Family Catamaran Charter in the British Virgin Islands
MAVERICK is a 70-foot Sunreef sailing catamaran with four ensuite cabins and room for up to nine guests, which works well for a family charter in the BVI. The chef can handle any dietary requirement, picky eaters included. And there are enough water toys aboard that the kids won't run out of things to do at any anchorage.
Why families pick a catamaran over a monohull
Three generations on one sailing yacht need different things than a couple does. A catamaran covers most of them:
- Stability: catamarans don't heel under sail, so toddlers, grandparents and anyone who gets seasick can move around comfortably while the boat's under way.
- Space: MAVERICK is 70 feet long with a 36-foot beam, which gives her far more deck and interior space than a monohull of the same length. The kids can claim a zone of their own, and the parents and grandparents can still find a quiet corner.
- Cabin separation: the 4 ensuite cabins are split between the two hulls, so each generation gets real privacy. The 3 king suites suit couples, and the twin cabin (2 singles plus a pullman) takes up to 3 kids.
- Water entry: catamarans have low swim platforms aft, so kids can get in and out of the water all day without anyone wrestling a swim ladder.
What the kids actually do aboard
Here's what there is to do in the water:
- Two Seabobs: battery-powered underwater scooters, popular with teenagers and adults. First-timers pick them up quickly, and there's enough speed to keep strong swimmers happy.
- eFoil: an electric hydrofoil board. It takes older teens a while to get the hang of it. After that they're obsessed.
- Paddleboards and kayaks: for exploring whatever anchorage you're in, all day if you like
- Full snorkel gear: sized for kids and adults
- Diving: arranged through local BVI dive operators on request. Their fee is extra.
Younger kids (5-10) tend to live in the saloon and on the trampolines between hulls when the boat is at anchor. Older kids are usually in the water from breakfast to sunset.
Feeding the family
Chef Cris plans the menus around how your family eats. Send everyone's needs through your charter broker before the trip so the chef can provision for them:
- Plain food for picky eaters (chicken nuggets, pasta, pizza nights)
- Allergies and intolerances (gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, all standard, not extra)
- Cultural and religious requirements (kosher, halal, vegetarian by request)
- Birthday cakes and anniversary dinners
- A pre-charter shopping list built from each guest's preferences
Three meals a day plus snacks and a stocked bar, and fuel is included too. Picnics ashore on request.
Sample BVI family week aboard MAVERICK
The BVI is a safe, easy place to sail with kids, and the hops between islands are short. A typical family week:
- Day 1: Tortola arrival, sunset cruise to Norman Island, dinner aboard
- Day 2: Snorkel the Indians (great first-time snorkel for kids), lunch at Pirates Bight, afternoon swimming
- Day 3: Cooper Island and Cistern Point. Turtles in the water, easy snorkel, beach club ashore
- Day 4: The Baths at Virgin Gorda (early to beat the crowds), Spanish Town for ice cream, sail to Anegada
- Day 5: Anegada. Flat, shallow water for paddleboards, and lobster on the beach
- Day 6: Jost Van Dyke, calm anchorages, swim ashore at White Bay
- Day 7: Sandy Cay swim, return to Tortola
The plan changes with the kids' ages, the weather and what the family feels like that morning.
How the cabins work
| Configuration | How it sleeps |
|---|---|
| 4 cabins / 9 guests | 3 king suites + 1 twin (2 singles + 1 pullman) |
| Parents + up to 5 kids | Parents in one king suite, up to 3 kids in the twin + pullman, 2 more in a second king suite |
| Best for multi-gen (grandparents + parents + kids) | Each couple in a king suite, kids in twin |
Pricing for families
| Family size | Rate (USD per week, all-inclusive) |
|---|---|
| 2-4 guests | $49,500 |
| 5 guests | $50,500 |
| 6 guests | $51,500 |
| 7 guests | $52,500 |
| 8 guests | $53,500 |
| 9 guests | $54,500 |
Christmas / New Year week (1-8 guests, 7-night minimum): $65,000.
Booking a family BVI charter
Ask your charter broker about dates. MAVERICK is booked through brokers worldwide, and plenty of them specialize in family charters, so your usual firm can check availability.