The Baths- Virgin Gorda

While on the resort-filled Virgin Gorda, no trip is complete without visiting the Baths on the island’s southwest shore. Yet another site protected by the British Virgin Islands preservation system, the Baths is made up of giant boulders thought by scientists to be formed by volcanic activity. Sea water now floods the pools and grottoes that these boulders created after they rose to the surface centuries ago.

The beaches at the Baths are thought to be some of the best in the Virgin Islands. It’s fun to navigate through the cave-like passages between rocks and you can rent snorkeling equipment on the beach to use when you stumble upon a private pool of water created by these natural granite rocks.

The Baths are part of 682 acres of protected land along with other sites including Little Fort, Spring Bay and Devil’s Bay on the east coast. Spring Bay is a perfect example of a classic white sand beach with clear water that also provides for good snorkeling. The secluded coral-sand beach of Devil’s Bay National Park is just a 15 minute walk from the Baths along a trail winding through boulders and coastal vegetation.