Caribbean (Fodor's, 2011) - Fodor's Travel Publications [18]
Spanish Town.
Virgin Gorda’s peaceful main settlement, on the island’s southern wing, is so tiny that it barely qualifies as a town at all. Also known as the Valley, Spanish Town has a marina, some shops, and a couple of car-rental agencies. Just north of town is the ferry slip. At the Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour you can stroll along the dock and do a little shopping.
Virgin Gorda Peak National Park.
There are two trails at this 265-acre park, which contains the island’s highest point, at 1,359 feet. Small signs on North Sound Road mark both entrances; sometimes, however, the signs are missing, so keep your eyes open for a set of stairs that disappears into the trees. It’s about a 15-minute hike from either entrance up to a small clearing, where you can climb a ladder to the platform of a wooden observation tower and a spectacular 360-degree view. | North Sound Rd., Gorda Peak VG1150 | No phone | www.bvinationalparkstrust.org | Free.
BEACHES
The Baths | Map
(About 1 mi [1½ km] west of Spanish Town ferry dock on Tower Rd., Spring Bay VG1150 | 284/494–3904 | $3 | Daily dawn–dusk), a national park that features a stunning maze of huge granite boulders that extend into the sea, is usually crowded midday with day-trippers. The snorkeling is good, and you’re likely to see a wide variety of fish, but watch out for dinghies coming ashore from the numerous sailboats anchored offshore. Public bathrooms and a handful of bars and shops are close to the water and at the start of the path that leads to the beach. Lockers are available to keep belongings safe.
Nail Bay | Map
(Nail Bay Resort, off Plum Tree Bay Rd., Nail Bay VG1150 | No phone | Free | Daily dawn–dusk), at the island’s north tip, will reward you with a trio of beaches within the Nail Bay Resort complex that are ideal for snorkeling. Mountain Trunk Bay is perfect for beginners, and Nail Bay and Long Bay beaches have coral caverns just offshore. The resort has a restaurant, which is an uphill walk but perfect for beach breaks.
Savannah Bay | Map | Photo
(Off N. Sound Rd., ¾ mi [1¼ km] east of Spanish Town ferry dock, Savannah Bay VG1150 | No phone | Free | Daily dawn–dusk) is a wonderfully private beach close to Spanish Town. It may not always be completely deserted, but you can find a spot to yourself on this long stretch of soft, white sand. Bring your own mask, fins, and snorkel, as there are no facilities. The view from above is a photographer’s delight.
Spring Bay Beach | Map
(Off Tower Rd., 1 mi [1½ km] west of Spanish Town ferry dock, Spring Bay VG1150 | 284/494–3904 | Free | Daily dawn–dusk), just off Tower Road, is a national-park beach that gets much less traffic than the nearby Baths, and has the similarly large, imposing boulders that create interesting grottoes for swimming. The snorkeling is excellent, and the grounds include swings and picnic tables.
WHERE TO EAT
Dining out on Virgin Gorda is a mixed bag, with everything from hamburgers to lobster available. Most folks opt to have dinner at or near their hotel to avoid driving on Virgin Gorda’s twisting roads at night. The Valley does have a handful of restaurants if you’re sleeping close to town.
Bath & Turtle. | Map
$$ | AMERICAN | You can sit back and relax at this informal tavern with a friendly staff—although the noise from the television can sometimes be a bit much. Well-stuffed sandwiches, homemade pizzas, pasta dishes, and daily specials such as conch soup round out the casual menu. Local musicians perform Wednesday and Friday nights. | Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour, Spanish Town VG1150 | 284/495–5239 | AE, MC, V.
Biras Creek Restaurant. | Map
$$$$ | CONTINENTAL | This hilltop restaurant at the Biras Creek Hotel has eye-popping views of North Sound. The four-course prix-fixe menu changes daily and includes several choices per course. For starters, there may be an artichoke, green bean, and wild mushroom salad topped with balsamic vinaigrette, or cream of sweet