The dramatically shaped island of Virgin Gorda reminded Christopher Columbus of a reclining woman, so he named it Virgin Gorda, meaning the “Fat Virgin” in Spanish. Virgin Gorda is welldeveloped with five star resorts, yacht clubs, and all modern convenienThe dramatically shaped island of Virgin Gorda reminded Christopher Columbus of a reclining woman, so heces, however, the population is considered small for Caribbean standards at just 3,000 inhabitants. Spanish Town is the main ferry port and business center of the island, although the slow pace of this small town still remains among the bustling marina, shops, and restaurants. Spanish Town was in fact the original Capital of these islands, being replaced later by the more protected habour known today as Road Town. Without a doubt, the natural attraction that sets Virgin Gorda apart from all the other islands of the Caribbean is indisputably the BVI National Park known as ’The Baths’!!!
The Baths
The Bath’s have been called one of the ‘Seven Natural Wonders of the World’. We can’t confirm that, but we are sure that they have been alluring people to them for centuries: Amerindians, shipwrecked sailors, European settlers, escaped slaves, and now appreciative tourists explore the Baths. Monolithic, house sized giant granite boulders laying on top of one another form a series of spectacular pools and protected grottoes which flood with seawater, creating an unforgettable setting. Mysterious tunnels, caves, shaded hiking trails, warm saltwater pools, coconut and sea grape trees, all encompass the adventure of this National treasure. This is as much a natural playground for adults as it is for children. Devil’s Bay is on the South side of the Baths and is a photographer’s dream-come-true. Snorkeling opportunities abound as the boulders drape off into the sea creating an unusual maze of snorkeling paths to explore. The snorkeling and the white sand beaches around the Baths make it a must see for any BVI vacation! BVI Eco-tours take guests to Virgin Gorda to explore the Baths every Tuesday and any day of the week by Private Charter. Experiencing this tour with our informative Eco-guides will make this excursion the best day of your vacation!
Copper Mine
Located on the Southwest tip of Virgin Gorda, the Copper mine was mined by Cornish miners between 1838 and 1867, and reputedly was started by the Spanish much earlier.
There were two periods within that time that active mining operations were underway. Today, the remains of the chimney, boiler house, cistern, and mine shafts can be seen. The Copper Mine was constructed in 1837 and its first shaft was sunk in 1838 to begin the mining venture. There are seven shafts in total with the shallowest at just 15 feet and the deepest is documented to have been 240 feet below sea level. The pumps were driven by a Cornish steam engine powered by coal and was used to expel the seawater along with pulling out the ore to be crushed. The miners extracted the copper ore and sent it back by ship to South Wales to be refined. The mine was finally abandoned in 1867 and has stood on the horizon as a testament to these industrious and hardworking men ever since.
Virgin Gorda Peak
Gorda Peak is a 265-acre National Park starting at the 1,000 foot contour and continuing up to the island’s highest point of 1,370 feet. The area, which contains a wide variety of indigenous and exotic plants, has been extensively reforested with mahogany trees. An observation tower at the top offers spectacular views of some of the surrounding islands.