Barefoot Life is available for charter through Tortola Marine Management Yacht Charters.  It is currently based in the beautiful British Virgin Islands.  

The British Virgin Islands (BVIs) offer excellent year round sailing and is arguably the charter capital of the world.  The BVIs are located in the Northwest Caribbean Sea between St. Martin and Puerto Rico. The sailing area can cover Anegada to the North, the US Virgin Islands directly to the west, and if time allows the Spanish Virgin Islands (west of St. Thomas).

Beef Island Airport (airport code EIS) on Tortola is relatively small, so it can only be serviced by regional planes.  To get there, you’ll want to fly into San Juan, Puerto Rico (airport code SJU), and then use one of the many regional flights to Tortola.  We hear that some people like to fly into St. Thomas and take the ferry over.  

Provisioning for your charter is relatively straight forward.  You can order to supplies ahead of time and they will be on your boat when you arrive (click here for more information).  You can also shop for your own supplies.  We prefer Bobby’s.  They have a great selection, great hours, and they will get you a taxi and deliver you and your provisions to your boat for free.  Don’t expect to find your neighborhood mega-grocery store.  The grocery stores in Tortola are small, but well stocked with brands and food that you will recognize, including beer, wine and liquor.  However, the quality of the cuts of meat and fish are probably less than what you expect to find at home.  There are numerous smaller groceries stores located throughout the other islands, but selection is limited.  

New to sailing or want to step up to a new level?  We highly recommend getting the American Sailing Association (ASA) bareboat certifications.  We were quite pleased with our level of competency at the end of the course.

The certification consists of a basic keelboat module, basic coastal cruising, and a module on bareboat chartering.  Below is a basic summary of the three modules.  For more information, see the ASA website.  TMM offers these certifications, for more information visit TMM.

Basic Keelboat (ASA 101)
General Description: Able to sail a boat of about 20 feet in length in light to moderate winds and sea conditions in familiar waters without supervision. A preparatory Standard with no auxiliary power or navigation skills required.

Basic Coastal Cruising (ASA 103)
General Description: Able to cruise safely in local and regional waters as both skipper and crew on an auxiliary powered sailboat of about 20 to 30 feet in length, in moderate winds and sea conditions.

Bareboat Chartering (Intermediate Coastal Cruising) (ASA 104)
General Description: An advanced cruising Standard for individuals with cruising experience. The individual can act as skipper or crew of a 30 - 50 foot boat sailing by day in coastal waters. The Standard includes knowledge of boat systems and maintenance procedures.