Four years after being decimated by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the Bitter End Yacht Club is set to reopen for the Winter 2022 season. Hailed as one of the best anchorages in the Caribbean and built by sailors, for sailors, this island outpost in the BVI has been a favorite with cruisers and tourists alike since it opened in 1969.
The Bitter End immediately after Hurricane Irma
The 2017 hurricane season battered the region, and despite weathering numerous major storms before, none of the yacht club’s nearly 100 buildings survived Maria in good working order. In the four years since, the 64-acre club, which has been privately owned by the Hokin family for nearly all of its existence, was redesigned with an eye toward preserving the history and spirit of the original club while protecting the natural resources of the land and sea that it was built upon.
The new waterfront plaza, which connects major buildings and overlooks the North Sound anchorage, promises to be an enticing main square for visitors to congregate. “The village is an incarnation of Bitter End’s roots as a yachting destination and sailor’s hangout. Its beach, seawall and plaza are dotted with seating areas designed for settling down with a cold drink and conversation, a favorite book, or simply taking in the beautiful expanse of North Sound,” says Lauren Hokin. Other amenities include more than 70 mooring balls, 25 marina slips and an all-new “Quarterdeck Marina,” a two-story, open-air venue featuring an upstairs lounge and wraparound terrace and waterfront views
The Hokin family intends to open doors to visitors this December. For more on the Bitter End Yacht Club, visit their website beyc.com.
September 2021
