BVI Charter Yacht Show Draws Record Fleet
The annual BVI Charter Yacht Show has concluded following four days of vessel showcases across Tortola and Virgin Gorda. Featuring a record fleet with 15 brand-new 2026 and 2027 builds, the event positioned the Territory for strong holiday and early-2027 charter bookings.
The British Virgin Islands reaffirmed its status as a premier global sailing destination as the annual BVI Charter Yacht Show concluded on Friday, November 13, 2026, featuring a record-setting display of luxury catamarans and modern charter vessels. The four-day industry showcase began on November 10, bringing international yacht brokers, crews, and maritime professionals together across Tortola and Virgin Gorda.
Organised by the BVI Charter Yacht Society and held every November since the society's founding in 1982, the event serves as an essential pre-season marketplace for the local marine sector. Yacht brokers utilised the event to inspect vessels, assess guest amenities, meet professional crews, and sample onboard cuisine before making charter recommendations to high-net-worth travellers for Christmas, New Year, and the wider 2027 winter season.
This year's showcase presented a diverse fleet ranging from 45-foot sailing catamarans to expansive 80-foot luxury vessels, including roughly 15 yachts built in 2026 or arriving as 2027 builds. The line-up featured modern designs from renowned international builders such as Fountaine Pajot, Sunreef, Lagoon, Bali, Aquila, and Silent Yachts, highlighting the Virgin Islands as a leading base for top-tier crewed charters.
Among the standout entries was Nana Marie, a newly built 2026 Fountaine Pajot 80 based at Nanny Cay that accommodates eight guests across four king cabins with a four-person crew, complete with onboard diving gear, Seabobs, sea scooters, and a 16-foot tender. Another major highlight was Mischiefous, a 2024 Sunreef 80 Special Edition that ranked among the largest yachts at the show and accommodates up to 12 guests.
Other notable entrants included Vela, a 2026 Sunreef 70 sailing catamaran, alongside Encore and Sapphire, both 2026 Fountaine Pajot 67s. Attendees also inspected Sea Goddess, an innovative 2026 solar-electric 60-foot catamaran engineered to operate entirely without a diesel generator.
Following primary show activities at Nanny Cay on Tortola, participants moved to Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour for a dedicated programme day before the event wrapped up. Marine stakeholders expect the impressive fleet and strong broker turnout to drive robust charter bookings across the Territory throughout the coming months.
Primary source: VINO