Yacht charter Tortola places you at the beating heart of the British Virgin Islands – the territory’s largest island and the natural starting point for any BVI cruise. Road Town’s deep-water harbour shelters a lineup of gleaming motor yachts and catamarans, while the hillside above is draped in bougainvillea and scented by frangipani carried on the trade wind. The charter fleet based here spans motor yachts of 68′–98′, superyachts above 100′, and luxury catamarans from 55′ – many berthed at Village Cay Marina, Nanny Cay, or the Moorings’ base at Wickham’s Cay. Peak season runs December through April, when easterly trades blow a steady 15–20 knots and the air temperature sits around 28 °C; November and May deliver shoulder-season value with lighter winds and uncrowded moorings.
Daily rates start from $5,600 on a catamaran or mid-size motor yacht and from $10,200 on latest-model vessels above 78′, plus 5% BVI charter licence tax and APA. Tortola’s singular advantage is position: from Road Town, every major BVI anchorage – The Baths, Norman Island’s caves, the Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke – lies within a two-hour sail, making it possible to see the territory’s greatest hits even on a short four-day break.
Explore Tortola’s marinas, anchorages, and hillside dining spots in the full Tortola destination guide.
Sail from Road Town through Sir Francis Drake Channel and beyond with our planned Tortola charter itineraries.
Explore the full range of yachts available for charter from Tortola, spanning luxury catamarans from 55′, motor yachts of 68′–98′, and superyachts above 100′. Weekly rates start from approximately $39,200 on a catamaran and from $71,400 on the latest motor yachts above 78′. Filter by yacht type, guest capacity, length, or daily rate to compare your options. Tortola is the BVI’s principal charter hub, with excellent marina facilities at Road Town, Nanny Cay, and Soper’s Hole for provisioning and embarkation. Boatcrowd’s charter specialists can help tailor the ideal vessel and route for your group’s size, interests, and budget.
The advance provisioning allowance (APA) for Tortola-based charters is typically 25–35% of the base charter fee. It covers fuel, food, beverages, mooring and marina fees, and any off-yacht excursions arranged by the crew. Your captain tracks all APA expenditure transparently, and unspent funds are refunded in full at the end of the charter.
Tortola is an excellent family charter base. The sheltered waters of Sir Francis Drake Channel keep seas calm for young passengers, and short hops between anchorages – rarely more than 8 nautical miles – minimise transit time. Most catamarans offer wide, stable decks with safety netting, and the crew can tailor meals, snorkelling sessions, and beach activities to suit younger guests.
Charter yachts based in Tortola typically carry 8–12 guests in four to six private en-suite cabins. Larger superyachts above 100′ can host up to 12 overnight guests under BVI maritime regulations, with additional day-charter capacity for harbour events and celebrations. Your Boatcrowd specialist can recommend the best layout for your group’s configuration.
Tortola to St Thomas is roughly 12 nautical miles – a short morning cruise that makes combining the BVI and USVI effortless. Customs clearance is straightforward and well-practised for crewed charter yachts on both sides. A week-long itinerary from Tortola can include St John’s national-park beaches, Charlotte Amalie’s duty-free waterfront, and a return through the BVI’s outer cays and Norman Island’s famous caves.
