Recommended Route:
We recommend booking to Tortola's Beef Island airport (booking code = EIS) and connecting with the North Sound Express (NSX), high-speed ferry for a 30-minute scenic trip direct to Bitter End. American Airlines, United Airlines, and British Airways all fly to the Caribbean.

Check out the airport at Beef Island.

Ferry transfers are $35 per person each way. Children ages 12 and under receive complimentary transfers. Schedule is subject to change. Late departures are available for arrivals after 7:30 PM. There is a $30 surcharge per person for guests who have booked the Admiral's Package or American Plan stay (for guests who have booked other types of stays, please contact the Reservations and Information Office for surcharge fee). Please call in advance. Bitter End: 284-494-2746 or NSX at the Airport: 284-495-2138.

Late departures are available for arrivals after 7:30 PM. There is a $30 surcharge per person for guests who have booked the Admiral's Package or American Plan stay (for guests who have booked other types of stays, please contact the Reservations and Information Office for surcharge fee). Please call in advance. Bitter End: 284-494-2746 or NSX at the Airport: 284-495-2138.

NSX Scheduled Departures from Tortola Airport:
8:15 AM, 11:15 AM, 1:45 PM, 4:15 PM, 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM

NSX Scheduled Departures from BEYC to Airport:
6:45 AM, 9:00 AM, 12 NOON, 3:15 PM, 5:00 PM, 6:45 PM
We recommend that your departing flight be scheduled to depart after 8:15 am.

Alternate Route:
If you book to the Virgin Gorda Airport (booking code = VIJ), Potter's Taxi will pick you up at the airport. The same transfer fee applies. Virgin Gorda Airport closes at dusk.

There is a BVI Airport Departure Tax of U.S. $20.00 per person.

For all inquiries that relate to either airport's services, please call the BVI Port Authority at 284-494-3435, and they will direct you to the right department.

What to Pack
The Essentials: Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a windbreaker, bug spray, mask and snorkel, aqua socks and any prescription medication are strongly recommended. Should you forget anything, Bitter End Outfitters has all of these sundries and the gear available (except the prescriptions, which we are unable to provide or refill).

We recommend that you bring your own mask and snorkel with you. If you don't own them, they can be rented from Kilbrides Scuba or purchased at Bitter End Outfitters. Flippers are available at no charge through the Watersports Center.

Irons and ironing boards, hairdryers, sewing kits, cribs, feather pillows, alarm clocks, TV/VCRs, and international adapters and converters are available at the reception desk. Voltage at Bitter End is the same as it is in the United States (110V).

All visitors to the Caribbean, including those from the United States and Canada, need to carry a valid passport for entry into, and departure out of, the British Virgin Islands. Visitors from some countries may also require a visa for entry. Currency is in US dollars.

Dress Code
Jackets, ties, and slacks are NOT required at dinner at Bitter End. However, cover-ups are required at all times and running shorts, tank tops, bathing suits, and bare feet are not acceptable in the Clubhouse Steak and Seafood Grille or the English Carvery.


Travel Information
Please be sure that we have your flight information at least two weeks prior to your arrival so that we can arrange for your transfer on the North Sound Express ferry.

After you go through customs at the Beef Island Airport on Tortola, someone from either Bitter End or the North Sound Express ferry service will be there to greet you and take you to the ferry. The ferry ride is $35 per person each way. Children ages 12 and under receive complimentary transfers with the Admiral's Package. There is a minimum $30 surcharge per person for arrivals after 7:30pm. There is a BVI Airport Departure Tax of $20.00 per person.


Typical Weather Conditions
Year round, the temperature ranges from the mid 80s during the day to mid 70s at night. Steady breezes keep the island balmy and cool, and the Caribbean current keeps the ocean warm.

During the summer season, wind speeds range from 10 to 15 knots. Winter season winds average 15 to 25 knots.

Customs Information
All visitors to the Caribbean, including those from the United States and Canada, need to carry a valid passport for entry into, and departure out of, the British Virgin Islands. 

Visitors from some countries may also require a visa for entry. If in doubt about the necessity of a visa, contact the nearest BVI Tourist Board Office, the nearest British Embassy, or the Chief Immigration Officer, Immigration Department, BVI Government at (284) 494-3471 or (284) 468-3701 (ext. 2538).

For more information on the passport requirements from the US and Canada, please visit the following web sites:

* In the US: http://travel.state.gov/passport
* In Canada: http://www.ppt.gc.ca


Yacht Clearance
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:

* Road Harbour, Tortola
* West End Harbour, Tortola
* Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke
* St. Thomas Bay, Virgin Gorda

Hours of Operation
Monday through Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm and Saturday 8:30am to 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 crew member as well as ship's documentation. Prior to leaving the charter base, be sure this item is aboard if you plan to leave BVI waters.

Be sure you clear into the territory you plan to visit. Don't forget to stop again at any of the above listed BVI ports of entry on your return to the British Virgin Islands.

If visiting the USVI, you may clear in at Cruz Bay, St. John or Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. If you are neither a US nor Canadian citizen, and are entering the USVI waters on anything other than a commercial carrier (ferry, airline, etc.), you must obtain a visitor's visa. Visitors from the UK and all other countries should consult their local US Embassy prior to arrival in the British Virgin Islands to determine what is required to obtain the proper visas for crew wishing to exit the BVI by yacht.


BVI Cruising Tax/Permits
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).


Other Information
Safety deposit boxes are available at the Cashiers Office.

Although we don't recommend working while you are vacationing, two computers are available for guests to access the internet and check e-mail. Wireless internet access is available on the Almond Walk and in the Lobby Building.

Laundry service is available. You will find laundry tickets and bags on the shelf of your bedroom closet. Laundry dropped off at the reception desk in the morning will be delivered to your room that evening.

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, members of the Watersports Staff will be visiting with all of the new arrivals to discuss the activities that are available. You can bring your packet with you to dinner to help plan a tentative itinerary for the week.

Picnic lunches are available upon request, with at least one day's notice, and may be picked up at the Watersports Center. 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 staff 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 facsimiles of the New York Times are available in the Clubhouse Grille at no charge.