Now is the time to take advantage of the silver lining present in current BVI chartering conditions. Customarily busy anchorages are tranquil and awaiting your arrival. There’s even a chance you’ll be on the only boat in the vicinity. Your crew can choose the best spot to drop the hook in the deserted bays, anchoring the perfect distance from the beach to enjoy stunning uninterrupted sunset views for cocktail hour!
Currently, the lucky few sailing aboard crewed charter yachts are rapturous in their praise. Guests cannot say enough good things about their recent trip:
“We had the anchorage to ourselves. The experience exceeding expectations, gunkholing around the balmy bays, quiet coves and incredible sailing jaunts in between.”
The BVI Seaports have been closed for over a year. Since December, visitors have only had access through Beef Island Airport, which has led to a prospering marine life. These days, a private tour of the Baths offers more privacy than ever, with ideal sailing conditions and perfect weather remaining a constant.
The Bubble to Help Protect Everyone
Charter guests join their boat immediately on arrival. The boat is free to navigate to any of the 14 designated BVI anchorages during their first 5 quarantine days aboard. Some have beaches available for a shoreside stroll – some locations on Virgin Gorda, at the Dogs, the south side of Peter Island and Little Jost Van Dyke.
The Protocols:
Currently visitors must register their visit on the BVI Gateway portal and upload a negative COVID PCR test result taken within 5 days of arrival. On entry guests are given a tracking device and a wrist bracelet – which looks like a digital watch. Then they may board their charter yacht to spend the first 4 days in ‘quarantine’ aboard with full crew and silver service.
With so few boats operating here at present, it is easy to find quiet coves and avoid interactions with others whilst in anchorages. Enjoy snorkeling, paddle boarding, and secluded bays for water-sports activity.
On Day 4, guests are required to have another COVID swab. Testing locations are The Hospital on Tortola and the Virgin Gorda Clinic. A Gold Seal approved taxi will take you to the test site and back to the boat at your expense. On receiving your negative test, the entire BVI is your playground for the rest of your charter. The day 4 test results also meet US testing requirements for your return travel. From there, you can visit the more notorious popular sites like Foxys, Leverick Bay and the Willy T, with just a few others for company and a bigger, warmer welcome ashore.
Clear communication between brokers and the crew will help establish realistic expectations for you, ensuring that you enjoy a successful vacation.
Who would love to charter now?
Now is the perfect time to charter if you enjoy private time spent decompressing and relaxing, especially if you can charter for 10 to 14 days. These requirements might hold back the beach bar party crowd, although the bars and restaurants on Jost and Anegada are naturally ready to welcome guests when released from quarantine. In fact, locals who interact with the public have access to vaccinations to keep you and them safe.
Quotes from some of the Crews:
Foxy Lady: “We found the protocols to be completely workable with enough anchorages for a successful and varied charter here. The extra effort involved to charter in the BVI is worth it, tenfold”!
Bagheera: “They love it here. You will never see the BVI like this again. So beautiful, quiet and peaceful”.
Angeleyes: “Our charter experience was almost business as usual. We spent a few balmy days in unseasonably quiet approved quarantine anchorages.”
“Once you’ve jumped through the hoops here, our charter experience was extremely positive. The protocols really were a bit of a non-issue, and it was almost normal.”
Gypsy Princess Guests:
“I’ve been on many vacations and stayed at some very exclusive resorts so I wasn’t sure how my first sailing adventure would compare, especially during covid. I can honestly say that this was one of the best, if not THE best vacation I’ve ever experienced. Being Quarantined onboard GP and the 2 covid tests were almost insignificant, having seas and coves almost exclusively to ourselves was incredible!”