Virgin Gorda Archives

July 24, 2020July 24, 2020

Gumption’s Learning Adventures, Virgin Gorda

Never. Give. Up.
Arlington Creque, aka Gumption

We first learned of Arlington Creque from Virgin Gorda when we were researching locally owned tourism companies in the British Virgin Islands. Gumption’s Learning Adventures and Sea It Clear Tours appeared as highly rated excursions in the BVI, so we reached out to see if we could learn more about what they do. Little did we know, we’d become very inspired by the young entrepreneur behind the company who never gave up on pursuing his dream.

(This article is part of our “Local Businesses of the Caribbean” series. Find out more at the end of this article.)

You see, Arlington Creque was born with autism and grew up on the island of Virgin Gorda. His nickname is Gumption, and we quickly realized why. School was difficult for Gumption and he left before graduating. He began to dream of starting his own business and contacted several banks but was turned down again and again. Even his mom told him that maybe he should give up. But, he didn’t and his perseverance certainly paid off. (What does the word Gumption mean? Initiative; aggressiveness; resourcefulness; courage; spunk; guts.)

Sir Richard Branson with Gumption on his boat

On October 19, 2012, Gumption received a loan from Sir Richard Branson on behalf of the Branson’s Centre of Entrepreneur Caribbean. He was the first person to get a loan from this program. Gumption purchased a boat, started Sea it Clear Tours and got to work. Within 6 months, he was able to pay back the loan.

Watch Gumption’s Tedx Talk, “9 No’s and 1 Yes: How Not Quitting My Dreams Changed My Life.“
Read about Gumption on Sir Richard Branson’s blog.

Despite occasional setbacks, which Gumption acknowledges are just part of being a business owner, he just gets back up, solves the problem and moves forward – which, I have no doubt is what he will do once tourists are allowed to travel back to the BVI.

The Reef Tour

Gumption, through his company Sea It Clear Tours provides a reef tour on his glass bottomed boat that will give you a glimpse of the underwater life at Eustacia Reef just beyond North Sound on the way to Oil Nut Bay. As Gumption says, it’s like snorkeling without getting wet! Find out about his Reef Tours here.

The Nature Tour

His Nature Tour consists of a visit to Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island to visit the lemurs, large tortoises, rock iguanas, flamingos and more. Learn about the animals and important conservation efforts taking place in the area. Gumption is currently the only tour guide allowed to bring people to Necker Island! This tour sells out quickly however, so book ahead! Find out more about the Nature Tour here.

To get more information, be sure to visit his website: Sea it Clear Tours and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Due to COVID-19 he doesn’t have a BVI reopening date as yet, and says it’s best to follow their social media pages or send them an email at [email protected]. Be sure to ask about a special COVID-19 discount they are running right now which gives 19% off of tours pre-booked for late 2020 and early 2021!

We absolutely can’t wait to book a tour with Gumption as soon as we can get back to the BVI! Thanks Gumption for letting us share your motivating story!

Many locally owned businesses in the islands are being hit hard right now due to restricted tourist traffic during the pandemic. Hoping to help in any way we can, we are highlighting some great local businesses that we hope you will enjoy learning about and may want to visit once we are able to travel to the beautiful islands once again… Some of these businesses also offer merchandise that you can order, gift certificates and pre-booking options. Be sure to contact them for additional info and watch for more articles soon!

BVI SNUBA, Virgin Gorda
Ocean Spa, BVI
Top of the Baths, Virgin Gorda
Jost Van Dyke Scuba
Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth Hangout, Roatán, Honduras

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.

July 16, 2020July 22, 2020

The View & More from Top of the Baths, Virgin Gorda

Perched up high and overlooking The Baths, a well known and very popular beach in Virgin Gorda, you’ll find a restaurant/bar and shopping area called Top of the Baths. The first time we visited Top of the Baths was during our very first BVI sail in 2006. We’d spent the entire day exploring the trail through the gigantic boulders of The Baths and lounging in the crystal clear water of Devil’s Bay. Thirsty and hungry, we climbed the path to Top of the Baths.

(This article is part of our “Local Businesses of the Caribbean” series. Find out more at the end of this article.)

Top of the Baths is in a beautiful setting with panoramic views of the Sir Francis Drake Channel and many of the surrounding islands. Large bushes of Bougainvillea add a beautiful pop of color to the already stunning vistas.

The restaurant/bar at Top of the Baths, which originally opened in November of 1994, offers open air dining with that magnificent view.

They serve local specials, sushi and a variety of other signature dishes. See their menu here. Top of the Baths also features a new coffee bar which serves Caribbean coffee and a variety of tea drinks including the local Bush Tea.

Thirsty for something a bit stronger? They’ve definitely got that covered. The Top of the Baths signature drinks are the Rasta Man Punch and Boulder Roller. “However,” says owner Charlene, “Our Painkillers, Mango and Pina Colada’s, Bushwhackers and lots of other creations are equally as popular. Our bartenders are always creating something new for our customers to try.”

After getting your fill of delicious food and drink, you might want to do a little shopping at the shops right there including Caribbean Flavor Gift Shop, which features Cuban Cigars, souvenir items and a large selection of beautifully designed t- shirts for the entire family. It also has a nice selection of sandals and swim wear. Or Bamboula Boutique, which offers sterling silver Caribbean Hook Bracelets, Larimar sterling silver jewelry and Island Crystal sterling silver jewelry. Sterling necklaces and the island West Indian bracelets can also be found here. The store also has a large selection of men’s cotton and linen clothing and a complementary women’s clothing line. An interesting fact – the mother of the owner of Bamboula’s was the owner of the original Bamboula located on Main Street on St Thomas, US Virgin Islands in the 1950’s. The store on Virgin Gorda is named in her honor.

Although closed right now, they expect to re-open around October 31, 2020. Charlene says, “We all look forward to the time that they can completely reopen our borders. Our entire team at Top of The Baths will be awaiting the arrival of repeat guests that come to visit us while welcoming first time visitors to this magical place.”

For more information, check out their website, Facebook page and Instagram.

If you’d like to stay on Virgin Gorda, we’d highly recommend Mon Repos which is also owned by the owner of Top of the Baths. It’s a beautiful villa, just a short walk from Top of the Baths. We loved our stay at this stunning and unique accommodation and you can read more about it here.

Keep up to date on opening dates for the BVI here: https://www.facebook.com/BVIGovernment/

Many locally owned businesses are being hit hard right now due to restricted tourist traffic during the pandemic. Hoping to help in any way we can, we are highlighting some great local businesses that we hope you will enjoy learning about and may want to visit once we are able to travel to the beautiful islands once again… Some of these businesses also offer merchandise that you can order, gift certificates and pre-booking options. Be sure to contact them for additional info and watch for more articles soon!

BVI SNUBA, Virgin Gorda
Ocean Spa, BVI
Jost Van Dyke Scuba
Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth Hangout, Roatan

July 1, 2020April 20, 2021

BVI SNUBA, Virgin Gorda

Have you ever heard of SNUBA? Well, SNUBA, or Surface Nexus Underwater Breathing Apparatus, allows you to explore more of the underwater world than you can experience while snorkeling. If you already like to snorkel, but have yet to dive in and learn how to scuba dive, SNUBA is a perfect blend. Learning to SNUBA is easy and does not require any Scuba diving certification or previous experience; if you can breathe, look and kick your legs then you too can SNUBA!

(This is the 1st article in our “Local Businesses of the Caribbean” series. Find out more at the end of this article.)

We’d like to introduce you to BVI SNUBA. It’s located in the beautiful North Sound of Virgin Gorda at Leverick Bay Marina and is run by a lovely lady named Elaine who will immediately make you feel comfortable and excited to get under that clear blue BVI water! Elaine has been living on Virgin Gorda since 2000 and loves taking guests on their first underwater adventure. Right now, BVI SNUBA is the only SNUBA operator in the BVI and strives to enhance guests underwater experience and make it an easier transition to diving.

BVI SNUBA, offers SNUBA and snorkeling trips, full and half day charters and sunset charters and has been in business since Feb 2018. BVI SNUBA can also do rendezvous SNUBA where they can come to their guests if they are staying on a yacht, or on a crewed or bareboat charter.

Are you heading to, or thinking of heading to the BVI and would like to learn more about the SNUBA experience? Give BVI SNUBA a call or WhatsApp 1 (284)341-0660 or email them at [email protected]. Check out their website at BVI SNUBA for rates and booking info and follow them on Instagram and Facebook for more photos of this fun experience! Check out their reviews on Trip Advisor!

Need some masks, snorkels, fins, underwater fish ID’s, BVI maps or rashguards? Email them for more info!

Keep up to date on opening dates for the BVI here: https://www.facebook.com/BVIGovernment/

photos courtesy of BVI SNUBA

Many locally island owned businesses are being hit hard right now due to restricted tourist traffic during the pandemic. Hoping to help in any way we can, we are highlighting some great local businesses that we hope you will enjoy learning about and may want to visit once we are able to travel to the beautiful islands once again… Some of these businesses also offer merchandise that you can order, gift certificates and pre-booking options. Be sure to contact them for additional info and watch for more articles soon!

Ocean Spa, BVI
The View and More from Top of the Baths, Virgin Gorda
Jost Van Dyke Scuba
Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth Hangout, Roatan

May 4, 2018May 29, 2019

Mon Repos, a Unique Virgin Gorda Villa Just Steps from The Baths

Imagine staying just a few steps from The Baths, Virgin Gorda in a gorgeous, unique villa that is built around and incorporates some of the huge boulders indigenous to the area, has expansive views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Sir Francis Drake Channel and Tortola and sits on a lovely 1 acre+ private gated lot.

Mon Repos, translated as “my place of rest” is the name of a beautiful villa that we had the pleasure of calling our “home” during our recent vacation in Virgin Gorda, the third largest island in the British Virgin Island chain.

Virgin Gorda is truly one of our favorite islands and we were excited to get to stay close to one of the best known beaches in the world, The Baths. Little did we know how truly special this villa was.

The villa sleeps 8 in beds with 3 bedrooms on the main level and a lower level apartment with an additional bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. Also on the main level – a large, open kitchen, dining room, living room area which would be great for families or several couples.

On the main level you can also find a nice, cool media room with a good collection of DVD’s. There’s a lovely deck on the back of the home with a great view of the Atlantic Ocean. We enjoyed our coffee out on the back deck every morning.

From this deck you can also view the beautiful South American Tortoises that reside in a fenced area in the backyard.

The owners originally started with 9 of these beautiful creatures and they have multiplied to 40. Some are 50 years old!

In addition to the tortoises, we were visited by a family of goats one evening. So much to enjoy from the back deck!

The front of the home showcases a large patio (partially covered) with an outdoor dining area that sits next to the lovely pool. We spent afternoons lounging in this area and loved the privacy and quietness of the space and the views of the channel and Tortola. The sunsets were spectacular from here.

What makes Mon Repos unique? Well, many things, but first and foremost, the way they incorporated the same boulders that you find in The Baths inside and outside of the structure. The master bedroom was built atop the massive smooth boulders and the headboard of the bed rests up against a large boulder.

The TV at the foot of the bed also rests on a massive boulder.

Downstairs in the apartment, the bedroom encases another enormous boulder in which the bed rests upon! Kids and adults alike may fight over who gets to stay in this bedroom!

If and when you decide to leave the villa for a while to explore, it is just steps away from the entrance to The Baths and Top of the Baths.

Spring Bay is just a little farther away – but still within walking distance.

We rented a car for the stay and spent time exploring gorgeous Savannah Bay, Leverick Bay and the view (and BBQ) at Hog Heaven.

We hated to leave Mon Repos, but are looking forward to returning some day with our entire family. Whether looking for a place to stay with a family (great place for kids!) or several couples, you will absolutely love the privacy, beauty and the amazing location of Mon Repos Villa, Virgin Gorda.

To find out more about Mon Repos and to book your stay,
contact William at Old Mango Vacations
visit the Mon Repos website
and follow them on Facebook!

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

June 22, 2017July 2, 2019

10 Great Bars You May Not Have Heard of in the BVI

The British Virgin Islands are a sailors paradise and well, face it, sailors are a thirsty bunch. The main islands in the BVI chain are dotted with great bars, some that have become incredibly well known, such as the Soggy Dollar Bar, Bomba Shack, Foxy’s and Willie T’s, but there are dozens of bars that are perhaps not on everyone’s radar, but definitely worth a visit. We don’t know about you, but we’ve made it our mission to check out as many bars in the BVI as possible and here are 10 great bars you may not have heard of in the BVI, but are probably worth putting on your “list”!

Cooper Island Rum Bar, Cooper Island
With over 100 rums to choose from, the Cooper Island Rum Bar boasts the largest selection of rum in the Virgin Island. Order a sampler board and enjoy the variety while learning the origin and history of each rum.

Hog Heaven, Virgin Gorda
Far from one of the beautiful Virgin Gorda beaches, but with a view that will take your breath away, Hog Heaven sits high on a hill over looking the magnificent North Sound. The BBQ is terrific and you should wash it down with a Blondie Special (named after the owner) or a tasty Rum Punch.

CocoMaya, Virgin Gorda
CocoMaya, a newer restaurant/bar on Virgin Gorda is not far from Spanish Town. On a pretty beach with fantastic sunset views, enjoy your favorite cocktail on a comfortable lounge bed in the glow of a fire pit in the sand. (BTW – the sushi is excellent as well!)

The Sandbox Bar & Grill, Prickly Pear Island
Prickly Pear Island, located close to Saba Rock in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda, is a smaller island that was declared a BVI National Park in 1988 – so no additional development will be permitted. Sandbox Bar & Grill sits on pretty Vixen Beach, on the islands southwestern point. The small bar is nothing fancy, but it’s good place to enjoy a beer or a Rum Punch while enjoying the sun and activity in North Sound. If you’re feeling energetic, take the hiking path over the hill to explore the salt ponds and several other pretty beaches.

B-Line Beach Bar, Little Jost Van Dyke
If you’re heading to the east end of Jost Van Dyke (Bubbly Pool, Foxy’s Taboo) from Sandy Cay or Sandy Spit, you may catch a glimpse of a secluded little bar on Little Jost called, the B-Line Beach Bar. You won’t find large crowds and loud music here, but you’ll find a place to unwind and relax amidst the palms. Be sure to try their signature drink, the Passion Confusion.

Hendo’s Hideout, Jost Van Dyke
The new bar on the block, this really pretty bar/restaurant has a prime location right next to the Soggy Dollar. Sip on a Delirious Donkey while gazing out at spectacular White Bay, or lounge in the sun in one of their oversized hammocks.

Pirates Bight, Norman Island
If you’ve been to the Willie T, chances are you’ve at least seen Pirates Bight sitting on the pretty beach at Norman Island. The original Pirate’s Bight burned to the ground in a fire in 2013, but has been re-built and is nicer than ever. Order a delicious Day at the Beach (cocktail) and a Chicken Roti. Prices aren’t cheap, but the taste is amazing!

Anegada Reef Hotel, Anegada
You may be familiar with Cow Weck Beach Bar & Grill and the Big Bamboo at Loblolly, but be sure to stop at the bar on the beach at Anegada Reef Hotel in Setting Point, Anegada. Try a Rum Smoothie with your toes in the sand and a spectacular sunset at one of the prettiest islands in the Caribbean.

Harris’ Place, Jost Van Dyke
Probably known more as a restaurant than a bar, we had to add Harris’ Place to the list as we enjoyed one of the best Bushwacker’s we’ve had, crafted by the owner herself, Cynthia Harris. Sit at the edge of the water and enjoy a beverage and conversation with other sailors and if you’re there long enough, you might as well stay to enjoy a succulent lobster dinner in season.

Jumbie’s, Virgin Gorda
Belly up to the bar to enjoy a $4 Rum Punch at Happy Hour or try to catch a Michael Beans Pirate Show (in season). Fun atmosphere, good drinks and, if you’re hungry, some delicious food served at the water’s edge.

Who’s ready to go back to the BVI? Have you been to any of these BVI Bars? Tell us about it!

Other BVI Posts that you may enjoy:

Barhopping on Jost Van Dyke

What to See and Do in Cane Garden Bay

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

June 12, 2017April 20, 2021

Best Beaches of the British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands, a chain of islands well known as a premiere sailing destination, seem to have more than its fair share of stunning beaches as well. We’ve been asked by many to recommend our favorite BVI beach and well, it’s hard to even narrow it down to our favorite 5 – and I’m quite sure there are still more to discover. All of the beaches listed below are beautiful in their own way and we’ve enjoyed the time we’ve been able to spend on each one. Really though, if you’re on any beach in the BVI, you are one lucky beach bum.

Best Beaches of the British Virgin Islands

Deadman’s Beach/Little Deadman’s Beach, Peter Island

The Baths, Virgin Gorda
(see more here)

Spring Bay, Virgin Gorda

Little Dix Bay, Virgin Gorda

Savannah Bay, Virgin Gorda
(see more here)

Cow Wreck Beach, Anegada
(see more here)

Loblolly Bay, Anegada
(see more here)

White Bay, Jost Van Dyke
(see more here)

Sandy Cay, British Virgin Islands
(see more here)

Sandy Spit, British Virgin Islands
(see more here)

Cane Garden Bay
(see more here)

Smuggler’s Cove, Tortola
(see more here)

Long Bay , Tortola
(see more here)

How many of these beautiful BVI beaches have you had a chance to visit? Tell us about it!

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

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

August 19, 2016April 26, 2021

10 Things You Shouldn’t Miss On Virgin Gorda

Ahhh, Virgin Gorda. This hilly beauty is rumored to have been named “The Fat Virgin” by Christopher Columbus who, upon approach, thought the profile of the island resembled a plump lady lying on her side. At 8 square miles, it is the 3rd largest island in the British Virgin Island chain, and although it offers a variety of luxurious resorts and villas and one of the highest rated beach attractions in the world, it still somehow maintains it laid-back island feel.

Are you planning to spend some time on this beautiful island? Here is a list of 10 Things You Shouldn’t Miss On Virgin Gorda to help you start your planning.

1. Hike the Trail Through The Baths
Giant boulders surrounded by crystal clear, blue water. The path takes you through a maze of boulders and calm, turquoise pools of water where you can spend hours lounging and exploring. The path leads to Devil’s Bay – another stunning white sand beach. See Exploring the Baths of Virgin Gorda

2. Top Of the Baths
After exploring The Baths and Devil’s Bay, make a stop at the Top of The Baths for a little shopping a dip in the freshwater pool and a delicious rum cocktail with a beautiful view of Sir Francis Drake Channel and Tortola in the distance.
Find out more about the Top of the Baths here

3. Spring Bay
Just north of The Baths is another great beach and area to explore. Same huge boulders, more crystal clear water and a few less people. Sound good? It is…

4. CocoMaya Restaurant & Bar
After a full day of sun, salt water and fresh air, there’s nothing better than watching a colorful sunset with a cold drink in hand from a cushy chair around a beach campfire – well, technically a gas fire pit, but it’s a beautiful atmosphere nonetheless. CocoMaya is located on the beach just south of Spanish Town. We hear the food is pretty awesome as well.
Find out more about CocoMaya here

5. Saba Rock
Technically located in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda, this private island offers a lot in just less than an acre. Saba Rock boasts not only a famous over-the-water lounge bar and restaurant, but also an 8 bedroom hotel, 10 slip marina, gift shop, gardens and sun deck. Go for dinner, the views, and a famous Saba Rock Banana Daiquiri.
Update: Saba Rock received significant damage in the hurricanes of 2017. It is currently being rebuilt and hopes to re-open in Fall of 2021. Please check their website for updated opening info.

6. Leverick Bay
Leverick Bay is a Resort & Marina located on the North Sound of Virgin Gorda. Laid back, colorful and fun, this is a great place to dock a boat, rent a suite, enjoy a scenic dinner at the Restaurant at Leverick Bay or sip a rum punch while savoring a roti at the beachside Jumbie’s bar.
Read more about Leverick Bay here

7. Michael Beans Show
This musician, sailor and showman puts on a “Happy Arrr” musical pirate show at Jumbies at Leverick Bay Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 5-7 pm during the season. The entertaining two hour show includes a lot of audience participation and good clean pirate fun for the whole family.

8. Hog Heaven
Hog Heaven is a Bar & Grill sitting high atop Virgin Gorda with an absolutely beautiful view of the entire North Sound. If you have the chance, take the drive up the hill to enjoy a plate of delicious BBQ, a Blondie Special (a rum drink named after the owner) and a spectacular view of the entire North Sound, including Necker Island, and on a clear day, Anegada.
Read more about Hog Heaven here

9. Rent a Dinghy and Tour North Sound
Got a full day to explore? Rent a dinghy from Leverick Bay (call ahead to reserve one – they sell out) and take your time exploring all that beautiful North Sound has to offer, including Bitter End Yacht Club & Saba Rock (when they re-open) and Prickly Pear Island. Our rental instructions included a warning – seaplanes have the right of way!
Read What to See and Do In North Sound here

10. Hike Virgin Gorda Peak
To be honest, you can get some almost as good views of both sides of the island (without hiking) from the road that takes you to the trailhead, but making the trek to the top is worth it to check out the foliage (seems odd to see cactus on a tropical island!) and to burn off some of the amazing rum drinks you’ve probably been enjoying in paradise. Best to go on a clear day for the best views (as you see, we didn’t), and bring water and a snack. It takes about 50 minutes to get to the summit and there are picnic tables at the top.

BONUS – Savannah Bay
From the moment we first sailed past this pretty beach, we knew it would be one of our favorites. Usually very quiet; it’s a long arc of soft, light sand fringed by gorgeous turquoise water. Great place to put your toes (and more!) in the water…

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 22, 2015April 24, 2021

5 Favorite Scenic Overlooks in the Caribbean

It was a challenge to select just 5 of our favorite Scenic Overlooks in the Caribbean – even after narrowing the criteria to those that included water views, but these are 5 of our favorites from our travels to date. Feel free to add some of your favorites in the comments below!

View of Magens Bay, St. Thomas from Drakes Seat.
Legend has it that Sir Francis Drake used this vantage point to keep an eye out for enemy ships.

Check out other island posts here: Island Blog Directory

Overlook of Gustavia, St. Barts – one of the most colorful overlooks in the Caribbean. It’s well worth a short hike on a nice path to enjoy this view.

From this perch high atop Virgin Gorda at Hog Heaven, you can see the entire North Sound including Leverick Bay, Saba Rock, Bitter End Yacht Club, Prickly Pear Island, Necker Island and on a clear day, a very faint sliver of Anegada.

Overlook of Trunk Bay, St. John.
One of the most photographed overlooks in the Caribbean; the sight of Trunk Bay from this spot nearly takes your breath away and gives you a taste of the beauty that lies ahead.

The overlook of White Bay, Jost Van Dyke is absolutely picture perfect. It’s really rather hard to take a bad picture of this beautiful bay!

What are your favorite Caribbean scenic overlooks? Tell us about them!

Check out other island posts here: 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 11, 2015April 20, 2021

Perfect Vacation Memory – Virgin Gorda

What’s a perfect vacation memory? You know the one your mind wanders to when your day gets a little too stressful? Well, of course it’s different for everyone, but ours usually has something to do with a beautiful beach…and rum…

A few years ago, while staying on-island in this beautiful villa on Virgin Gorda in the BVI, we packed our beach bags and set off for the day to beautiful Spring Bay, a next door neighbor to The Baths. We spent the day lounging in the crystal clear water, exploring the massive boulders and simply soaking in the sun.

And, as if that weren’t perfect enough, after getting our beach fill for the day, we made our way to CocoMaya, where we ordered a Zacapa 23 on ice and a Pinot Grigio, sat with our toes in the sand around a fire pit at the waters edge,

and watched a gorgeous sunset over Tortola.

Great memory of a great day on a beautiful island.

Do you have any great vacation memories from Virgin Gorda? Share them with us!

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

All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.

August 27, 2014July 19, 2020

What to See and Do in North Sound, Virgin Gorda

North Sound is an area of water on the northern tip of Virgin Gorda that is edged not only by Virgin Gorda, but by the smaller islands of Moskito, Prickly Pear and Saba Rock. North Sound not only offers protected anchorage, lovely resorts, good dining options and watersports, it is a visual treat with beautiful green hills and colorful villas set against it’s stunning blue waters.

copyright Rum Therapy — View of North Sound, Virgin Gorda

View of North Sound from Hog Heaven Bar & Grill, high atop Virgin Gorda

While parts of North Sound, such as Leverick Bay and Gun Creek, are accessible by road, many of the other places shown on the map are accessible only by water. A small ferry carries passengers from Gun Creek to Bitter End and also to Saba Rock for dining. Otherwise, dinghy’s and small motor boats are the transportation of choice to explore as much of the area as you can.

If you’re lucky enough to be able to spend some time in North Sound, here are a few things you might want to check out.

Leverick Bay has accommodations, a small grocery store, a couple of gift shops, two restaurants – Leverick Bay Restaurant and The Cove – and a Bar/Restaurant called Jumbies. Enjoy a rum punch and roti at Jumbies under the shade of a thatched umbrella with your toes in the sand.

During the high season, be sure to check out Michael Bean, the singing pirate, who performs during Happy Arrr Monday through Thursday. On Friday nights, the huge Mocko Jumbies show up for the beach party.

Dinghy’s can also be rented for the day from Leverick Bay Marina, but be sure to call ahead to see if you can reserve one. Read about our visits to Leverick Bay here: Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda

Leaving Leverick Bay and traveling east past Gun Creek, you’ll spot a little dining spot right on the water named Fat Virgin’s Cafe. Stop by and say hi to owner Esther and order some delicious conch fritters and rum punch. Tasty West Indian-cuisine, friendly people, a gift shop, good drinks and a beautiful view make this a place worth stopping.

Behind Fat Virgin’s Cafe lies the luxury resort – Biras Creek. Accessible only by boat or helicopter this gorgeous resort is the ultimate secluded escape. If you want to dress up (check the dress code) for an excellent dinner experience, call for reservations in the main restaurant a Biras Creek. You’ll be treated to spectacular food and views.

Just north of Biras Creek, is yet another amazing resort – The Bitter End Yacht Club. Bitter End offers accommodations, fine and casual dining, a sailing school, and a wide variety of water sports and activities. Rent a Hobie Cat and glide across the turquoise waters of the Sound, then stop by the Crawl Pub for a cold beverage and a game of pool or foosball.

Saba Rock, a small rock oasis in between Bitter End and Prickly Pear Island, is a popular stop for boaters for it’s great food and lively bar with comfortable seating – all at the waters edge. Saba Rock also offers a boutique hotel, a small marina, a gift shop and a great view of Eustatia Island. Banana Daiquiris are a Saba Rock specialty and the Anegada Lobster Dinner is top notch.

See more in our post entitled Saba Rock, British Virgin Islands.

Continuing around the Sound you’ll run into Prickly Pear Island. Vixen Point is one of the best beaches in the area and is also the home of Sandbox Bar & Grill. Play volleyball on the beach, swim in the calm blue water, or just pull up a chair and catch some rays. Lunch, dinner and drinks are available at Sandbox.

Take the hiking path from Sandbox to North Beach, another beautiful beach on Prickly Pear Island with good snorkeling and beautiful views of Eustatia and Necker Islands.

To round out your day of exploring, dinghy past Moskito Island. This island was purchased recently by Sir Richard Branson who also owns the nearby Necker Island. He has plans to turn Moskito Island into an eco-resort that will use renewable energy.

Have you had the chance to explore the beautiful North Sound of Virgin Gorda? What were the highlights of your time there?

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

Copyright©Rum Therapy Beaches, Bars & More, Tropical Travel Guide, 2013, 2014
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC