Why go to Virgin Gorda?
Home of The Baths (boulder-strewn beach), plus many opportunities for water sports
Only smaller ships call here; the big ships run excursions from nearby Tortola
Perfect for a beach day when you're on an upscale cruise
Virgin Gorda Cruise Port Facilities?
In Spanish Town, you walk off the tender about 250 feet from an open-air shopping complex with a number of resort-wear and gift shops, restaurants, a dive shop, bank, bakery and laundromat. Buck's Food Market, a full-service grocery store, is across the parking lot. If you linger at the pier, you'll find yourself among palm trees and sailboats.
In North Sound, you tender to Bitter End Yacht Club, a resort complex overlooking the blue sea. The resort features gift and souvenir shops, restaurants and water sports offerings, including a sailing school (open to guests and visitors).
Good to Know?
If you decide to explore on foot, you'll often have to walk in the street. There aren't many sidewalks.
Getting Around?
Note: There is no public transportation.
By Taxi: Open-air jitneys or vans are the typical modes of visitor transport. With taxi fares, the more passengers aboard, the better the per-person rate, so it pays to round up a group and share a ride. The 10-minute ride to The Baths from the Yacht Harbour costs about $4 per person for four people. A 90-minute island tour is about $15 per person, for a minimum of three passengers.
The fare to the Bitter End or Gorda Peak is about $17 to $20 per person. Be aware that the road system in Virgin Gorda is incomplete, which means you need to take a ferry to some spots. (For example, to get to the Bitter End from the Yacht Harbour, you take a taxi to Gun Creek and then the ferry to your destination.) If you are doing a multi-hour tour, make sure the taxi has air-conditioning -- not all do.
By Rental Car: You'll encounter some very steep roads especially if you head up to Gorda Peak, so a 4x4 vehicle is recommended, with rates around $60 per day. Driving is on the left. Several companies will pick you up at the dock if you make reservations: Try Andy's Jeep Rental (284-495-5252), Speedy's Car Rental (284-495-5240) or Mahogany Rentals (284-495-5469).
By Ferry: The Bitter End Yacht Club ferry (284-494-2746) runs between Gun Creek and the yacht club hourly on the half hour, free of charge, and takes less than 30 minutes. The North Sound Express (284-495-2138) runs between Spanish Town and the Bitter End Yacht Club, a trip that takes about 90 minutes, and reservations are required; there is a fee to ride, with reduced fares for kids and infants.
Currency & Best Way to Get Money?
The currency is the U.S. Dollar. ATM's are commonplace, and there's even a FirstCaribbean International Bank branch in the Yacht Harbour complex.
Where You're Docked?
If you are anchored off Spanish Town, you will be tendering into the Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour, which is home to plenty of shops and restaurants. It might look like a tourist complex, but it's actually the island's main commercial center.
If you are in the North Sound (a favorite place for small cruise ships to anchor), you may tender to the main dock at the Bitter End Yacht Club, a full-service resort.
