Virgin Gorda
Covers 25 islands from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to Aruba, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Cozumel and Roatán, with prices, flights and entry rules checked at the source.
UpdatedThis page carries dated prices, schedules or seasonal facts checked on the date above, and that window has now passed. Re-check the sources at the foot of the page before you book.
Virgin Gorda is the BVI's beach island. Its southwest tip is the Baths, where house-sized granite boulders sit on the sand and form pools and tunnels you wade and climb through. A short trail leads on to Devil's Bay, a calm cove for swimming. Up the west coast are Spring Bay, Savannah Bay and Mahoe Bay, and at the north end is North Sound, a sheltered harbor full of yachts.
It costs less to visit than to stay. A one-day pass to the Greater Baths is $3 for adults, and the ferry from Tortola is $30 one way. Hotel rooms are another matter: on Kayak, only three 3-star-or-better hotels showed a price for January 13, 2027, and the cheapest was $780, on the Saba Rock islet in North Sound. There is no island-only visitor count; the BVI as a whole had about 1.1 million visitors in 2024, by the government's figures.
At a glance
- Best for
- Couples and families who want calm, sandy bays and boat days, and can pay for a quiet stay
- Skip it if
- You want one easy flight, nightlife, or a hotel room under $300 in winter
- Getting there
- Fly nonstop Miami to Beef Island (EIS) on Tortola, then a Speedy's ferry from Trellis Bay; or ferry from Road Town
- Hotel, mid-January
- $780 (Saba Rock Resort, 3-star, taxes in). Only three hotels priced
- Hotel, mid-July
- $268 (Leverick Bay Resort and Marina)
- Island size
- 8 sq mi (21 sq km)
In this guide
How Virgin Gorda scores
Six factors, scored 0 to 10 the same way for all 64 islands. There is no island-level visitor count we trust, so crowds are left out and the other five factors are re-weighted. How we score
- WeatherData · 20%9.3
- Beaches & seaEditors · 25%8.5
- Things to doEditors · 25%5.0
- Getting there from the USData · 10%7.3
- ValueData · 10%1.5
- Room to breatheData · 10%Not scored
Weather month by month
Best months by our weather score: January, May, December. Daytime highs, rain and sunshine are 2016–2025 averages at Virgin Gorda Airport (Open-Meteo historical weather archive); sea temperatures are 2022–2025 averages for the nearest sea area (Open-Meteo marine archive). Months marked in the storm row fall in the Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 to November 30); the score takes that risk into account.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 79 | 78 | 78 | 79 | 81 | 82 | 83 | 84 | 84 | 83 | 82 | 81 |
| Sea °F | 81 | 80 | 80 | 81 | 83 | 84 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 86 | 84 | 82 |
| Rain (in) | 1.3 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 3.4 | 3.8 | 5.0 | 5.4 | 5.0 | 1.8 |
| Weather score | 9.7 | 9.5 | 9.6 | 9.7 | 9.8 | 9.4 | 8.6 | 7.2 | 6.2 | 6.6 | 7.9 | 9.9 |
| Storm season | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
The numbers behind the score
- Gateway airport
- Virgin Gorda Airport (VIJ)
- US nonstops
- None. No US nonstop to VIJ. Usual route: American Eagle MIA to Beef Island (EIS), then Speedy's ferry from Trellis Bay ($30 one way); or ferry from Road Town; or small planes from San Juan (Cape Air, Charter Flights Caribbean, seasonal Tradewind); Saturday ferry from St. Thomas.
- Distance
- 3,472 mi from Los Angeles, 1,631 mi from New York
- Passport
- Needed for US citizens
- Hotel, one night
- $780 on Jan 13, 2027 · $268 on Jul 14, 2027 (Virgin Gorda island-wide (incl. North Sound))
- Visitors a year
- 238,102 overnight visitors (2025), plus 580,575 cruise passengers
- Bringing a dog
- Possible: BVI Department of Agriculture import permit, which requires a rabies titer test and a USDA-endorsed health certificate before you apply
Hotel prices: Cheapest 3-star-or-better double, 1 night, 2 adults, nightly total with taxes and fees, Kayak (Virgin Gorda search), checked 2026-10-20. January: Saba Rock Resort (an islet in North Sound, boat access), one of only three priced hotels; Leverick Bay showed no January rate. July: Leverick Bay Resort and Marina.. Visitor figures: Government of the Virgin Islands, 2026 Budget Address (November 2025).
Where Virgin Gorda ranks
Who Virgin Gorda is for, and who should skip it
- Go as a couple who wants quiet, sandy bays and a slow pace.
- Go as a family renting a villa: the leeward bays are calm and the island is small enough that drives are short.
- Go if you sail. North Sound is one of the classic anchorages in the BVI.
- Skip if you need one flight and done. You will connect through Tortola or San Juan.
- Skip if you want restaurants and nightlife in walking distance. Spanish Town is small.
Compare with Tortola, its bigger, cheaper neighbor, and St. John on the US side. Our Virgin Islands ranking puts them in order.
Where to stay, with the prices we found
We priced one night for two adults on Kayak on October 20, 2026, taxes and fees in. Supply is thin, and most visitors rent villas, which these figures do not cover.
| Hotel | January 13, 2027 | July 14, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Leverick Bay Resort and Marina, North Sound | No rate shown | $268 |
| Saba Rock Resort, islet in North Sound | $780 | $878 |
| Bitter End Yacht Club, North Sound | $2,221 | $1,065 |
| Rosewood Little Dix Bay | $2,484 | $1,404 |
Spanish Town and the Valley, near the ferry dock and the Baths, is where most villas and small inns are. North Sound is boat country: Saba Rock and Bitter End are reached by water. Two practical notes: winter rates are high, and Leverick Bay, the cheapest hotel in July, showed no January availability at all.
Beaches: the Baths and the calm west coast
- The Baths: boulders, sea pools and grottoes. The National Parks Trust warns you will crawl, climb ladders and wade, so wear water shoes and take care on wet rock.
- Devil's Bay: about 15 minutes on foot from the Baths car park, through scrub and boulders. A calm cove for swimming and snorkeling.
- Spring Bay: next to the Baths and part of the same park, with more sand and fewer people.
- Savannah Bay and Mahoe Bay: long, calm west-coast beaches. Good for children.
- Stoney Bay: also in the park, on the Atlantic side, where the Trust says swells pummel the coast. Not for swimming in rough weather.
Day boats from Tortola and St. Thomas stop at the Baths, so arrive early. We score Virgin Gorda 8.5 of 10 for beaches: several outstanding calm ones close together, held back by crowds at the Baths and the extra travel to get here.
Things to do
- The Greater Baths National Park: one $3 adult pass ($2 child, plus a few cents' service fee) covers the Baths, Devil's Bay, Stoney Bay and Spring Bay for the day.
- North Sound by boat: Saba Rock, Bitter End and Leverick Bay are the stops.
- Gorda Peak National Park: a forest hike to the island's high point.
- Copper Mine ruins: the stone engine house on the southeast coast, a National Parks Trust site.
- Day sails to other BVI islands, and the ferry back to Tortola for a day in Road Town.
That is a 5 of 10 for things to do: beaches and boats, plus a hike and a ruin.
When to go
December to April is dry and breezy, with the best sailing weather and the highest rates. May and June are a good compromise. Summer is hotter and more humid, but hotel prices fall: our cheapest July room was $268.
The NOAA National Hurricane Center gives the Atlantic season as June 1 to November 30, peaking around September 10. Hurricane Irma hit the BVI in 2017. Ferry service also thins out in the off-season: Speedy's St. Thomas run is suspended from September 1 to October 31, 2026 and resumes November 7. Read our hurricane season guide.
Getting there from the US, and entry rules
Virgin Gorda Airport (VIJ) has no US nonstop. Small planes fly from San Juan (Cape Air, Charter Flights Caribbean, seasonal Tradewind) and from Anguilla and Tortola. Most visitors do this instead:
- Fly Miami to Beef Island (EIS) on American Eagle, then walk or taxi to Trellis Bay for Speedy's ferry to Spanish Town, six times a day on the current schedule.
- From Road Town: Speedy's and Road Town Fast Ferry run several boats a day.
- From St. Thomas: Speedy's runs Charlotte Amalie to Spanish Town on Saturdays, $60 one way or $110 round trip for adults, when it is operating.
The Tortola ferries cost $30 one way and $40 round trip for adults, $20 and $30 for ages 5 to 11 and seniors. Virgin Gorda port upgrades, separating cargo from passengers, began in November 2025.
US citizens need a passport, proof of onward travel and the BVI's online Immigration and Customs form; no visa for stays up to one month. Bringing a dog means a BVI import permit backed by a rabies titer test and a USDA-endorsed certificate.
Tickets and tours you can book
The Baths and White Bay
It is expensive and the extras add up: $85 per person in BVI immigration and customs fees in cash, plus a customary 20% crew tip, and a passport is required. It does not start on Virgin Gorda.
Rating as shown on Viator
Discover The Baths of Virgin Gorda Full Day Adventure - Westin St. John
It starts on St. John, not Virgin Gorda; a passport is required and parking at the Westin costs extra. The page lists Baths admission as included but is unclear on customs fees.
Rating as shown on Viator
Booking through these links supports this site at no cost to you. Prices move by date, so we do not print them here; the official prices we checked are in the page above.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Virgin Gorda from the US?
Most people fly American Eagle from Miami to Beef Island (EIS) on Tortola and take Speedy's ferry from Trellis Bay to Spanish Town, $30 one way. You can also fly to St. Thomas and connect by ferry, or fly a small plane from San Juan to Virgin Gorda's own airstrip.
How much does it cost to visit the Baths?
The National Parks Trust's Greater Baths day pass is $3 for adults and $2 for children, plus a small service fee. It also covers Devil's Bay, Spring Bay and Stoney Bay for the day.
Can you visit Virgin Gorda as a day trip from Tortola?
Yes, and it is the cheap way to see it. Ferries run several times a day from Road Town and Beef Island, $40 round trip for adults. Take an early boat and go straight to the Baths before the day boats arrive.
Is Virgin Gorda good for families?
Yes, if you rent a villa. Savannah Bay, Mahoe Bay and Spring Bay are calm, and drives are short. The Baths trail involves ladders and wading, so it suits school-age kids more than toddlers.
Do you need a passport for Virgin Gorda?
Yes. Virgin Gorda is in the British Virgin Islands, not the US Virgin Islands. You need a passport and must complete the online Immigration and Customs form before arrival.
Further reading
Official sources
- BVI National Parks Trust - The Baths National Park – Greater Baths one-day pass $3 adult + $0.08, $2 child + $0.05; covers Devil's Bay, the Baths, Stoney Bay, Spring Bay; 15-minute hike to Devil's Bay; crawling, ladders and wading; Stoney Bay swells; checked October 20, 2026
- Speedy's Ferry - Ferry rates and service notice – Road Town or Beef Island to Virgin Gorda $30/$40 adult, $20/$30 child 5-11 and seniors; St. Thomas $60/$110; St. Thomas service suspended September 1 to October 31, 2026, resuming November 7, 2026; checked October 20, 2026
- BVI Tourist Board - Ferry schedules – Trellis Bay to Spanish Town 6 daily; Road Town to Spanish Town Speedy's and Road Town Fast Ferry; Saturday St. Thomas service; checked October 20, 2026
- Government of the Virgin Islands - 2026 Budget Address (November 2025) – About 1,100,000 BVI visitors in 2024; Q1 to Q3 2025 overnight 238,102 and cruise 580,575; Virgin Gorda port upgrades from November 2025; checked October 20, 2026
- US Department of State - British Virgin Islands travel information – Passport, proof of departure, no visa up to one month; checked October 20, 2026
- BVI Tourist Board - Arriving by air – Online Immigration and Customs form at bviedcard.gov.vg replaced the paper form January 1, 2025; checked October 20, 2026
- USDA APHIS - Pet travel from the United States to the British Virgin Islands – Import permit; rabies titer required; checked October 20, 2026
- Wikipedia - Virgin Gorda Airport – Airlines: Cape Air and Charter Flights Caribbean (San Juan), seasonal Tradewind, Trans Anguilla Airways; checked October 20, 2026
- NOAA National Hurricane Center - Tropical cyclone climatology – Atlantic season June 1 to November 30, peak around September 10; checked October 20, 2026
- Kayak hotel search, Virgin Gorda – Three priced 3-star-or-better hotels on January 13, 2027, cheapest $780 (Saba Rock); July 14, 2027 cheapest $268 (Leverick Bay); 2 adults, taxes and fees in; checked October 20, 2026
