Bitter End Yacht Club

[Prime Time]

My family is thinking about heading down there this spring. Any comments from those here that have been there?

Whats the best way to get there? Which local airports/ferry services?

Thanks

 

[alphadug]

We stopped in by boat 2 years ago. I think Beef Island (Tortola) is the closest airport. It looked like the resort has an airport shuttle boat.

 

[Stu Jackson]

There is an airport right on Virgin Gorda outside Spanish Town just east of town. Most flights go to Beef Island from Puerto Rico if you make that connection. Otherwise you fly into Charlotte Amelie and have to ferry over, which is a long wasted day at both ends of your trip.

 

[Gunni]

The "best way"? On the deck of your trusty sailing vessel sailing into North Sound, already cleared into the BVI.

The worst way? Aboard a small aircraft landing on that god-awful tar'n'chip, goat-infested runway on the windward side of Virgin Gorda. The crosswinds are nearly 90 deg and blowing 30 kts. Even a carrier pilot has better odds.

 

[Scott]

Ditto what Gunni posted. Never done it any other way and don't plan to. If you decide to do it the "best way," charter out of the BVI's, NOT the USVI's.

 

[Alan]

Ditto Gunni ! We did it on a bareboat charter (41 footer) out of St Thomas. Dropped the hook in front of the YC and spent a few days swimming, snorkeling and sailing. The sailing there is nothing short of magnificent.

 

[Prime Time]

Transportation

Chartering not an option. Got to fly.

 

[Benny17441]

I think you can catch a direct flight from Newark to San Juan, Puerto Rico and then a commuter flight to Spanish Town in Virgin Gorda. Air Sunshine flies direct, weather permitting. It used to be a dirt strip but I heard the government purchased it and they may have paved it by now. Don't worry them boys flying in the islands are used to crabbing.

 

[PrincessoftheLake]

It's too bad you can't sail there. I have chartered in the BVI's a couple of times and during the last trip made it to the North Sound and stayed on a mooring ball at the BEYC for a couple days. Keep in mind that if you fly into Spanish Town on Virgin Gorda you are still going to have a long taxi ride over to BEYC. It would be a good idea to call the BEYC and see what they offer for ferry services from Tortola. Keep in mind that while the BEYC is a fab resort they are very expensive. When I was there in 2009 hamburgers and fries at the Quarterdeck Restaurant-$14. The breakfast buffet was $20 per person (but so worth it) and you won't get out of the restaurant for dinner for less than a hunny or two per couple.
That being said it is an amazingly beautiful place and I would go back there in a heartbeat.

 

[Steve Walsh]

try the BVI forum at www.traveltalkonline.com Great resource.

 

[Ed Caldwell]

Two ways to enjoy BEYC

We've done both...
1. Stay at the resort. We preferred the thatch roof beachfront rooms, particularly when we got a great 2 for 1 deal about 10 yrs ago. Kids got one side, mom and dad got the other. Food is pretty good, beach is OK, sailing all day using their toys was the absolute best.
2. Visit the resort on your charter boat. Pick up a mooring ball if you want to, or anchor out. Dingy in for land shower shower (small fee) or you can still use their toys (little larger fee) or dinner/drinks (resort prices - lighter food at the bar behind their docks)

Send me an email if you want more info.

 

[Jared1048]

We just booked a brand new 39' Beneteau bareboat charter to the bvi this december and are planning on stopping by there. We fly into Puerto Rico then jump onto a puddle jumper for a 40 minute flight to beef island. The sail there doesnt look like more than a couple hours at most.

 

[dspellman11]

Bitter End YC

We had a boat in Nanny Cay @ Tortola for 10 years and went to BEYC almost every trip we made to BVI. All above posts were good. Even though VG has an airport, the easiest and best way is to fly into Beef Island (EIS). Its a short walk across the parking lot to Trellis Bay where you catch the shuttle boat to BEYC. Be sure to contact them so they know your arrival time and they will have the boat there waiting for you. Trellis Bay itself is great. Take a walk along the beach stop at each place (there are only 4) and end up for a drink or hamburger at The Loose Mongoose. The dock where the BEYC ferry comes in is on the far left as you are looking at the Bay.