ACTIVITIES
BEACHES, SHOPPING, DINING, NIGHT LIFE
Why Virgin Gorda
Virgin Gorda is your ideal retreat. The island ensures a private and peaceful stay for its visitors. Virgin Gorda consists of three islands – all connected as one. The Southern third, known as “The Valley” is occupied by Spanish Town. The central part of the island is rocky. It consists of the Gorda Peak and lovely west side beaches including Mahoe Bay, Savannah Bay, and Pond Bay. The northern third of the island is situated around North Sound. It can be easily accessed via an ascending, but a smoothly paved road on the east side of Mount Gorda. Its most famous site, “The Baths”, is often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world. “The Baths” makes the perfect spot for hiking lovers and explorers. Near the Baths are two other beaches, Spring Bay and Devil’s Bay.
SUN AND SEA ACTIVITIES
Beaches
The beaches of Virgin Gorda come in all shapes and sizes; however, they’re all unique! The beaches are far from being crowded; in most situations, they are almost deserted. The beaches are palm-fringed and have white, sandy beaches. Tourists can enjoy snorkeling, sailing, sunbathing, or shelling at any of the coves found in the area.
The Baths
(Virgin Gorda)
The Baths National Park consists of a series of small sea pools lying beneath a canopy of giant, granite boulders. These sheltered, light-filled grottoes create a unique setting to swim and explore. If you snorkel along the outside perimeter of both The Baths and Devil’s Bay, you will reach an exquisite area rich in colorful fish and coral.
Mahoe Bay Beach
(Virgin Gorda)
Mahoe Beach will be your “private beach”. The Mahoe Bay is a remote and quiet beach with clear, blue waters. Its gentle sandy curves and two charming reefs add to its charm and offer wonderful water activities.
Mahoe Bay is located north of Savannah Bay. It lies at the end of a tropically landscaped drive and the Mahoe Bay villas.
Savannah Bay & Pond Bay
Beaches (Virgin Gorda)
Savannah Bay is a beautiful beach best described as a long, curving stretch of sand. It is located to the north of Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor. The beach makes the perfect destination for sunset lovers. Tourists can relax on the beach, swim, or snorkel, then enjoy the spectacular sunsets.
Devil’s Bay Beach
(Virgin Gorda)
The Devil’s Bay National Park can be accessed by boat or by walking through the trails of The Baths. Its beach has pure white sand and is sprinkled with large granite boulders. Its deep blue waters serve as an excellent place for diving and snorkeling.
Spring Bay
(Virgin Gorda)
Spring Bay is east of The Baths in an area known as The Crawl. Popular with visitors and residents, it can be accessed from land. Picnic tables and a barbecue grill inspire get-togethers with friends or family at this beautiful sandy beach, which is nestled amongst the boulders. A trail disappears through the rocks to Valley Trunk Bay, offering secluded rock pools and swimming spots along the way.
Prickly Pear National Park
(Prickly Pear)
Prickly Pear is a 243-acre island that was declared a National Park in 1988. It is located in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda. The North Beach in specific offers a perfect space for swimming and snorkeling, and a hiking trail that takes you from the SandBox Bar over a gentle slope down to the North Beach.
ENJOYING THE SEA
The warm and crystal clear waters of the BVI offer the best place for activities for an unforgettable vacation! You can book a day’s sail with one of the greatest excursion companies or enjoy a week of scuba diving among the shipwrecks and man-made dive sites throughout the waters surrounding the island.
Scuba
For Scuba Diving lovers, the Dive BVI is highly recommended. It has a full range of scuba and snorkeling equipment for rent or purchase. There are two retail locations on Virgin Gorda: the main store is found at Yacht Harbor in Spanish town, and the other is at Leverick Bay. For reservations or more information on their day trips, visit their website.
Snorkeling
Virgin Gorda has a vast number of coral reefs around the island which form a major attraction to its visitors. Snorkeling is one of the unique activities that involves a simple walk to the water to experience the wonders below. It is done at Mahoe, Savannah Bay, Pond Bay, or the Baths. You can find all your equipment needs at Dive BVI.
Deep Sea Fishing
Deep-seas fishing is a delight on Virgin Gorda due to its proximity to the drop-off to the Atlantic Ocean a few miles from the shore. There are several, professional companies with an experienced crew that will assist you on your trip, thus ensuring a successful and smooth sailing experience.
Powerboat Rentals
If you’re going on a day or half day’s exploration of the waters surrounding Virgin Gorda, you can rent smaller powerboats and other watersport equipment at Leverick Bay Water Sports.
Check out Bradley Powerboats to rent a boat.
Day Sails for Large Groups
There are several options for day sails and exploration trips from Virgin Gorda to some of the other islands, bays, dive, or snorkeling sites in the beautiful British Virgin Islands. If you’re interested in joining a larger group of people for your day excursions the cost per person is often lower than a private group boat tour.
Small Private Boat Tours
With so many islands in close proximity to each other, powerboating and sailing in the BVI is incredible, even for a day. There are a plethora of local small craft operators in the Virgin Gorda and Tortola, who can take private groups of up to 12 passengers virtually anywhere your groups would like.
SHOPPING ON VIRGIN GORDA
Grocery Stores – Virgin Gorda
Buck’s Food Market
- Location: Spanish Town - just past Riteway (formerly Road Town Wholesale) on the road to The Baths.
- }Operating Hours: 7 days a week / Mon - Sat: 7:00 am - 7:50 pm; Sundays: 7:00 am - 6:50 pm.
- Phone: (284) 495 5423
Bucks Food Market offers groceries, fresh produce, fresh and frozen seafood, meats, fresh-cut steaks, dairy products, household items/ pharmaceuticals, Cuban cigars, ice, and Assorted Deli meats and cheeses, beers, wines, and liquors.
Buck’s also has a Hot Food Deli with daily specials, freshly-baked bread, pastries, and patties. Bucks offers delivery and stock services to the villas nearby.
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Bucks Food Market offers groceries, fresh produce, fresh and frozen seafood, meats, fresh-cut steaks, dairy products, household items/ pharmaceuticals, Cuban cigars, ice, and Assorted Deli meats and cheeses, beers, wines, and liquors.
Buck’s also has a Hot Food Deli with daily specials, freshly-baked bread, pastries, and patties. Bucks offers delivery and stock services to the villas nearby.
Riteway – Formerly RTW
- Location: On the road to The Baths -turn left at the roundabout then go about 300 yards towards the Baths.
- }Operating Hours: 6 days a week / Mon-Sat: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm.
- Phone: (284) 495 5228
Riteway provides bulk supplies to many villas, homes, and restaurants on Virgin Gorda. You can find a large range of products at wholesale prices. Riteway has a large liquor and wine selection with the best prices compared to all other stores on the island.
Note: If you order provisioning from Riteway, your order may come from their store in Tortola in which case you may have spoilage for milk products and vegetables. (It is better to order from Bucks or Supa Valu if you have perishables.)
Supa Valu
- Location: Near the road entrance to the airport - opposite the police station.
- }Operating Hours: 6 days a week / Mon - Sat: 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Phone: (284) 295-6500
Supa Valu offers fresh produce, frozen meats, frozen seafood, and a selection of staples. One specialty Supa Valu offer is wraps or tortilla flatbread which are used for making Rotis.
Rosy’s Enterprises
- Location: Located in a 3-building complex about 1 block north of Riteway (500 yards) - Go up the road that is perpendicular to Riteway’s front door then hang a right.
- }Operating Hours: 7 days a week / Mon - Sun: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Phone: (284) 495-5245
Rosy’s is located in a 3-building complex; it operates a household goods store, a grocery store, and a furniture/ electronics store. The grocery store is well stocked with good produce, meats, and canned goods, as well as a wide selection of beers, wines, and liquors.
DINING AND NIGHTLIFE
Please note the following:
Almost all ingredients for restaurant meals are imported from the US or Europe, so meal prices in Virgin Gorda are higher than those in North America by almost 50%. Also, most restaurants include a 15% service charge which is automatically added to your bill. Usually, between mid-August and mid-October, several restaurants will close for the season, so it’s always recommended to phone ahead.
Bitter End (BEYC)
- Website
- Prices: Moderate to Expensive
- Phone: +1 800-872-2392
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Rosy’s is located in a 3-building complex; it operates a household goods store, a grocery store, and a furniture/ electronics store. The grocery store is well stocked with good produce, meats, and canned goods, as well as a wide selection of beers, wines, and liquors.
Chez Bamboo
- Prices: Moderate to Expensive
- Phone: +1 284-545-1861
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Located near Spanish Town’s Yacht Harbor, this is a fine restaurant with live bands on Friday nights. There is usually a cover charge, but if you have dinner there admission is included. The restaurant has a bar area and dance floor to the right of the main entrance.
Coco Maya
- Website
- Prices: Moderate to Expensive
- Phone: +1 (284) 495 6344
- Cuisine: Blend of Asian and Latin
Sip signature cocktails and enjoy an exotic blend of Asian and Latin cuisines with creative twists. Menu items feature Hoisin sauce duck taquitos, Coco Maya’s fire & ice ceviche plus hand-rolled sushi, great steaks, lobster, and much more.
Hog Heaven
- Prices: Inexpensive to moderate
- Phone: +1 284-547-5964
- Cuisine: American, Caribbean
It serves great ribs, potato salad, and the usual BBQ fare. The restaurant is highly recommended for a lunch setting. Hog Heaven is located at the top of the mountain looking North. To reach the restaurant, you should take the road that goes up the mountain by turning left as you leave Adagio, then follow the road.
Leverick Bay
- Website
- Prices: Moderate to Expensive
- Phone: +1 284 346 7241
- Cuisine: Caribbean, Continental
It serves elegant dishes in the second-story main restaurant, and sea-side quick dishes under the covered verandah. The resort has a pool accessible to everyone.
Nova at Oil Nut Bay
- Website
- Prices: Moderate to Expensive
- Phone: +1 284-346-7260
- Cuisine: Caribbean, Seafood, Mediterranean
Built out over the water, friends and family gather to share delectable dishes in an exquisite locale that both invigorates and unwinds. Pair your meal with a handcrafted cocktail, a bottle of bubbles, or wine from our thoughtfully curated list.
Saba Rock
- Website
- Prices: Moderate to Expensive
- Phone: +1-284-393-9220
- Cuisine: American, Caribbean
Saba Rock sits in the center of all the action as an icon within the North Sound of the British Virgin Islands. The fun-loving island resort offers locals and visitors an elevated experience with the same free-spirited charm and laidback lifestyle and world-class culinary offerings, luxurious accommodations, a spa treatment studio, and onsite activities.
Sugar Cane Restaurant
- Website
- Prices: Moderate
- Phone: +1 284-495-5455
- Cuisine: Caribbean, International, Asian
Sugar Cane restaurant is located just up the road from Adagio. You can easily reach it – just turn left out the driveway onto the road. It is a casual bar and restaurant with a pool. It offers pizzas, mains, and some interesting dishes that are sure to please!
Top of the Baths
- Website
- Prices: Moderate
- Phone: +1-284-495-5497
- Cuisine: West Indian, International
The menu has various dishes including filet mignon and fresh lobster. Lunch features burgers, and sandwiches, in addition to several smaller appetizers and sushi in the evenings. All in all, it is best described as a casual restaurant with great food.
