What to Expect from Your Horizon Yacht Charter Briefing & Check-Out

Your unforgettable BVI yacht charter with Horizon Yacht Charters begins long before you set foot on your yacht. To help you feel confident, prepared, and ready to sail, we’ve designed a simple, supportive yacht charter briefing and checkout captain process that blends online resources with hands-on guidance from our experienced team.

Whether it’s your first time chartering a yacht or a returning charter guest, here’s exactly what to expect before and after you arrive in the beautiful BVI!

Before You Arrive in the BVI

To make your charter as smooth as possible, we provide several pre-arrival resources so you can get familiar with your yacht, our waters, and our procedures — all from the comfort of home.

We highly recommend reviewing these materials before your trip. Not only will you get acquainted with your yacht and the islands, but it also helps streamline your on-site briefing — getting you on the water faster once you arrive at our Nanny Cay base in Tortola.

Download our Checklist

Arrival at F Dock, Nanny Cay Base

When you arrive at the Horizon base, you’ll be warmly welcomed by our reservations team. They’ll guide you through the arrival and check-in process, cover any outstanding paperwork, and answer any questions you may have.

Your Onboard Boat Briefing

If you’ve already watched your online boat briefing, this in-person session will be a shorter overview to refresh your knowledge in-person and focus on key points. Please have a look over the yacht systems once you arrive and put together a list of questions on systems you’d like to review in person.

A great way to familiarize yourself and guests with the yacht is to fill out the yellow inventory form. This covers all the safety equipment onboard and other essentials like your dinghy lights, kill cord and yacht keys.

If you haven’t had the chance to view the online materials, don’t worry — our team will walk you through everything you need to know, from engine checks and anchoring to power systems and safety gear. We’ll make sure you’re completely comfortable before heading out.

Yacht Handover Process

Once your briefing is complete and you’re ready to go, our operations team will accompany you to the fuel dock for a final systems check. When everything is set, they’ll step off — and you’ll take the helm, ready to get the sails up and take on the BVI!

If You’re Sailing with a Checkout Captain

If you’re new to sailing, chartering a larger yacht, or simply prefer a little extra support, we offer the option to add a checkout captain for your first day or night. Your Horizon checkout captain will: Conduct your boat and safety briefing onboard Help you sail to your first overnight stop (typically Norman Island, Cooper Island, or Peter Island) Answer any questions about handling, mooring, and anchoring Ensure you feel confident and in control before continuing your charter Depending on your comfort level, your captain can either spend the afternoon with you and return to base before sunset or stay overnight onboard, providing extra guidance before heading back in the morning. It’s a great way to start your trip relaxed, confident, and ready to explore.

Ready to Set Sail?

Whether you’re a seasoned skipper or just getting your sea legs, our team will make sure you’re fully prepared to sail the British Virgin Islands with confidence and make the most of your time here!

Explore our fleet and start planning.