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284/495–5423 | Gun Creek, North Sound VG1150 | 284/495–7368) is the closest the island offers to a full-service supermarket and has everything from an in-store bakery and deli to fresh fish and produce departments. The Chef’s Pantry (Leverick Bay VG1150 | 284/495–7154) has the fixings for an impromptu party in your villa or on your boat—fresh seafood, specialty meats, imported cheeses, daily baked breads and pastries, and an impressive wine and spirit selection. The Wine Cellar & Bakery (Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour, Spanish Town VG1150 | 284/495–5250) sells bread, rolls, muffins, cookies, sandwiches, and sodas to go.

GIFTS

The Nautical Gallery

(Leverick Bay VG1150 | 284/495–7479) sells attractive handcrafted jewelry, paintings, and one-of-a-kind gift items, as well as books about the Caribbean. Reeftique (Bitter End Yacht Harbor, North Sound VG1150 | 284/494–2746) carries island crafts and jewelry, clothing, and nautical odds and ends with the Bitter End logo.

SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES

DIVING AND SNORKELING

Where you go snorkeling and what company you pick depends on where you’re staying. Many hotels have on-site dive outfitters, but if they don’t, one won’t be far away. If your hotel does have a dive operation, just stroll down to the dock and hop aboard—no need to drive anywhere. The dive companies are all certified by PADI. Costs vary, but count on paying about $75 for a one-tank dive and $110 for a two-tank dive. All dive operators offer introductory courses as well as certification and advanced courses. Should you get an attack of the bends, which can happen when you ascend too rapidly, the nearest decompression chamber is at Roy L. Schneider Regional Medical Center in St. Thomas.

There are some terrific snorkel and dive sites off Virgin Gorda, including areas around the Baths, the North Sound, and the Dogs. The Chimney at Great Dog Island has a coral archway and canyon covered with a wide variety of sponges. At Joe’s Cave, an underwater cavern on West Dog Island, huge groupers, eagle rays, and other colorful fish accompany divers as they swim. At some sites you can see 100 feet down, but divers who don’t want to go that deep and snorkelers will find plenty to look at just below the surface.

The Bitter End Yacht Club (North Sound VG1150 | 284/494–2746 | www.beyc.com) offers two snorkeling trips a day. Dive BVI (Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour, Spanish Town VG1150 | 284/495–5513 or 800/848–7078 | Leverick Bay Resort and Marina, Leverick Bay VG1150 | 284/495–7328 | www.divebvi.com) offers expert instruction, certification, and day trips. Sunchaser Scuba (Bitter End Yacht Club, North Sound VG1150 | 284/495–9638 or 800/932–4286 | www.sunchaserscuba.com) offers resort, advanced, and rescue courses.

MINIATURE GOLF

The 9-hole mini-golf course Golf Virgin Gorda (Copper Mine Point, The Valley VG1150 | 284/495–5260) is next to the Mine Shaft Café, delightfully nestled between huge granite boulders.

SAILING AND BOATING

The BVI waters are calm, and terrific places to learn to sail. You can also rent sea kayaks, waterskiing equipment, dinghies, and powerboats, or take a parasailing trip.

The Bitter End Sailing & Windsurfing School (Bitter End Yacht Club,North Sound | 284/494–2746 | www.beyc.com) offers classroom, dockside, and on-the-water lessons for sailors of all levels. Private lessons are $75 per hour. If you just want to sit back, relax, and let the captain take the helm, choose a sailing or power yacht from Double “D” Charters (Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour,Spanish Town | 284/499–2479 | www.doubledbvi.com). Rates are $60 for a half-day trip and $110 for a full-day island-hopping excursion. Private full-day cruises or sails for up to 12 people run $1,299. If you’d rather rent a Sunfish or Hobie Wave, check out Leverick Bay Watersports (Leverick Bay,North Sound | 284/495–7376 | www.watersportsbvi.com).

WINDSURFING

The North Sound is a good place to learn to windsurf: it’s protected, so you can’t be easily blown out to sea. The Bitter End Yacht Club (North Sound VG1150 | 284/494–2746 | www.beyc.com) gives lessons and rents