The Moorings
The Moorings
4.6
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About
Established in 1969, The Moorings is the world's premier yacht charter company. With over 500 yachts in destinations from the warm white shores of the Caribbean to the timeless Mediterranean and beyond, we’re here to make your time at sea simply unforgettable. We offer a collection of getaways including hands-on sailing and power yacht charters, all-inclusive crewed yacht vacations and more.
Road Town, British Virgin Islands
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.6
1,221 reviews
Excellent
1,005
Very good
59
Average
50
Poor
41
Terrible
66
Carolyn K
3 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
The Moorings is a fantastically run organization with fantastic boats. The only reason I give it four stars rather than 5 stars is that our experience in May 2024 with our captain was very odd. While we recognize that the captain and the chef are a couple and stay together on the boat, somehow our captain named Andel made us feel like we were intruding upon his own space by being on the boat rather than seeking to help ALL of us, not just the person booking the trip, have as great of a time as possible. It was clear from his interactions that customer service was not a top priority for him. He executed all of his captain duties solidly, but the overall feel among members of our 5 couples, and some more than others, was that were inconveniencing him rather than him being there for us. We didn't feel welcome in their home, and it wasn't even their own boat. It took me a while to even be able to write this review after our trip. Our trip was amazing because the 5800 catamaran was lovely and the islands are beautiful and the weather was amazing. Andel had an opportunity to make our experience on the boat magical, but it was just great, which I suppose isn't so bad, but when you are paying the price you do for the Moorings to do this bucket list trip, you really want to come away with it having been absolutely magical, and ours wasn't quite that. It was clear from the entries in the guest book on board that others may have felt the same. Everyone said thank you for a generally nice time, but no one complimented him on going above and beyond or for making their trip amazing or magical or anything like that. The experience of arranging pre-trip with the Moorings booking staff was great, and the BVIs are amazing in general. I recommend being very careful about with whom you get paired if you hire a captain/chef. Do your research to know their bio and their past experience and the reviews they've had to ensure they will be a good fit.
Written September 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PJ R
2 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Our family recently embarked on a week-long adventure with Captain Andy and his wonderful wife, Linzi through on Seas the Day through The Moorings. We’re so grateful for all the memories and have decided that this is our favorite vacation we’ve taken as a family.
The level of service and personalized experience that Captain Andy and Chef Linzi provided was unparalleled. They took the time to understand our family's preferences and personalities even before we boarded, crafting an itinerary that was nothing short of perfect. Their in-depth knowledge of the BVI ensured we saw all the must-see locations plus some secluded gems away from the crowds, a testament to their years living and sailing these waters.
From the moment we set sail, Captain Andy proved to be a highly experienced sailor, his expertise and passion for the sea evident in how smoothly our voyage went. We always felt comfortable and safe with Andy sailing. Andy knows the area as well as anyone else and knows all the top spots to see wildlife, including flying flamingos, sea turtles, stingrays, lobsters, etc.
Linzi, the onboard chef, was another highlight of our journey. Her culinary skills were truly remarkable, with every meal feeling like a fine dining experience. She was very skilled at providing a large variety of meals and ingredients and even accommodating one of the members of our party who had dietary restrictions. Our favorite part of the day was enjoying her famous appetizers, as she called “nibbles” and creative cocktails on the top deck every evening to watch the sunset. We ate on the islands a few times but preferred to eat the meals Linzi prepared on the boat. Andy and Linzi also did a great job of keeping the boat, bathrooms, and cabins clean.
We are already thinking of our next adventure with The Moorings and cannot wait to sail the BVI with Captain Andy and Linzi again. For anyone looking to explore the beauty of the British Virgin Islands from the comfort of a catamaran, look no further than this duo for an unforgettable sailing experience. Thank you, Captain Andy and Linzi, for making our family trip not just enjoyable but truly extraordinary. See you again soon!
The level of service and personalized experience that Captain Andy and Chef Linzi provided was unparalleled. They took the time to understand our family's preferences and personalities even before we boarded, crafting an itinerary that was nothing short of perfect. Their in-depth knowledge of the BVI ensured we saw all the must-see locations plus some secluded gems away from the crowds, a testament to their years living and sailing these waters.
From the moment we set sail, Captain Andy proved to be a highly experienced sailor, his expertise and passion for the sea evident in how smoothly our voyage went. We always felt comfortable and safe with Andy sailing. Andy knows the area as well as anyone else and knows all the top spots to see wildlife, including flying flamingos, sea turtles, stingrays, lobsters, etc.
Linzi, the onboard chef, was another highlight of our journey. Her culinary skills were truly remarkable, with every meal feeling like a fine dining experience. She was very skilled at providing a large variety of meals and ingredients and even accommodating one of the members of our party who had dietary restrictions. Our favorite part of the day was enjoying her famous appetizers, as she called “nibbles” and creative cocktails on the top deck every evening to watch the sunset. We ate on the islands a few times but preferred to eat the meals Linzi prepared on the boat. Andy and Linzi also did a great job of keeping the boat, bathrooms, and cabins clean.
We are already thinking of our next adventure with The Moorings and cannot wait to sail the BVI with Captain Andy and Linzi again. For anyone looking to explore the beauty of the British Virgin Islands from the comfort of a catamaran, look no further than this duo for an unforgettable sailing experience. Thank you, Captain Andy and Linzi, for making our family trip not just enjoyable but truly extraordinary. See you again soon!
Written July 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kieran Anderson
New Jersey7 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
This review must start with Captain Andy & his amazing wife, Chef Linzi who were not only unbelievable welcoming, fun, and interesting to be around, but also incredibly organized and flexible over the course of the week we spent with them.
Our party of eight sailed the BVI’s for the first time and the two of them made it one of the most memorable trips we’ve ever taken. From the customized itinerary to the onboard fine dining (breakfast, lunch & dinner); each day was filled with something new to see, explore, and of course eat.
I’ll add that The Moorings, as an outfit for chartering these amazing vessels was also equally great to work with and made organizing our special trip very easy.
As a group, we all agreed that we’d sail again with Captain Andy & Chef Linzi in a heartbeat and would highly recommend them if you are considering a charter with crew. We’d like to personally thank them again for an amazing experience.
Our party of eight sailed the BVI’s for the first time and the two of them made it one of the most memorable trips we’ve ever taken. From the customized itinerary to the onboard fine dining (breakfast, lunch & dinner); each day was filled with something new to see, explore, and of course eat.
I’ll add that The Moorings, as an outfit for chartering these amazing vessels was also equally great to work with and made organizing our special trip very easy.
As a group, we all agreed that we’d sail again with Captain Andy & Chef Linzi in a heartbeat and would highly recommend them if you are considering a charter with crew. We’d like to personally thank them again for an amazing experience.
Written January 3, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol P
Lewes, DE2 contributions
Jan 2025 • Friends
My husband and I (and another couple) chartered a 42’ sailing catamaran with the Moorings in the British Virgin Islands for 5 nights. We stayed on the boat the night before our trip commenced which made it easy to get organized and ensure our provisions were sufficient. Captain Dale was our skipper and handled the boat expertly (above average winds, 22-24 knots). He knew the islands, made arrangements for marinas and dinners and was a friendly sailing companion. Highlights included snorkeling, the baths at Virgin Gorda, resort at Scrub Island, entertainment at Leverick Bay, watching football at Foxy’s Tamarid Bar and drinks at the Soggy Dollar on Jost Van Dyke. Perfect weather, lots of sun and strong breezes, will definitely do this trip again.
Written January 26, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for sharing your feedback with us. We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your sailing adventure in the BVIs and had a positive experience with Captain Dale. We will be sure to pass your kind words on to him and look forward to welcoming you back soon.
Written January 31, 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dane D
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Couples
I can't speak to other people's experience, only to ours, but we just finished 8 days in the BVI about a 53 ft power cat (Tequila Sunset). We had a few minor issues initially (the bow thruster didn't work and there was a leak in a hose that was draining the water tanks). But they were fixed pretty quickly (you have to ask and stay on top of them to expedite getting things done, the squeaky wheel gets the grease). After that, we had an amazing time and the boat ran great. We were 3 couples and I captained the boat which was relatively easy for an experienced boater. I would recommend staying aboard the boat in the Moorings base the first night and make sure EVERYTHING is working, especially the generator and air conditioning. It's a boat and things break down and sometimes it's not their (Moorings) fault, but it is their responsibility to get it fixed as quickly as possible. You are paying for an operational boat in good condition and they should provide that to you.
However, the BVI did not disappoint. We saw so much and every island has it's unique charm. Don't miss Anegada and Saba Rock. We loved Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke and the Soggy Dollar is a great first day to kick things off right.
However, the BVI did not disappoint. We saw so much and every island has it's unique charm. Don't miss Anegada and Saba Rock. We loved Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke and the Soggy Dollar is a great first day to kick things off right.
Written July 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Becca C
1 contribution
Feb 2025 • Couples
Sailing with Andy and Linzi was the absolute best way to explore the British Virgin Islands. Every detail of each day of our week-long trip was planned and executed beautifully by this team, allowing us to soak in each moment in the beautiful BVIs without a care in the world. Some of my favorite aspects of this experience: waking up to warm coffee to enjoy the sunrise, the delicious and nutritious meals made by Linzi, reading in all of the countless places to lounge in the sun on the boat, learning about sailing and navigation, snorkeling in some great spots, and taking the dinghy to the islands to explore. Andy and Linzy worked diligently to make sure that each activity and meal was all we could ever want. I could tell they set very high standards for themselves in the work that they do, and we got to benefit from that! Their years of experience also translated to our group feeling very safe and well taken care of. I have never been so relaxed in my life! We have been home a week and I miss the boat and this team terribly - very hopeful to be able to return one day.
Written February 14, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott B
1 contribution
Apr 2024 • Couples
Honestly, I am not clever enough to describe our trip as anything other than AMAZING and THE BEST YET. We have been traveling to the Carribean for a spring vacation for several years and hitting the usual spots: Bahamas, Aruba, St Maartin, Turks & Caicos, and Jamaica. This vacation blew all of the rest away and it was not even close. We recently spent five days with Captain Andy and Chef Linzi sailing to some of the best spots in the BVIs. After an initial zoom call to discuss what we wanted to experience on the trip, Captain Andy scheduled the perfect blend of quiet beach getaways and hot spots with party vibes. His vast knowledge of the area along with a savvy sense of timing had us beating the crowds at the Baths to meeting them for some entertaining BVI TV at the Soggy Dollar. As great as a Captain Andy was at his job, Chef Linzi may have out done him. Her five o'clock "Nibbles" and evening dinners (actually all of the meals) were absolutely top notch. Andy, did however, create some of the best cocktails and provided the coldest drinks we had during the trip. We had dinner off the boat the last evening and the group ended up wishing we had stayed aboard for one more of Linzi's meals. Andy and Linzi were always there when we needed them and had the innate ability to somehow disappear when we were enjoying our time with the other couple on the boat. Both of them also had a great sense of humor and easy way about them that had us all enjoying their company during the end of day wrap ups and morning scheduling/tutorial sessions. Truly two great people that love what they do and are extremely good at it. We are already scheming to spend some more time with them....
Written April 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thetxwicks
Corpus Christi, TX79 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
We planned this vacation for over a year for my 50th Birthday and had the best experience. We were on the beautiful boat "The Salty Ballers." All amenities for cooking and sleeping were provided. I highly recommend renting the extra stuff such as paddle board, kayak, and noodles, as well as buying some cheap snorkle gear. We stopped at several different islands and played in the water with all these things. The staff was very helpful when we were loading our provisions and getting ready to sail. This truly was an experience we will never forget.
The reason for no 5 stars, as with any boat you are going to have some issues, but I do feel they could have been handled better. We rented a 5 cabin, 1 room (which happened to be ours) would never cool, the air stayed at 85 degrees and it made for a miserable 6 nights and finally the last night it cooled to 78 degrees. Before we left, the generator was not working, it took the staff that day and the next (we did not plan to sail until the day after we arrived) to "fix it." We notified the staff that we did not have a cord and we were assured that we did not need one. Our generator stopped working on day 5, at around 2200 and the technical support are only open 8-5. Once we reached them, they advised us to go to our next destination and they would meet us there. Once we arrived, we called again and were told that someone was already there and they would look at it. Our captain(which was a family member) waited 5 hours on the boat ( no air, in the heat, because no cord..) for someone to show up and fix the generator, in which the man was called away to go service another persons boats (not Moorings) and said he would be back. At this point we just gave up and left the boat there in hopes he would return, which he did 4 hours later and finished. This resulted in us having to stay at port 24 hours that was not planned.
Another issue we had was we rented a second dinghy, when we went to use it, it did not work. The man came to fix it the next day, but couldn't and had to come back the next morning. He replaced the cord and brought new gas to which the dinghy never worked the entire trip.
Once our trip was over, I went to customer service to explain the issues. They would "see about refunding the dinghy" and the generator is not a necessity, so nothing there as well even though it messed up some plans.
All in all, the trip was worth it because we made the best of what we could with the different situations that came up. I highly recommend this trip and it was a once in a lifetime for us. Maybe just a bit better customer service with the price you are paying.
The reason for no 5 stars, as with any boat you are going to have some issues, but I do feel they could have been handled better. We rented a 5 cabin, 1 room (which happened to be ours) would never cool, the air stayed at 85 degrees and it made for a miserable 6 nights and finally the last night it cooled to 78 degrees. Before we left, the generator was not working, it took the staff that day and the next (we did not plan to sail until the day after we arrived) to "fix it." We notified the staff that we did not have a cord and we were assured that we did not need one. Our generator stopped working on day 5, at around 2200 and the technical support are only open 8-5. Once we reached them, they advised us to go to our next destination and they would meet us there. Once we arrived, we called again and were told that someone was already there and they would look at it. Our captain(which was a family member) waited 5 hours on the boat ( no air, in the heat, because no cord..) for someone to show up and fix the generator, in which the man was called away to go service another persons boats (not Moorings) and said he would be back. At this point we just gave up and left the boat there in hopes he would return, which he did 4 hours later and finished. This resulted in us having to stay at port 24 hours that was not planned.
Another issue we had was we rented a second dinghy, when we went to use it, it did not work. The man came to fix it the next day, but couldn't and had to come back the next morning. He replaced the cord and brought new gas to which the dinghy never worked the entire trip.
Once our trip was over, I went to customer service to explain the issues. They would "see about refunding the dinghy" and the generator is not a necessity, so nothing there as well even though it messed up some plans.
All in all, the trip was worth it because we made the best of what we could with the different situations that came up. I highly recommend this trip and it was a once in a lifetime for us. Maybe just a bit better customer service with the price you are paying.
Written July 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie D
Surrey, UK31 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
As the year comes to an end we reflect on our most wonderful celebration trip with Moorings in November. We spent a week sailing around the BVIs on a luxurious catamaran superbly crewed by Sophie and Robin. Nothing but high praise and thanks from us for their friendly but professional care. Delicious inventive meals were provided by Sophie. She also magically kept our berths spotless when we weren’t looking. Robin steered us around the various islands and bays making the most of the amazing swimming and snorkelling in the area. We felt totally relaxed, helped from time to time by the fabulous cocktails that Robin conjured up. We’d done a similar trip for our 50ths - the 20 year gap was worth waiting for and we would highly recommend.
Written December 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne
2 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
Our family (3 boys ages 22, 19 & 17) had the trip of a lifetime on board The Moorings E-Ticket. Our crew, Pete and Allie went above and beyond to plan a perfect itinerary, while avoiding the weather caused by Hurricane Beryl that was a few hundred miles away. Pete found sheltered bays to sleep in and planned fun activities on each of our stops that we would all enjoy. It was a perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. Allie amazed us with each meal she served. She nailed our preferences and served delicious food that was presented beautifully. Pete also makes a mean Margarita, Pina Colada, and Painkiller for those who enjoy a cocktail. We plan to return and cannot wait for the next time!
Written July 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Morning everyone, we have chartered a four-cabin cat for my friend's birthday in July. Super excited as it's our first visit to the Caribbean!
She would like to visit The Baths on her birthday, but I hear it can be hard to get BACK into the dinghy without a ladder? Is that true? Do you know if the Moorings offer dinghy ladders?
Written March 12, 2025
Hi Sara, so glad to hear you're looking forward to your holiday in July! It's really a personal choice as to whether or not your crew will need a ladder to get back into the dinghy. You will need to climb back into the dinghy at the dinghy line and you won't be able to touch the bottom with your feet. If you feel your crew would prefer to have a ladder, they're available via the Sail Caribbean divers shop located in our reception area, it's open from 8:00 am. Hope that this is helpful.
Written March 13, 2025
Hi Everyone - We are about to embark on our adventure with moorings on a 50ft cat with crew. I see the customary tipping is 15-20% - did everyone do this in cash or card? This seems like a lot in additional to the price of charter. Thank you for the help.
Written June 22, 2024
Hi everyone - we are excited about our upcoming charter with Moorings with our family of 5. Can anyone recommend the best charter from St. Thomas (Red Hook) to the Moorings Port(Road Town Tortola)? Does a private charter go directly to the Moorings Port? We are building quotes with a few private charters as the public ferry is booked and I read not so great stories of the crowds. Thank you for your help!
Written June 17, 2024
We used private charter for transport from Red Hook to the Moorings. Well worth it. They take care of all the customs paperwork, stop at immigration, then get you to the Moorings launch. Chillout Charters is who we used. They were fantastic. Roundtrip is about $700/per couple, but no lines and direct route. This was mid-May of 2024.
Written June 18, 2024
We are looking at booking a 1 week charter on Moorings in the BVI with a Skipper and a Cook. Total price is over $35,000 and they are suggesting gratuities of 15 to 20%. Are people really tipping a two person crew $7,000 for a week?
Written August 8, 2022
I agree. Our 20% tip was well worth it. We had Capt Jos and his wife Chevon was our chef and they were fantastic. They took care of everything. I wouldn’t do it any other way.
Written June 24, 2024
Jessica S
Miami, Florida
hi friends! sailing from tortola this may and i was wondering if the boats come with dive gear? also what was your experience with the ferries? were flying into st thomas from miami and im trying to be prepared. ty!!
Written January 20, 2022
Ferries will make multiple stops so it can take a bit of time to reach the Moorings. We used a private charter. Snorkel fins are provided, but no masks or "dive equipment."
Written June 18, 2024
Has anyone done a Moorings Charter out of St Thomas yet? We are supposed to leave on Friday on the 5800 Seaduction and they can’t find a chef and are not returning any phone calls whatsoever. We only found out there was no chef because we got in touch with the captain directly who spilled the beans and said they were understaffed and the hostess was going to cook for us.
Written May 4, 2021
Can anyone recommend the best way to get to Tortola from Los Angeles/Orange County Calif? Best to come day before and spend night in Tortola or San Juan? If you do come day before, how early can you check into hotel or get on boat the following morning? Most flights arrive early am.
Written January 12, 2020
I strongly recommend flying into St Thomas at least 3 days before your charter begins. The reason is because of travel/airplane delays. If all goes as planned you have three days to explore beautiful St Thomas and a quick ferry ride to St John ( some of the most beautiful beaches). After your stay in St Thomas you ferry over to Tortola to begin your yacht charter. Perfect vacation. Coming from the West coast I strongly suggest making time to visit St Thomas and St John. You won't regret it.
Written February 13, 2020
Two simple questions: Are the electric plugs on board US or British (we are on a 5800 Legacy catamaran)? Are towels provided or do we bring them with us?
Written December 15, 2019
They were US plugs (110 volt just like at home in California). Towels were included, 2 sets for the week as well as beach towels for the beach. By the way, had a great time and I highly recommend this cruise to anyone.
Written December 18, 2019
I’m shocked by the number of ‘catastrophic’ experiences that customers have had. Poorly maintained boats, unkept promises, unprofessional staff, emergency situations not being responded to, late departures etc etc. Is moorings doing anything to change the way it operates and avoid these things in the future?
Written January 15, 2019
Moorings management is the problem. Not necessarily the local staff, but the upper management that makes the decisions. The fact that they are given pictures, records, and have the actual evidence that they send out an unsafe vessel and don't care enough to even try and make it right tells me it is all abut the money for them, not the customers.
We had several of our crew with us including 2 master mechanics and a captain with 35 years experience and 25,000 nautical miles booked on the open water with a 100 Ton USCG Masters license. That is the ONLY way that the vessel was saved.
Written January 16, 2019
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.