Out of the many islands in the Caribbean, it can be difficult to narrow down the options. From the pretty white sand beaches to outdoorsy national park getaways, there is something for everyone among the islands between North and South America. Luckily, we have experts like Travel Channel and PBS host Samantha Brown to offer some inspiration.
Though Brown has traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean, her trips to the British Virgin Islands have stood out — especially the island of Virgin Gorda. “Let’s be honest: Most Caribbean islands look more or less the same: sugar-soft sand, aquamarine waters, lovely people (tough problem to have, right?). Virgin Gorda is an exception. People say God sprinkled boulders on this island, creating a dramatic landscape you can’t help but fall in love with,” she stated on her website. This island has more than one national park, amazing food, and is easily accessible either by planes or ferries departing from neighboring islands. It is a popular place for cruise ships to dock, as well.
Enjoy a relaxing swim at The Baths National Park
Though the British Virgin Islands encompass over two dozen islands, most are uninhabited. Virgin Gorda is one of the grouping’s main four islands and features incredible terrain. For Samantha Brown, The Baths National Park on Virgin Gorda is “one of those places you need to see to believe … I took a leisurely swim through one of the most stunning natural ‘baths’ I’ve ever experienced,” Brown explains on her website.
What forms these natural baths are the granite boulders along the otherwise sandy coastline. These boulders originated from volcanic activity that formed layers of rock. These rocks cracked and eroded to form the present-day smooth natural barriers. Swimming in this area’s small pockets of water is more calm than the open ocean, thanks to the boulders. Given that Virgin Gorda boasts some of the prettiest waters in the world, snorkeling is a popular activity at The Baths. There’s a short hike from here that winds you throughout the boulders and brings you to the coast of Devil’s Bay National Park further south, which offers another gorgeous white sand beach perfect for snorkeling. Luckily, the island is relatively small (8 square miles), so from your arrival point, simply catch a taxi to The Baths and begin your day in paradise.
Visit historic sites on Virgin Gorda
Less than 3 miles from Devil’s Bay National Park is Copper Mine National Park. People from Spain and later England mined for copper on Virgin Gorda beginning in the early 1700s. However, natives of the island had already been mining in the area. Though the mine has not been used since the mid-1800s, the remnants make for a beautiful overlook into the ocean.
One of the culinary highlights for Samantha Brown on her trip throughout the British Virgin Islands was lobster. CocoMaya on the shores of Virgin Gorda serves it up in multiple ways. Eat it cold with Thai dressing and chilli, add it to a noodle or a rice bowl, or have it whole with red curry butter.
Ferries reach Virgin Gorda from the city of Road Town on Tortola, the largest of the British Virgin Islands. You can also get there from the smaller Beef Island and also from Cruz Bay on St. John (which is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands). Though there are charter airlines, plenty of flights arrive on Virgin Gorda from San Juan, Puerto Rico. You can also fly from Miami to Beef Island and take a ferry from there.
