Sailing to Virgin Gorda

best anchorages and marinas

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Virgin Gorda, an island in the BVI

Virgin Gorda is the third-largest of the BVAs. Its name, attributed to Christopher Columbus, supposedly comes from the island’s shape, resembling a “fat virgin” lying on her side. Despite its small size, Spanish Town was once a hub of activity during the island’s days as a center for copper mining in the 19th century. The remains of the old Copper Mine is perched on the island’s southeastern cliffs. But the island’s most iconic feature, and one of the most photographed spots in the Caribbean, is The Baths. Formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago, it’s as if a collection of enormous boulders was casually dropped on the southern shore by a giant, creating a surreal maze of pools, hidden caves, and sandy pathways.