Best Time to Sail the BVI

20 March 2024 5 min

Best time of year to sail in the BVI

The best time to sail around the BVI is during the peak season, which runs between December-April.

With its breathtaking natural beauty, crystal clear waters, steady trade winds and exquisite cuisine, it’s no surprise that the BVI is renowned as the yacht charter capital of the Caribbean.

The British Virgin Islands is a unique sailing destination as you can visit throughout the entire year, unlike Mediterranean destinations such as Greece and Croatia which are better suited to the Summer months.

However, there are still certain times of the year that are better than others, depending on who you are and what you want to get from your relaxing yacht charter holiday.
In this blog, we’ll take you through the best time to sail the BVI as a family, couple, watersports lover and culture fan. Whether you’re booking an exhilarating bareboat charter or idyllic skippered charter, we’ve got you covered… Let’s dive in.

Best time to visit the British Virgin Islands for families

Are you looking for an adventurous family holiday filled with sailing, scuba diving around stunning reefs, and exploring secluded beaches? Look no further than the BVI.

The best time to sail the BVI as a family is during the peak sailing season, between December-April where you’ll experience fantastic average temperatures between 21-31 degrees.

Why is this the best time to sail around the BVI as a family?

During this time, you’ll enjoy steady sailing conditions that make navigating the Caribbean Sea a breeze for sailors of all skill levels
It’s the most popular time of year to sail the BVI which means you’ll be joined by other families also uncovering the treasures of these sensational islands
The BVI is a Winter sun destination, much like our other Caribbean destinations such as Antigua and St Lucia, which means you won’t be paying the high costs of the School Summer Holidays

If you have school-aged children, you have the opportunity to book your exciting sailing holiday during the Christmas or Easter holidays so that you don’t need to travel during term-time. If your children are younger or older than school-age, you have the freedom to set sail during the quieter peak months.

Hoping to take your children away on a fun-filled family charter during the Summer Holidays? The BVI is a year-round sailing destination which means you can book a thrilling yacht charter between July-August, although you need to consider the hurricane season which runs between June-November. We want you to experience a relaxing, smooth and safe sailing charter, so you should think carefully before booking a holiday during the hurricane season. Want to find out how else we keep you and your family safe during your BVI holiday? Take a look at the safety section in the ‘BVI useful information’ tab.
If you’re looking for a beautiful Summer holiday destination, take a look at our bases in Corfu, Procida and Agana.

Best time to go to the BVI as a couple

Whether you’re planning your honeymoon, celebrating an anniversary, or simply want to book a romantic holiday in the sizzling sun, the BVI is an ideal destination for couples.

One of the best parts about going on holiday as a couple is escaping the noise of everyday life and spending intimate time together, whether you’re sunbathing on the deck of your yacht while a skipper takes care of navigating the open waters, or mooring up and exploring treasures on shore.

To ensure you have the most private, secluded holiday as a couple, the best time to visit the BVI is at either end of the peak season, in November – December or April – May. This means you’ll benefit from the incredible temperatures, sailing conditions and weather of the high season, without the crowds and additional expenses.

Best time to go to the British Virgin Islands if you love water sports

With some of the best sailing, scuba diving and snorkelling opportunities in the world, it’s a known fact that the BVI is a sailor’s paradise. Whether you’re excited for gliding around the open waters on a bareboat charter, uncovering underwater treasures or trying a new water sport such as kayaking, you might be wondering about the best time to go to the BVI for an adventure holiday?

The best time to visit the BVI for water sports is between December-April.

Why is this the best time to sail around the BVi as a water sports fan?

This is the peak sailing season which means you’ll be met with incredible visibility, steady trade winds, calm waters, beautiful temperatures of around 28°C and overall brilliant sailing conditions.
If you truly want to immerse yourself into sailing life, you’ll find plenty of sailing races and regattas during the peak season which you can either compete in or be a spectator at. One of the most popular regattas is the BVI Spring Regatta which takes place annually at the end of March.

This is one of the best times of the year to see majestic marine life. The Coral Gardens and the wreck of the RMS Rhone are some of the best diving spots if you want to get up close and personal with breathtaking marine life, including barracudas, angel fish, sea turtles and moray eels. Whenever you set sail around the BVI, ensure you take every measure to protect and preserve the marine environment. Want to enjoy the most sustainable holiday possible? Read our top tips for eco-friendly sailing.

Best time to sail the BVI for culture

What are you most looking forward to about visiting the BVI? If your answer is immersing yourself into the vibrant island culture, we’ve got you covered.

Whenever you choose to book your BVI charter, you’ll enjoy delicious, authentic cuisine, incredible music, friendly locals and so much more.

However, if you want to experience life in the BVI to the fullest, you may decide that you want to time your visit so that you can celebrate an annual cultural event or national holiday.

Some of the most popular events include:

BVI Emancipation Festival – Taking place over two weeks at the end of July, the BVI Emancipation Festival commemorates the Emancipation Act of 1834. You can expect incredible music, dancing, pageants, music and so much more.
Christmas in July – Every July, boaters from Puerto Rico sail over to the BVI for a week of festivities and fun. Thousands of people attend every year, will you be there for the next one?
Cooper Island Rum Festival – Held annually in November, you can look forward to a day of rum tasting from various local vendors, sampling some of the most exquisite rum in the whole of the Caribbean.

If you have any questions about the best time to sail the BVI, or about booking a sailing charter more generally, please contact us today.
We can’t wait to welcome you aboard one of our world-class catamarans or monohulls soon. Build a quote and book your sensational BVI yacht charter today.