British Virgin Islands Reopen for Charters on December 1: What Travelers and Operators Need to Know

In mid-September officials announced that the British Virgin Islands (BVI) would reopen to visitors on December 1 after a prolonged Covid-19 closure. For yacht charter operators, crewed and bareboat sailors, and vacationers who have long favored the BVI’s sheltered anchorages and clear water, the reopening marks the return of one of the world’s most popular charter destinations for the main winter season.

“We’re back. We’re open,” said Raul Bermudez, vice president of MarineMax Vacations. “There’s no better place than the sea—being on the water helps in so many ways.” MarineMax Vacations operates a 45-boat fleet in the BVI and is adding a new five-stateroom 545 model arriving in February. The company, along with other charter firms, is preparing to welcome guests under new health and safety protocols.

The Moorings, another major operator, is also readying its Tortola facilities. Many of its marinas and shore facilities were upgraded after Hurricane Irma in 2019, only to be closed because of the pandemic. Ahead of December 1, The Moorings is publishing updates about marina availability and revised safety procedures to help charterers and crews plan their trips.

Crewed catamaran operators—Tortola has long been home to one of the world’s largest fleets—are similarly preparing to return to service. Catamaran crews usually reduce operations during hurricane season, which runs through November 30, but many have kept vessels in local hurricane holes or stayed ashore in nearby villas to ensure they could resume charters immediately once the BVI reopened.

Boat availability this winter will be tighter than in typical years. Many clients who held reservations when the islands closed have already rebooked for the December-to-February period, including holiday dates, creating a backlog of existing bookings. As a result, peak-season dates may fill quickly and travelers should expect limited options for popular holiday windows.

“It’s going to be busy,” Bermudez said, noting some openings in early January and February but heavy demand for December dates. Steve McCrea, president of Ed Hamilton & Co., compares the expected surge to what the U.S. Virgin Islands experienced upon its summer reopening: pent-up demand led to rapid bookings as soon as travel became possible.

Reopening will occur in phases. The BVI began phase one in June for residents, moved to phase two on September 1 to admit work-permit holders and some business travelers, and planned phase three for December 1 to allow tourist entry under health restrictions. Travelers must prepare for procedures such as mandatory face coverings, physical distancing, and proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within five days prior to arrival.

Transportation logistics will change as well. Shared taxi arrangements that were common in the past—waiting to fill a car with multiple parties—are being limited to reduce close contact between different groups. Groups will be expected to travel together in a single taxi without intermingling with other passengers.

Sanitization and cleaning protocols on charter boats have become a central part of reopening plans. MarineMax Vacations used the shutdown to complete maintenance across its fleet and has implemented a 24-hour turnaround between charters so crews can thoroughly clean and disinfect each vessel. “That window should be plenty of time to ensure thorough cleaning,” Bermudez said.

The Moorings is conducting daily staff temperature checks and health screenings for crew between charters. Yachts are disinfected via fogging on return, then cleaned and sanitized again before the next boarding. Provisions and linens will arrive sealed, and charter guests will receive personal care packs containing disinfectant spray, hand wipes, and sanitizer.

Guest-facing procedures are also changing. Pre-charter briefings that once took place in group settings are moving onboard to limit gatherings. Operators are distributing instructional briefing videos in advance so bareboat charters can cover navigation basics and safety information before arrival. The Moorings is discontinuing shared complimentary snorkeling gear and encourages guests to bring their own; where equipment is sold, transactions will be card-based to reduce cash handling.

Despite these new practices, industry leaders emphasize that yacht charter remains one of the safer travel choices because a charter party largely controls its own environment once aboard. Crews will often require testing between charters, and the combination of pre-travel testing, frequent crew screenings, and enhanced vessel sanitation aims to reduce the risk of transmission while allowing the season to proceed.

Travelers planning a BVI charter this winter should book early, confirm testing requirements and timing, and review each operator’s specific health and boarding procedures. With careful planning and adherence to safety measures, charter guests and crews hope the reopening will allow for a safe, enjoyable season in the British Virgin Islands.

This article was originally published in the December 2020 issue.