Should You Charter a Catamaran or Monohull in the BVI?

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:13:25 +0000

Should you charter a catamaran or a monohull in the British Virgin Islands? 👉 https://www.nauticed.org

This is one of the most common questions people ask before planning a BVI bareboat charter or sailing vacation. The answer depends less on which boat is “better” and more on what kind of experience you want during your week in the islands.

A simple way to think about it is this: sail a monohull at home, but for a BVI vacation, many people will be happier on a catamaran. That is not a hard rule. If you only have a few people aboard, a monohull may have plenty of space and can be a great choice. But if you are bringing family, friends, kids, or a larger crew, a catamaran gives everyone more room to spread out.

The BVI is a vacation-focused cruising ground. You are usually moving between anchorages, mooring fields, beaches, snorkeling spots, beach bars, and short island hops. So before choosing the boat, ask yourself what kind of trip you actually want. Are you coming to the BVI for a relaxed sailing vacation, or are you looking for a more traditional sailing experience with more heel, more feel, and more performance upwind?

A catamaran is like bringing a floating condo with you. You get more deck space, more privacy, more room in the cabins and salon, and better visibility from inside the boat. You are not tucked down below in the hull the same way you are on many monohulls. For a weeklong BVI charter, that extra space can make a big difference.

A monohull can still be a great option, especially for smaller crews or sailors who really want that classic sailing feel. But for many BVI charter vacations, the decision should come down to the overall experience you want your crew to have.