About Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Of all the British Virgin Islands, Virgin Gorda is the third-largest, and the second most populated. With over 3,930 residents, Virgin Gorda only covers about 8 square miles. As with the majority of Virgin Island locations, tourism is the main source of income for local workers. Ten years ago, it was not uncommon for the islands to see over 825,600 visitors in a year. Out of those, some 443,990 came from (mostly from the United States) cruise ships. One huge aspect of the tourism sector is private yacht charters.

Popular Destinations in Virgin Gorda

Looking for activities once your private jet arrives in Virgin Gorda? Virgin Gorda features many points of interest that can thrill travelers visiting this sunny island. Here are a few notable attractions to visit:

Portola’s Cane Garden Bay Beach: Water sports, snorkeling, and numerous other activities are all available at this busy beach. The barrier reef shelters these waters from severe winds and the steep green hills provide the perfect lush backdrop. This crescent- shaped beach is likely the most visited stretch of sand and pristine waters in the area.

Tortola’s Smugglers Cold Beach: This undeveloped, sheltered, and secluded beach lies at Tortola’s westernmost end. For many, the bustling resort scene gives way to this serene escape as beach lovers seek their own little patch of sand and pristine waters.

RMS Rhone Shipwreck and Rhone National Maritime Park: This is one of the Caribbean’s most amazing diving sites. The story is that only 23 people survived by washing up on the shores of Salt Island while 124 people were killed by the 1867 hurricane that sunk this ship. The ship crashed on jagged rocks at Salt Island’s southwest coast. Although there is an impressive maritime national park right on the premises, the shipwreck is the real draw here.

Gorda Peak National Park: Diverse wildlife including the Virgin Gordon gecko, the world’s tiniest lizard, soldier crabs, bats, birds, tree frogs, and reptiles populate this national park. The Gorda Peak National Park is rich in biodiversity. Native orchid species numbering no less than six, and other rare plants, can be found here. The atmosphere features dry forests along the upper slopes and a semi-rain forest setting, comprising the rest of its 107 hectares.

The Baths National Park (Gorda): Exploring and snorkeling have never been better than in these grottoes and sea pools. The Baths National Park was created among giant granite boulders that are scattered around the bay. This is one of the most famous landmarks of the British Virgin Islands and one of the busiest.

Tortola’s Sunny Caribbee Spice Shop & Art Gallery: A little off the beaten path, and not the busiest of locations, Tortola’s Art Gallery offers a collection of trinkets, souvenirs, and traditional Caribbean spices. Quaint boutiques offer additional essentials including jams, sauces, herbs, seasonings, kitchen tools, and more. Other shops offer Christmas ornaments, soaps, lotions, and coffees. Visitors looking to bring home a souvenir will likely find one here. Those who are unfamiliar with spices can ask the shopkeeper for guidance based on their desired flavors.

Luxury Lodging in Virgin Gorda

Seeking luxury accommodations once your private jet has arrived in Virgin Gorda? There is a small number of luxury lodging options available in Virgin Gorda. These include:

• Bitter End Yacht Club
• Gordian Terrace
• Katitche Point Greathouse
• Rosewood Little Dix Bay
• Villa Aquamare

Airports In or Nearby Virgin Gorda For Private Jets

There are a few airports in and near Virgin Gorda. This makes it easy to travel to and from the island by air. The nearest airports include:

• Virgin Gorda Airport (VIJ): Virgin Gorda Airport is the main airport serving the island. This is a public airport that stands at an elevation of 14 feet above sea level, and is served by a few commercial airlines. The bulk of the air traffic to the airport is from chartered and private aircraft. Virgin Gorda Airport has a single dirt runway measuring 3,100 feet in length, designated in the 03/21 direction. This makes it only suitable for very light aircraft.
• Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS): Located 16 miles away from Virgin Gorda island, Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport is situated on Beef Island which is part of the British Virgin Islands. The airport is a gateway to most of the islands in the region, with most people using a ferry to get to the islands they are interested in after landing at the airport. Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport sits at an elevation of 16 feet above sea level and has a single asphalt runway measuring 4,642 feet in length. The runway is designated in the 07/25 direction.
• Cyril E. King Airport (STT): Cyril E. King Airport is located on St. Thomas Island, around 63 miles away from Virgin Gorda. The airport stands at an elevation of 24 feet above sea level. It has a single asphalt runway measuring 7,000 feet in length, and designated in the 10/28 direction. The airport has a terminal with 11 gates, and records over 65,000 aircraft operations annually. More than 98 aircraft are also based at the airport.