Virgin Gorda is part of the British Virgin Islands.
Since being "discovered" as a tourist destination in the 1970s, Virgin Gorda is still not over-commercialized. It is reminiscent of Saint John (Virgin Islands) before the designer shoe and handbag stores arrived. With only a few resorts and a sprinkling of villas, it has a pleasing intimacy. The passengers you meet on the nine-seat plane are likely to show up at the next table at dinner. The local people are well educated, friendly and caring, family oriented and remarkably aware of their place in the world. As elsewhere in the BVI, English is spoken, with a more or less strong accent. It is courteous to begin a conversation — even a brief question — with "Good Morning," or other salutation appropriate to the time of day.Virgin Gorda is a small island, about eight square miles, only a few miles from Tortola and its airport on Beef Island. In 2001, the population was 3100. The southwestern part of the island is known as the Valley. In this area of low gentle hills will be found most of the population, businesses and services, mostly in and around Spanish Town, the capital. Below Spanish Town, the landscape and seascapes are strewn with granite boulders the size of houses; these provide dramatic settings for accommodations, restaurants and beaches. In the center of the island, a low mountain rises from the sea to about 1350 feet. This area is sparsely inhabited, except for small neighborhoods in the North Sound area on its northeastern edge. Extending northeast from there is a chain of wooded hills accessible only by boat. A convenient excursion to one of the nicest outer island areas in Virgin Gorda would require hopping on the local Resort Ferry (Bitter End etc) in Gun Creek. This Ferry will take you on a short, but neat cruise into the heart of the North Sound area. Small islands in this area contribute to the very sheltered harbors in the sound.
Get in
At present (September 2011), Virgin Gorda Airport remains closed to scheduled flights. Air Sunshine now lands at Tortola and (usually) provides a complimentary ride in its own boat.
Air Sunshine, +1 800 327-8900 from US and Canada, flies from San Juan to the tiny Virgin Gorda airport four times a day; in winter the last flight may be diverted to Tortola, as the airport operates only from sunrise to sunset. The Virgin Gorda experience begins with an exciting approach as the small plane drops over a ridge and descends along the side of the hill that obstructs the approach to the landing strip. The reservation process is cumbersome, requiring faxes and a delay of up to 48 hours for confirmation, but Air Sunshine has a loyal following among regular visitors, many of whom are on a first-name basis with the pilots.
Fly BVI - Caribbean Air Charter, +1 866 819-3146 Toll Free from US & Canada, +1 284 495-1747 Worldwide Reservations Line. Specializes in private charter flights to and from the BVI, as their name implies. Fly BVI operates a number of aircraft from the reliable Piper PA-23-250 "Aztec" with 6 seats, up to the King of the Ramp, the Cessna 404 "Titan", Cessna's Largest Piston Twin, configured for 9 Passengers. Prices will be comparable to commercial airline travel if you have at least four passengers.
Several airlines serve Saint Thomas and Tortola. Ferry service from Tortola's Beef Island airport is convenient with several departures per day. From St. Thomas, the ferry terminal is a taxi ride away, and there are only few direct boats per week.
For those staying at resorts, taxis are readily available for the occasional excursion. Most people staying in cottages or villas will want to rent a car for at least part of the stay. Driving is on the left. All major roads are paved except for the road to Mango Bay and Nail Bay; paving is underway there at this writing (Spring 2008). Some roads are narrow with steep drop-offs, dips and speed bumps. The roads to Leverick Bay and Gun Creek are alarmingly steep. Motorists must be alert for pedestrians (there are no sidewalks), livestock, cars parked on the roadway and vehicles passing on curves. That being said, traffic is light and drivers are courteous. Speeds are low but distances are short. Gasoline (premium only) is available at stations at each end of Spanish Town.
See
The Copper Mine is at the southeastern end of the island. Here, ruins tell the story of the Cornish engineers who built the steam engine for the mine's pumps and lifts, and the Cornish miners who toiled in tunnels extending under the sea. There is also a view of the rugged coast.
Observation decks along North Sound Road offer wonderful views.
Do
All the usual tropic island activities are available—sailing, fishing, snorkeling and scuba.
Along the southwestern shore below Spanish Town, there is a string of beaches, with light surf, beautiful sand and blue water. Each beach is separated from the next by the huge granite boulders that make the scenery so memorable. All are public, but respect the privacy of the villas that face some of the beaches (OK, go ahead and peek through the fences—some are stunning).
The Baths is Virgin Gorda's most famous beach, due to its hidden caves and pools nestled amongst the giant granite boulders. As a result, it can become very crowded when the small cruise ships come calling. The best times are 8AM-10AM, and 3PM-5PM. Changing rooms, lockers and refreshments are available on the beach. A trail leads through the pools and caves of the boulder field to little Devil's Bay beach. Both beaches may be reached by paths down from the parking lot at the south end of Tower Road. There is a fee for the Baths path, which is shorter and easier; cheapskates can take the Devils Bay path and reach the Baths through the boulder trail. Snorkeling is a popular activity. Moorings are provided for the many yachts that visit the Baths and Devil's Bay.Spring Bay cannot be reached from The Baths, but has easy public access from Tower Road. In spite of scenery rivaling The Baths, it is almost never crowded. At the public access, there are picnic tables in a grove surrounded by more of the big boulders. The Crawl (more boulders!) has sheltered pools with almost no wave action, as well as rocks to climb and crevices to explore. Snorkeling is best around the rocks at The Crawl and at the south end of the beach. The pools of The Crawl are less exciting but a good place for beginners to practice.
Little Trunk Bay, easily reached by a very short trail from Spring Bay, is the next beach north, just as nice and often deserted. At its north end, another trail, with a handy rope for a short steep part, leads to the even more beautiful and more likely deserted beach of Big Trunk Bay.
Based on work by Kevin, Peter Fitzgerald, Ryan Holliday, Nancy Anderson, Bill Ellett and Claus Hansen, Wikitravel user(s) RogerR and BirasCreekResort, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others.
