Throughout history, pirates, explorers and adventurers have reached Bitter End by hook or by crook. Luckily, today there are a number of easy ways to reach shore that don’t require rowing your own boat.
Major carriers to the region include American, Delta, United, Continental, JetBlue, Spirit, Northwest, Air Canada and Norwegian Air. Flights can be connected with inter-island flights or ferries, as listed below. While flying into Tortola is the most direct route, flights to St. Thomas and San Juan with connectors are also great choices. Our guests travel to Bitter End via St. Thomas, St. Martin, Antigua and San Juan.
From San Juan (SJU) to Tortola (EIS)
From St. Thomas (STT) to the BVI
From St. Martin (SMX) to Tortola (EIS)
From San Juan (SJU) to Virgin Gorda (VIJ)
From Antigua (ANU) to Tortola (EIS)
Ferry transfers are $50 per person each way. Children ages 6-12 are $25 per person each way, and children 5 and under receive complimentary transfers with your Classic Caribbean Experience.
Ferry Schedule:
As-needed departures are scheduled to and from Tortola airport based on our house guests’ travel schedules. Please be sure to provide your travel plans to the front desk in advance of your arrival.
Late departures are available for arrivals after 8:30am. Early departures from Bitter End to the airport are available for guests who need to leave the resort before 6:45am. For late arrivals and early departures, there is a $50 surcharge per person for guests who have booked the Classic Caribbean Escape. For guests who have booked other types of stays, including the Bed & Breakfast plan, please contact Reservations for the private ferry transfer fees at 284.393.2745
One can also utilize seaplane service (seasonally) from St. Thomas’ Cyril E. King Airport via Shoreline Aviation directly into North Sound.
Guests can also fly into the Virgin Gorda Airport and take Potter’s Taxi to Gun Creek. The Gun Creek Ferry runs between Bitter End and Gun Creek every day. It is a complimentary 5 minute ferry ride. From Gun Creek you can take a taxi to The Baths, or into Spanish Town, or meet a driver for a guided tour of Virgin Gorda.
Departures from Gun Creek to Bitter End: nearly every hour on the half-hour from 6:30am – 10:30pm There is no ferry service at 10:30am, 1:30pm and 8:30pm. To take a ferry at 11:30pm, please confirm the boat’s departure with the captain by 10:30pm.
Departures from Bitter End to Gun Creek: nearly every hour on the hour from 7:00am – 11:00pm. There is no ferry service at 10am, 1:00pm and 8:00pm. To take a ferry at midnight, please confirm the boat’s departure with the captain by 11:00pm.
If you need any assistance in planning your journey to Bitter End, please feel free to contact one of our travel planners. For all inquiries that relate to airport services, please call the BVI Port Authority at 284.494.3435.
*Please note: There is a BVI Airport Departure Tax of U.S. $20.00 per person.
A cruising permit is required for all boats cruising in the British Virgin Islands. If you have chartered a boat in the BVI, the charter company should be able to provide you with the necessary information and/or permits. If you have any further questions regarding current cruising permit requirements, contact your charter company or the British Virgin Islands Customs Department at 284.494.3475 or 284.468.3701 ext. 2533.
If you plan to exit and then re-enter the British Virgin Islands during your sailing vacation, please be certain to follow the proper procedures for clearing your yacht and crew with both BVI Customs and Immigration.
The ports of entry and exit are located at:
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm
Saturday, 8:30am – 12:30pm
Closed Sundays and on BVI public holidays
After-hours clearing may be arranged in advance; additional fees will apply. Call Customs at 284.494.3475 and Immigration at 284.494.3701 ext. 2538 to make after-hours arrangements.
Your captain may clear all crew, provided he or she has all of the required documentation. This includes valid passports for each crewmember as well as ship’s documentation.
All visitors to the Caribbean, including those from the United States and Canada, need to carry a valid passport for travel in and out of the British Virgin Islands. For more information on the passport requirements from the U.S. and Canada, please visit the following web sites:
Visitors from some countries may also require a visa for entry. If in doubt about needing a visa, contact the nearest BVI Tourist Board Office or the nearest British Embassy. You may also call the Chief Immigration Officer, Immigration Department, BVI Government at 284.494.3471 or 284.468.3701 ext. 2538.
When you check in at Bitter End, you will receive a Welcome Packet with additional information and a schedule of activities and excursions for the week. During dinner your first evening at the resort, the Watersports Crew will visit with all new arrivals to discuss available activities. You can bring your packet with you to dinner to help plan a tentative itinerary for the week.
Wifi is available throughout the property. Inquire with the front desk for the wifi password. Safety deposit boxes are available at the Cashier’s Office.
Laundry service is available. You will find laundry tickets and bags on the shelf of your bungalow closet. Laundry dropped off at the reception desk in the morning will be delivered to your room that evening.
Picnic lunches are available upon request, with at least one day’s notice, and may be picked up at Watersports. A free ferry goes back and forth between Bitter End and Gun Creek throughout the day. Gun Creek is about five minutes away by ferry and is the first place on Virgin Gorda where you can access land transportation, such as a rental jeep or taxi. Our team at the reception desk can help you with ferry schedules and taxi and jeep rental arrangements.
Reservations are needed for dinner each night. Seatings are every half-hour beginning at 6:30pm. You can make your reservation at breakfast or lunch for that evening. Daily news briefings are available at the Front Desk complimentary for all house guests.
Let us handle the leg work for you! Use the BEYC Travel Concierge Line.
