Forbes Names Virgin Gorda a Top Place to Visit in 2023
Virgin Gorda, long considered one of the British Virgin Islands most exclusive and beautiful destinations, has made the Forbes Magazine list of the “Top 23 Places to Visit in 2023”.
This is what they had to say:
Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
Why visit? Virgin Gorda is among the Caribbean’s best kept secrets, with clear, calm waters and first-class snorkeling. “The best way to explore has always been by boat, but with the reopening of the fully renovated Rosewood Little Dix Bay, staying on land is just as magical,” notes Lebovitch.
Who should go? Virgin Gorda is popular with couples, families, snorkelers and beach bums.
Don’t miss: The Baths, huge boulders in pristine turquoise water.
Forbes know what they are talking about. Virgin Gorda is one of my own favorite destinations within the BVI and I love nothing better than a day trip with friends or family.
A wonderful boost for this special island, the Forbes’ entry only touches the surface of what makes the island so special. Here are a few of my own favorite reasons to go to Virgin Gorda.
The Baths & Spring Bay
Forbes and I agree that The Baths is indeed a one-of-a-kind spot, and for me, worthy of its unofficial designation as an “eighth wonder of the world”. Many visitors arrive at the Baths on a boat, anchoring just off shore of the beach and the area’s famous jumble of giant boulders. For those coming by land, though, start at the parking lot at the “Top of The Baths” a small complex of tropical eateries and shops. Here a narrow path winds past large granite boulders, wild frangipani and succulents, and opens up to a blue sea, and a small white sand beach sprinkled with those colossal boulders. Carved by volcanic uplift and a millennia of erosion, these behemoths never fail to impress. An inconspicuous slot through the rocks marks the entrance to The Baths. This labyrinth of towering boulders and sea pools punctuated by shafts of light, is pure magic.
My favorite beach in the Virgin Islands is Spring Bay, and I am disappointed that Forbes didn’t give it a mention. The beach is pure white sand and is sprinkled with many of the same boulders as found at The Baths. The beach is pristine and feels set apart from the rest of the world. I find floating in its calm waters renewing. When my sons were young, they loved climbing to the top of the boulders that jut out from the turquoise water, and do what kids do – jump off.
The Valley
To get to both Spring Bay and The Baths you will pass through the “The Valley”. This area of low sloping hills strewn with the island’s iconic boulders, has a largely rural feel. You will pass small wooden houses painted pink and yellow, and yards with banana and mango trees. Cows gaze over fences, and here and there, sheep and goats wandered along the sides of the road.
Rosewood Little Dix, located in the Virgin Gorda Valley, and recently reopened after a major renovation, also received a special mention by Forbes. And deservedly so. For well over 100 years Virgin Gorda remained rural and undeveloped, rich in the bounty of nature, but economically deprived. That changed with the arrival of Laurance Rockefeller, son of oil magnate, John D. Rockefeller, in the late ‘50s. Leasing 365 acres from the BVI government, he opened the doors to Little Dix Bay, the Territory’s first luxury hotel, in 1964. In addition, he built the island’s first airport, its main ferry dock and a full-service marina, jump starting the BVI’s tourism sector within a decade. The resort, now owned by Rosewood, is located on a beautiful horseshoe shaped bay, and features a restaurant beneath a towering pavilion roof and an elegant ambiance of rolling lawns and tropical gardens.
The Coppermine
A windswept promontory on the island’s southeast shore is the site of The Coppermine. Lore has it that the Spanish mined the area looking for gold, but were disappointed when they found only copper. Miners from Cornwall, England were less dismayed, and in the mid 19th century, they came to Virgin Gorda to extract the prized mineral. The miners built a series of stone structures, reminiscent of those in their Cornish homeland; most impressive is the lofty stone chimney that stands tall against the blue sky.
North Sound
For an amazing view of Virgin Gorda’s North Sound and beyond, go to Hog Heaven, a barbecue spot perched on a cliff along the island’s ridge. The entire North Sound, often referred to as “the playground of the rich and famous”, shimmers below you. Necker and Mosquito Islands, owned by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, are preferred destinations for Hollywood celebrities and British rock stars. Princess Diana vacationed here in the ‘80s and Kate Winslet, who married Richard Branson’s nephew, Ned Rocknroll is a frequent guest. Tech entrepreneur and Google co-founder, Larry Page, owns the neighboring island, Eustatia.
There are other well-known resorts here including Bitter End Yacht Club, an appropriately nautical themed resort and Saba Rock, once owned by the legendary shipwreck diver Bert Kilbride and now a small boutique hotel and popular waterfront bar.
Virgin Gorda’s pastoral feel with its strong tropical vibe and gorgeous beaches sets Virgin Gorda apart from other Caribbean destinations. For Forbes the island is # 8 of 23, but for me it’s #1.
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