Excitement Ahoy at the 2026 BVI Spring Regatta
By Claudia Colli
On your mark, get set, go! The 2026 BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival, the largest and most exciting sailing event in the British Virgin Islands, is off to an early start this year.
To be held from March 23rd – 29th, the regatta includes a week of on-the-water and landside fun. There is a lot that makes the Spring Regatta special. There are the multiple racing events featuring a phalanx of boats from high powered racers to relaxed cruisers. In addition to its performance racers, the Regatta includes a robust bareboat fleet, which means anyone with an inclination to participate can. There are plenty of charter options in both categories from whole boat to head boats.
The courses are varied, and use a combination of islands and buoys depending on the conditions. What is also unique about the Regatta, is its scenic nature. The BVI’s many islands serve as a breathtaking backdrop to every day of racing.
Then there is Regatta Village, the hub of shoreside activities at Nanny Cay Resort and Marina. Here racers and residents mingle in a lively atmosphere of good food and live music.
But there is also the Regatta’s storied history! It is a regatta that started out as a small local race to give a clique of BVI racers something to do on a weekend, and grew and grew to the international sailing event that it is today.
I like to think that in my own small way I was part of this history. I’ve raced on a variety of boats in the early years of the BVI Spring Regatta. Most were not very fast. But they were fun. The idea was to enjoy oneself and soak in the excitement of being part of the BVI’s most prestigious race. The most beautiful boat I sailed on in these early years was Sorcery, a sleek and elegant Sparkman and Stephens. It wasn’t the fastest boat in its class, but it kept a respectable pace, and the looks it received were worth the ride. It didn’t finish the last in its class, but certainly, not the first. An enthusiastic, but not skilled sailor, my primary job was to either be “rail meat” or flip the caps off the Heinekens – an important role in these early regattas where having fun was as important as winning.
The BVI Spring Regatta was first held in 1972. There were maybe a dozen boats – a motley assortment of yachts owned by locals who had an itch for racing. There wasn’t even a yacht club yet, but sailing stalwarts including Albie Stewart, Peter Haycraft and BVI surgeon Robin Tattersall were among the earliest racers. At first it was a destination race. Contenders sailed from Road Town to Peter Island where they spent the night on their boats, or camped on the beach. There was rum, a barbecue and lots of joking around. The next day, the racers got up and raced back to Road Town. Another destination, Virgin Gorda, was added to spice things up.
It was a great formula and Robin Tattersall, now in his 90s and who has raced in just about every regatta in the last 50 years, considers these early events with their casual planning and warm camaraderie, among the best. The next year, 1973, these and other local sailing enthusiasts formed the BVI Yacht Club (now the Royal BVI Yacht Club). The Yacht Club teamed up with the Hotel and Commerce Association to organize every Spring Regatta since.
So what is going on in the 2026 BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival. A lot, as it happens!
Monday, March 23rd is registration day, which will be held at Peg Legs Landing, Nanny Cay. Racing kicks off the next day, March 24th with the Scrub island International Race. The event’s awards party will follow at Marina Cay, a charming island off Tortola’s east end.
Wednesday, march 25th is the Nanny Cay Cup famously known as the Round Tortola Race. This can be a challenging race and is a favorite of veteran local and visiting sailors.
Need a break? Thursday, March 26th is lay day where competitors and their families can do what they want. Explore Tortola and its many fine beaches, or just relax at the Nanny Cay pool. Later that day registration for the week’s famous main event, the BVI Spring Regatta (the race that started it all) will be held.
The Regatta itself kicks off on Friday with Mount Gay Race Day (look out for those coveted Mount Gay red caps). That evening there will be awards for the race and music by the popular locally based doo-wop group, The 3Gs.
Race day 2 is on Saturday. In addition to racing, there will be Nautical Kids activities at the Village and more food and music that evening.
Sunday, March 29th is Final Race Day. This is a highlight of the week, so don’t miss it. There is an awards ceremony later that afternoon followed by a concert-like performance by rock, reggae and blues master, MJ Blues. DJ Wiz will keep the pulse throbbing into the night. And the evening will end in a burst of fireworks.
Whether sailors participate in all five races of the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival, and part – or all of the festivities – there is something for everyone, both on and off the water.
For more information on the BVI Spring Regatta go to their website:
Additional Information can be found on their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/bvispringregatta
For more about racing in the BVI go to: https://thebviinsider.com/starting-gun-for-the-bvi-racing-season/
