Top end, owner managed, small BVI bareboat charter company – currently running over 30 monohull and multihull sailing vessels, well priced - excellent pride fleet of Bavaria yachts 31-46’ built 2005-09; other types include Beneteau, Jeanneau, Athena (Cat), Lagoon (Cats)and Bahia (Cat); watersports equipment and toys, rendezvous diving, sailing instruction, skippers, cooks available. Good BVI bareboat experience.
Review Added Value with Horizon Yacht Charters
If you book with Horizon Yacht Charters you will receive the Horizon Yacht Charters Discount Card giving discounts and special services at recommended venues within your cruising area.
Horizon Yacht Charters is a small, top end BVI yacht charter company known for its high standards and good level of service. It has a number of good quality yachts on its books, but the thing that sets it apart is the additional service that the company offers. In addition to the simple charter, they draw on their extensive knowledge of the BVI to tailor-make your holiday to your exact requirements, whether it be restaurant bookings or wedding arrangements. Horizon Yacht Charters are also an authorised dealer for Bavaria Yachts and approved agents for Fountaine Pajot catamarans and offer yachts for private purchase or for charter management placement.
Based in Nanny Cay Marina, a few miles west of Road Town, the company is owned and operated by Andrew Thompson and Sylvia Driver, who between them bring together around 30 years of experience of the yachting business in the BVI. In their time they have seen the industry grow from modest beginnings into a multi-million dollar business dominated by a number of international players. They have chosen to break the mould by staying small and offering a personal service that can’t be matched by the bigger companies.
Horizon feels that sailors get more out of a charter with a company that is operated by people with genuine enthusiasm and they use their knowledge in all sorts of areas of the BVI to tailor things specifically to your requirements. From the first time you contact them until the moment you return from your charter, one member of staff will be dedicated to your arrangements. In addition to all the aspects of the charter they are able to help with air travel and hotel accommodation. Their aim is to ensure that you will never be made to feel one of the crowd.
Your briefing will be personalised, rather than in a crowd with other sailors, and they will provision according to your detailed preferences. Horizon Yacht Charters’ good quality fleet has been purposefully structured in line with this, in order to offer a quality of service that larger companies cannot match. They can arrange extras such as scuba or windsurfing equipment and they can also help you with other additional requests. You might want to get married on a deserted beach, learn to dive or go parasailing. They can tailor-make it for you.
Sylvia has been in the hotel and yacht charter business in the BVI since the mid Eighties. She and her husband Will owned a successful charter company previously in the BVI some years ago. After a break working in the financial department of a large charter company, Sylvia decided it was time to get back to the hands on of yacht charter again.
Andrew has a diverse background in the marine industry. After several years on large, private yachts in the Mediterranean and then having his own boat business in the UK, Andrew moved to the BVI in 1995. For a while he worked for well-known charter companies in both the technical and customer service departments. Gradually he realised that he wanted to offer charter guests something more, but found that he was confined by procedures and systems of the larger companies. Andrew has a particular interest in racing and can talk for hours (given half a chance!) on the pros and cons of racing boats, rigs and sails… It is this enthusiasm and their local knowledge which mean that he and the rest of the staff at Horizon are able to make sure that their yachts are in first-class condition for each charter and that the customer is happy.
Horizon Yacht Charters is a small but trusty BVI yacht charter company, right up there among the best in the wide choice on offer. It does not have the international profile of the companies with their worldwide fleets, but as a BVI based specialist they can offer more a more tailored service. Interestingly, many of their yachts are smarter than the production-line yachts of the larger fleets, but HYC are not more expensive than the big operators.
YACHT SALES...
Horizon Yacht Charters is an authorised dealer for Bavaria Yachts and an approved agent for Fountaine Pajot catamarans. If you would like to own a yacht and put it out for charter at the times when you are not using it, then Horizon can enable the purchase and by arrangement they can include the yachts in their fleet. They obviously work with Bavaria Yachts, but they do take other brands of yachts as well.
CATS WANTED...
Horizon Yacht Charters report that the demand for 4 cabin catamarans is extremely high and they are looking for brand name cats 38’ – 50’ 0 – 3 years old. If you are considering placing your multihull into charter service, or if you are considering investing in a catamaran, the company would like to hear from you.
UPDATE - A Fountaine Pajot Orana 44 Catamaran Owners version (3C/3H/AC) 2009 will be joining the Horizon BVI fleet, available for charter from 25 November 2009.
Base Horizon Yacht Charters is based at Nanny Cay on the southern shore of Tortola, about three miles west of Road Town, the capital of the BVI. The area has a fully equipped marina with berths for 180 yachts, a boat repair facility and chandlery and a number of other services including a restaurant and bar, which is often a hub of activity for yachties on shore for a while. There is also a hotel and a small shopping mall on the waterfront, from which you can provision your yacht if you do not want to head off to the supermarkets in Road Town.
Fleet Horizon Yacht Charters’ fleet runs at around 35 monohulls and multihulls for bareboat and crewed charters. It is divided into three sectors.
As agents for Bavaria Yachts they have a number of yachts from this prestigious yard, which form their Bavaria Fleet. Some are owned by the company, but most are managed by them (many were also originally commissioned by Horizon) on behalf of clients who want to keep a yacht in the Caribbean. The Commodore Fleet is made up mostly of Bavaria yachts that are less than five years old, as with the majority of their fleet. Other makes of yachts under five years old which come under the Commodore Fleet include Beneteau and Jeanneau monohull yachts. The Catamaran Fleet includes Lagoon, Athena, Leopard and Bahia cats which are also less than five years old.
They also take on a number of yachts that are more than five years old but which are well maintained and still in good condition. They include three Bavarias. These yachts form their Club Fleet.
All yachts come with rigid inflatables and outboards, biminis, BBQ, CD, GPS, linen, towels, safety & galley equipment. A range of watersports equipment can be hired.
UPDATE - A Fountaine Pajot Orana 44 Catamaran Owners version (3C/3H/AC) 2009 will be joining the Horizon BVI fleet, available for charter from 25 November 2009.
* Christmas supplement of US$700 per week for period 18 Dec-04 Jan
T Available without air-con for US$500 less per week
** Available for charter 01 Dec 2009 to 30 Apr 2010
All rates are quoted in US$ for 7 nights per vessel (min 5 nights except Christmas/New Year min 7 nights), and are subject to change without notice.
Charters start and finish at noon.Sleepaboards (the option of staying on board your yacht at the dock) with boarding of your vessel available after 5.00 pm, can sometimes be added to the start of your charter at an extra charge of US$75/night per person (min of US$200/night), depending upon yacht availability.When available, newest model of your choice of boat can be guaranteed with a US$200 non-refundable deposit. Hull Damage Waiver Insurance is US$50/day and limits your liability to US$500 refundable security deposit on yacht (please note liability is US$1000 on dinghy and outboard). Skippers are available from US$150/day, Instructors from $175/day and Cooks from US$125/day (plus food, beverages & gratuity).Taxi Transfers are not included in the charter fee.
Booking and Cancellations:HYC requires a 50% deposit to confirm the reservation & the balance due of 50% no later than 45 days prior to arrival.A full refund less a US$200 administration fee is given should the reservation be cancelled in writing up to 90 days prior to the charter start date.If the charter is cancelled within 90 days of charter start date, then a full refund (less US$200) is made subject to HYC reselling the charter space reserved.We suggest that travel insurance/trip cancellation insurance cover is put in place at the time of booking.Please note that HDW insurance, Cruising Permits & National Parks Permit (where applicable) are payable before departure from the dock in cash or travellers’ cheques.Upon return of the vessel you are required to top off the water and fuel tanks, which you receive full upon boarding the vessel.
Special Offers 2009 AUTUMN SPECIAL
Charter 7 nights or more with Horizon Yacht Charters in the BVI, Antigua, Grenada or St Martin for sail dates between 01 Nov–17 Dec, 2009 and only pay Low Season Rates. Save up to US$2,200. This offer cannot be applied to existing reservations or used in conjunction with any other special offers or discounts.
2010 JANUARY SPECIAL
Book any available yacht for 7 nights or more for charter in the BVI, Antigua, Grenada or St Martin for sail dates 05-30 January 2010 and receive 15% discount – Save up to US$1274. Offer valid for new bookings only and cannot be combined with other offers.
REPEAT BVI CHARTER GUESTS
A 10% discount on all listed sail boats for repeat charter guests.
Please note that only one special offer or discount can be applied to a charter at one time and cannot be applied to existing bookings.
Special Packages Jump Ship at Biras Creek Resort - Horizon Yacht Charters (BVI) and Biras Creek Resort, Virgin Gorda, have teamed up to offer a one night ‘Jump Ship’ offer, exclusive to Horizon charter guests.
Aimed at satisfying landlubbers and watersports enthusiasts alike, upon arrival at Biras Creek, North Sound, charter guests can simply call Biras Creek Resort for ‘jump ship’ accommodation and they will receive a special offer that includes breakfast, lunch and dinner at their renowned gourmet restaurant, accommodation in a Garden Suite featuring a large verandah, outdoor garden shower, and two bicycles for traveling the property, watersport activities including Boston Whalers, Hobie Cats, windsurfing, sea kayaks, sunfish or lasers and use of all resort amenities including tennis courts, spa, pool, hiking trails and beach. All that guests have to do when they arrive is secure their Horizon charter yacht to a mooring ball, compliments of Biras Creek Resort, and ‘jump ship’!
Accommodation at Biras Creek must be booked on day of arrival and is subject to availability. The one night jump ship rate is US$575 based on double occupancy. Rate does not include 18% tax and service charge. Offer valid from 20 Mar-17 Dec 2009. For more information or to book your stay, please contact Biras Creek or Horizons Yacht Charters, BVI.
Flotilla to the Spanish Virgin Islands Horizon Yacht Charters BVI will be offering a 7 night Flotilla in the Spanish Virgin Islands in November 2009. The flotilla will depart from the BVI with an experienced lead yacht and embark on a voyage through the Spanish Virgin Islands off the Eastern end of Puerto Rico. The trip is aimed at sailors who want to ‘sail back in time’ discovering new and seldom visited sailing grounds. One way fees are available as Horizon can arrange for charter guests to leave their yacht in Puerto Rico and a skipper will return the charter boat back to the BVI on their behalf. To find out more about the package please contact the Horizon Yacht Charter reservations team directly.
Bareboat With a bareboat charter you are your own skipper, so you will need to satisfy Horizon Yacht Charters that you have the necessary experience to take care of their boat and equipment. The sailing conditions in the BVI are not usually harsh, but you need to be sure of your level of competence. You will be required to show relevant qualifications and a sailing resume before boarding, so if you have any doubts, or if you are new to Horizon Yacht Charters, you will need to send your resume to them in advance.
All charters are checked out and sailors are given full chart and boat briefings to familiarise them and their crew with the vessel and the cruising grounds in the BVI. With notice, Horizon Yacht Charters can provide a complimentary check out skipper who will spend an extra couple of hours with you on a one-to-one basis to assess your competence. Of course Horizon also provides excellent support from shore in case anything goes wrong during your charter.
Skippered Yacht If you wish, Horizon Yacht Charters can provide a professional skipper to accompany you for a couple of days while you settle in, or for the whole charter if you would like it. Skippers cost from US$135/day, plus food, beverages and optional gratuities (usually 10-15% of the charter fee). This is a good option if you do not want to go it alone but would prefer to charter a boat that you can call your own (rather than a fully crewed yacht that feels like someone else’s ‘home’). It should be noted that although a skipper will happily give you lots of tips, he or she is not an instructor. HYC will happily arrange for a qualified instructor to come out with you on a daily or weekly basis.
Booking procedures If you wish to make further enquiries or a reservation, please use the WEB LINK or DIRECT EMAIL ENQUIRIES facility at the top of this page to make contact with Horizon Yacht Charters, or if you wish to telephone them, their telephone number will be revealed if you click on the CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER link. It is helpful to give the company an idea of your dates, choice of yacht and any special requests. Once you have confirmed your requirements and availability has been confirmed, you will need to complete a sailing resume, which should accompany your deposit.
For further advice on how to book a charter, which sets out a step-by-step guide, please see our notes here under Sailing & Cruising.
AOL.COM account users – Please note that Horizon BVI is able to receive your emails but is unable to respond to aol.com addresses. Please ensure that you include an alternative email address if you have one or a contact telephone number that they can reach you on.
Provisioning A complimentary starter pack is provided for all charters with Horizon Yacht Charters, but if you would like the yacht to be fully provisioned (and nicely stowed) for your arrival, it is possible to make an order in advance. Select the items you require from a comprehensive list and return the provisioning list duly completed so that everything is on board ready for your arrival. If you wish, you can customise the provisioning list. You can also order all your liquid refreshments (water, sodas, juices, wine, beer etc) in advance, which will save getting long arms when you have to lug it to your yacht. There are three levels of provisioning
Dinners Ashore
This caters for charterers who would like to dine out in the evenings. It provides everything you need for seven breakfasts, lunches and snacks.
Split Provisioning
If you think you will eat dinner ashore on at least three nights during the week, this caters for 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches and four dinners.
Full Provisioning
Full Provisioning includes everything you need if you are intending to cook for yourself throughout your charter. It and caters for breakfast, lunch and dinner for the full seven days.
Meet & Greet If you are booking direct and arriving at Beef Island airport, Tortola, it is worth advising Horizon Yacht Charters of your flight details and arrival time so that they can arrange for you to be met by a taxi driver who is pre-organised by Horizon Yacht Charters and who will take you to the base at Nanny Cay Marina or to your chosen hotel. The journey from the airport to Nanny Cay will take about 30 minutes, and the rate is US$30 for up to 3 people and thereafter US$10/person. Rates are subject to change without notice and are not included in the charter fee.
If you are flying in via Cyril E. King Airport, St Thomas, in the neighbouring US Virgin Islands, your flight needs to land in St Thomas no later than 3 pm in order for you to make a same day ferry connection to Tortola. On landing, take a cab to the ferry terminal in Charlotte Amalie and then the ferry to West End Tortola. The crossing will take about 45 minutes using either Smiths Ferry Services, (tel. # (284) 495 4495), or Native Son Inc, (tel. # (284) 495 4617). Please note that departure times are subject to frequent change.
On arrival at West End, Tortola, you can catch one of the waiting taxis for the 15 minute journey to Nanny Cay Marina or to your hotel or ask Horizon Yacht Charters to send a taxi to meet you. The taxi fare from West End to Nanny Cay Marina is around $21 for up to 3 people and thereafter $7 per person.
If you have booked through a tour operator or travel organiser that deals with Horizon Yacht Charters, it is likely that the company will have its own representatives on Tortola to take care of you. It is also possible that your transfer arrangements are also covered in the cost of your holiday.
Sleepboard In the case that you flight arrives too late for you to start your charter on the same day, Horizon Yacht Charters will offer, where possible, the option of a sleepaboard on your first night, at an additional charge. Boarding is after 5pm and the yacht will be prepared for your late arrival. Please enquire about this option should you require it.
Sample itinerary The great thing about sailing is the sense of freedom to go anywhere and of course in the BVI there are many variations on the theme, but here is one example of an itinerary with the islands and sights you might visit on the way. Before the charter, Horizon Yacht Charters will give you an individual chart briefing, giving you the opportunity to discuss where you might like to go. Mooring buoys are available in many locations, and remember to call ahead of time on your VHF radio to book in at restaurants for dinner!
Day 1
After completing boat and chart briefings, depart the dock and make the short reach across the 'Sir Francis Drake Channel' to the Bight at Norman Island. Norman Island is rumoured to be the site of Robert Louis Stevenson's famous novel, Treasure Island. There will be time for a swim or snorkel at the Indians before watching the Caribbean sunset over a sundowner or two. For the evening visit either Billy Bones restaurant ashore, or the floating bar/restaurant the William Thornton III, a Virgin Islands classic, a floating bar and restaurant in a wooden trading boat, often with a rumbustious atmosphere. Both serve good food are extremely easy-going.
Day 2
After breakfast, you can take your dinghy across to the Caves, where you can find a National Park buoy and snorkel, one of the BVI’s excellent coral reefs. From here sail up to Cooper Island for lunch or the evening. It is a good idea to arrive early, particularly in season, so that you can pick up one of the overnight buoys (no anchoring is permitted at Cooper Island). There will be time for more snorkelling off Cistern Point, or you can spend the afternoon lounging on the beach. The beach bar at the Cooper Island Yacht Club is also often a very lively stopover for the evening.
Day 3
Sail to the Baths, where you can pick up a buoy (again it helps to get there in good time), spend the morning and have lunch. The beach really is spectacular so you should head ashore to explore the rock pools and the extraordinary boulders, where walk-throughs are lit by eerie green light. After lunch, sail across to Beef Island off Tortola, to Marina Cay or Trellis Bay, where you can spend the night. You can have a BBQ aboard your yacht, but there are also many places to go ashore including the Last Resort and Loose Mongoose, also extremely lively restaurant/bars.
Day 4
Head off to North Sound, Virgin Gorda, putting in for a snorkelling stop at the Dogs or Mountain Point en route. At the North Sound you need to decide what sort of an anchorage to choose for your overnight stay. For quiet and tranquillity go for Drake's Anchorage. You can dinghy around to the western side to watch the sunset from Honeymoon Beach. However there is also plenty of entertainment in the North Sound. The Bitter End Yacht Club, a sailing club (where you can hire a Hobie Cat or learn to windsurf) has music most nights. There is also a lively bar at Leverick Bay, but if you would like a more elegant evening out then you can always have dinner at Biras Creek, a Relais et Chateaux which is very well regarded for its food, first-class service and an excellent wine cellar. There is a dress code after 7pm. There are shops a Bitter End so you can re-provision your boat.
Day 5
There are other things to detain you in the North Sound next morning. There is an excellent main beach on Prickly Pear Cay, but there are other more secluded spots on the other side of the island that can be reached by dinghy. You can also snorkel on Eustatia Reef. Alternatively you can set sail for Monkey Point on Guana Island, arriving in time for lunch and some snorkelling.
In the afternoon cruise down the rugged north shore of Tortola and then cross to Jost van Dyke, overnighting in either Little Harbour or Great Harbour, where you will find many beach bars which can fix you a simply dinner onshore.
Day 6
Motor over to Sandy Cay, the perfect desert island, just a sandbar and a few palms. Snorkel, swim and beachcomb, have lunch and then head across to Cane Garden Bay for your overnight stop. There are many bars in Cane Garden Bay and there is often entertainment at Myetts and Quito’s Gazebo, a classic Caribbean beachside bar.
Day 7
Your final day’s sailing will take you around the western point of Tortola, where you can stop at Soper’s Hole, or back into Sir Francis Drake’s Channel and to Little Harbour at Peter Island. There is snorkelling and then your final sunset.
Day 8
Time for one more swim before returning to Nanny Cay Marina. Horizon Yacht Charters will carry out the check in procedure. They will also have confirmed your flights and booked a taxi ready for your departure for the airport.
Sports & Toys The BVI is an excellent arena for many watersports. The winds are reliable year round and the water is warm. There are also protected anchorages, sheltered bays and there are very few currents. You may well want to hire some equipment to carry aboard your yacht during your charter. Consider space on board when it comes to something bulky like a windsurfer or a kayak, but many other sports are also available.
If you are learning to windsurf you can spend the whole day learning to get up without worrying about the cold, but if you are a more experienced wind surfer then the reliable offshore winds present a more challenging sail. The snorkelling is excellent. There are many well known day stopovers and equipment is readily available. Surfing is also available on Tortola’s north shore if you know how. Body boards are available for less adventurous waves. You can also get floats if you fancy that you will be sunbathing a lot.
If you have never tried seakayaking, the BVI offers an opportunity to explore small and secluded beaches and coves that cannot be reached without a boat. If space isn’t an issue on board you might consider hiring a bicycle or mountain bike for cycling and exploring ashore. Or if you imagine a more sedentary life, then you might want to hire some fly fishing gear.
All equipment can be rented ahead of time and added to your vessel prior to your arrival. If you want to learn to windsurf, Horizon can arrange for an instructor to meet you at your boat (before leaving the dock) to give you some tips. All equipment is available for shorter periods of time, but rental rates, which are subject to change without notice, are based on a week’s hire including delivery and pick up.
Seakayaking in the BVI
Prices for kayaks run from US$126 per week to $175 per week
Windsurfing in the BVI
There is a large range of sails to choose from, catering for beginner, intermediate and advanced windsurfers. A basic beginner’s package is just US$168/week and prices range up to US$480/week for advanced equipment, which includes a harness and a rigging tool.
Surfing in the BVI
Boards are available for between US$83 for a 7’3” Bic surfboard and US$98 for a 7’9” or 8’4” board.
Cycling in the BVI
A wide range of equipment is available to suit all sizes and budgets, coating US$120-160 for a 7-day hire. All bikes come with a helmet (mandatory), lock, pump, water bottle and a seat pack (with tube, levers, patch kit).
Fishing in the BVI
You can hire a spinning or trolling rod with reel only or as a package. Rod holders come as an extra (US$10/week). The Spinning and Trolling packages include a selection of lures and a rod holder. Prices range from US$35/week for a Spinning rod and reel to US$84/week for a Trolling package.
Other Water Toys
Body floats, snorkel boards and body boards are available for about US$20/week whilst snorkel belts and life jackets cost just US$10/week each.
If you would like to see more about what's on offer, please see www.laststopsports.com. Please make sure that reservations are made through Horizon Yacht Charters so that deliveries and pick-ups can be co-ordinated.
Scuba Diving and Snorkelling in the BVI
Tortola Scuba Diving - Tours & Rendezvous Diving
For Tortola scuba diving and snorkelling, we recommend Blue Water Divers (based at Nanny Cay and Soper’s Hole, West End) and Sail Caribbean Divers (Hodges Creek and Cooper Island). Dive trips leave from their respective bases, but it is well worth knowing that both of these companies also offer what is called ‘rendezvous diving’, in which they pick you up from your charter boat en route to the dive site by prior arrangement. The dive companies will provide the scuba equipment for each dive, but they are also happy to hire out the equipment for the week of your charter. If you are intending to scuba dive during your time in the BVI, mention it during your briefing from Horizon Yacht Charters and they will point out the areas with good diving. All of Horizons’ yachts have swim platforms.
Tortola Snorkelling
Snorkelling equipment is available for hire from both companies.
Sailing School Horizon Yacht Charters has its own sailing school, which is affiliated to the American Sailing Association. There are courses for all standards of yachtsmen, from novices to experienced sailors who want a refresher to brush up their skills.
The ASA program has structured levels of sailing standards, which are examined at progressive certification levels. Students receive a Logbook that lists the standards, certification and records sailing experience. All courses and examinations are run by ASA qualified instructors. When a certification level is successfully completed, the logbook is signed and stamped. You can then present it to any charter or rental fleet operator to prove your level of competency. The most popular courses on offer are:
Basic Keelboat Sailing Standard (#101)
Prerequisites: None
Sailors must sail a boat of about 20 feet or more in length in light to moderate winds and sea conditions in familiar waters without supervision. A preparatory Standard with no auxiliary power or navigation skills required. Successful candidates earn a National Safe Boating Certificate approved by NASBLA and the US Coast Guard.
Basic Coastal Cruising Standard (#103)
Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Sailing Certification
Sailors must cruise safely in local and regional waters as both skipper and crew on an auxiliary powered sailboat of about 20 to 30 feet in length, in moderate winds and sea conditions.
Bareboat Chartering Standard (#104) - (Intermediate Coastal Cruising)
Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Sailing and Basic Coastal Cruising Certification
An advanced cruising Standard for individuals with cruising experience. The individual can act as skipper or crew of a 30 – 50 foot boat sailing by day in coastal waters. The Standard includes knowledge of boat systems and maintenance procedures.
If you have little or no experience, then Horizon Yacht Charters recommend that you start off with Courses 101 and 103. If you are on a week's charter, these two courses are easily taught in 5 days, giving you a couple of days to practice your newfound skills at the end of the week or simply relax! Those that have cruising experience and basic seamanship skills can also add Course #104 to their instruction. The three courses can be taught in one week, but this doesn’t leave a lot of time for R&R!
Private Tuition
If you would prefer to rent your own bareboat and learn to sail under private instruction, choose the yacht you would like to rent and Horizon will be happy to give you a price on the bareboat fee. Add the ASA Instructor's fee from US$165 per day (not including food or gratuity), and between $60 to $80 per person for the ASA Course Materials, depending on the courses taken. This fee does not include food or beverages.
Useful Information Cellular Telephones and Message Service
All HYC yachts have cell phones on board. If you wish to leave HYC’s telephone number with your friends and relatives, please use the local base number and not the toll-free reservation number. Just ask us for more details.
Credit Cards
While HYC accept credit cards in payment of your charter fee, you are asked to pay in cash or travellers’ cheques for any incidentals due at the base such as local government Cruising Permits, Hull Damage Waiver insurance, provisioning and other additional expenses as payment by credit card for these incidentals will incur a 5% service charge. While many establishments throughout the islands take credit cards, some do levy a surcharge and it is always a good idea to ensure you have extra cash or travellers’ cheques available.
Electrical Appliances
If your yacht has an inverter on board then you may use electrical appliances that you have brought with you (hairdryer, recharging batteries, etc) while sailing or at anchor. You may need to bring an adapter. Most of HYC’s yachts are 110V with US receptacles. All yachts have 12V sockets.
Environmental Issues
Please do not drop your anchor over coral and be very careful when snorkelling - even touching coral with hands and fins can destroy hundreds of years of growth. Also, do not remove any sea life, flora or fauna. It is illegal to anchor in the BVI National Parks areas and for day-time mooring buoy use you will be required to have a permit (which will be issued to you at the base). Please ensure your that rubbish is disposed of properly (there are designated areas throughout the islands) and make sure that items are secure on your yacht while you are sailing and overnight, so they are not lost overboard.
Flight Information
Please see the ‘Flight’ section of our island guide to the British Virgin Islands. When it comes to booking, we recommend that you contact your own travel advisors although HYC work closely with travel companies in both the USA and Europe and will give you contact details if you wish.
Luggage
Unfortunately luggage can sometimes be delayed into the islands so it is wise to pack a small overnight bag with essentials and, the most important thing, your swimsuit! Travel light and use soft-sided bags as they are easily stowed on your vessel.
Rain Gear
It does rain in the Caribbean! We suggest you take light rain jackets.
Sailing Resumes
You need to be sure about your level of competence and if you have any doubts, or if you are new to Horizon Yacht Charters, you should complete a sailing resume and send it through to HYC before making your reservation. All charters are checked out and given full chart and boat briefings to familiarise you and your crew with your BVI cruising grounds and the vessel. With notice, Horizon Yacht Charters will provide a complimentary check out skipper who will spend an extra couple of hours with you on a one-to-one basis.
Snorkel Gear
If you have your own gear, it is best to bring it with you to ensure a good fit. You can however rent masks, snorkels and fins at reasonable rates from Blue Water Divers at Nanny Cay.
Sunscreen
Bring a hat, good sunglasses and start with at least 30SPF sunscreen and please, no sun tan oil as it stains linens, boat cushions and decks. Remember those after sun-soothers too!
Travel Insurance/Trip Cancellation Insurance
Horizon Yacht Charters is unable to offer refunds within 90 days of your charter start date unless they can re-sell your reserved dates. It is a policy that the company adheres to so we recommend that Travel Insurance or Trip Cancellation Insurance is purchased. You can purchase your travel insurance on-line through Worldwide Travel Insurance.
Virgin Islands Search and Rescue VISAR is a Charitably funded and entirely volunteer staffed organisation dedicated to the saving of life at sea. It provides a permanent 24 hr search and rescue service in the British Virgin Islands. Horizon Yacht Charters and DefinitiveCaribbean actively supports VISAR and we encourage charterers, and others,to support this worthwhile and essential service as well. Please read more about VISAR and give your support to this immensely important charity.
Horizon Yacht Charters Video Please see below for a video of Horizon Yacht Charters, a top end BVI yacht charter company located on Tortola. Ideal for a personal service with an excellent fleet of yachts.
We appreciate your feedback on our service. I found this page useful I would like to make a comment All the information on this site comes to you free of charge and we do not receive commission for your reservations so it is always good to hear if you think we are doing a good job, or if you have any constructive suggestions. Please also remember to mention DefinitiveCaribbean to your friends so that we may be helpful to more people looking for an enjoyable Caribbean bareboat or crewed yacht charter experience.
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