Searching for a Tortola yacht charter is a natural place to begin when planning a yacht vacation in the British Virgin Islands. Tortola is home to several major charter bases and provides easy access to some of the BVI’s most popular sailing destinations.
But your yacht charter does not necessarily have to begin in Tortola.
Depending on the vessel you choose, your charter company, how you arrive in the BVI, and where you want to explore, departing from another marina may make more sense.
At Virgin Island Sailing®, we work with multiple charter companies throughout the BVI, so our Charter Experts can help you compare more than just the yacht itself. We can help you understand where your charter departs, how to get there, where to provision, and how your starting point fits into the rest of your sailing vacation. Virgin Island Sailing specializes in yacht charters of 5 nights or longer.
Where Do Tortola Yacht Charters Depart?
Tortola is home to several BVI charter bases, including Road Reef Marina, Wickham’s Cay II, Hodges Creek, Nanny Cay, and other marinas across the island.
However, not every BVI yacht charter starts in Tortola. Some of our charter partners also operate from locations such as Virgin Gorda and Scrub Island, giving you even more options when comparing bareboat charters and crewed yacht charters.
Virgin Island Sailing® partners with more than 20 charter companies and compares your options at no cost to you. Rather than choosing a marina first, start with your travel dates, group size, budget, and charter preferences. We can then compare available options and help you determine which charter and departure marina make the most sense for your sailing vacation.
Should You Fly Into Tortola in the BVI or St. Thomas in the USVI?
You can reach a BVI yacht charter by flying into Tortola or St. Thomas.
Flying into Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) brings you directly to Tortola. From there, you can grab a cab to your charter marina.
Alternatively, many travelers fly into St. Thomas (STT) in the U.S. Virgin Islands. From St. Thomas, you can travel to the BVI by ferry or private water taxi.
Your best option depends on flight availability from your area, itinerary, and charter base.
For that reason, it helps to know where your BVI yacht charter is located before finalizing your travel plans.
Should I Take the Ferry or A Water Taxi From St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands?
If you arrive in St. Thomas, a public ferry can take you to Tortola. After arriving, you can continue by taxi to your marina.
A water taxi offers another option. Depending on your charter location, you may be able to arrange transportation closer to Nanny Cay, Virgin Gorda, Scrub Island, or another BVI destination.
Private transfers can also provide more flexibility than scheduled ferry service.
Our Charter Experts can help you understand your charter location and the transfer options available to reach it.
Where to Provision in Tortola
If you are booking a bareboat charter, you will also need to plan your provisions.
Tortola has several options for groceries, beverages, fresh produce, meat, seafood, and prepared meals. For everyday provisioning, Rite Way, Bobby’s Marketplace, and OneMart are popular options in Road Town.
You can also order specialty provisions from local suppliers, including Relish Gourmet Foods for fine foods and beverages, TICO and Caribbean Cellars for beverages, Good Moon Farm for locally grown organic produce, and STEAKATION Artisan Butchery for fresh meat and seafood.
If you would rather spend less of your first day shopping, Elite Culinaire offers chef-prepared meals that can be ordered for bareboat charters.
Depending on your charter base, you can shop in person, pre-order provisions, or arrange delivery before your arrival. If you are traveling through St. Thomas before reaching the BVI, provisioning options are also available there, including Moe’s Fresh Market, Anna’s Market, Fresh Foods VI, and Food Center.
Knowing your charter base first makes provisioning much easier. Our Charter Experts and Concierge Team can guide you toward convenient options based on where your BVI charter departs.
On an all inclusive crewed yacht charter, the process is different. Your crew handles provisioning before your arrival based on your group’s meal and beverage preferences.
Where To Sail From Tortola?
Once aboard, Tortola gives you easy access to the rest of the British Virgin Islands.
Popular stops include Norman Island, Cooper Island, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke.
A longer charter gives you more time to explore without rushing from island to island. Seven nights is popular, but Virgin Island Sailing can assist with charters starting at 5 nights.
Your itinerary can then reflect your interests, yacht type, weather conditions, and time available.
Do I Have to Start My BVI Yacht Charter in Tortola?
No. This is one of the benefits of working with Virgin Island Sailing®. Our Charter Experts compare options across BVI marinas and more than 20 charter companies, so you are not limited to searching from one departure point.
The right BVI yacht charter for your group could depart from Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Scrub Island, or another BVI base. We compare the available options to help you find the best fit for your dates, group, budget, and charter preferences.
Plan Your Tortola Yacht Charter With Virgin Island Sailing®
Virgin Island Sailing® has helped more than 10,000 clients plan unforgettable yacht charter vacations since 1987. Read what our clients have to say about their experience.
Instead of limiting your search to one charter company, marina, or fleet, our Charter Experts compare options across 20+ charter companies to help you find the right fit for your dates, group, budget, and vacation style.
Once your charter is booked, our Concierge Team is there to help you prepare for your yacht vacation with local tips, marina transfers, provisioning recommendations, and more. From choosing where to depart to knowing where to stock up before you set sail, you have an experienced team to turn to throughout the planning process.
Planning a BVI yacht charter for 5 nights or longer? Request a quote and let our Charter Experts help you find the right yacht and starting point for your vacation.
