Things To Do in Virgin Gorda, BVI

The northern side of Virgin Gorda is mountainous, with Gorda Peak reaching 417m (1,368 ft.), the highest spot on the island. In contrast, the southern half of the island is flat, with large boulders appearing at every turn.

If you're over for a day trip, the best way to see the island is to call Andy Flax at the Fischer's Cove Beach Hotel. He runs the Virgin Gorda Tours Association (tel. 284/495-5252; www.virgingordatours.com), which will give you a tour of the island from $55 to $220 for one or two persons, adding $15 to $30 per person more depending on the group size. You can be picked up at the ferry dock if you give 24-hour notice.

Shops are sparse here; most of the best shopping is found in the boutiques in the island’s upscale resorts. The Bitter End Yacht Club’s Reeftique (tel 284/494-2745), has a good selection of sexy kurtas, cotton T’s and henleys, and top-quality Bitter End beach bags. Also at the Bitter End, the Trading Post has great kids’ gifts, including messages in the bottle.

Pusser’s Company Store, Leverick Bay (tel 284/495-7369), sells Pusser’s usual lineup of rum products, sportswear, and gift and souvenir items.

In Spanish Town, stop in at the Yacht Harbour Shopping Centre, which has an outpost for Dive BVI (tel 284/495-5513; www.divebvi.com), selling all sorts of scuba and snorkeling equipment, plus clothes and tchotchkes. You can buy interesting handmade Virgin glass gifts, straw baskets, and beautiful beaded bags at Next Wave Designs (tel 284/495-5634), also in the Yacht Harbour Shopping Centre.

There isn’t a lot of action at night. The Bath & Turtle pub, at Yacht Harbour, tel 284/495-5239), brings in local bands for dancing in the summer on Wednesday and Friday at 8:30pm. Check out the weekly “Welcome Guide to the British Virgin Islands” to see what’s happening at the time of your visit.