Virgin Gorda entices travellers with its yacht clubs, quiet coves, safe anchorages and luxury resorts and villas.
Natural beauty is in abundance at Virgin Gorda, which measures eight-and-a-half square miles. Discover the indigenous plant-lined trails, nature sanctuaries and natural wonders of the protected national parks.
Virgin Gorda is truly interesting as its known worldwide mainly for the famous Baths — a volcanic action formation of large granite boulders, inlets and caves. The turquoise waters utter a warm invitation to jump in for a refreshing dive.
The initial trail leading down to The Baths provides a hint of what is yet to be experienced as huge stones and twisted branches overhead line the way.
Anticipation heightens as the first slender beach is reached, laden with granite boulders stacked and strewn across the white sand with palms appearing to grow out of the stones.
A second trail leading to Devil’s Bay winds through grottoes filled with shallow wading pools, formed from the giant stones that lean against and support each other, only giving way to slender crevices that allow the sea to rush in.
On approach, the entrance to the rock labyrinth appears to be too slender to breach, however, a simple duck of the head and bend of the back lets bodies manoeuvre into what opens into a grand cavern accented by a series of smaller caves. Illuminated by beams of light squeezing through slender crevices in the cathedral-like ceilings, the caves are lined with colourful stones. Tiny, silver fish explore toes through water so refreshing and cool it feels like spring water rather than the sea. Boulders that create the walls are marked by various hues, including teal, burnt orange and violet chalked across the surface.
Virgin Gorda offers a variety of different tours to experience the paradise island, from the scenic Spanish town of Virgin Gorda to the historical copper mine ruins — where remnants of the 1500s Spanish copper mine exist. It is also the perfect place to capture the vast views with your camera.
Those who enjoy walking on nature trails will enjoy Gorda Peak National Park, which occupies the highest point on the island. The peak is sometimes hidden in the clouds. Tropical flowers and wildlife are abundant.
Sitting on the Virgin’s thinnest appendage and only accessible by boat, Bitter End Yacht Club is a haven for yachties embarking on an island-hopping holiday.
On the North Sound, and accessible only by water, the exclusive Bitter End Yacht Club offers a premier resort and barefoot elegance.
Visitors stay in discreet villas tucked into the verdant hillsides or opt to revel in the more luxurious setting of a floating room — a 27-metre yacht. Known as the best sailing and diving complex in the island chain, Bitter End opens into one of the most secluded, deep-water harbours in the Caribbean.
Rosewood Little Dix Bay is one of the resorts on Virgin Gorda that lies just beyond a colourful barrier reef that is lapped by gentle blue waters.
The resort offers a number of different packages depending on what you want from your vacation. Amateur shutterbugs who have scuba certification can book the underwater photo discovery package. The romance package includes three meals a day, a day trip to neighbouring Spring Bay island for an afternoon picnic, a romantic cocktail cruise, massages and more.
The resort is located within close proximity to seven other beaches on Virgin Gorda that can only be accessed by sea. Staff at the resort will provide towels, snorkel equipment as well as the boat transfer to the beach of your choice for no additional charge.
Those looking for more seclusion can visit Mango Bay resort, a small villa rental resort that boasts privacy thanks to the rolling hills of the island and the coral reef along the shoreline. Their “pampered pirate” package will have you cruising the waters of the Caribbean aboard a sleek Sea Ray power yacht.
From languid resorts, cottages and villas, to spectacular campgrounds and dock slips, to your own private island, Virgin Gorda is renowned for hospitable and accommodations that make your Caribbean vacation dreams come true.
For more information visit www.bvitourism.com.
