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🇻🇬 British Virgin Islands · British Overseas Territory

Virgin Gorda

The third-largest and second-most populous of the British Virgin Islands, east of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands — a volcanic, picturesque island famous for The Baths, rolling hills, lush green valleys, and staying wonderfully undeveloped.

8 sq mi island Spanish Town main town +1 (284) calling code
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🏛️ Main town: Spanish Town 👥 Population: ~3,800 💵 Currency: US Dollar (USD) 🕐 Time zone: AST (UTC-4) 🚗 Drives on: the Left ☎️ Calling code: +1 (284)
Get to know it

The Fat Virgin, and Home of The Baths

Virgin Gorda is a British Overseas Territory and the third-largest, second-most populous island of the British Virgin Islands, located east of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and north-west of Anguilla. View map →

The name is Spanish for "Fat Virgin" — legend credits Christopher Columbus, who thought the island's silhouette on the horizon resembled a reclining woman. Volcanic and largely undeveloped, its southern half is scattered with huge granite boulders, most famously at The Baths. Read the full fact sheet →

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Flag of the British Virgin Islands

Virgin Gorda at a Glance

Nationality: British Overseas Territories Citizen · Size: about 21 km² (8 sq mi) · Highest point: Gorda Peak, 1,370 ft (some sources cite Biras Hill nearby at 435 ft)

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GreenVI
🌱 Sustainability

GreenVI

GreenVI. Their vision is for a green, clean, healthy, and prosperous BVI, where the well-being of the people is of primary importance and a balance is maintained between conservation of the natural environment and development. Their mission is to demonstrate, facilitate and catalyse environmentally friendly systems through practical projects, education and innovation, with focus on waste, energy and water.

★ Cool factor: Opportunities for apprenticeships & internships Visit site
Speedy's Car Rentals
🚤 Transport

Speedy's Car Rentals

Speedy's Car Rentals. Explore Paradise with a Jeep or Car from Speedy's Car Rentals. Set your own itinerary - make your own schedule. Speedy's offers a variety of vehicles including SUVs, brand new Ford Focus models and mini Safaris. They offer free pick up anywhere on the island and unlimited mileage.

★ Cool factor: Free pick up anywhere on the island Visit site
gandor.tv
💻 Other Services

gandor.tv

gandor.tv specializes in creating, maintaining, hosting and promoting websites in the Caribbean. They are known for their customer service, maintenance packages, fast response, e-commerce, booking systems and social media magic and creation of advertisments.

★ Cool factor: They create, maintain, host and promote websites. Visit site
Fischer's Cove Beach Hotel
🛏️ Accommodation

Fischer's Cove Beach Hotel

Fischer's Cove Beach Hotel is a beautiful Caribbean beach side setting. An intimate beach side property on the southwestern side of Virgin Gorda, BVI, that overlooks Sir Francis Drakes Channel. Enjoy a tranquil quarter mile, bohio studded, white sand beach lapped by turquoise waters in the British Virgin Islands.

★ Cool factor: On the beach! Visit site
BVI
🧭 Tourism

BVI

BVI. Discovering the beauty of BVI is all about uncovering the unique character of each island in this unspoiled volcanic archipelago. From the culture and history of BVI's four largest islands to the pristine natural splendor of more then 50 smaller isles, every place you drop anchor offers its own special magic.

★ Cool factor: Balmy trade winds year-round Visit site
Up 'n' Under Watersports
🏄 Water Sports

Up 'n' Under Watersports

Up n' Under Watersports. Your Kiteboarding and Freediving specialists in the British Virgin Islands! Up 'n' Under Watersports invites you to explore the beautiful Caribbean Sea both above and below the water here in the British Virgin Islands! Whether it be learning to Kitesurf in clear warm waters, improving your Snorkeling / Free-diving skills on a historical wreck or going with family and friends on a luxury live aboard catamaran adventure to some of nature's best kept secrets we're here to help!

★ Cool factor: Safety comes first Visit site

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Virgin Gorda Tours & Activities

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Beyond the beaches

5 Fun Facts About Virgin Gorda

The stories behind the postcard — a few things worth knowing before you go.

1

Origin of the Name

"Virgin Gorda" is Spanish for "Fat Virgin" — possibly a reference to the island's shape resembling a reclining woman when viewed from a certain angle, a name local tradition credits to Christopher Columbus.

2

The Baths

One of the island's most famous attractions — huge granite boulders scattered along the beach create spectacular grottoes, pools and tunnels that visitors can explore and swim through.

3

Copper Mine Ruins

Historic ruins of a 19th-century copper mine offer a glimpse into the island's industrial past — a point of interest for history enthusiasts, thought to have been worked by Spanish and Cornish miners.

4

Yachting Destination

Virgin Gorda's protected anchorages and marinas attract sailors from around the world, especially during regatta season, making it a favorite for yachting and sailing enthusiasts.

5

Luxury Tourism

Known for upscale resorts and villas, Virgin Gorda attracts tourists seeking luxury and tranquility — a hotspot for celebrities and high-profile visitors looking to unwind.

Don't miss

Top 10 Things to Do

Ranked by locals — the Virgin Gorda essentials.

  • 1The Baths (see beaches below)
  • 2Copper Mine Historic Site
  • 3Devil's Bay Beach
  • 4Little Fort National Park
  • 5Hiking Gorda Peak
  • 6Hiking North Sound
  • 7Kitesurfing at The Bitter End
  • 8Spring Bay National Park
  • 9The Palm Tree Gallery
  • 10Mahoe Bay Beach
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The serious facts

Virgin Gorda Fact Sheet

Nationality
British Overseas Territories Citizen. The BVI passport is a British passport issued with a connection to the British Virgin Islands by the Deputy Governor's Office.
Main town
Spanish Town, on Virgin Gorda's southwestern side. The capital of the BVI as a whole is Road Town, on Tortola.
Size
Approximately 8 to 9 square miles (about 21 square km).
Population
Approximately 3,800 per the most recent available island-level estimate (2015) — corrects the legacy page's outdated "3,500+ residents (2006 Census)." The BVI territory-wide 2026 estimate is closer to ~39,900.
Currency
US Dollar (USD). Major credit cards are accepted in many, but not all, establishments.
Government
A non-sovereign, internally self-governing British Overseas Territory with King Charles III as head of state (national anthem: "God Save the King"), represented by Governor Daniel Pruce (in office since 29 January 2024). Premier: Natalio Wheatley (in office since 5 May 2022). The national flag is the Union Jack defaced with the territorial coat of arms; the legal system is English Law, and the judicial branch is the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.
Time zone
Atlantic Standard Time (AST, UTC-4) year-round — no daylight saving.
Drives on the
Left.
Calling code
From the US: dial 1 (284). From the UK: dial 001 (284).
Taxation
Sales tax: none. Departure taxes: $20.00 per person leaving by air, $15.00 (visitors) leaving by sea. Accommodation tax: 7% hotel accommodation tax on stays of six months or less in hotels, apartments, houses, cottages, villas and similar accommodations.
Smoking policy
Banned in public places territory-wide, including bars, restaurants, nightclubs, airports, offices and sports facilities, and within 50 feet of any public space.
Lingo
English, with a West Indian-based dialect — the "H" is often discarded ("thing" becomes "ting," "thanks" becomes "tanks").
National flower
Oleander.
National bird
Turtle dove (Zenaida aurita).
National tree
White cedar.
Animals
Iguanas and various lizards, birds including doves, gulls and pelicans, plus frogs, wasps, spiders, centipedes and butterflies.
Food
Banana, mango, orange and cashews grow locally.
Geography
Located at approximately 18°48'N 64°30'W, covering about 8 square miles (21 square km) with no bodies of water or land boundaries. A volcanic island of rolling hills, peaks and valleys — Gorda Peak, its highest point, rises 1,370 feet above sea level. The Baths, on the southern end, is a geological wonder where huge granite boulders form scenic grottoes open to the sea.
Brief History

The British Virgin Islands comprise around 60 islands, of which only about 16 are inhabited. They were home to the Ciboney (Stone Age), then the Arawak (from South America), then the Carib people, who arrived roughly a century before Christopher Columbus. Columbus's 1493 encounter with the islands opened the way for colonization by the Spanish, French and finally the British.

In the age of sail, the islands' secret bays and hidden coves made them a haven for pirates and privateers — Tortola's own famous residents included Blackbeard and Captain Kidd, who left behind a rich history of tales of hidden treasure.

Today the primary islands of the British Virgin Islands are Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke, with Virgin Gorda known for staying quieter and more undeveloped than its larger neighbor.

Pick your pace

Virgin Gorda Beaches

🏖 The Baths

Top of the list for incredible views and snorkeling — huge boulders form grottoes and seawater pools that flood into a mecca for colorful fish. Restrooms, a beach restaurant and a hilltop restaurant in the National Park, plus a few quaint souvenir shops.

🏖 Mahoe Bay

Located at the Mango Bay Resort — a gentle, curvy beach with clear water good for swimming, walking the whole stretch of the cove, kayaking or snorkeling (plenty of sea turtles here).

🏖 Spring Bay

Right next to The Baths and just as fabulous — white, fine sand and clear blue water make for nearly guaranteed perfect snorkeling.

🏖 Trunk Bay

Wide and a little difficult to reach — most visitors arrive by boat, or via a rough path from Spring Bay. Worth the effort, as with its St. John, USVI namesake.

🏖 Savannah Bay

A secluded, half-mile stretch actually made up of three bays — Savannah, Pond and Tetor. Shallow water and reefs make a calm day essential, but Giorgio's Table Restaurant on the point makes it worth the trip.

From a local

Caribbean Tip of the Day

Best holiday deals in the Caribbean are between June and September. It's off season, so expect really really good deals in terms of accommodation, car rentals and boating trips. Don't be shy to ask companies whether they're running specials. Also follow CoolestCarib on social media for specials. We're on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr.

Tips by Liz Strauss, an experienced traveler and piano entertainer. www.lizpiano.com · Disclosure

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