Your own boat, your own BVI day
Tortola Tours runs two private charter boats from Penn’s Landing Marina on Tortola: Papi Chulo, a 60-foot power catamaran for up to 30 guests at $3,250 per day, and Mami Chula, a 30-foot Triton 295 for up to 6 guests at $900 per day with captain. You pay for the boat, not per person, and you choose where to go and when.
Popular private charter days take in Norman Island, Cooper Island, Jost Van Dyke, The Baths on Virgin Gorda and Saba Rock in the North Sound. The crossing to The Baths, the furthest of these, is about 30 minutes aboard Papi Chulo.
Private charter at a glance
Two boats, one simple rule: group size
Mami Chula carries up to 6 guests, so it suits couples, families and small friend groups. Papi Chulo is registered for up to 30, so choose Papi for anything bigger. Both leave from Penn’s Landing Marina.
Papi Chulo
- Custom-built day charter catamaran, repowered with twin 450hp Yanmar engines
- Plenty of deck space for lounging in the sun
- Shaded cabin area beside the open bar
- DJ booth and plenty of seating
Mami Chula
- Twin 350hp engines, built for speed and comfort
- Private charter only, with no fixed schedule
- Flexible day: go where you want, on your timing
- Ideal for couples and small groups
Cost per person on Papi Chulo
Because you charter the whole boat, the price per person falls as your group grows. On Papi Chulo at $3,250 per day, a group of 10 pays $325 each, 20 guests pay $162.50 each and a full boat of 30 pays about $108 each. A full Mami Chula of 6 works out at $150 each.
- 10 guests: $325 each
- 20 guests: $162.50 each
- 30 guests: about $108 each
- Mami Chula, 6 guests: $150 each
Where a private charter can take you
Sandy Cay, Sandy Spit, White Bay, Great Harbour and Little Harbour on Jost Van Dyke, and the wider North Sound are also popular. Not sure how to fit it all in? Tell us what you want to see and we will help you plan a day that works. See our guide to the 10 best snorkelling stops in the BVI for ideas.
How to book a private charter
- Pick your boat and dateChoose Mami Chula for up to 6 guests or Papi Chulo for up to 30. Papi Chulo is available for private charter on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Book online or get in touchReserve through Peek on the boat’s booking link, call 1 (284) 443 9764, or send an inquiry.
- Plan your routeTell us which islands you want and what kind of day you are after, from snorkelling stops to beach bars.
- Meet at Penn’s Landing MarinaYour day starts from our home port on Tortola. Check the National Parks Trust for any park fees on your route, as these are paid separately.
Prefer to join a group? Papi Chulo also runs scheduled day trips at $175 per person. See the Papi Chulo page for the current schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
A private charter with Tortola Tours costs $3,250 per day for Papi Chulo, our 60-foot power catamaran carrying up to 30 guests, or $900 per day with captain for Mami Chula, our 30-foot Triton 295 carrying up to 6 guests. You pay for the whole boat, not per person. National park fees, such as entry to The Baths, are not included in boat prices.
Mami Chula suits groups of up to 6 and works out at $150 per person for a full boat. Papi Chulo suits groups of 7 to 30. At $3,250 per day it works out at $325 per person for 10 guests, $162.50 for 20 guests and about $108 for 30 guests.
Papi Chulo is available for private charter on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Mami Chula is private charter only and has no fixed schedule.
Private charters leave from Penn's Landing Marina on Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.
Destinations can include Cooper Island, Norman Island and the Willy T, Sandy Cay and Sandy Spit, Jost Van Dyke (White Bay, Great Harbour and Little Harbour), The Baths on Virgin Gorda, and Saba Rock in the North Sound. From Penn's Landing Marina, The Baths is about 30 minutes aboard Papi Chulo or 20 minutes aboard Mami Chula.
Book online through Peek using the booking link for Papi Chulo or Mami Chula, call 1 (284) 443 9764, or send an inquiry through the contact page.
A scheduled day trip is a shared Papi Chulo trip at $175 per person, with other guests and a set itinerary. A private charter gives your group the whole boat and your own route: $3,250 per day on Papi Chulo for up to 30 guests, or $900 per day with captain on Mami Chula for up to 6 guests.
Yes. The Baths on Virgin Gorda is available on a private charter aboard Papi Chulo or Mami Chula, but it is not a stop on Papi Chulo's scheduled day trip. Park entry is paid separately to the National Parks Trust and is not included in the boat price.
Plan your private charter
Pick your boat, pick your islands and we will take care of the rest.
1 (284) 443 9764