Virgin Gorda

The third-largest island of the British Virgin Islands. Swim among granite boulders at The Baths, hike to Gorda Peak for views of the islands, and visit North Sound, a famous sailing spot.

Virgin Gorda is the third-largest island of the British Virgin Islands. It lies about 13 km east of the main island of Tortola and covers about 21 square km. The island is long and narrow. Spanish navigators named it "Fat Virgin" because its profile resembles a reclining heavy woman. The southwest coast is a granite boulder shoreline. Among the boulders at The Baths, caves and tidal pools have formed, and a trail leads to Devil's Bay. Spring Bay on the north side sees fewer visitors. On the southeastern cape are the remains of a 19th-century copper mine. The centre of the island has Spanish Town, where the ferry terminal is located, and a yacht harbour. To the north are the quiet white-sand bays of Savannah Bay and Mahoe Bay, as well as the long-established resort at Little Dix Bay. The northern part of the island is covered by the Gorda Peak National Park, where a hike to the summit offers views of the islands. At the northeast end, North Sound is surrounded by Prickly Pear, Saba Rock and other islands. It is a famous anchorage in the Caribbean for sailing and kitesurfing.

The best season is December to April, the dry season, with clear skies, little rain and calm seas, ideal for sailing and snorkeling. June to November is hurricane season, and some resorts close in September and October.

Getting there: a ferry from Road Town on Tortola or from Beef Island takes about 30 minutes to Spanish Town. Small planes also fly to the island's airstrip. On the island, you can get around by taxi or rental car, which drives on the left. Boats are needed to reach the islands in North Sound. Plan a stay of 2 to 4 days: one day at The Baths and the southern beaches, one day island-hopping in North Sound, and half a day climbing Gorda Peak. The Baths can be crowded, so visit early in the morning or in the afternoon to avoid cruise ship passengers.

Top sights

• The Baths (Virgin Gorda) – Caves and tidal pools formed by giant granite boulders on the beach at the southwest tip of Virgin Gorda. Squeeze through the caves to reac…
• Gorda Peak National Park – A forest reserve on Virgin Gorda's highest peak (414 m), with an observation tower overlooking North Sound and the surrounding islands.
• Devil's Bay – A white-sand cove at the end of The Baths trail, ringed by granite boulders with clear water, a great spot for snorkeling and escaping the…
• Spring Bay – A national park beach just north of The Baths, also strewn with granite boulders but far less crowded; the nearby natural pool The Crawl is…
• Savannah Bay – A white-sand bay about 1.5 km long on the west coast of the island's waist, with calm water sheltered by reefs, excellent for snorkeling an…
• North Sound – A natural harbor sheltered by several small islands, famous in the Caribbean as a base for sailing and kitesurfing, with resorts and water…
• Copper Mine National Park – A 19th-century Cornish-style copper mine ruin on a headland at the island's southeast tip, with stone chimneys and engine houses standing o…
• Spanish Town & Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour – Virgin Gorda's main town and ferry terminal, with a supermarket, restaurants and shops at the yacht harbor, serving as the base for supplie…
• Little Dix Bay – A crescent-shaped white-sand bay north of Spanish Town, where the resort Rockefeller built in 1964 turned Virgin Gorda into a high-end dest…
• Saba Rock – A tiny island in the middle of North Sound with a single resort, bar and pier, a popular spot for sailors to gather, watch sunsets and feed…
• Prickly Pear Island National Park – An uninhabited national park island on the north side of North Sound, with swimming at the white sand beach of Vixen Point and waterbirds l…
• Leverick Bay – A small marina resort on the west shore of North Sound with a beach, restaurants and a water-sports center, the main land gateway to North…
• Mahoe Bay – A quiet bay just north of Savannah Bay, with clear shallow water, soft sand and coral near shore that is good for snorkeling.
• Fallen Jerusalem Island – An uninhabited national park islet south of The Baths, also covered in granite boulders, with surrounding waters popular with sailors for s…

Where to eat

• CocoMaya – An Asian-Latin fusion restaurant on the beach in Spanish Town, specializing in sharing plates and sushi, especially pop…
• Mad Dog Bar & Restaurant – A small eatery next to the parking lot at The Baths, famous for its secret-recipe Piña Coladas and BLT sandwiches, perf…
• The Restaurant at Leverick Bay – A restaurant at Leverick Bay Resort in North Sound, offering upstairs dining with sea views, seafood, and steaks, plus…

Itineraries

• British Virgin Islands Sailing Loop – Charter a boat from Tortola to sail clockwise around Norman, Cooper, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke.