Get Ready for the 52nd BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival
by BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival 21 Sep 07:08 PDT
March 31 – April 6, 2025
The BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival – warm waters, thrilling races & fun parties © Alex Turnbull / BVISR
Registration is now open for the 52nd BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival. This week-long event of ‘Warm Water and Hot Racing’ will occur from March 31 to April 6, 2025, and is regarded as one of the premier events in the Caribbean sailing schedule.
The Sailing Festival kicks off on Monday, March 31, with festivities for opening day and the collection of skipper packs. Racing starts on Tuesday with the much-loved Round Tortola Race for the Nanny Cay Cup, a breathtaking 37 nautical mile race around the island of Tortola that serves as an excellent shakedown race for all crews: “It’s one of my all-time favorite races, sailing around Tortola,” said Sandra Askew, owner/skipper of Flying Jenny, a Cape 31.
The following day features the Scrub Island Invitational, which includes a 12nm upwind race from Nanny Cay to Scrub Island Resort. This relatively short and swift race takes place in the sheltered waters of the Sir Francis Drake Channel and concludes with an afternoon BBQ, live music, and a pool party. A lay day on Thursday, April 3, allows families and crews to explore Tortola and nearby islands or prepare for the BVI Spring Regatta (April 4-6), three days filled with exceptional sailboat racing and some of the best experiences the Caribbean has to offer, showcasing a unique mix of round-the-island and course racing.
Michael Wilson, owner/skipper of Cape 31 Shotgunn and winner of the Spring Regatta’s CSA 2 division in 2024, remarked at the event’s conclusion: “It’s been a fantastic regatta; we absolutely want to return. The race committee did an outstanding job of fitting in as many races as possible, and the variety of sailing with Round Tortola and Scrub Island earlier in the week offers a refreshing change from our usual racing.”
The regatta draws a diverse fleet, ranging from performance racing boats to a competitive bareboat fleet, providing numerous charter options in both categories for whole boats or ‘head’ charters.
Sail Racing Academy’s Escapado, a Beneteau First 40.7 and a veteran of six BVI Spring Regattas, boasted a team of six with a mix of nationalities aged 21 to 60. Among the crew was Englishman Ben Newman, who was seeking sailing experiences after university. An advert for Sail Racing Academy caught his eye and led him to sign up. “I’ve sailed before, but this experience is very different,” remarked Newman. “This is much more racing-focused than cruising, making for a lot of fun.”
It was Newman’s first trip to the BVI: “It’s incredibly beautiful; you see one stunning island and think, wow, that’s lovely, then turn around to find another equally gorgeous one! The first two days of racing had perfect conditions, and when the wind picks up, it’s just ideal—lots of technical racing through narrow channels, which is so enjoyable.”
The Regatta Village at Nanny Cay serves as the hub for social activities throughout the week, featuring the Big Top bar, various food stalls, nightly DJs, live performances, tastings, art shows, and more.
For registration or additional information regarding the BVI Spring Regatta, visit https://www.bvispringregatta.org
View the Notice of Race & Registration here.
