Virgin Gorda

Understand

History Since being "discovered" as a tourist destination in the early 1960s, 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 8 sq mi (21 km2), 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 410 m (1350 ft). 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.

Climate

High season in Virgin Gorda runs from mid December through April. Rates will be at the

Getting there

By plane There is one airport on the island:

1 Virgin Gorda Airport (VIJ IATA). The airport is restricted to a few approved airlines, and only operates 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.

Commercial airlines Air Sunshine, toll-free: +1-800-327-8900 (U.S. & Canada). Flies from San Juan four times a day, and from Vieques twice a day; in winter the last flights may be diverted to Tortola, as the airport operates only during daylight. 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. Cape Air. Flies from San Juan three times a day; twice a day in summer. Cape Air code-shares with United, so that it may be possible to book your entire flight using popular search engines. If not connecting with a major airline, flights must be booked directly with Cape Air. Seaborne Airlines, ☏ +1 340-773-6442, toll-free: +1-866-359-8784. Entered into an interline agreement with American Airlines to allow seamless connections from San Juan to Virgin Gorda. Flights between the U.S. and Virgin Gorda on AA/Seaborne can be booked with American Airlines.

Charter airlines

Fly BVI – Caribbean Air Charter, ☏ +1 284 495-1747, toll-free: +1-866-819-3146 (U.S. & Canada). 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. Island Birds, ☏ +1 284 495-2002, toll-free: +1-877-515-5066. Also specializes in private

Getting around

For those staying at resorts, taxis are readily available for the occasional excursion. Taxi services include:

African Pride Taxi Service, ☏ +1 284 495-6091. Andy's Taxi and Jeep Rental, ☏ +1 284 495-5252. Mahogany Rentals, ☏ +1 284 495-5469. Also gives tours and rents late-model 4WD SUVs. Open-sided 22-passenger safari buses (shared taxis) run along the main road. Fares are $3–5. Most people staying in cottages or villas will want to rent a car for at least part of the stay. A temporary drivers license, available at the rental agency for $10 provided you have a valid drivers license from your home country, is required to operate a vehicle on the island. Driving is on the left. All major roads are paved. 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.

3P's Scooter Rental, ☏ +1 284 495-6870. Rents scooters by the day. Delivery and pick up services available. L&S Jeep Rentals, ☏ +1 284 495-5297. Offers a range of SUVs and other vehicles. Speedy's, ☏ +1 284 495-5240. Also has rentals, tours and taxi service. Some of the resorts in the North Sound area are accessible only by ferry service from Gun Creek.

See

Beaches 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). Beginning at the southern end:

1 The Baths. 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 from The Baths 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. $3/person. 2 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 bi