Virgin Gorda Island

Virgin Gorda means 'fat virgin'. It is a half-mountainous island several kilometers northeast of Tortola Island. It has a small population, but it boasts one of the most amazing sights in the Caribbean: the Baths.

The Baths is one of the most visited places in the British Virgin Islands, so if you don't like crowds, don't go there, but head for the large, protected bay of North Sound on Virgin Gorda's northern coast instead. The reef that encircles it is excellent for scuba diving. The islands of Mosquito and Prickly Pear, not far off Virgin Gorda's northern coast, are also worth a visit. The former boasts a tourist resort, while the latter is a national park.

The northern half of Virgin Gorda consists of mountains, including the Gorda Peak, which is the highest mountain on the island and rises 408 m (1359 feet) above sea level. In the south of Virgin Gorda is an abandoned copper mine, which is one of the reminders of the island's industrial past.

There are several hotels and restaurants on Virgin Gorda. The island is 20 west of Road Town.