Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Virgin Gorda, which opened in 2012, has its roots in a much older organization: the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Porto Cervo, which was founded in 1967 as a non-profit sporting association for sailing enthusiasts. The newer club meets the same high standards established in Coasta Smeralda. Its location in Virgin Gorda, however, makes it convenient for those living in the New World.
The Clubhouse at YCCS Virgin Gorda
The clubhouse at YCCS Virgin Gorda has plenty of excellent amenities for its guests. The restaurant offers lunch and dinner service with access to an impressive collection of wines. Guests can enjoy their meals in the dining room, which overlooks the marina, or outdoors at the bar or pool terrace.
Acqua di Parma Spa will soon be offering massages, nail treatments, and hair styling.
The clubhouse also has a pool and fitness center. During major sailing events that attract a lot of guests, the clubhouse lawn provides a large space for receptions.
The Marina at YCCS Virgin Gorda
The marina has 38 berths that offer a wide range of services. Guests can dock their yachts here to enjoy access to electricity, Wi-Fi, laundry services, garbage removal, and potable water. Guests even get concierge and on-board provisioning services that can make any boat feel like a four-star hotel.
The berths can accommodate boats up to 88 meters long with draughts up to nine meters.
Staying in the British Virgin Islands
Virgin Gorda is located in the British Virgin Islands, an area that offers plenty of warm sunshine throughout the year. For 2014, the club will host two winter events:
- RC44 Virgin Gorda Cup from February 11-16
- Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta and Rendezvous from March 19-22
Guests who are willing to explore other destinations in the British Virgin Islands should consider visiting:
- Gorda Peak National Park, where they can see exotic plant life
- Little Fort National Park, where they can find a 36-acre sanctuary for wildlife
- Oil Nut Bay Beach, which has beautiful white sand
- Spring Bay, where guests can swim in crystal clear water
- The Baths, which has a series of large boulders as well as grottoes and a white sand beach
Reaching YCCS Virgin Gorda
Gorda feels like a remote area, but it's fairly simple to reach from North America and Europe.
Guests have several ways to reach YCCS Virgin Gorda. Anyone with a properly sized yacht can sail into the club's harbor. Guests can also reach Virgin Gorda via helicopter or privately chartered planes. Those traveling from farther away might consider taking a commercial flight to the British Virgin Islands before finding private passage to Gorda.
Anyone traveling from London can expect to spend about eight hours traveling before reaching the British Virgin Islands. Those coming from New York City have a three hour flight. From Miami, Florida, the club is just a two hour flight. It's just a 20 minute flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Although relatively new, YCCS Virgin Gorda has already distinguished itself as a top destination for yachting enthusiasts. Expect more events and luxury accommodations as the club continues to grow.
