On the southwestern tip of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands is a geological wonder known as the Baths. Granite boulders, some as large as 40ft in diameter, form tidal pools, tunnels, arches and scenic grottos at the ocean's edge. Golden beaches frame these standing stones. These massive rocks were formed by thousands of years of erosion of softer lava rock encasing them and shaped by the rain and waves. They are protected as a British Virgin Islands National Park. Exploration of this park is a delightful way to spend a morning or afternoon.
This National Park encompasses 7 acres at the southern most tip of Virgin Gorda. The admission fee of $3.00 per person is paid at the parking lot entrance. The fee is covered by the mandatory, cruising National Park Pass. Boaters arriving by land, make sure you bring a copy. Also don't forget your water shoes, underwater camera, mask and snorkel and reef safe sunscreen.
Essential Online Links For Booking Your Trip to the British Virgin Islands
Logistics: There is one international airport in the British Virgin Islands. You can also fly into St. Thomas USVI and take a ferry to Road Town, Tortola. : Taxis are available throughout the islands. Private Transfers are available from both airports: Private Arrival Transfer from EIS Airport to Tortola, Private Ground Transfers, St. Thomas, Ferry Schedules are available at USVI.net, Water Taxi transfers are available through Dolphin Water Taxi
Top-rated British Virgin Islands tours and experiences:
☆Conch Island Snorkel Tour: Contact Kelly at Anegadaconcierge@gmail.com or Whatsapp at 281 496-0961
Top places to stay in British Virgin Islands: Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina (Tortola - Luxury) ***Wyndham Tortola BVI Lambert Beach Resort (Tortola - Budget Friendly, ) *** Sebastian's on the Beach Hotel (Tortola - Budget Friendly) ***Rosewood Little Dix Bay Virgin Gorda (Virgin Gorda - Luxury, )***Saba Rock Resort ( North Sound - Luxury,) *** Anegada Beach Resort (Anegada -Budget Friendly, )
My favorite Guidebook for Bareboating in the British Virgin Islands: The Cruising Guide to the Virgin Islands
My favorite Guidebook for the British Virgin Islands: Top 10 US & British Virgin Islands
My favorite Novel about the Caribbean: The Embarrassment Of Mangoes or Vintage Norman Island: True Tales About a Real Treasure Island with Pirates and Buried Treasure
Don’t forget to pack: water shoes*** underwater camera*** HD mask ***reef safe sunscreen.
We started our Baths adventure in Spring Bay just down the hill from the land entrance. This beautiful bay is framed with giant granite boulders. Spring Bay has bathrooms, lockers, a snack bar and gift shop. When the seas are relatively calm, it is a beautiful place to snorkel.
From Spring Bay, you can follow the Cave Trail to Devil's Bay. There are a series of rope handrails and ladders leading you through the grottos and caves.
The formations are stunning!
The steps and ladders were added after Hurricane Irma. This enhancement makes the Cave Hike more assessable to people of all hiking abilities.
Devil's Bay has a wide sandy beach. You can get to Devil's Bay from the Cave trail or the hiking trail that starts behind the National Park Land Entrance. Be cautious when entering the water, the undertow can be quite strong in the center of the beach. It is safer to enter the water in the roped off area on the southern side.
The video above is of Devil's Bay.
The golden sand, towering boulders and aquamarine water make this a stunning spot. The last time CaptK and I visited, we were the only people in the park. We are able to just sit and absorb the beauty that nature had created.
Follow the hiking trails back to Spring Bay or the main land entrance. At busy times the Cave Trail is one way from Spring Bay to Devil's Bay. The hike back to the parking lot entrance has sweeping vistas of the Camanoe Islands.
Boaters can pick up a National Park Day Use Only mooring ball in Spring Bay and swim into the Baths.
If those mooring balls are taken, you can anchor at Trunk Bay and dingy over. Dingys are not allowed on the beach, so you must tie your dingy off on the dingy line and swim the rest of the way in to the beach. If you have non-swimmers in your group you can pull into Spanish Town Yacht Club and take a taxi to the land entrance. You can also take a taxi or rent a car from Leverick Bay. Land travelers can take a ferry from Tortola to Virgin Gorda and taxi to the Baths.
The Top of the Baths or Mad Dog Cafe makes a nice lunch spot. They are just to the north of the entrance gate, along with some nice gift shops. On a hot day, Top of the Baths not only offers cold cocktails and a delicious Mahi Sandwich but a dip in their pool.
Ready to book your British Virgin Islands adventure, check out the land accommodations available at Booking.com.
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Ready to book your BVI adventure, check out Booking.com for land accommodations.
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