British Virgin Islands · high season Dec–Apr
How much does a yacht charter in the BVI cost?
A yacht charter in the British Virgin Islands costs $5,000 to $60,000 per week in base rate — BVI charter costs break into bareboat, crewed and day-charter formats. Sailing yachts run $5,000–$13,000. Catamarans, sailing and power catamaran models both included, run $8,000–$40,000. Motor yachts: $15,000–$60,000. Charter VAT is 0% — the BVI, St Barths and the Grenadines are the Caribbean’s tax-free charter grounds.
The BVI is the most chartered cruising ground in the Caribbean, built around a short island-hopping itinerary of line-of-sight hops between anchorages — a week-long cruise can cover a dozen islands without an overnight passage. High season runs December to April.
British Virgin Islands — estimated total
$36,600
1 week · crewed catamaran · mid range
- Base $24,000 (66%)
- APA $8,400 (23%)
- Tax $0 (0%)
- Tip $4,200 (11%)
High season: Dec–Apr.
British Virgin Islands charter rates
| Format | Rate | APA | VAT | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full day (8 h) | $800–$6,000 | — | 0% | 17.5% |
| Half day (4 h) | $400–$3,000 | — | 0% | 17.5% |
| Sailing yacht, per week | $5,000–$13,000 | 35% (crewed) | 0% | 17.5% (crewed) |
| Catamaran, per week | $8,000–$40,000 | 35% (crewed) | 0% | 17.5% (crewed) |
| Motor yacht, per week | $15,000–$60,000 | 35% (crewed) | 0% | 17.5% (crewed) |
What a BVI charter really costs
The 0% VAT — effectively a 0% cruising tax on the charter — changes the stack. A crewed yacht charter here is base rate + 35% APA, covering fuel and provisioning, + 15–20% tip, and nothing else. A mid-range $24,000 crewed catamaran totals $24,000 + $8,400 APA + $4,200 tip = $36,600 — no tax line at all.
Compare that with the Bahamas, where the same booking picks up 14% VAT ($3,360 on a $24,000 base). The BVI’s tax advantage compounds on bigger boats: a luxury yacht at $60,000 saves $8,400 versus a 14% jurisdiction.
BVI bareboat charter prices are the entry ticket: $5,000–$13,000 per week, all-inclusive — no APA, no tip, no VAT beyond the sticker price. Bareboat sailors do budget for mooring, though: the BVI National Parks Trust charges a nightly mooring fee in popular anchorages, paid on top of the charter rate. Day charters also operate at $800–$6,000 for a full day. Price any format in the calculator or compare cat rates in the catamaran guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a crewed catamaran charter in the BVI?
$8,000–$40,000 per week base. A mid-range $24,000 boat adds 35% APA ($8,400) and a 17.5% tip ($4,200) for about $36,600 all-in. Charter VAT is 0%.
Is there VAT on BVI yacht charters?
No — 0% on charters embarking in the British Virgin Islands, the same as St Barths and the Grenadines. The Bahamas charges 14% and Mexico 16% by comparison.
How much is a bareboat charter in the BVI?
Bareboat sailing yachts run $5,000–$13,000 per week with no APA, no tip and no VAT — the sticker price is the whole bill. Catamarans start at $8,000.
When is BVI charter season?
December to April. Christmas and New Year weeks price at the very top of each range and book 6–12 months out. Summer rates drop, with hurricane season affecting late-summer availability.
How much do you tip a BVI charter crew?
15–20% of the base rate — the Caribbean standard. On a $24,000 weekly base that is $3,600–$4,800 at the end of the week.
Do you pay mooring fees on a BVI charter?
Yes, in some anchorages. The BVI National Parks Trust charges a nightly mooring fee in its most popular bays, paid separately from the charter rate — on top of the 35% APA and 15–20% tip that make up the rest of the stack.