The Best Things to do in Virgin Gorda, BVI

Relax amid turquoise waters and smooth sleeping boulders with this inside guide to the best things to do in Virgin Gorda.

Caribbean - British Virgin Islands - Virgin Gorda - Devils Bay Boulder and Beach — Scramble among the boulders on Virgin Gorda

Things to do in Virgin Gorda

In the heart of the British Virgin Islands lies Virgin Gorda, a beautiful island that seems to murmur rather than shout. Its appeal is quiet: turquoise waters that shift like silk, massive granite boulders, and white sand beaches where the only sound is the soft breath of the trade winds.

I loved my time in the British Virgin Islands, or BVI for short. And Virgin Gorda stood out more than most.

This small island is no secret, but it still feels like one. Ideal for a day trip or an unhurried stay, the Island of Virgin Gorda invites you to move slowly, to notice, to linger. And the best way to travel around is on the waves with your own catamaran rental in the British Virgin Islands.

Whether arriving at Spanish Town or sailing into the North Sound, here are the best things to do in Virgin Gorda.

How to Get to Virgin Gorda

Virgin Gorda doesn’t have direct international flights, which helps preserve its peace. Most travellers arrive via Tortola or St. Thomas, then take a ferry.

Speedy’s Car Rental and Ferry offers reliable service to Spanish Town while private water taxis are available for day trips or cruise ship passengers.

Alternatively, small planes connect the island to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Best Things to See and Do in Virgin Gorda

The island’s landscape is a mosaic of contrasts: bare rock against lush green, coral reefs alongside open sea, barefoot beach bars near quiet historic ruins.

Here’s how to explore Virgin Gorda: from its natural wonders and peaceful coves to historical sites and island-hopping adventures.

1. The Baths National Park

If Virgin Gorda has a signature, it’s carved in stone. At the southern end of the island, The Baths National Park is a natural wonder where massive boulders (some the size of cottages) tumble towards the sea, forming grottoes, tunnels, and natural pools filled with crystal-clear water. It’s a perfect place for both quiet awe and sunlit play.

Begin at the parking lot and follow a short walk through dry scrub to the boulders. The trail between The Baths and Devil’s Bay is narrow and, at times, requires a bit of scrambling, but it’s manageable for most visitors in sturdy footwear. Those less inclined to duck and climb can arrive by boat to Devil’s Bay and enter from the beach.

Arrive early or late to avoid cruise ship crowds. A modest entrance fee applies, and facilities (toilets, lockers, a gift shop, and a café) are available near the top. Don’t rush – it’s not that kind of place.

2. Spring Bay and Savannah Bay

Just north of The Baths lies Spring Bay, a smaller, quieter cove where massive granite boulders continue their gentle descent into calm waters. It’s one of the best beaches on the island for swimming, thanks to its sheltered shallows and soft sandy entry.

Further afield, Savannah Bay stretches in a broad, pale arc, with beautiful beaches that seem to go on forever and barely a footprint in sight.

There are no facilities here, only the sound of the wind in sea grape trees and waves folding over coral just offshore. It’s the perfect spot for snorkelling or a solitary walk.

Between Spring Bay’s natural pools and Savannah Bay’s pristine beaches, these are two of Virgin Gorda’s most peaceful and beautiful places to simply be.

3. Spanish Town

As the main settlement on the gorgeous Virgin Gorda, Spanish Town serves as a practical and cultural anchor for the island. There’s a marina, a smattering of local shops, and a handful of eateries where Caribbean flavours mingle with sea air.

It’s a great way to start your visit, especially if you’ve just disembarked from a ferry or water taxi. Spanish Town is also a great place to pick up a rental car and explore beyond the village.

Don’t skip the gift shop at the Yacht Harbour if you’re after something handmade.

4. Gorda Peak National Park

Rising quietly from the green interior, Gorda Peak is the island’s highest point (just over 1,300 feet above sea level). It’s not Everest, but it delivers something few summits do: a near-cinematic view of the North Sound, the curve of the island’s bays, and, on a clear day, the silhouettes of nearby islands like Anegada and Tortola.

The hiking trail to the top winds through Gorda Peak National Park, a protected zone of lush vegetation that includes dry tropical forest and the occasional splash of orchids.

There are two routes: one steeper, one more gradual, both well-marked. At the summit, a wooden observation tower rises above the canopy. Climb it. The reward is panoramic, and it ties this Caribbean island’s geography together in a single, breathtaking glance.

5. North Sound

North Sound is Virgin Gorda’s maritime playground, a sweep of turquoise waters framed by coral reefs, upscale marinas, and elegant offshore retreats. Though struck hard by Hurricane Irma, it has re-emerged, offering a great place for sailing, snorkelling, and relaxed indulgence.

Saba Rock, now beautifully rebuilt, is perfect for happy hours and watching the sunset crowd gather for the nightly tarpon feeding. Bitter End Yacht Club brings barefoot luxury, while Leverick Bay offers water sports, lunch spots, and access to Hobie Cat sailing.

Just beyond the sound, Necker Island and Moskito Island, both owned by Sir Richard Branson, add a note of celebrity glamour to the horizon. Though private, their presence underscores the area’s appeal to those drawn to secluded beauty and high-end living.

Boat transfers and water taxis link these destinations, making North Sound ideal for island hopping and exploring marine life.

6. The Copper Mine National Park

Set above the crashing Atlantic on Virgin Gorda’s southeastern cliffs, the Copper Mine National Park tells a quiet story of industry and empire. Built by Cornish miners in the 1800s, the site once extracted copper from the island’s volcanic geology – molten rock hardened into mineral seams.

Today, the ruins of a 19th-century copper operation remain: stone walls, a chimney stack, and rusted equipment, all softened by time and sea air. It’s open to the elements and free to enter, a rich history without a ticket booth.

You’ll find no facilities here, only salt wind and silence. The site is a natural wonder in its own right, best visited late in the day, when the sun catches the ocean spray and casts long shadows over the stone.

7. Diving & Snorkelling Adventures

Beneath Virgin Gorda’s calm blue water lies a world of coral gardens and hidden wrecks, perfect for both novice snorkellers and experienced divers. Crystal-clear waters reveal schools of tropical fish darting among staghorn coral and sponges.

For a historic thrill, explore the wreck of the Chikuzen, a Japanese supply ship settled in shallow reef, now encrusted with soft corals and home to parrotfish and angelfish.

Local operators like Dive BVI offer guided trips, full equipment, and small-group attention. Snorkelers will delight in the shallow reefs off Spring Bay and Savannah Bay, where calm, crystal waters teem with life just a few strokes from shore.

8. Day Trips to Nearby Islands

Hop on a water taxi or charter a boat, and within an hour you could be stepping onto the white sandy beaches of Jost Van Dyke, Cane Garden Bay, or even St. Thomas.

Each island offers something distinct:

Jost Van Dyke is known for its easygoing party scene and the legendary Soggy Dollar Bar, where rum punches are served with sandy feet and no questions asked.

Cane Garden Bay, on Tortola, is slower and sweeter, ideal for a swim followed by grilled fish and a walk through local craft stalls.

St. Thomas, while further afield, brings a splash of bustle: historic walks, duty-free shopping, and a different cultural cadence.

View from Welsh Mine Virgin Gorda — Visit the Welsh mine for striking views of the island

Best Time to Visit Virgin Gorda

The best time to visit Virgin Gorda is between December and April, when trade winds keep the air dry and temperatures hover around 26–29°C. This is high season, ideal for escaping northern winters, but it’s also when cruise ship arrivals and resort bookings peak.

For fewer crowds and better value, consider shoulder months like May or late November. The sea stays warm, the beaches remain pristine, and you’ll likely have places like Savannah Bay all to yourself.

Hurricane season (June to November) brings occasional storms and closures, but if you’re flexible, it can be a peaceful, if unpredictable, time to visit.

Where to Stay and Eat

The small island of Virgin Gorda offers a refined range of accommodation and dining options, from boutique eco-retreats to luxurious Caribbean hideaways.

For timeless elegance, Rosewood Little Dix Bay is among the best places to stay, known for its spa treatments, private villas, and extraordinary natural beauty.

Over at Oil Nut Bay, sustainability meets seclusion, with stylish villas, farm-to-table dining, and marine excursions right on your doorstep.

Mid-range travellers will find comfort and great service at spots like Leverick Bay Resort, offering live music and easy access to water sports. For casual fare, the Fat Virgin Café is a favourite – bright, breezy, and just steps from the sea.