This Stunning Island Has 6 National Parks, Perfect Beaches, and One of the Best Resorts in the Caribbean

With lush tropical shores that melt away into white sands and tranquil waves, Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands is beautiful enough for billionaires, and that's no exaggeration. "People that have enough money to live anywhere on the planet are choosing to live right here," says Alexander Dobbs, real estate sales manager at Oil Nut Bay, as he gestures around the island's North Sound and towards Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island.

A paradise for yacht enthusiasts in a corner of the Caribbean where private island resorts are the norm, not the exception, Virgin Gorda is easily among the most exclusive islands in the region. Low-density by design, "Virgin Gorda has an intimate, less commercialized feel compared to other destinations in the Caribbean, [and is] an ideal destination for those who seek tranquility," affirms Andreas Pade, managing director of the remarkable Rosewood Little Dix Bay. It feels like a secret worth passing down through the generations, and often is, with families returning year after year to the spots that make Virgin Gorda so special.

Virgin Gorda

• Villas and vacation homes cling to hillsides and grace sandy shores at Oil Nut Bay, embodying the laid-back yet supremely luxurious vibe of the island for a guaranteed hit of a getaway.

• There is no better way to experience this world-renowned haven for yachting enthusiasts than by spending a day — or an entire vacation — on the water.

• Bathe in cool blue grottos tucked along white-sand beaches at The Baths, evidence of the volcanic foundations of Virgin Gorda.

• Park the dinghy at Saba Rock for dinner and drinks and experience one of the most iconic watering holes in the Caribbean, a staple since the 1960s.

• Hemmed in by billionaire-owned private islands, the North Sound of Virgin Gorda features some of the most exclusive places in the Caribbean for sipping cocktails and sailing at sunset.

Best Hotels and Resorts

Oil Nut Bay

After spending a decade scouring the Caribbean for the perfect location, Oil Nut Bay visionary David V. Johnson founded a spot so spectacular that it makes Travel + Leisure's list of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean. This 400-acre property in the exclusive North Sound is villas and vacation homes first by design, giving it a low-density, community-style feel that offers visitors supreme seclusion. However, with water sports on the beachfront, a kids club, exquisite dining options, and the intimate overwater Sundara Spa, there are plenty of ways to enjoy.

Rosewood Little Dix Bay

60 years ago, billionaire Laurance Rockefeller purchased a crescent of creamy white sand and the surrounding 500 acres of lush hillside, and what would later become Rosewood Little Dix Bay was born. Amenities here are sumptuous, especially after a recent top-to-toe transformation, but it remains staunchly faithful to the next-level service and unwavering attention to every luxurious detail that made it such a pillar for so many years.

Related: This Caribbean Hotel on Virgin Gorda Has a Luxury Tree House Suite, Butler Service, and a Pristine Beach

The Bitter End Yacht Club

What started in the 1960s as a simple outpost for sailors is now one of the most recognizable institutions in the British Virgin Islands. The Bitter End Yacht Club is home to multiple dining venues, small boutiques, and luxe, nautical-inspired accommodations that make it worth a stay, not just a quick visit. The property faced an extensive rebuild after suffering significant hurricane damage in 2017, but it's now back and better than ever, home to the only overwater bungalows in the British Virgin Islands.

Best Things to Do

Visit The Baths.

Swim and sun amidst granite boulders the size of buildings at The Baths, one of the most popular and recognizable destinations in the British Virgin Islands. Paddle amidst the towering rock formations, the remnants of Virgin Gorda's volcanic past, to discover hidden caverns where waves and sand meet.

Set sail.

Life in the British Virgin Islands has always centered on sailing, so spending at least one day on the water is a must. "With over 60 islands to visit, you can easily hop from one island or bay to another depending on whether you are in the mood for a lively beach bar atmosphere or a quiet cove," says Loïc Bonnet, president of Dream Yacht Worldwide. Book an experience with the company's impressive fleet for everything from bareboat charters for experienced sailors to fully crewed charters and cabin cruises for a hassle-free experience.

Related: A Week Spent Sailing Around the British Virgin Islands, on Nomada at Sea

Go snorkeling and diving.

The turquoise waters surrounding Virgin Gorda are rich with reefs and wrecks to explore, ideal for both snorkelers and divers. "A cluster of little islands called 'The Dogs,' just off the west coast of Virgin Gorda, are one of my favorite spots," recommends Bonnet, though divers should consider exploring the wreck of RMS Rhone. It is considered one of the most interesting and accessible wreck dives in the Caribbean and was the filming location of the 1977 classic film "The Deep."

Hike Gorda Peak.

High above the island's heart towers Gorda Peak, tempting hikers with breathtaking panoramic views of ocean and islands from its summit. The trek is moderately strenuous, so plan on rewarding yourself with a drink at Hog Heaven after the experience, or pick from any of the island's easier trails, like the one connecting The Baths to Devil's Bay.

Explore Copper Mine National Park.

The ruins of a 19th-century copper mine crown a rocky outcropping at Copper Mine National Park (one of six national parks on the island), overlooking the churning Atlantic Ocean and revealing the most important historic sites on Virgin Gorda. This is the perfect place to take in this windswept side of the island, much less frequently visited than the beachy Caribbean coastline — but no less beautiful.

Best Restaurants

Saba Rock

Nestled on a tiny outcropping in the North Sound, there are few more iconic watering holes in the Caribbean than Saba Rock. Come for the daily tarpon feeding at 5 p.m., and stick around as the space swells with sailors for a legendary happy hour that has made the spot a fixture since the 1960s. The property also has a handful of hotel rooms if you happen to have one too many rum-infused painkiller cocktails during your visit.

Reef House

Elevated above the sand and in earshot of the waves, Reef House at Rosewood Little Dix Bay offers a fresh farm-to-table dining experience that is singular in Virgin Gorda. Ingredients used in seasonal menus come directly from the property's on-site gardens and from trusted local farmers and fishermen, highlighting contemporary Caribbean cooking in a gorgeous oceanfront setting.

CocoMaya

An inventive Asian-Caribbean fusion menu elevates the laidback beach bar atmosphere at CocoMaya in Spanish Town into a destination that draws locals and visitors alike. Drop by after swimming at The Baths for a toes-in-the-sand seafood lunch, or return for DJ sets and cocktails in the evening.

Sugarcane

Poolside dining and sweeping ocean views have made the casual cliffside eatery Sugarcane a favorite on Virgin Gorda. The menu is a mix of Caribbean flavors and international cuisine that will keep everyone happy, perfect for a laidback lunch or dinner, when the space comes alive with diners who have heard of its legendary sunsets.

Nova

Seafood and sushi await at Nova, the open-air, overwater dining destination at Oil Nut Bay's Marina Village. Tie up the boat and spend the day perusing the surrounding shops, swimming off the dock and from a small, sandy beachfront, and lounging in beach chairs before digging into a new happy hour menu at sunset.

Areas to Visit

Spanish Town

Blink and you'll miss it on a drive through Spanish Town, the main city on Virgin Gorda. Spanish Town has just a handful of eateries, shops, and grocery stores that might entice those sticking around for a longer stay, though most visitors pass through on their way from the airport to the resort.

North Sound

Island roads don't reach the untouched northeastern side of Virgin Gorda, giving an exclusive, private island feel to the villas and resorts that dot the North Sound. The tranquil, turquoise waters of this part of Virgin Gorda are ideal for yachts and sailboats, who stake out a spot here for a night or two. Saba Rock and the Bitter End Yacht Club face each other across the sound; they have each been feeding off the vibrant atmosphere of the other for decades, creating a lively yet low-key feel that makes the area a happy hour haven.

Caribbean Coast

The Caribbean-facing northern and western coastline of the island is dotted with the tranquil bays and sandy shores that have long made Virgin Gorda such a sought-after destination with winter-weary travelers. Sail from The Baths up the Caribbean coastline to the North Sound for the island's most pristine beaches, like Little Dix Bay, Savannah Bay, and Pond Bay, all top recommendations by Pade.

Atlantic Coast

The less-visited southern and eastern coastline of Virgin Gorda faces the untamed Atlantic Ocean, giving it a wild, wave-soaked feel. While not apt for swimming, this more dramatic side of the island is worth appreciating, especially from scenic viewpoints in Gorda Peak National Park and the hiking trails that crisscross the island's most easterly points.

Best Time to Visit

"Virgin Gorda has a unique extended season due to cooling trade winds that keep average temperatures in the mid-80s Fahrenheit almost year-round," says Emily Oakes, vice president of business at Oil Nut Bay. However, like much of the Caribbean, Virgin Gorda experiences its travel high season from December through April, as most visitors flee colder climates back home. Though resorts and yacht charters are pricier at this time of year, the island enjoys the nicest weather, sunniest skies, and the calmest seas, making it the best time to visit.

May and June are a nice shoulder season, as prices drop and the weather still remains ideal. Travel slows down significantly from mid-August through mid-October, when rainier skies are much more frequent (and hurricanes more common), and many resorts and restaurants close their doors.

Though the seas are generally the calmest between December and April or May, "the British Virgin Islands offer some of the best conditions for sailing in the Caribbean, with consistent trade winds, calm waters, and numerous sheltered anchorages," says Bonnet, making the island great for sailing almost year-round. The BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival take place in early April every year, a must for boaters or those looking to enjoy a little extra excitement.

Related: The Best Times to Visit the Caribbean for Beautiful Weather, Fewer Crowds, and Lower Prices

How to Get There

By Plane

It has always been a bit of a journey to get to Virgin Gorda. Direct flights started last year from Miami to Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) on neighboring Tortola, and they are the easiest way to access what is the most well-served international airport in the British Virgin Islands.

Virgin Gorda is also home to its own tiny regional airport, which receives frequent flights from neighboring Caribbean islands like Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, and Antigua. However, many visitors find it easier to fly into Tortola and then take a water taxi or ferry to Virgin Gorda, especially those heading to resorts in the island's North Sound that are only accessible via water anyway.

The most hassle-free way to travel to Virgin Gorda has always been via private charter. Tradewind Aviation now offers seats on seasonal, semi-private flights from San Juan, Puerto Rico, at surprisingly affordable rates, as well as private charters from Puerto Rico and beyond.

By Ferry and Water Taxi

Virgin Gorda is linked to nearby islands via ferry services like Speedy's, which offers daily connections to and from Tortola. They also offer a ferry to the island from St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands every Saturday; a St. Thomas-Tortola route runs even more frequently. Whether shared or private, water taxis are even more convenient and are readily available from nearby islands.

How to Get Around

Visitors sticking close to Spanish Town or transiting from the airport will find that taxis are the easiest way to get around the island. However, transportation in the British Virgin Islands has always centered on the water, and with large swaths of this unspoiled island inaccessible by road, it's a necessity rather than just a luxury.

Water taxis and private boat charters depart frequently from Spanish Town and the Gun Creek Ferry terminal on the island's north side to destinations around the island. Most larger resorts have private boats that run on a fixed schedule to take passengers to and from destinations like Spanish Town or Tortola, making this one of the easiest and most hassle-free ways to get around the island.

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