Published: Sunday, July 20, 2008 at:5:08 PM




Included in Every Admiral’s Package
Bitter End Excursions:
15-Plus Adventures Every Week

Did you know? Bitter End owns and operates all of its own excursion boats, Paranda, Corinthian and Ponce de Leon, running more than 15 snorkeling trips and daylong excursions every week and the boats are available for private day charters…

Ponce de Leon


48' pontoon accommodates up to 40 guests

Captain Kinto Sprauve guides guests on twice-daily snorkel trips in and around North Sound. In addition to the must-snorkel areas near Eustatia Reef, within sight of Necker Island, and behind Esutatia Island, snorkeling the Invisibles with Kinto is unforgettable. The water teems with underwater life in this feeding ground and popular hangout for reef fish, game fish, turtles and a green octopus that Kinto has observed frequenting the area. In addition to his expertise on the water, Kinto is an excellent host, providing towels, water and music to entertain snorkelers topside too!

Corinthian


59' double decked, twin hulled, power boat accommodates up to 75 guests

Aboard Corinthian, guests can enjoy a comfortable and fast ride to the destinations furthest from Bitter End, Norman Island and Anegada, as well as to The Baths and the Dog Islands. All of these excursions are daylong trips that include lunch.

Norman Island is famous for the caves where pirates may have stowed their treasure, if you believe Robert Louis Stevenson. At the Caves, you can swim in and out of the caves to view coral formations, and the deep water outside the Caves allows for an amazing underwater display of schools of fish and close encounters with stunning angelfish, parrotfish and more.

One of our favorite spots at Norman Island is the Indians, which make up a craggy underwater mountain peak that juts out of the water just off of Norman Island. Snorkeling around the Indians, the coral and sea life begins at the water line and goes on from there.

Lunch is served aboard Corinthian, and the chef sets up a barbecue BVI-style, including grilled mahi-mahi.

Anegada is the only coral atoll in the BVI (the rest are formed from the tops of volcanic mountain ranges), so it is a haven for fish, sea life and flamingoes. The day is spent at Loblolly Bay on the north side of the island. There, a wide white sand beach provides a great spot to set up for the day. You can stroll down the beach (pretty much as far as you can see), and snorkel just off shore – the reef creates a large natural lagoon perfect for swimming and exploring.

Paranda


48' Spronk designed racing catamaran accommodates up to 20 guests

Not just for sunset sails, Paranda is a fun excursion boat that is used for the daylong excursions to The Baths and the Dog Islands. Enjoy sharing the cockpit with the captain and first mate, or sit with your feet dangling above the trampoline, feeling the water spray as the boat picks up speed. Under sail, all you drink in is the wind, the water and the views; it’s a sailing adventure even before it becomes a snorkeling adventure!

The Baths are one of the BVI’s most well known places, and everyone should see why. Either your captain or first mate will provide a guided tour of these wonders of wind and water, showing you how to climb them to get the best views and find the secret chambers. You can swim and snorkel off the beach in water so clear you will think that the bottom is just within reach.

Snorkeling at the Dog Islands is another of the great secrets – it’s similar to Norman Island, with extensive coral formations and fish of all shapes and sizes, but once you adjust to the underwater light, you will be able to see coral-encrusted cannon, anchors, and more, lost there decades or centuries ago. And turtles and rays are regular visitors to the area. Truly amazing.

Lunch on Paranda is a gourmet picnic. Box lunches are packed with your choice of sandwiches, salads, fruit, chips and desserts. Favorites include the thyme roasted chicken on Winston’s Bitter End bread, the roast turkey and cheddar on Bitter End bread, the pastrami and swiss with thousand island on pumpernickel, the roasted corn and black bean salad, the roasted Mediterranean vegetable salad with fresh mozzarella and tomato, and the roasted corn and potato salad. Dessert is usually fresh baked cookies, or Myron Hokin’s all-time favorite, brownies!

Don’t forget, you can always take off for your own snorkel excursion in and around North Sound aboard a Boston Whaler from the Club fleet of boats. Order your lunch the day before, and the watersports staff will outfit you with towels and a map of the area and a list of their favorite (and sometimes secret!) spots.

THE ADMIRAL'S PACKAGE

Bitter End’s signature vacation experience for guests staying seven nights or longer is the Admiral’s Package, which includes:

• Accommodation for two
• Three meals daily
• Unlimited use of Club fleet
• Introduction to Sailing course
• Fresh water pool
• Vita course, walking and hiking trails
• Monday Night Guest Cocktail Party
• Sunday Regatta and Party
• Bluewater excursions to snorkel and explore spectacular sites in the BVI
• Snorkeling trips in and around North Sound
• Sunset sails aboard Paranda, and champagne cruises and dinner cruises