Bitter End Yacht Club, Virgin Gorda, BVI

Having caught up on some sleep overnight we decided to go and do some more exploring which in the BVIs is all done by boat, with lots of anchorages and attractions close to the shore. One of the most famous is probably The Baths on Virgin Gorda, large boulders make interesting pools in clear water for excellent snorkelling. However we were a bit slow starting following the broken sleep of the previous night and by the time we arrived at The Baths which are only 5 minutes from Spanish Town the place was inundated and all mooring balls were taken (protected area of no anchoring).

Not to be perturbed we decided to hoist the sails and head to North Sound a large lagoon created by the mainland of Virgin Gorda and outlying islands (Gun Creek on map below).  It was easily the nicest sail we have had I think since we picked the boat up. The water round between Virgin Islands is like a lake with no swell and just a gentle breeze. We glided along the water and before we knew it we were approaching the first passage into the Sound.

I think North Sound must be and old crater because it can only be accessed by two passages all of the gaps between the islands are joined by reefs.

The Bitter End Yacht Club is quite famous in yachting circles so we felt we ought to go and see. Unfortunately the anchorage is now completely covered in mooring buoys so you can’t anchor anywhere close. We decided to take a mooring and head ashore. It is actually a fairly exclusive resort rather than a Yacht club but has a few bars, a minimarket, souvenir shops etc. We were mistaken into thinking we may get some access to facilities for using one of the their moorings (20$USD) a night. Actually if you want to use the pool it is another 10$USD per visitor. We stopped for a beer, at the English Pub which was 5$USD a bottle, though Kevin did manage to get a pint of draught Strongbow cider that he enjoyed!

We had also seen a rock with a resort perched on it alongside which looked nice, we thought we would go over. At Saba Rock you get a tank full of water and a bag of ice for the mooring ball fee, so we decided as our tanks were nearly empty we would stop there the next night.

The Bitter End Yacht Club is on the further hill