Virgin Gorda Archives | Page 2 of 2

May 6, 2014July 19, 2020

Exploring The Baths, Virgin Gorda

What’s it like to hike the trail through The Baths on Virgin Gorda?

A couple of weeks ago we had the chance to take another great hike through the boulders of The Baths to Devils Bay in Virgin Gorda. It was our 4th time to experience this amazing area and although there had been some changes made since our last visit, it was just as intriguing and awe-inspiring as ever.

Beach access has been limited to dinghy’s – which I’m sure is due to the large amount of people wanting to access the trail from their boats. If you are unable to swim about 50 yds from the roped off area where they’d like dinghy’s to drop boaters off, they are recommending that you go ashore at Spanish Town and take a taxi over.

We thought we’d just add a few new pics to the post we did of our last visit (The Baths), but we took a lot more pictures this time of the actual hike through the boulders from The Baths to Devil’s Bay, so we thought we’d write a new post and highlight what it’s like to hike the trail.

It was high season and we knew The Baths would be packed from about 10 – 3, so we showed up at about 3:30. Our dinghy dropped us off at the ropes and we swam to shore – electing not to take towels or even shoes because of the swim in. Previously we wore water shoes and I’d recommend them if you’ve got sensitive feet.

The initial entrance is but a small opening between two large rocks. Once through it opens up to a trail. Look for small cairns (rock piles) marking the trail as you go.

Not too far from the start you come across The Cathedral – one of the most photographed areas of The Baths. It looks different every time you visit depending on the light and the tide.

There’s another cool area to explore around every corner.

Make your way over the boulders and through the pools with the assist of wooden ladders and platforms along the way.

Once you get to this directional sign, you’re almost to Devil’s Bay.

You’re rewarded at the end of the trail with the sights of beautiful Devils’ Bay. Be sure to leave enough time to enjoy the clear, blue water before making your way back – or up to The Top of The Baths for a well deserved beverage!

To see more posts on Virgin Gorda and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC. All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.

February 18, 2014April 19, 2021

Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda

We first set eyes on Leverick Bay in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda in 2006 when we moored there for a night during our first BVI sail. Enamored by the beautiful colors, water and amenities there, we’ve returned twice and hope to again this spring.

Since 2006, Leverick Bay has done a major expansion to its marina and is now a favorite spot for boaters to stop and stay awhile. Or, if you wish to stay on island, Leverick Bay has its own accommodations and many of the rooms overlook the beautiful bay, North Sound and Mosquito Island.

Why do we like this area so much? Let us show you through some pictures we’ve taken during our visits.

View of the restaurants from the marina. Fine dining is available on the upper floor and a pub-style eatery called The Cove is on the lower level.

Looking at the marina from the beach. Guests can use the lounge chairs or rent water toys.

A pool next to the restaurants. Other amenities include a couple of gift shops, a small supermarket/deli, spa services, tennis and boat rental.

This pic was taken before the marina expansion but shows the gorgeous color of the water and marina buildings.

The Telephone Booth Shower on a dock in the marina

A map of the BVI on the side of the watersports building showing the location of Leverick Bay Resort and Marina.

Nick’s Weather Forecast for the day! Nick was the General Manager of Leverick Bay Resort & Marina at the time and was quite the funny and personable guy. We got the chance to briefly visit with him when we checked out a dinghy to explore North Sound and he was working the shop for one of his employees.

Jumbies Beach Bar. We enjoyed some tasty beverages and chicken roti while lounging around Jumbies.

The bar has several tiers of seating and a very comfortable hammock to lounge the day away in.

You can meet some new friends from all over the world at Jumbies

Enjoy a few more drinks by the waterside

And, if you’re visiting during the high season – January through May, be sure to stop by Monday through Thursday from 5 – 7 p.m. at Happy Arrrr!

To hear Michael Bean – the singing pirate!

Want to see more of the island from Leverick Bay? Take a taxi or rent a car to tour the island (see The Baths and Savannah Bay), rent a dinghy to zip around North Sound (check out Prickly Pear Island and The Sandbox) or take the water taxi from Leverick to Saba Rock.

Quiet, but not too quiet…Leverick Bay is a great place to hang out and relax on Virgin Gorda.

Ready to go?

Find out more on the Leverick Bay Website

To see more posts on Virgin Gorda and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC. All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.

October 10, 2013April 21, 2021

Savannah Bay, Virgin Gorda

Savannah Bay, Virgin Gorda – one of the British Virgin Islands most beautiful beaches… A long crescent of powdery white sand with calm turquoise waters – a true beach lovers experience.

Last year, during an on-island stay in Virgin Gorda, we made our way back to Savannah Bay. Heading north on N Sound Road, we stopped at the overlook of Savannah Bay. Looking past Savannah Bay from the overlook, you can also see Pond Bay and Mahoe Bay.

To see more posts on Virgin Gorda and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

The barely visible thatched umbrella in the lower middle of the picture is on Savannah Bay Beach right off of the small parking lot.

Parking is available in a small dirt parking area close to the beach. Turn in to the parking area at a dirt road between the overlook of Savannah Bay and the V in N Sound and Nail Bay Road. We’ve never seen more than two other cars there during our visits and this gorgeous stretch of beach is usually peaceful and uncrowded.

Apparently Savannah Bay is usually quite calm and flat. The first time we visited, the surf was rough and we didn’t venture into the water, but walked the beach and sat in the sand marveling at the beauty.

Upon subsequent visits, the water was as calm as it could be and we spent hours swimming, floating and snorkeling in the crystal clear water.

Not as busy as some of the other very popular beaches on Virgin Gorda, such as The Baths, Savannah Bay has quickly become one of my favorites on Virgin Gorda for its shear beauty, solitude and peacefulness. Oh, and the snorkeling is pretty great too!

Besides a small parking area and are a few thatched umbrellas for shade there are no amenities at Savannah Bay (just like we like it!).
PERFECT for a little Rum Therapy (rum, sun and total relaxation…)

Have you been to Savannah Bay, Virgin Gorda yet?

To see more posts on Virgin Gorda and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC. All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.

August 28, 2013April 23, 2021

Sandbox Bar & Grill, Prickly Pear Island, BVI

On a beautiful white sand beach on the uninhabited Prickly Pear Island in the BVI, sits a great little beach bar called Sandbox Bar & Grill. In the picture above, taken from Hog Heaven, which sits high atop Virgin Gorda, you can see North Sound, Prickly Pear Island and Sandbox. Sandbox is only accessible by boat.

Update: Many of the businesses, buildings and residences in North Sound, Virgin Gorda were damaged or destroyed in the 2017 hurricanes including Sandbox Bar & Grill. They did rebuild and the four photos below are current as of March 2020. The original article is below the new photos.

To see more posts on Virgin Gorda and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Original Article

During our most recent visit to Virgin Gorda, we rented a luxurious dinghy (last one available – that’s what we get for not planning ahead!) from Leverick Bay Resort & Marina and set off to explore the beautiful North Sound.

Sandbox was our last planned stop of the day, so we tied up our dinghy at the dock at Vixen Point and scurried ashore to check it out.

There were just a few people sitting at the bar that early afternoon, but the bartender said it would soon be VERY busy as a huge private party was was making their way to Sandbox from the Bitter End Yacht Club for some fun in the sun, beautiful water and the white sand.

Due to the incoming party, there were a lot of beach chairs situated that day on the beautiful beach.

Since we still had the place nearly to ourselves, we picked out a prime spot and ordered a really tasty Rum Punch.

We enjoyed the beautiful view of the North Sound, all the boats, and watched a seaplane land in the water not too far away. If we had more time, we would have really loved to take the hike on the path from Vixen Point around the salt ponds to what we heard were two more beautiful and secluded beaches on the north shore of Prickly Pear Island – another reason to go back I guess…

Having arranged ahead of time which one of us would be the designated dinghy driver that day and to avoid a DDD (drunk dinghy driving), we thought it best to stop at one Rum Punch (although we REALLY wanted another!) As we made our way back to the dock, we noticed that it was starting to get busy at the Sandbox.

As we headed back to Leverick Bay (with Mosquito Island off to the right), we realized just how many great things there are to see and do in the North Sound area and how we’d love to come back and stay for a week, a month, or maybe a lifetime??

To see more posts on Virgin Gorda and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

July 16, 2013April 23, 2021

Saba Rock, British Virgin Islands

Saba Rock is a small, private island that sits in the beautiful North Sound of Virgin Gorda.

Update: Many of the businesses, buildings and residences in North Sound, Virgin Gorda were damaged or destroyed in the 2017 hurricanes including Saba Rock. They are rebuilding and hope to open in Fall 2021. Check their website for more information. The photo below was taken of Saba Rock in March 2020.

To see more posts on the British Virgin Islands and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Saba Rock is less than an acre in size and accessible by boat or ferry. We first visited Saba Rock during a sail trip when we stopped for just a few minutes to get gas and ice. During a recent trip to Virgin Gorda, we wanted to get back to Saba Rock to experience more of it, so we rented a dinghy from Leverick Bay Marina. By having a dinghy for the day, we were also able to explore neighboring Prickly Pear Island and enjoy a rum beverage at the Fat Virgin Cafe.

Saba Rock houses a restaurant – which we hear serves up succulent land & sea dinners, an over water lounge/bar, a boutique hotel, a full service marina, gift shoppe, 10 deep water slips and boat moorings.

View of Eustatia Island from the terrace at the Saba Rock Hotel.

Saba Rock has a ferry that will pick you up from several locations in the North Sound, such as Gun Creek and Leverick Bay – just call them to make arrangements.

Out back they have an excellent area to relax and enjoy the view of North Sound and the Bitter End Yacht Club, with nice soft sand and hammocks.

We spent some time lounging in the hammocks before heading back in to sample a Saba Rock Banana Daiquiri – recommended to us by a friend who thought they were absolutely the best around.

They were pretty darn good and the view made it even better…

To find out more, visit their website: Saba Rock

To see more posts on the British Virgin Islands and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

May 9, 2013April 27, 2021

The Baths, Virgin Gorda

The Baths, Virgin Gorda – one of the most recognized beaches in the British Virgin Islands. The Baths “biggest” feature? HUGE boulders that pepper the light sandy beach.

Devils Bay, to the south of The Baths and Spring Bay, to the north of The Baths both have gigantic boulders as well, but highest concentration of boulders are in The Baths area and you can find a trail here that will lead you around, over and through some of the most spectacular of them.

See what it’s like to explore The Baths here: Exploring The Baths, Virgin Gorda

The path starts at the BVI National Trust building near the parking lot near the Top of the Baths Bar/Restaurant and shopping area and winds down the hill toward the beach.

You’ll find yourself walking on a sandy path one moment, then entering an opening between mammoth boulders, wading in shallow blue water between the rocks, climbing a few ladders and using ropes placed on some rocks to help navigate the incline.

And if you can make it through the maze to the end of the trail, you will be rewarded with the beautiful Devil’s Bay beach – a great place to sunbathe, and to swim and snorkel when the water is calm.

When you are done hiking, exploring, swimming and sunning, you can head back up the hill to enjoy a frosty beverage at the Top of the Baths, as well as a stunning view of The Baths, Sir Francis Drake Channel Beef Island and Tortola in the distance.

To see more posts on Virgin Gorda and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC.
All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.

April 5, 2013April 23, 2021

Hog Heaven, Virgin Gorda

There are bars with a view and then there are bars with a VIEW! Hog Heaven is a Bar & Grill sitting high atop Virgin Gorda with an absolutely beautiful view of the entire North Sound.

From your perch in the sky, you can see Leverick Bay, Bitter End Yacht Club, Saba Rock Resort, Necker Island and The Sandbox on Prickly Pear Island.
On clear days, you can even make out a faint strip of Anegada in the distance.

To see more posts on Virgin Gorda and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Necker Island in the distance

Hog Heaven is a small, unassuming building on top of the hill on Nail Bay Road overlooking North Sound. It’s owned by Blondie, who apparently is also a pig farmer/ship captain on Virgin Gorda.

One of the rum drinks on the menu was a Blondie Special and we ordered that and a rum punch and took a seat to drink in the view.

Blondie Special and Rum Punch

Hog Heaven is known for its BBQ, so we decided to order a plate, as well as a bowl of Conch Chowder. Both were delicious and very reasonably priced.

Want some Rum with a View (and some delicious BBQ)? This is the place to get it on Virgin Gorda!

Have you been to Hog Heaven? Tell us about it!

To see more posts on Virgin Gorda and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

October 12, 2012April 27, 2021

Rum Therapy Sailing in the British Virgin Islands (Part 2)

If you missed Part 1 of this series, click here: Rum Therapy Sailing in the British Virgin Islands (Part 1) – Norman Island and Peter Island.

Virgin Gorda
We rose early the next day in anticipation of our sail to Virgin Gorda. On our way, we passed Salt Island, Cooper Island and Ginger Island, which we didn’t have time to explore this sail, so they’ll remain on our “need to explore” list. Previously we had an overnight stop at Cooper Island, but because we arrived late and left early, we got a few sunset pics and that’s about it – for now…

View from Cooper Island

First stop in Virgin Gorda – The Baths

Explored the massive boulders and crystal clear water of The Baths and Devil’s Bay.

From the Baths, we took a hike to the top and enjoyed a dip in the pool, a few Piña Coladas and a gorgeous view at the Top Of The Baths.

Next stop – North Sound

Enjoyed a wonderful dinner overlooking North Sound at Leverick Bay Resort & Marina.

Last Stop – Bitter End Yacht Club for the night.

Played pool, foosball and darts while while enjoying some beverages at the Bitter End Crawl Pub (good selection of rums!), then headed back to the boat for several very spirited rounds of Liar’s Dice!

Up next: Our time on Anegada “The Drowned Island”
Rum Therapy Sailing in the British Virgin Islands (Part 3)

To see more posts on Virgin Gorda and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory