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Tortola Guide: Luxury Yacht Charter in Tortola

Tortola is the charter capital of the Caribbean. The largest of the British Virgin Islands at roughly 21 square miles, it is the natural starting and ending point for virtually every BVI yacht charter – and for good reason. Three full-service marinas handle vessels from 50-foot catamarans to 180-foot superyachts, with fuel, provisioning, customs clearance and a full-service boatyard minutes from the dock. Road Town, the territory’s capital, wraps around a natural harbour on the south coast and offers the BVI’s best selection of restaurants, shops and services. And the island itself is no mere transit hub: the dramatic ridge of Sage Mountain (1,710 feet, the highest point in both the USVI and BVI), the sugar-white crescent of Cane Garden Bay, and the colourful marina village of Soper’s Hole give Tortola a character all its own.

From Tortola’s marinas, the entire BVI archipelago is within easy reach. Virgin Gorda and The Baths are 40 minutes east. Jost Van Dyke and the Soggy Dollar Bar are 20 minutes north-west. Norman Island and the sea caves are 25 minutes south across the Sir Francis Drake Channel. And the sheltered waters of the channel itself – flanked by islands on both sides, flat and calm even in 20-knot trades – make the passages between islands comfortable and scenic. Whether you’re boarding your yacht on the first morning of a week-long grand tour or returning from Anegada on the final afternoon, Tortola is where the adventure begins and ends.

Enquire with Boatcrowd for availability and pricing on our Tortola-based fleet.

Why Charter a Yacht in Tortola

Three World-Class Marinas

Tortola’s marina infrastructure is the most developed in the Caribbean east of Puerto Rico. Nanny Cay Resort & Marina, on the south coast between Road Town and West End, offers 320 slips accommodating vessels to 140 feet (12-foot draft, 33-foot beam), two fuel docks, a full-service boatyard with haul-out facilities, luxury showers and 100% backup power. It is the home of the BVI Spring Regatta and the island’s most popular yacht-charter base. Village Cay Marina, in the heart of Road Town, provides 106 berths with 40-foot finger piers for yachts to 180 feet, with direct access to the capital’s restaurants, shops and services. Soper’s Hole Marina, at the western tip of Tortola (Frenchman’s Cay), sits in a deep, naturally sheltered harbour with berths to 180 feet, a Pusser’s restaurant, boutiques and the customs office for West End clearance. Between them, these three marinas can handle virtually any yacht in the Caribbean charter fleet.

Gateway to the Entire BVI Archipelago

Tortola’s central position makes it the ideal launch pad. Virgin Gorda’s Baths are 12 nautical miles east (40 minutes). Jost Van Dyke’s White Bay is 10 nautical miles north-west (35 minutes). Norman Island’s Bight is 6 nautical miles south (25 minutes). Anegada, the farthest regular destination, is 25 nautical miles north (roughly 1 hour). The Sir Francis Drake Channel, running east from Road Town, provides sheltered, flat-water passages between islands. Your captain can plan a new island every day for a week and never repeat an anchorage.

Sage Mountain and the North-Shore Beaches

Tortola is not just a marina hub. Sage Mountain National Park, the BVI’s first national park, protects 92 acres of tropical rainforest at the island’s summit – 1,710 feet above sea level, with panoramic views across both the USVI and BVI. Twelve looped hiking trails wind through mahogany trees, elephant-ear vines and a canopy alive with tropical birds. On the north coast, Cane Garden Bay is a wide crescent of white sand with calm turquoise water, a large mooring field and a string of beach bars (Myett’s, Quito’s). Brewer’s Bay, quieter and more secluded, offers good snorkelling over a sandy seabed and a single beach bar (Nicole’s).

Dining and Nightlife

Road Town and the marina villages offer the BVI’s best dining. Pusser’s Road Town Pub serves British and Caribbean standards – shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, conch, jerk chicken – on the waterfront opposite the ferry dock. Pusser’s at Myett’s combines two BVI institutions at Cane Garden Bay: beachfront dining on sugar-white sand with a Painkiller Rum Bar serving frozen cocktails. Soper’s Hole’s marina village has boutique restaurants and shops in a colourful Caribbean setting. For a special occasion, arrange a private dinner through your yacht’s chef – grilled Caribbean lobster, island-sourced produce and Cruzan rum cocktails on the aft deck as the harbour lights shimmer.

Key Destinations Near Tortola

Road Town – The BVI capital, wrapping around a natural harbour on the south coast. Village Cay Marina, the ferry terminal (connections to St Thomas, St John, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke), shops, banks, restaurants and government offices. The BVI Customs and Immigration office is here for Road Town clearance. A compact, walkable town with a friendly Caribbean atmosphere.
Nanny Cay – The island’s premier full-service marina and the home of the BVI Spring Regatta. 320 slips, boatyard, fuel docks, a hotel, pool, restaurant and provisioning services. Located on the south coast between Road Town and West End, it is the most popular starting point for BVI charters.
Soper’s Hole – A deep, naturally sheltered harbour at Tortola’s western tip (Frenchman’s Cay). The marina village is a colourful collection of boutiques, a Pusser’s restaurant and a customs office for West End clearance. The harbour’s protected waters make it an excellent overnight stop, and its western position makes it the closest Tortola marina to Jost Van Dyke and St John.
Cane Garden Bay – Tortola’s most famous beach: a wide crescent of white sand on the north coast with calm turquoise water, a large mooring field and a lively atmosphere. Beach bars and restaurants (Myett’s, Quito’s) line the sand. A favourite overnight anchorage for charter yachts – the bay faces north-west, so avoid during heavy north swell.
Brewer’s Bay – A quieter north-coast anchorage over sandy seabed with decent snorkelling and Nicole’s Beach Bar (open 10am–10pm). Day anchorage only – submarine cables run through the centre of the bay, with anchoring restricted to the northern section. More tranquil than Cane Garden Bay and less visited.
Sage Mountain National Park – The BVI’s first national park, protecting 92 acres of tropical rainforest at 1,710 feet – the highest point in both the USVI and BVI. Twelve hiking trails wind through mahogany trees and elephant-ear vines to panoramic viewpoints. The Central Trail offers the best views. Allow 1–2 hours; wear sturdy footwear.

Best Time to Charter in Tortola

Peak Season: December to April

The dry season brings the BVI’s best conditions: 26–29°C (79–84°F), steady trade winds of 15–20 knots, low humidity, minimal rain. The marinas are at their busiest – Nanny Cay hosts the Spring Regatta in late March. Charter rates are highest and the best yachts book months in advance. Cane Garden Bay’s mooring field is full by mid-morning on peak-season days.

Shoulder Season: May–June and November

Calmer winds (10–15 knots), warmer water (28–29°C), quieter marinas and 15–25% softer pricing. Brief afternoon showers are common but rarely disrupt a charter day. The BVI’s shoulder months are favoured by returning guests who appreciate the quieter anchorages and better availability.

Summer: July to October

Hurricane season, though most days are warm and sunny. Rates are 25–40% below peak. The marinas are quiet, the anchorages are empty and the diving conditions are often the best of the year. Many charter yachts reposition during these months; those that remain offer excellent value. Your Boatcrowd specialist advises on weather flexibility.

Signature Experiences

Cane Garden Bay Beach Day – Anchor in the mooring field and swim ashore to a mile of white sand. Rum punch at Myett’s, grilled fish at Quito’s, and a afternoon of swimming in calm turquoise water backed by green hills.
Sage Mountain Rainforest Hike – Your crew arranges a taxi to the trailhead. Hike through mahogany and elephant-ear vines to the BVI’s highest point (1,710 feet) with panoramic views across both territories. Allow 1–2 hours.
Soper’s Hole Marina Village – Stroll the colourful boutiques, pick up BVI-made souvenirs, and enjoy a Pusser’s Painkiller on the waterfront at the territory’s most picturesque marina.
Sunset from the Sir Francis Drake Channel – Your captain positions the yacht in the channel as the sun drops behind Jost Van Dyke. The view – islands silhouetted against a pink-and-gold sky, the channel glowing with reflected light – is the defining image of a BVI charter.
BVI Spring Regatta (Late March) – If your charter coincides, watch the racing from your yacht’s flybridge as dozens of sailing yachts compete in the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Nanny Cay hosts nightly parties with local music, food and rum.

Yacht Types Available

Motor Yachts (55’–99’) – Quick island-hopping from Tortola’s marinas to any point in the BVI within an hour. Full watersports complement and all-inclusive crewed service.
Superyachts (100’+) – Nanny Cay handles vessels to 140 feet; Village Cay and Soper’s Hole to 180 feet. Larger vessels anchor in the Sir Francis Drake Channel with full tender service.
Luxury Catamarans (55’+) – Shallow draft for Tortola’s coves and the BVI’s sandy shallows. Stable, spacious and popular with families and groups.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Tortola?

Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) on Beef Island (connected to Tortola by a short bridge) receives direct flights from San Juan (1 hour), Antigua, St Maarten and other Caribbean hubs. Many guests fly into St Thomas (direct flights from a dozen US cities) and take a ferry or yacht transfer to Tortola – the crossing is roughly 45 minutes by high-speed ferry. Your Boatcrowd team coordinates transfers so you step off the plane and onto the yacht with minimal fuss.

Which marina should I start my charter from?

It depends on your itinerary. Nanny Cay is the most popular base – full-service facilities, easy access to the Sir Francis Drake Channel, and a resort atmosphere with pool, restaurant and hotel. Village Cay is ideal if you want to start from the heart of Road Town with shops and restaurants on your doorstep. Soper’s Hole is best if your first destination is Jost Van Dyke or the USVI – it is the closest Tortola marina to both. Your Boatcrowd specialist will recommend the best starting marina based on your route.

Is Tortola worth exploring, or is it just a transit hub?

Tortola is well worth exploring. Cane Garden Bay is one of the BVI’s finest beaches. Sage Mountain’s rainforest hike offers the highest viewpoint in both territories. Soper’s Hole’s marina village is charming. And the island’s dining scene – from Pusser’s Road Town Pub to the beachfront at Myett’s – is the best in the BVI. Many charter guests spend their first and last nights at anchor in Cane Garden Bay, bookending the trip with Tortola’s beauty.

How far is Tortola from the USVI?

The western tip of Tortola (Soper’s Hole) is roughly 10 nautical miles from St Thomas’s Red Hook and just 4 nautical miles from St John’s eastern end. The crossing takes 20–35 minutes on a motor yacht. Your captain handles BVI customs clearance at Soper’s Hole (West End) or Road Town. A valid passport is required for all BVI arrivals.

What is the BVI Spring Regatta?

Held annually in late March at Nanny Cay, it is one of the Caribbean’s top sailing events. A week of coastal racing around Tortola, one-design classes, performance cruising and nightly parties with local entertainment including Heritage Dancers, steelpan bands and Moko Jumbies. The event has been hosted at Nanny Cay for over two decades and draws an international fleet.