North Sound, Virgin Gorda - a mariner's dream

The North Sound of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands is a mariner’s dream. On this magnificent sound are the beautiful resorts of Bitter End, Biras Creek, Leverick Bay and Saba Rock, as well as places of interest such as Gun Creek, Drake’s Anchorage, Biras Creek’s Marina Village, Prickly Pear Island and Eustatia Sound. Every kind of watersport is available, from windsurfing and waterskiing to laser racing and deep-sea fishing – particularly for blue marlin.

The new superyacht marina YCCS Virgin Gorda is a choice venue for superyacht owners, situated as it is in a protected harbour with its own club house and restaurant. The marina hosts the annual Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta and Rendezvous in March every year – a gathering of sail and motor superyachts for four days of racing, cruising and socialising both on and off the beautiful British Virgin Island waters.

The legendary Bitter End Yacht Club is also considered one of the world’s premier sailing destinations. Its annual Pro Am Regatta is the only world-class sailing event to bring together amateur sailors with America’s Cup skippers, Olympic medallists, Around the World Race winners and world champions.

Whatever the time of year, the Bitter End clubhouse’s open-air terrace is a favourite spot for a drink; while the restaurant, with its dark colonial décor, is renowned for its seafood – lobster Bahamian, yellowtail snapper stuffed with crab or lobster, smoked parrotfish and blue marlin, and grilled triggerfish.

Other fine restaurants on the North Sound include the Restaurant at Leverick Bay, Saba Rock, Drake’s Anchorage and the Hilltop Restaurant at Biras Creek, where you can dine alfresco in simultaneous sight of the Atlantic Ocean and North Sound.

For sunset drinks, visitors favour Biras Creek’s bar, the Almond Walk at Bitter End, The Rock at Saba Rock and Pusser’s Terrace at Leverick Bay. The Fat Virgin is a casual waterside café, but is said to have the most delicious food, most notably its outdoor grilled Burger in Paradise and conch fritters. All have locations and views to die for.

Accessible only by water, the beautiful Biras Creek Resort occupies an exotic location around a narrow isthmus, where pelicans can be seen foraging in the shallows around the mangroves. Deep Bay is a great overnight anchorage.

Leverick Bay spills down from Bay Hill to the peninsula, affording magnificent views of the North Sound; while Saba Rock is the gateway to Eustatia Sound, a fascinating area of reefs, bays and beaches.

Superyacht owners wax lyrical about the area of Eustatia Sound behind Eustatia Island, where a day anchorage offers a magnificent view of Necker Island across the reef. There is great snorkelling to be had here, with plenty of stingrays and starfish in the crystal-clear waters. Coconut Reef, just outside Eustatia Reef, is a spectacularly beautiful dive site.

Meanwhile, the adjoining Prickly Pear Island (a protected national park) lays claim to several of the territory’s most beautiful beaches, including Vixen Point and the fantastic North Beach with its hiking trail. Anchor just off Vixen Point and enjoy…

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