Named for its distinctive hilly outline (Christopher Columbus thought the island looked like a plump nude in repose), Virgin Gorda has a seemingly endless series of beautiful bays and coves to explore. There are roads to most major points of interest -- including those connecting Spanish Town and The Valley on the west end to Leverick Bay to the east, including a turnoff to the top of 1,370-foot Gorda Peak.
However, the best way to get around the island is by boat. Cruising to deserted beaches for sun and swimming, or to resorts like Little Dix Bay, Biras Creek, or the Bitter End Yacht Club for drinks and dining, is an idyllic way to spend a day in the BVI. You can rent a small boat -- crewed or not -- at almost any port on the island.
The Baths feature a jumble of giant volcanic rocks both onshore and below the sea that allow for hours of exploration on foot and with snorkel or scuba equipment. The nearby copper mine ruins date to 1837, and the mineshaft was sunk about 240 feet down before the mine was abandoned in 1862. Visitors to this seaside historic site can see the weathered remains of a smokestack, an old engine house, and the main mine building.
