Find out everything about sailing in Virgin Gorda: itineraries, ports, yacht rental options & other useful information. Virgin Gorda is part of the British Virgin Islands. It is the third-largest island in the archipelago. Virgin Gorda has a wonderful, long coastline, full of great marinas and ports. North Sound is at the northern tip of Virgin Gorda. It is one of the most popular sailing destinations in the Caribbean. There are many small islands here like Prickly Pear Island, Moskito Island, or Saba Rock. Each is a separate little world worth exploring. If you are looking for an exciting and uplifting vacation, Virgin Gorda is the perfect base to discover this beautiful area. We recommend this article to those who are planning their sailing adventure in Virgin Gorda to explore the surrounding islands by boat.
This article gives you an overview of the following topics:
- Ports and islands around Virgin Gorda
- Weather in Virgin Gorda
- Sail in Virgin Groda! Virgin Groda boat tours
- Sailing in Virgin Gorda: 7 days sailing itinerary
- Catamaran itinerary around Virgin Gorda (longer)
- Marine gas in Virgin Gorda
Ports and islands around Virgin Gorda
Prickley Pear
Prickley Pear is located in the North Sound, opposite Virgin Gorda. Since it was declared a national park in 1988, there is no permanent population on the island, but a beach bar and various water activities await visiting sailors. The beach at the southwestern tip is perfect for sunbathing and swimming, though caution is needed around the coral reefs. Around the island, ten mooring buoys and a small boat dock are available. Hidden and well-protected mooring spots can be found at the southeastern and northwestern corners, ideal for private stops. Rent a boat in Virgin Gorda and let exploring the island become a true adventure – calmly, freely, without thinking about time.
Eustatia Island
Eustatia lies slightly north of Virgin Gorda, south of Prickley Pear. Approaching the island requires careful navigation due to many shallow areas and narrow channels around Saba Rock. Small draft boats will find excellent mooring spots along the south, north, and east sides. The northern shore is particularly recommended for its sandy seabed and well-protected area behind the reefs. Water activities such as diving, windsurfing, wakeboarding, and clear kayak rentals are available to explore the stunning waters of North Sound.
Dog Islands
The Dog Islands are a small group of islands in the British Virgin Islands, about 10 km from Virgin Gorda along the Sir Francis Drake Channel. The group is divided into four parts: Great Dog, George Dog, West Dog, and the smaller Seal Dogs. The surrounding waters offer excellent mooring locations, including George Dog near Kitchen Point and Great Dog along the southern and northwest coasts. Most moorings are part of the National Park Trust and require a permit. Sail here in calm weather to discover hidden, scenic spots. 
Fallen Jerusalem Island
Fallen Jerusalem is located just 1 km from the southern tip of Virgin Gorda. The island features rugged rocks, ruins, and secluded sandy beaches, forming natural pools along the shore. Its untouched environment is home to unique bird species and tropical plants. You can anchor during the day in North Lee Bay and explore tunnels, caves, and rocky inlets. Night mooring is not possible, so plan your visit during daylight while navigating carefully around the rocks.
Biras Creek
Biras Creek is situated on the eastern side of Virgin Gorda and provides excellent shelter in bad weather. When approaching, watch out for Oyster Rock on the southern side, marked by a red buoy; pass it on the left. Biras Creek is a popular stop for sailors, offering a romantic ambiance at sunset or under the moonlight.
Bitter End
Bitter End is located on the northern part of Virgin Gorda, where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. Its name comes from the secluded, idyllic setting, offering stunning views of North Sound. The harbor is well-protected, with consistent trade winds, making it a paradise for sailing enthusiasts. The marine life is abundant, with vibrant corals and fish. The yacht club provides full services, including electricity, water, ice, and over 15 berths.
Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor
Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor lies in the St. Thomas Bay on the southwestern side of the island. Access is straightforward via the marked channel. The harbor is well-maintained, offering full services and fuel access. Around 100 berths are available with short-term, daily, and long-term options. Spanish Town is nearby, offering shops, restaurants, and bars. About 3 km away is the famous “The Baths,” with its granite formations creating tidal pools, tunnels, and stunning caves open to the surrounding waters.
Weather in Virgin Gorda
Virgin Gorda has a tropical climate. It is hot during the entire year, but the dominant trade winds somewhat cool the air down. The period between December and March is usually milder, with an average temperature of 24–25° Celsius. It is very hot between May and October: the daily average temperature is around 28° Celsius. The dry period lasts from January to April; the driest months are February and March. You can expect heavy rainfalls from May to December. The hurricane season is from July to October – it brings strong winds and heavy rains. The sea is warm during the whole year, with an average temperature of 27° Celsius. The sailing season is between December and April. During this time, the weather is not so hot and the amount of precipitation is also smaller; there is also a lower risk of tropical storms and hurricanes. The wind is northeasterly during the winter months, then blows towards the east in February and changes its course to the southeast by June. It usually has a velocity of 28–38 km/h, with the exception of the Christmas winds with 50 km/h. The seas are fairly calm. Check the Check the sailing conditions and wind rose diagram of Virgin Gorda.
Sail in Virgin Gorda! Virgin Gorda boat tours
Sailing in Virgin Gorda: 7 days sailing itinerary
This round trip takes you west from the northern tip of Virgin Gorda to Cooper Island, just 8 km from Tortola. Here we turn back and sail along the east coast of Virgin Gorda to the starting point. Basically, we only cover small distances every day, but this gives us the opportunity to get to know every part of the island and its surroundings.
Day 1. Bitter End – Necker Island
3, 00 km (1, 86 nm)
Necker Island is about 3 km from the northern tip of Virgin Gorda. The island is almost entirely surrounded by coral, except for a narrow passage in the southern parts. We can drop anchor in this 4 km area. If you love animals, you will love this island. The wildlife is rich, many exotic birds live here.
Day 2. Necker Island – Long Bay
8, 00 km (4, 97 nm)
Long Bay is a beautiful, crescent-shaped beach and marina on the northwest coast of Virgin Gorda, behind Mountain Point. This place rarely gets the attention it deserves. However, you should always check the weather forecast before visiting, as sometimes the waves tend to raise the level of the seabed. Thanks to its location, the beach is shaded in the morning, but for the rest of the day it is beautifully bright and the sunset is gorgeous from here.
Day 3. Long Bay – George Dog – St. Thomas Bay
8, 95 km (5, 56 nm)
We cannot miss Spanish Town when we sail around Virgin Gorda. There are moorings at St. Thomas Bay, right next to the ferry port. The yacht marina is a few minutes’ walks from the beach. There are also shops, a grocery store, and a beautiful beach.
Day 4. St. Thomas Bay – Fallen Jerusalem – Cooper Island, Manchioneel Bay
11, 40 km (7, 09 nm)
Cooper Island, with its beautiful, curved coastline is the best place to drop anchor in the area between The Baths and Peter Island. The bay is deep and the seabed is covered with seagrass, but there are some great mooring balls here that make it easier to secure your boat. The most protected points are on the south side. Find a place for your boat there, if possible.
Day 5. Cooper Island – Biras Creek Marina
20, 50 km (12, 74 nm)
Biras Creek is a very popular yacht marina, and one of the best marinas on the east coast of the island. There are 18 berths, but you can drop anchor outside the marina as well. A thin but high-ridged isthmus separates the anchorage from the sea. There is a fuel dock not far from the marina.
Day 6. Biras Creek – Eustatia
8, 55 km (5, 32 nm)
As mentioned earlier, the island features moorings. If you want to relax for a while, there are three beautiful, white sand beaches where we can go swimming or diving. The island’s marine life is amazing and the name itself is apt, too. Eustatia is a Greek word, it means a good place to stay.
Day 7. Eustatia – Saba Rock – Bitter End
1, 05 km (0, 7 nm)
Kilbride, the founder of the Introductory SCUBA Course arrived at Saba Rock during the ’60s and made the territory his own base. After a few years, he opened his bar, Pirates Pub here, then he established some berths as well. With time, this tiny piece of land became a shelter for skippers. Later he sold the place and a holiday resort was built here. They kept the berths though, and the place is still attractive thanks to the sailing-oriented attitude.
Catamaran itinerary around Virgin Gorda (longer)
This route also starts from the northern shore of Virgin Gorda, but first, we head towards Anegada. From there, we turn southwest and sail all the way to Jost van Dyke. On the way back we sail on the western and northern side of the island. The legs are longer, but this is a very popular trip in the Caribbean.
Day 1. Bitter End – Prickly Pear 1, 55 km (1 nm) Day 2. Prickly Pear – Anegada, Setting Point 23, 65 km (14, 69 nm) Day 3. Setting Point – Trellis Bay, Beef Island 35, 30 km (21, 93 nm) Day 4. Trellis Bay – Great Harbor, Jost van Dyke 23, 90 km (14, 85 nm) Day 5. Great Harbor – Scrub Island 25, 60 km (15, 91 nm) Day 6. Scrub Island – Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor 8, 40 km (5, 22 nm) Day 7. Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbor – Leverick Bay – Bitter End 27, 70 km (17, 21 nm)
Other yacht week BVI, BVI sailing itinerary, or sailing to BVI
Marine gas in Virgin Gorda
- VIRGIN GORDA YACHT HARBOR: Depth: 3m, Working time: 8-17, GPS Coordinates: 18.449791, -64.436778
- LEVERICK BAY MARINA: Depth: 3 m, Working time: 8-22 GPS Coordinates: 18.497400, -64.385500
- BITTER END YACHT CLUB: Depth: 3 m Working time: 7-23, GPS Coordinates: 18.499486, -64.357347
- OIL NUT BAY MARINA: Depth: 2.5 m, Working time: 6-22, GPS Coordinates: 18.499443, -64.329932
Virgin Gorda is a fantastic gem of the Caribbean. It is an ideal destination if we have never been to this region. This place is so exciting and diverse that it is worth visiting several times. Find last-minute yacht charter BVI, crewed catamaran charter BVI, bareboat catamaran charter BVI, BVI sailing yacht charter bareboat, BVI crewed yacht charter, bareboat yacht charter BVI, BVI luxury yacht charter, yacht rental BVI, catamaran charter BVI, sailboat charter BVI
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