THE LURE
Located approximately 50 miles east of Puerto Rico, the BVIs are a kiteboarding paradise. The spot at the famous Bitter End Yacht Club has perfect, consistent east-northeast trade winds, flat waters as well as occasional wave action on the outside of the protected Eustatia Sound.
Stunning waterfront accommodation and plenty of action / PHOTO: Horsewhip / Carib Kiteboarding
THE SET-UP
The kiting area is between the two islands of Virgin Gorda and Eustatia Island and is surrounded by Eustatia reef that protects the waters from the open sea, providing moderate to flat water and the occasional wave ride as well. Learners with Carib Kiteboarding have their lessons in the North Sound area of the Bitter End property, which is perfectly set up for early skills and body drags. Proficient kiteboarders launch on the beach on Bitter End and they must be able to go upwind. Beginner riders can get a tow upwind from here.
WIND, WEATHER AND WATER
Trade winds come in around December, bringing consistent east-northeast winds at 15 - 20 knots on most days. Subsiding a little in January, but still producing at least 12 - 16 knots. As the hurricane season approaches in June the wind lightens up slightly and can switch southeast, but July comes back with 15 - 20 knots east-northeasterlies again. Daily day temperatures are between 26 - 30°C / 80 - 86°F. It can drop 10°F or so at night, so bring a light jacket. In the autumn and winter months the water temperature is around 24°C / 75°F. In the sping it rises to 27°C / 80°F and peaks in summer at 29°C / 85°F.
ACCOMMODATION
The Bitter End Yacht Club is a secluded high end family resort with all inclusive packages. All beachfront accommodations are literally steps away from kite central. You can set up your gear, kite and then leave it on the beach while you go for lunch. There are three other resorts in the North Sound. Biras Creek is great for a couples experience with watersports activities and a short walk to the Bitter End Yacht Club launch. Saba Rock resort is a small island located about 75 yards from the launch - literally a swim away, and features about eight rooms, a lively pub and beautiful landscape. Leverick Bay resort offers family vacation homes and is a five minute ride then ten minute ferry to the Bitter End launch.
NO WIND
Lots of activities offered at Bitter End, including: snorkeling, SUP, kayaking, scuba diving, car hire or even some bouldering at the world famous Baths. If the wind is light, there are all sorts of boating craft available at the resort, plus there's a kids' camp, too.
GET AROUND
Once you have arrived at Bitter End there's nowhere else you need to go. Bitter End offers weekly trips off island to different destinations throughout the BVIs, but if you prefer to explore by yourselves then hiring a car or boat is available.
CURRENCY
Currency: United States Dollar ($) - £1 = $1.6 / €1 = $1.4
FOOD AND DRINK
There are two restaurants on site in Bitter End Yacht Club, one a sports pub offering American style pub food with some local Caribbean flavour, the other more of a fine dining experience. There is also a modest grocery on the property and others scattered through the North Sound.
AIRPORT
Most people fly into Beef Island, Tortola (EIS). If you are staying at Bitter End Yacht Club a taxi will bring you and your luggage to the ferry dock about 100 yards away, where a ferry boat will take you the 45 minutes to the property. Flying to Virgin Gorda airport is becoming more popular with a number of smaller operators providing service via St. Thomas and San Juan in Puerto Rico.
