BVI Crewed Charter Costs

Our BVI crewed yacht charters are considered "all inclusive" vacations. Depending on your crewed charter yacht of choice there may be additional costs, such as BVI cruising taxes and permits. The cost of a BVI Charter will also vary depending on the number of charter guests aboard, the time frame you are chartering, whether the yacht is offering any published specials, as well as other factors discussed below.

Contact us today and we'll send you a complimentary list of crewed charter suggestions that fit your budget and style. This e-package of information will include exactly what is included or excluded per yacht as well as general BVI charter information.

View crewed yacht charter costs table which will give you an indication of typical charter cost ranges based on number of charter guests in your group plus yacht style choice.

What's Included And Excluded In These Charters?

What's included? Unless otherwise specified by a particular yacht, the published charter rate is based on a one week charter and is all inclusive of a Captain & Chef, all meals, soft beverages, standard bar, fuel, all expenses related to the running of the vessel, plus the use of on-board sports equipment.

What's excluded? Unless otherwise specified by a particular yacht, the published charter rate does not include standard crew gratuities, scuba diving, scuba equipment, premium beverages and fine wines, excessive alcoholic consumption, off yacht excursions, dockage (at guests request), cruising taxes/permits, telephone, airport transfers or similar expense incurred by the charter guests.

Crew gratuities: The main cost excluded from the weekly rate is a customary crew gratuity. The standard amount is 15% of the charter rate. The gratuity is based on services provided throughout the week, can be scaled up or down based on service, and is at the discretion of the client. This amount is given at the end of the charter to the owners/crew or hired crew, payable in cash or travelers checks. Be sure to plan this amount into your charter budget.

Cruising taxes and permits: A majority of yachts in the BVI do cover cruising taxes and permits for their charter guests. Yachts that do not cover taxes and permits will charge charter guests once they aboard and will be able to produce a receipt for these charges. These rates may vary slightly due to the day and time of clearance.

Cruising taxes: Estimate $4 per person per day while in the BVI
Cruising permits: Estimate $35 per week for yachts 40 to 50 feet in length and $45 per week for yachts 50 feet and over.

Fishing Licenses: Fishing licenses are required for all guests, 18 years of age or older, that want to fish while in the BVI. The fishing licenses are $45 per person if obtained while on charter or slightly higher if obtained in advance. It is highly recommended that you obtain any necessary fishing licenses in advance of your charter. Carefree Yacht Charters will gladly assist you with this process. Depending on your yacht of choice, the fishing license can be obtained online and picked up by the yacht in advance of your charter or obtained through Carefree Yacht Charters and emailed to you in advance of your charter. Contact us for further details.

*Please note that the reef fish that you may catch within the protected inner waters of the BVI include Barracuda, Snapper, etc., but these will not be edible due to the risk of ciguatera poisoning. The edible game fish that you may catch in the exposed, outer waters of the BVI include Mahi, Tuna, etc. It may be too rough to head out to these outer waters to fish during your charter.

Costs Based On Type Of Charter

Half Board Charters: Many of our yachts offer half-board charters at a reasonable reduction in the charter rate. These half-board charters typically include 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners aboard with the remainder of meals taken ashore at the guests' expense. This option allows charter guests to enjoy several meals aboard their yacht as well as several meals at various BVI restaurants. The number of meals aboard versus ashore may vary from yacht to yacht.

Captain Only Charters: Some of our yachts offer Captain-Only charters in exchange for a substantial reduction in the charter rate. These charters include the Captain and yacht only. All other expenses are typically extra including items such as fuel, dinghy fuel, water, food, beverages, standard bar, mooring fees, cruising taxes/permits, etc. Charter guests are responsible for provisioning the yacht with food and beverage for the guests and any crew, plus all cooking and cleaning throughout the charter.

Other Cost Factors To Consider

Charter rates based on number of guests: Our extensive lists of catamaran, sailboat, and motor yacht options show a low price and a high price. The low price is indicative of the minimum number of guests the yacht accommodates during the summer/low season. The high price is indicative of the maximum number of charter guests the yacht accommodates during the winter/high season. There will be varying rates based on the number of charter guests in your group. Be sure to contact us for specific rates per yacht, based on your number of guests.

Summer versus winter rates: For a majority of yachts, summer/low season runs from May 1 through December 14 and winter/high season runs from December 15 through April 30. Most yachts now operate on a year round rate, but some yachts will offer a reduced rate for charters during the summer season.

Holiday rates: Christmas and New Year charters typically have a 10% surcharge added to the regular winter charter rate. Some yachts will charge an even higher flat rate for holiday charters based on their popularity. These time frames are extremely popular and it is recommended that you book your charter well in advance to secure the yacht of your choice. Yachts will require holiday dates that allow them to book both a Christmas and New Year charter. These charters must be at least one week in length or the charter client must be willing to pay for a full week charter if wanting to charter the yacht for a shorter time frame.

Charters of less than one week: Many clients opt to take a 6 night charter at a reduced rate. In some cases this allows clients to bring a particular yacht of choice into their preferred budget range. In order to determine 6 night rates simply divide by 7 to determine a daily rate and then multiply by 6 to determine a 6 night rate. Charters of 5 nights or less typically charge a 10% surcharge for a shorter charter. Some yachts determine rates for charters of less than one week using a different method. A handful of yachts will not accept a charter of less than one week in length.

Published Charter Rates: Each yacht within the charter industry sets their own published charter rates based on market trends and popularity. These published rates are available on Carefree Yacht Charter's website and confirmed with the yachts Clearinghouse at time of inquiry, the yachts official site for published rates. Charter Yacht Brokers are not allowed to set their own rates for any particular yacht. Any discounts or specials come directly from the yacht and will be listed as published yacht specials.

Published Yacht Specials: View our current yacht specials. Our yacht specials are updated monthly with published specials on top yachts. These specials must be confirmed upon time of inquiry as these specials can change at any time at the yachts discretion.