Virgin Gorda

Virgin Gorda- the fat virgin – apparently so-called because Christopher Columbus, in 1493, thought the shape of the island reminded him of a fat woman lying down – well, he had been at sea a long time.  If you arrive here by ferry from Road Town, you can get some fabulous views from the open-air upper deck, but you might remain a little perplexed by Columbus’ imagination.

Virgin Gorda, the second largest of the British Virgin Islands and about 12 miles from Tortola, is often considered to be the ‘perfect’ Virgin Island, managing to combine some of the most incredibly stunning beaches and mountains in an undeveloped environment but with a number of highly luxurious resorts.

The southern end of this narrow island, where you can find the main settlement of Spanish Town, has some sumptuous, flat white sand beaches.  Along the central spine and up to the northern shore there are the lushly covered hills, the highest of which is Gorda Peak, the virgin’s belly.  This is only 366 meters high and totally engulfed by mahogany trees but offers a breathtaking panoramic vista of the coast and some of the smaller islands nearby, notably Peter Island to the south and Richard Branson’s private island, Necker, to the north, along with Anegada, the drowned land. 

At Leverick Bay, in North Sound, there is fabulous kayaking and sailing available.  On the western coast of the island is Trunk Bay, another perfect white sand beach, which you can access either by boat or along a path leading from Spring Bay.  

The Baths of Virgin Gorda

Undoubtedly the most spoken about attraction of Virgin Gorda, though, is the magnificent natural phenomenon known as The Baths.  Found at the southwestern corner of the island, The Baths is a truly awe-inspiring  collection of huge granite boulders lying in piles strewn on the beach.  Here, you can delight in secret rooms illuminated by ethereal shafts of light, snorkel amongst coral ledges and caves and take some of the most spectacular photographs imaginable. 

These extravagant grottos and pools, scattered on the unblemished white beaches, are totally captivating.  The Baths, quite rightly, is a ‘must see’ sight of the Virgin Islands.

 At the entrance to The Baths you can find the Top of the Baths restaurant, which has a stunning open air verandah, affording eye-catching views over the beach, and its own freshwater pool.  The Top of the Baths has its own blend of Caribbean cool, casual elegance.

In addition on Virgin Gorda, is Little Fort National Park, a wildlife sanctuary around the ruins of a disused fort; the Aquarium dive and snorkeling site at Fischer’s Rocks, the sublime beach at Devil’s Bay and the ruin of an old copper mine.

The Bitter End Yacht Club  is one of a small number of high class resorts and hotels which, incidentally, includes Little Dix Bay, which was the very first luxury resort built in the BVI in the 1960s by Laurence Rockefeller.  There are also a number of private villas available for rental dotted around the island.

'She was right here a minute ago!!??'

There is undoubtedly a special magic to Virgin Gorda, which its visitors notice straight away.  Virgin Gorda – it is home of some of the Caribbean’s most magnificent beaches; home of outstanding sailing and water sports; and home of one of the world’s unforgettable secret places – The Baths.

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