You’re anchored in North Sound, the sun dropping behind Virgin Gorda, and instead of leaving your boat you hail “Rum Runner” on VHF channel 72. Within minutes a dinghy skims across the water, a smiling guy named Jim at the helm and a dog named Drake riding shotgun—two frozen cocktails in hand, kept frosty by a soft-serve ice-cream machine mounted on the mother ship. That’s the kind of bar crawl that makes you wonder why every beach bar doesn’t work this way. This article covers everything you need to know to pull off your own BVI boat-side bar crawl at Rum Runner—how to order, what to order, and how to make it work whether you’re on a mooring ball or just passing through.
Rum Runner holds a 5.0 rating on Google Maps with dozens of reviews praising the VHF ordering system and the frozen drinks that don’t melt in the Caribbean heat.
Rum Runner is less a bar you visit and more a floating cocktail concierge that comes to you. It works best if you’re already moored at Bitter End or nearby, and you need to be comfortable hailing a VHF radio. If you’re dinghy-hopping, approach the main boat—they’ll serve you right there. The frozen Rum Runner is the signature drink, but don’t skip the seasonal frozen flavours; they rotate and the staff will tell you what’s running. One caveat: hours are 1–6 PM daily, so plan your afternoon around that window.
| Spot | Known For | Price Range | Best Time | Key Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rum Runner | Boat-side frozen cocktail delivery via VHF | Around $12–16 per frozen cocktail (no cover) | 1–6 PM daily | Hail on VHF channel 72 if you don’t see the delivery dinghy right away |
Rum Runner: The Floating Bar That Finds You
Rum Runner isn’t a tiki hut on the sand. Its main vessel sits permanently moored in North Sound near Bitter End, and the whole operation is built around bringing drinks to you. You can either dinghy up to the bar boat itself or stay on your own boat and call them over. The experience starts the moment you key the microphone.
To order, you have two options. Call (603) 801-7844 if you’re within cell range, but the more reliable method is VHF channel 72. If they don’t spot you right away, a quick hail usually brings the dinghy within five minutes. The owner Jim and his team keep a stack of frozen flavours ready in the soft-serve machines, so your drink arrives thicker and colder than a typical blended cocktail. If you’re on a catamaran or a sailboat, tie up to a mooring ball at Bitter End and hail—they’ll come to you.
The staff are a big part of the appeal. Jim is almost always on the water, and Drake the dog has become a local celebrity—visitors post about him as much as the drinks. It’s a genuinely friendly operation, not a polished tourist trap. If you’re dinghy-hopping between bars at Bitter End, Rum Runner can serve as the afternoon drink stop before you head to the Saba Rock happy hour or the Bitter End Yacht Club restaurant. But if you’re short on time, prioritise the Rum Runner experience over a sit-down bar; the novelty of boat-side delivery is hard to beat.
If you’re moored at Bitter End, watch for the Rum Runner dinghy making its rounds around 2–3 PM. That’s when they seem most active. If you don’t see them after five minutes, hail on VHF 72—they’ll come directly to your boat. Don’t anchor right next to the main boat; leave at least 30 feet to give the dinghy room to manoeuvre.
Practical Side of a Boat-Side Bar Crawl in the BVI
Rum Runner is the centrepiece, but a proper BVI bar crawl by boat means you need to think about logistics: how to get to North Sound, what to bring, and how to handle payment (cash is king, though they may take cards). Below are the key decisions and risks to weigh.
Getting to North Sound and Bitter End
Most visitors arrive by charter boat, either bareboat or crewed, and pick up a mooring at Bitter End Yacht Club or Saba Rock. If you’re staying on land, the nearest accommodation is on Virgin Gorda—take a taxi to the North Sound ferry terminal at Leverick Bay, then a water taxi to Bitter End. If you’re still weighing which side of the island to sleep on, this interactive map of the island’s hotels and rentals makes it easier to compare against the beach or the trailhead. Mooring fees at Bitter End run around $35–50 per night, but even if you just stop for a few hours, you can drop a day-mooring (often free or minimal).
What to Order (Besides the Rum Runner)
The frozen Rum Runner is the signature—dark rum, banana liqueur, grenadine, and fruit juices. But they also offer a rotating selection of seasonal frozen flavours. Ask Jim what’s fresh; I’ve had a mango-passionfruit blend that was dangerously drinkable. They also have beer and wine, but the frozen cocktails are the draw. Prices hover around $12–16 per drink, which is reasonable for a BVI resort area. Tip in cash—the crew splitting duties on the dinghy works hard.
One Risk to Plan For
Afternoon squalls in the summer can blow through North Sound with little warning, making the dinghy delivery unsteady. If you see dark clouds building, order your drink early (before the wind picks up) or wait until it passes. Also, mosquitoes can be fierce near the mangroves at dusk—Rum Runner closes at 6 PM, so you won’t be out too late, but bring repellent anyway.
If you’re planning to visit multiple bars in one afternoon (Saba Rock, Bitter End’s bar, and Rum Runner), treat Rum Runner as the mid-afternoon stop because it closes at 6 PM, while the other bars often stay open later. That gives you time to dinghy over to Saba Rock for sunset cocktails. For a full list of hidden beach bars and lesser-known spots, check out our guide to BVI’s best-kept secrets: uncrowded beaches and hidden gems.
- Rum Runner delivers frozen cocktails to your boat via dinghy—hail on VHF 72 or call (603) 801-7844.
- Drinks stay colder thanks to soft-serve ice-cream machines; the signature Rum Runner and seasonal flavours are the standouts.
- Kids are welcome—staff will make virgin versions without being asked. Watch for Drake the dog.
- Best time is between 2–4 PM; after 5 PM the wind and mosquitoes increase.
Heading into Rum Runner from our mooring ball at Bitter End felt less like a bar visit and more like a magic trick—waves lapping the hull, a cold drink materialising out of nowhere, a dog wagging its tail from the delivery dinghy. For us, that afternoon reframed the whole idea of a bar crawl: it doesn’t have to be pub-to-pub on land. Sometimes it’s a VHF hail and a dinghy ride away.
Before You Go: BVI Boat-Side Bar Crawl Questions Answered
Can I visit Rum Runner without a boat?
Technically no—Rum Runner is boat-only. The nearest land access is at Bitter End Yacht Club, where you can rent a dinghy for a few hours. If you’re staying on Virgin Gorda, take a water taxi from Leverick Bay to Bitter End (about $20 per person) and then rent a dinghy there.
Do I need to know how to use a VHF radio?
It helps, but not strictly required. You can also call the phone number listed on their website. However, VHF is more reliable in open water. The channel is 72, and the staff monitor it constantly during operating hours.
Is the Rum Runner drink gluten-free or dairy-free?
The frozen Rum Runner itself is gluten-free and dairy-free (made with rum, fruit juice, and ice cream stabiliser). The soft-serve machine uses a non-dairy base, so it’s safe for most lactose-intolerant guests. If you have severe allergies, ask during your call—they’re happy to customise.
What if the weather is bad?
Rum Runner operates rain or shine as long as the wind isn’t gale-force. In heavy squalls, the delivery dinghy may stay tied to the main boat. You can still dinghy up to the bar boat itself, but it’ll be a wet ride. If you’re prone to seasickness, skip the choppy days.
Are there other bars I can visit by dinghy in North Sound?
Yes—Saba Rock (famous for sunset happy hour) and Bitter End Yacht Club’s bar are both within a five-minute dinghy ride. For a more extended exploration, consider a full-day dinghy tour of the North Sound’s cays. Our guide on BVI secret coves from a kayaker’s perspective includes many of the same routes.
Why a Boat-Side Bar Crawl Works in the BVI
Ordinary bar crawls force you to navigate crowds, wait for tables, and wedge into narrow sidewalks. A boat-side crawl replaces all that with horizon lines, salt spray, and the sound of halyards slapping masts. Rum Runner doesn’t try to be a destination; it simply comes to wherever you dropped anchor. That kind of flexibility—built around your schedule, not the bar’s—is rare even in island culture. And if you have kids like Lily and Ethan, the freedom to stay on the boat while ordering a round of virgin piña coladas means you’re not juggling napkins and sticky tables. It’s the sort of afternoon that makes you wonder why more places don’t run bar service like a floating ice-cream truck. For more inspiration on exploring the BVI beyond the water, check out our guide to BVI’s hidden hiking trails and panoramic peaks.
References
Wanderlog. “Rum Runner.” Wanderlog, 2025. ↗
For more practical trip planning, you might enjoy our deep dive on exploring Virgin Gorda’s Baths by climbing and swimming, or our look at Anegada’s flamingos and Horseshoe Reef. Each gives a different angle on the BVI’s versatility beyond the bar scene.
Explore Places to Stay in BVI
Feel free to zoom in and out of the map to explore the area and find the best place to stay for your trip.