Virgin Gorda Cruises
Virgin Gorda , or "Fat Virgin", refers to a protrudingmountain noted by Columbus on this second largest of the British VirginIsles. Only ten miles long and two miles wide, the island is known forits yacht clubs, quiet coves, and safe anchorages for bareboats.
Itsmost celebrated beach – The Baths – is an intriguing grouping of hugegranite rocks framing grottos filled with with sea water. Whilegeologists ponder the origins of these mysterious boulders, swimmersand snorkelers refresh themselves in the cool waters of hidden poolsand secret passages.
Nature lovers can enjoy a short strollfrom The Baths to the Devil's Bay National Park, one of several parksgiven by the Rockefellers to the British Virgin Islands' government inthe 1960s. Little Fort National Park is located south of theYacht Harbour, and was the site of a Spanish fort whose stone walls arestill partially intact. This 36-acre area also functions as a wildlifesanctuary. On the southwest tip of the island, you will find The Coppermine, mined by Cornish miners between 1838 and 1867, and perhaps evenearlier by the Spanish. Today, the remains of the chimney, boilerhouse, cistern, and mine shafts can be seen. It's also worth visiting Gorda Peak National Park, which contains a wide variety of indigenous and exotic plants and hasbeen reforested with mahogany trees. At 1,500 feet, it is the islandshighest point.