British Virgin Islands
Beginner-friendly
Best conditions around August 10
Line-of-sight Caribbean classic — easiest tropical first charter.
Best time to sail
Best time to sail in the British Virgin Islands
The best time to sail in the British Virgin Islands is November to June, with peak conditions in December and January.
That verdict comes from 1991–2020 climate normals — wind, rain, sunshine, and air temperature — scored week by week for charter conditions across 1 sailing area.
Discover why the British Virgin Islands are the world's premier sailing destination — from the sheltered Sir Francis Drake Channel to hidden anchorages at Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda. This complete guide covers BVI yacht charter costs, a 7-day sample itinerary, licensing requirements, and expert tips for the perfect boat rental in BVI.
Sailing conditions in the British Virgin Islands, month by month
Mean weekly values across our sailing areas in the British Virgin Islands. The sail score weighs wind, rain, sun, and temperature — and discounts tropical-storm season where one applies.
Temperature (°C)
- Air
- Water
Wind (kn)
Rain (mm/day)
Sun (h/day)
| Month | Sail score | Wind (kn) | Rain (mm/day) | Sun (h/day) | Temp (°C) | Water (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 14 | 1.2 | 12 | 23 | 27 |
| February | Excellent | 13 | 0.8 | 12 | 23 | 26 |
| March | Excellent | 13 | 1 | 12 | 23 | 27 |
| April | Excellent | 13 | 1.5 | 12 | 24 | 27 |
| May | Excellent | 12 | 2.9 | 12 | 24 | 28 |
| June * | Excellent | 13 | 2.2 | 12 | 25 | 29 |
| July * | Fair | 15 | 2.4 | 12 | 26 | 29 |
| August * | Poor | 14 | 3.3 | 12 | 26 | 30 |
| September * | Poor | 12 | 4.2 | 12 | 26 | 30 |
| October * | Poor | 11 | 4.3 | 12 | 25 | 30 |
| November * | Excellent | 12 | 3.4 | 12 | 24 | 29 |
| December | Excellent | 13 | 1.6 | 12 | 24 | 28 |
Months marked * fall inside the tropical-storm season.
Tropical storm season: June to November
Parts of the British Virgin Islands sit inside a tropical-cyclone basin. Monthly climate averages smooth over rare but severe storms, so the sail score discounts the weeks from June to November. Check cancellation terms, insurance, and your operator's storm policy before booking inside this window.
Sailing areas in the British Virgin Islands
Every area below is scored individually in the interactive calendar; where we have an in-depth guide, it's linked.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to sail in the British Virgin Islands?
November to June offers the most reliable conditions, with December and January scoring best for wind, rain, sunshine, and temperature in the 1991–2020 climate normals.
When is the cheapest time to charter in the British Virgin Islands?
The shoulder months — November and June — usually combine good sailing conditions with fewer crowds and lower charter prices than the peak in December and January.
When is tropical storm season in the British Virgin Islands?
From June to November. Climate averages hide rare but severe storms, so treat this window with care: check cancellation terms and weather routing before booking.
How warm is it in the British Virgin Islands in December?
Around 24 °C air temperature on average in December, with about 12 hours of sun a day.
How warm is the water in the British Virgin Islands in December?
Around 28 °C sea-surface temperature on average in December, based on 2023–2025 marine averages.