Enjoy an Island Vacation on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands

Are you dreaming of an island vacation that offers spectacular sea and ocean views, amazing beaches, fantastic swimming, exciting bouldering, and water adventures? Virgin Gourda offers all this and more. Let’s take a look at some of the amazing features of Virgin Gorda and why you might want to make this Caribbean island your next vacation destination.

Arriving at Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands

To get to Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, you’ll likely need to fly into San Juan (SJU), ST. Thomas (STT) or St. Maarten (SXM) and take a charter flight to Virgin Gorda’s small airport, Taddy Bay International Airport (VIJ). VIJ is located near Spanish Town and just two miles from the popular Baths National Park.

It’s important to note that VIJ’s Runway 03/21 is 3,100 feet long, so only fully approved airlines can land and take-off. Currently, Air Sunshine is the only scheduled airline at VIJ, operating flights to San Juan, Sint Maarten, Nevis, and Saint Thomas. If you’re looking for on-demand flights, Island Birds Air Charter offers chartered aircraft.

Consider Staying at the Leverick Bay Resort and Marina on the North Sound

Do you prefer resorts with lots of amenities and things to do? If you do, you might like staying at the Leverick Bay Resort and Marina. The resort offers a variety of accommodations. They have traditional guest rooms with private balconies, condo suites that include kitchens, living rooms, and wrap-around terraces, and luxury villas that have enough space and amenities for large groups. In addition to the luxurious accommodations, the resort offers tennis court rentals, jet skiing, flyboarding, and boat rentals and charters.

Guavaberry Spring Bay Vacation Homes and Villas Offers Whole Homes for Rent

At Guavaberry Spring Bay Vacation Homes and Villas, guests can choose between one- and five-bedroom homes. These luxurious vacation rentals are located within walking distance to Spring Bay Beach and include plenty of amenities. Guests can enjoy fully equipped kitchens, WiFi, air-conditioned bedrooms, and opening windows with window screens. The villas include in-room safes, fully equipped kitchens, WiFi, smart TVs, and air-conditioned bedrooms. Depending on the unit, additional amenities may include accent waterfalls, BBQ grills, pools, and hammocks.

Enjoy some BVI SNUBA

You’ve probably heard of snorkeling and scuba diving, but have you heard of SNUBA? SNUBA is a relatively new underwater activity. It was invented in 1989 by Michael Stafford in order to create a shallow diving experience that wasn’t as limited as snorkeling but also wasn’t as intensive as scuba diving. SNUBA allows participants to enjoy an underwater adventure without obtaining a scuba diving certificate or wearing lots of gear. The underwater recreational activity is safe for individuals aged eight and up. Individuals who are participating in SNUBA will breathe through an easy-to-use regulator while the oxygen floats on a raft above the participants. SNUBA participants can enjoy viewing the marine life at depths between two and 20 feet.

Plunge in with Scuba Diving

If you loved SNUBA and want to go untethered into the water, you might try scuba diving. Scuba diving is offered via Sunchaser Scuba, which is located at the Bitter End Yacht Club. They offer scuba diving for experienced scuba divers, and they have PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) courses for those who want to learn and become certified to scuba dive.

Spend Some Time Sailing

If you’re looking to do some sailing on Virgin Gorda, check out the Bitter End Yacht Club. It’s located on the North Sound. Visitors to the club can enjoy renting charter boats for island tours, fishing, and sightseeing. The yacht club also has a bar with amazing cocktails, a seaside shop, a market with fresh produce and wine, and rental lofts where guests can enjoy seaside views.

Sail in a Glass-Bottom Boat

If you’re not impressed with the views during regular sailing, you might want to try glass-bottom boat sailing, where you can look through the bottom of the boat to see the marine life. It’s offered by Sea It Clear Glass Bottom Boat, which is located on the North Sound. Sea It Clear Glass Bottom Boat offers half-day and full-day glass-bottom boating, as well as night glass-bottom boating and snorkeling.

Visit the Old Copper Mine at Copper Mine Point National Park

Copper was mined on Virgin Gorda, starting in the early 1700s until 1862, when the mine was closed due to the high costs of operation and low copper prices. At its height, the mine housed 130 Cornish workers, along with their families. Today, visitors can view the remnants of the homes, powerhouse, engine house, and operating centers, as well as other buildings.

Take a Trip to the Baths National Park

The Baths National Park is located on the southeastern tip of the island. The park spans almost seven acres and was established in 1990. The Baths National Park gets its name from its tidal pools, grottoes, and swimming areas that feel like they’re secluded enough to be separate bathing areas. This phenomenon is created by the unique positioning of the large boulders and rock formations. Visitors to the Baths can enjoy swimming and snorkeling, and there is a marked trail from the Baths to Devil’s Bay.

Try Your Hand at Bouldering

Have you heard of bouldering? Bouldering is like rock climbing, except you’re climbing a boulder, and Virgin Gorda is a great place to find lots of climbable boulders. One noteworthy spot is Spring Bay Beach, and if you’re staying at Guavaberry Spring Bay, they provide crash pads, which are mattress-like pads that can cushion you if you fall. The resort also has chalk available that you can use to help ensure that you have a good grip on the rock.

Grab Some Souvenirs at BVI Artistry Boutique in Spanish Town

If you’re looking for gifts and souvenirs from your Caribbean island vacation, consider stopping by the BVI Artistry Boutique in Spanish Town. The local shop offers handmade items, souvenirs, and gifts, including clothing, hats, bags, keychains, candles, jewelry, and wall art, featuring mixed media, like paint, shells, twigs, and sand.

Explore Buck’s Market

If you’re staying in a rental apartment, house, condo, or villa, you might want to make your own food or have fresh snacks on hand. Buck’s Market in Spanish Town sells fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy products, meat, wine, liquor, and medicines, just in case you get a headache or upset stomach.

Grab a Bite to Eat at the Mad Dog Cafe

The Mad Dog Cafe is located in Baths. They serve sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, French fries, and salads. Patrons can eat in or carry out.

Have Dinner at Nova Restaurant at Oil Nut Bay

This restaurant is renowned for being built over the water and serving food that’s been locally grown and sourced. They offer daily drink and food happy hours. Patrons can enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, shrimp, lobster, burgers, fries, pizza, chicken wings, and salads.

Enjoy the Relaxed Atmosphere at the Sugarcane Restaurant at Nail Bay

The Sugarcane Restaurant in Nail Bay originally opened in the early 2000s as a casual burger joint that drew vacationers from all over the island, but in 2017, Hurricane Irma destroyed the buildings. After rebuilding, Sugarcane reopened in 2019 to much fanfare and an amazing menu. Sugarcane is revered for its delicious hummus, coconut shrimp, Greek salads, burgers, chicken wraps, pitas, steaks, pizza, and adult beverages.

If you’re looking for an interesting vacation in the Caribbean where you can find semi-secluded places to swim, fun outdoor activities, like bouldering, sailing, and boating, and great places to eat while enjoying island views, you might want to make your next vacation in Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands.