola need to clear out of the BVI, into and out of the USVI (can be done at the same time if you indicate how long you’re staying in the USVI), and then back into the BVI. See other BVI/USVI resources here

Don’t overpack!!! You will be in your bathing suit and cover-ups almost the entire time. Download our complete packing brochure

Category	Items	Notes
Basic Clothing	2 bathing suits & cover-ups/wraps	You’ll wear these most of the time
	2 comfortable pairs of sandals	Flip-flops are ideal; no big heels
	1 pair of water shoes (optional)	For rocky or wet landings
	1 pair of sneakers + 2 pairs of socks	For walking or hiking
	3–5 outfits	More than enough for a week
	1 dressy outfit	Required at Peter Island Yacht Club
	Underclothes & pajamas	Use your own judgment
	Travel outfit	Set aside for your flight home
	Duffel-style luggage	Folds easily for storage on board
	Carry-on essentials	Change of clothes, bathing suit, toiletries (in case of baggage delay)
Toiletries & Personal Items	Toiletries including moisturizer/lotion
	Sunscreen	Use generously—you’ll still tan
	Lip sunscreen (optional)
	Insect repellent	For evenings and shore stops
	Hair dryer / electric shaver	Only bring if needed and yacht supports it
	Minimal makeup & jewelry	Less is better
Entertainment & Comfort	Beach towels	May not be provided
	Beach bag	For day trips ashore
	Books, magazines, journal	Relax and unplug
	Deck of cards	For group fun
	Music CDs	Some yachts have CD players
	Camera & underwater camera	Capture your trip
	Chargers	Yacht has 12V plug; bring inverter for 110V
Food & Galley Supplies (Optional)	Large frying pan	Useful for groups of 6+
	Drink koozies	For bottled drinks
	Blow-up floats	Packable and fun
	Storage baggies	Gallon & sandwich sizes
	Spices	Picnic-sized or favorite blends
	Powdered drink mixes	Tea, lemonade, Crystal Light, etc.
	Coffee & powdered creamer	Small amounts recommended
	Snacks	Choose crush-resistant items
	Dried foods	Small quantities: rice, pasta, cereal
	Condiments	Small sizes, plastic containers
	Canned goods (e.g., tuna)	Easy to store
	Paper plates & plastic cups	For convenience
Items to Buy Upon Arrival	Air freshener
	Toilet cleaner
	Toilet paper
	Charcoal
Additional Notes		Anything consumable or disposable must be supplied by you. There are provisioning stores in the cruising area if you forget something. Full provisioning is also available.
Currency & Payments		US Dollars used in BVI & USVI. Visa and MasterCard widely accepted. Cash needed for moorings ($30/night), taxis, and ice. Limited ATMs available.

All charter companies in all locations include a dinghy. Throughout the Caribbean and worldwide, an outboard is also included. The only exceptions are some Mediterranean locations - the outboard is not included, but available for rent. We try to list the dinghy and outboard sizes on the yacht information pages on our site. However, if the size is not provided online, please contact our charter experts, we are happy to find out for you.

Most of our partner charter companies provide snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, and fins) in adult sizes free of charge.
If it’s not included, rental gear is available at local dive shops near your charter base. Once your charter is confirmed, you’ll be paired with a complimentary Vacation Planner who will guide you through everything that’s included, like snorkeling gear, and help you explore any additional water sports equipment available for rent.

Yes! Every yacht in every location includes a navigation chart on board. Virgin Island Sailing provides clients with a complimentary planning package, including a digital vacation planner, a printed cruising guide book, snorkel/dive map, and a fish ID card – all mailed to your home.

Yes, a coffee maker is on board all yachts. Yachts that are not equipped with a generator will have a stove-top percolator. Yachts with a generator will either have a stove-top percolator or a drip coffee maker. A filter is not required for either.

Most Tortola yachts have a cell phone available with a prepay phone credit of $10 - $20 to use towards calls. Additional credits can be purchased throughout the cruising area. Calls to/from the charter company are free. Calls to the USA are approximately $0.50/minute. Many personal cell phones will work while on charter. However, the roaming and international fees can be expensive. We recommend contacting your service provider for specific details; often, they offer a temporary international calling or texting plan. Calls from the Caribbean to your home country usually cost $3.00 - $4.00/minute, so it's best to use the onboard cell phone if possible.

In the BVI, many yachts are equipped with WiFi or offer it for a fee. Throughout the BVI and USVI, there are also some WiFi hot spots. During your chart briefing, the charter company will inform you of the current locations. Internet service is not available in most other cruising areas, but please check with our charter experts or send us an email to bareboat@visailing.com

Yes! Many yachts are being equipped with an aux input to the stereo - please check the online yacht specs. Some newer yachts also have a smartphone charger that connects directly to the sound system. Once your charter is booked, your charter expert can give you the specific details for the yacht you reserved.

In the British Virgin Islands, the yacht must be registered for commercial fishing. Please check with us for specific details about your vessel.

If the yacht is registered, a fishing license is required for anyone 18 years or older who plans to fish during the charter.

You can apply for a license in person at the Government Office on Tortola, open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

For convenience, we recommend working with Last Stop Sports or Island Surf and Sail to arrange your license in advance and rent fishing gear.

A fishing license is not required in the USVI. Please contact our charter experts for licensing requirements in other destinations.

You’ll only see pirates if you’re watching Pirates of the Caribbean during your trip! The areas where charters are offered are areas that are safe for visiting. Nowhere is “crime free” so we recommend normal precautions: be aware of your surroundings, lock the boat / dinghy when you go ashore and don’t leave valuable out in plain sight, and don’t walk in dark or sketchy areas.

Certified divers can rent scuba gear and tanks to take on board their yacht. Bareboats are not equipped with compressors or dive tank racks, but racks can be rented. Another option in the BVI is rendezvous diving whereas the dive company will pick you up from your yacht with your necessary gear. You would dive from their yacht, which is typically closer to the dive sites because some mooring balls are designated for dive boats only. For more information see Blue Water Divers on Tortola or Admiralty Diving on St. Thomas. Please check with our Bareboat Experts for rental companies in all other locations.

Hair dryers and yachts really don't go well together. But, we do understand the need sometimes! If you would like to use a hair dryer on board, please plan on bringing a very low wattage travel hair dryer. For non-generator yachts, you may also need to bring or rent an inverter. Please ask our Bareboat Experts about specific yachts. Keep in mind that you can also use a hair dryer on shore during your charter.

No, you should not drink the water from the yacht's water tanks, even if it’s equipped with a water maker. You should purchase bottled water for drinking. The amount of water to purchase will depend on your group and how much other beverages you'll have on board. As a general rule, you should purchase about 1/2 gallon per person/day.

If you are having a captain and/or cook, it is customary to tip them at the end of your charter. For a first day check out Captain, $30-$50 is usual and for crew staying on board for the entire vacation, 10% - 15% of the yacht’s charter fee typical. This is at your discretion of course!