Exploring Paradise
While it’s wonderful to relax at the villa and enjoy the pool, the BVI offers much more, with over 60 islands to explore. There’s no shortage of activities for every traveler. Tortola, the largest island, boasts great restaurants, lively bars, scenic drives, small and lush rainforests, and stunning beaches like Long Bay Beach and Smugglers Cove—perfect for lounging or exploring. Virgin Gorda’s Baths are a must-see, with granite boulders forming serene natural pools. Jost Van Dyke is all about laid-back vibes, with White Bay Beach and the famous Soggy Dollar Bar.
A Day Trip to Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke
Discover Virgin Gorda and the laid-back island vibes of Jost Van Dyke during a beautiful, easy-to-organize day trip. Whether you're into snorkeling, hiking, or just being wonderfully lazy on the beach, these islands offer the perfect getaway for every kind of traveler.
A Day Trip to Virgin Gorda
A visit to the Baths on Virgin Gorda is an absolute must. The Baths are a unique natural attraction featuring granite boulders that create sheltered sea pools along the beach. If you're feeling adventurous, you can hike through the boulders and over ladders to reach Devil's Bay, a stunning beach with white sand and impressive rock formations. Be sure to check the cruise ship schedule or visit later in the afternoon to avoid crowds. It’s less enjoyable if you have to walk behind a group of cruise ship passengers. Here is a link for the schedule: https://bviports.org/cruise-schedule
If you book the ferry, you can indicate that you need transport to the Baths. There is usually a taxi ready; it is a short ride from the ferry arrival to the Baths. TIP: Another option is to rent a car on Virgin Gorda. If you book the crossing, for example, with Speedy's, you can rent a car at the same time if you wish. It is a wonderful island to explore with your own car. TIP: You can tour around in the morning, have lunch, and go to the Baths around 3 pm when the cruise ship passengers have usually returned to the ship. Virgin Gorda is very different from Tortola, and you will probably not encounter many cars. There are beautiful viewpoints and stunning empty beaches. Don't forget to visit Leverick Bay, and a recommended spot for lunch is Sugar Cane - Website: https://sugarcane.vg
To get to Virgin Gorda from Road Town, Tortola, you have several options:
- Speedy's Ferry Service: Speedy's offers regular ferry service between Road Town, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda. The ferry ride typically takes about 30-40 minutes.
- Check the schedule and book tickets in advance on the Speedy's Ferry website.
- Smith's Ferry Service (aka Inter Island Boat Services): Another ferry option that provides service between Tortola and Virgin Gorda.
- You can find their schedule and book tickets on the Smith's Ferry Service website.
- North Sound Express: This service also offers ferries between Tortola and Virgin Gorda.
- Check their schedule and book tickets on the North Sound Express website.
A Day Trip to Jost Van Dyke
A visit to Jost Van Dyke is a nice and easy day trip from Pelican Peak Villa. The island is named after a 17th-century Dutch privateer, Joost van Dyk, and is the smallest of the three main islands in the BVI. The island is famous for two bars:
Photo - Jost van Dyke is famous for White Bay Beach.
Foxy's in Great Harbour and the Soggy Dollar at White Bay. The latter bar claims to have invented the Painkiller cocktail! It is a beautiful spot for a day at the beach or a great island to explore on foot. Ferries leave regularly.
Photo - Soggy Dollar at White Bay.
I recommend a departure at 10 am from West End (10 minutes from the house) and returning at 5 pm. Come back at five o'clock, and you can watch the sunset next to the island you just visited from the veranda of Pelican Peak. Bring sunscreen, a towel, a book, and some good shoes if you want to walk!
Please always check the ferry times! - https://newhorizonferry.com
Photo - View from Pelican Peak Villa towards Jost van Dyke