Virgin Gorda Attractions – What to See. Complete guide to iconic places
Virgin Gorda Attractions – What to See. Complete guide to iconic places
The name Virgin Gorda translates as “fat virgin” – because the appearance of this island, part of the British Virgin Islands, is very similar to a full lady who leaned back. Quiet, with a calm rhythm, with beautiful coasts and clear water, ideal for diving and snorkeling – such is Virgin Gorda. Come here and enjoy the opportunity to not rush anywhere!
Virgin Gorda was inhabited by the Arawak Indian tribe in the first century BC. In the fifteenth century they were replaced by warlike Caribbean Indians who arrived from the Lesser Caribbean Islands – in fact, by whose name the sea was known to all. Virgin Gordo was discovered by Christopher Columbus – it happened at the end of the fifteenth century. The Spaniards announced the appropriation of the island for themselves, but did not engage in its development.
Subsequently, England, Holland, France and Denmark became interested in the island, and the pirates deployed their headquarters here. The Indians were finally driven out of the island. The British occupied the island of Virgin Gorda only at the end of the seventeenth century – having previously conquered the neighboring Tortola and Anegada. English immigrants began to grow sugarcane here, attracting African black slaves to work. Only in the middle of the nineteenth century Britain abolished slavery, therefore, instead of slaves in the plantations, Indian and Portuguese wage workers began to work. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
The main ingredients of local dishes are fish and seafood. In addition to different types of fish cooked in all possible ways – fried, baked, salted – you can also try more exotic local dishes, for example, a pie stuffed with mussels or a shark meat soup. Tropical fruits on Virgin Gorda in unlimited quantities: mango, passion fruit, guava, pineapple, papaya.
The coastline of Virgin Gorda, rugged by the bays, provides excellent opportunities for both swimming and sunbathing. Whichever way you go to the sea, the clean coast and clear water will be your faithful companions. However, not all beaches are sandy. For example, near the Gulf of Copper Mine, the coast is large-pebble. But it’s worth a visit to this place, albeit not in order to lie on a sand. Here is the national park of the same name with the bay, in which the ruins of ancient buildings have been preserved. It is interesting to go to another national park located on a hill – Gorda Peak. From here, bewitching views of the island and its surroundings.
What to do on Virgin Gord? The main highlight of the island is rightfully considered Butts – the coast with labyrinths-grottoes from huge granite boulders, on which it will be extremely interesting to wander and take pictures. Noteworthy is the copper mine located on the ground, or rather, its ruins. A place called “Mad Dog” is considered the best to end the evening: here you can relax and take a nap in a hammock or just enjoy the sunset while drinking “PayKiller” – a cocktail whose key ingredient is local rum.
Virgin Gorda is great for sailing and surfing. Do you dive? Of course, the coastal waters are beautiful, but the best place for diving, worthy of the attention of even the most sophisticated divers, is the neighboring island of Salt Island. Near its shores at the bottom lies the sunken ship RMS Ron, which is available for inspection to anyone who is ready for scuba diving. If there is no desire to dive deeply, or you are not yet trained in the basics of this business, then just take the mask with the pipe and go on to the Devil’s Bay. Despite such a terrible name, there is nothing terrible in the waters of the bay, quite the contrary – picturesque views of the underwater kingdom and its inhabitants.
Traditionally, it is customary to bring handmade knitted goods, straw hats and, of course, rum and local liquors from Virgin Gorda. But catching any species of marine life, collecting shells and even fragments of coral is prohibited, unless you have the appropriate permission from the government. During a diving session, you cannot lift objects from wrecks – again, without a special license, which can only be obtained by contacting government agencies. Sport fishing is possible, but only if you have a license that the organization providing the fishing tour is obliged to issue to you.
The British Virgin Islands airport is not intended for boarding large aircraft in it, so travelers first arrive either in San Juan (Puerto Rico) or in St. Thomas (Virgin Island, which is under the jurisdiction of the United States of America). If there are no direct flights to Puerto Rico from your country of departure, then choose a flight through the USA. From San Juan and St. Thomas you can get to the desired Virgin Gorda by a small plane, by ferry or by boat.
