TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Virgin Gorda North Sound

Had a nice Father's Day dinner with the family last night and we started discussing our 10 day itinerary. As with most charters we'll kinda wing it depending on weather and mood. Christmas in July is the weekend of 26th, we'll give that at least a day or 2 to shake out. We haven't chartered since 2017, just a couple weeks before Irma unfortunately changed the landscape.

We have no experience with boaty ball, but late July can I assume FCFS balls will be an option? Last I researched it sounds like the mooring balls are a mix of boaty/FCFS in most bays?

We have really enjoyed the peaceful environment in Biras Creek for a couple nights. Bitter End is open, Saba open, but we are curious about Biras Creek Resort? I just read that it is reopening now or soon? Not sure what has changed there. Is Fat Virgin still around?

A beach day anchoring off Prickly Pear is a wonderful memory, is the Sand Box still around?

We will plan a night or 2 at Leverick, maybe rent a vehicle and hit the Baths and Coco Maya from there. Is there a new contact person at Leverick that is available by text/email like the late great Nick and Monzi team?

Does YCCS-Yacht Club Costa Smeralda still exist?

Are there any new amenities in the sound that you found helpful?

With only 5 weeks out we are getting excited about this trip! Thanks for any info!

YCCS was damaged by IRMA and never repaired. Sand box only opens for cruise ships. There is a $$$ Japanese restaurant at Biras. Fat Virgin Gone. Bitter End is in the still-building stage, but the public areas are open. Saba Rock is a fun place with good food. Great food at Leverick upstairs and good, simple food downstairs.

Thanks Tpcook, Bitter End "building stage" , is there a bar or restaurant? is the shop open?

I just looked up Ikigai restaurant at Biras, seats only 12 and starts at $280 pp?.......not sure if drinks are included, but that's a major event dining experience for us?! ;-)

Prickly Pear will still be a good beachy day with burgers or something on the boat grill.

Leverick sounds like it will still be a great stop!

we hit Prickly Pear in the Fall and the bugs were the worst I have ever experienced in the islands...we took dinghy from Bitter End and made a quick retreat

Boaty Ball sucks but key is to get 2 or 3 people on and logged in at 7 am. I have never had to do as a captain so as long as you dont want Cooper or Great Harbour JVD you should be fine. I do it fo rmy buddy when I crew his boat as he prefers it

we use Letica at Leverick and Sweet Ice Willy (& his son) for taxi to Coco Maya and Baths.

If you do a night at Bitter End there is a courtesy boat shuttle to Oil Nut Bay if you want a nice dinner/atmosphere

The major amenities are open at the Bitter End -- marina, restaurant, bar, shops, beach, water sports. The biggest difference from pre-Irma is that there's nothing outside of the central area. The cabins up on the hill are gone, and the roads that extend north and south from the central area are no longer pleasant to walk on. Also, the trail along the water to Biras Creek is gone.

Dan

BEYC also has a free and scheduled shuttle to Gun Creek. We booked buoy #1 at BEYC (close in to shore but not very close to other buoys) and used the shuttle to meet Patsy (very helpful taxi driver) for a day at the Baths. The shuttle pickup is at the docks. BEYC can book the taxi.

The shuttle to Saba will pick you up at your boat.

Thanks for all the info! Fyi, I contacted the dock master at BEYC and they are open until July 31, then close for season and reopen Oct 23rd. Christmas in July event is the 26th, not sure if we want to head to VG too close to the event day? maybe the boats will depart on 27th/28th?

I just read that a charter company from USVI is relocating to Virgin Gorda 21 boats. Don't know where on VG.

I know there's a cluster of boaty balls in the North Sound, and that you can also pre-book with BEYC, but are there still plenty of FCFS also? It's been a few years, but we'll be there in early July. I hate pre-booking when I can avoid it, because I like to wait and make sure we're not going to be right next to a big party boat or something

You really only need BoattyBall for Great Harbor, JVD and Cooper Island

In February 2024 and February 2025, we had very good lunches at Bitter End and we are definitely a “live to eat and drink” crew.

&beyond is a crewed charter company out of St. Thomas says they are moving their operations to the BVI due to extreme increases in fees for USVI flagged charter vessels entering BVI waters. VIPCA is pushing hard to make the fees reciprocal.

https://newsfeed.wtjx.org/2025-06-1...s-retaliation-to-increase-in-vessel-fees

Cheers, RickG

Well that helps to explain what I discovered in planning my St John winter trip. Thought I would ferry over a few times to Jost and Tortola like days of old, but the price for day charters and even just the ferry is SOOOO high now. Have not done" just" St John trip in many years so was not aware of how high inter island travel has become. Shame as it used to be nice to move back and forth between the two countries..... all good things......

I haven’t researched these costs/fees because i can’t control or avoid them. But, now I’m curious….we plan to go to STJ for 2 nights during our charter next month. What can we expect to pay on both sides?

I did notice moorings prices are up like everything else post covid.

One way fast ferry CA to RT with one bag costs?

Now what gets me is seeing the $25+ for a burger!
😁

A few months ago I had a burger at BEYC, and I recall it was $38!

Hello, was it a great burger?!

I had the best BVI cheesseburger with excellent fries at Gene's in Sea Cow's Bay and it was $16..

BEYC will be extremely busy the days before, and immediately after, Christmas in July.

The Puerto Ricans are absolutely awesome. But I highly doubt you will be able to get dock space there now as it will already have been all reserved.