THE BATHS are what Virgin Gorda is know for.

The boulders tumble all over one another. You jump off one, crawl between two others, slip through a tunnel to hide in a huge overhang. They’re sexy and hot in the Caribbean sun.  Some are rough, some soft, some silky, some lumpy, all subtly colorful, slippery when wet. 

They are a part of the BVI national park and dinghies are not allowed on shore (they must anchor in the water).

Visiting boats grab a mooring buoy.

Fun for the whole family. Way different then it was in 1982! But same boulders . . .

The Caves at Norman Cay. Now, it too has mooring buoys. Not like the good old days . . .

At days end anchored at Norman’s Cay, sitting in Moody Blues’ cockpit enjoying the view to the west of Tortola.            (Like the good old days.)

(This post is dedicated to 1982 and the good old days on Moonshadow.)

WHILE SAILING ALONG it was hard to ignore the beauty of Tortola (the island in the background.) Moody Blues (not sailboat below) clipped across Little Anegada Passage racing the boat below. We were both heading for North Sound, Virgin Gorda, BVI.

 If you look close, you’ll notice a woman is sitting on the rail reading.

Entering North Sound you first see The Sand Box Restaurant/Bar on Prickly Pear Island.

In the 27 years since we sailed in here on Moonshadow, The Bitter End Yacht Club has grown. It is now high-end, but cruiser friendly. They have a free dinghy dock and allow you to dump trash for $2.00 a bag. Showers are available. There is a chandlery and a small market, not to mention three restaurants. It’s very hip-happening.

It is called The Bitter End Yacht Club because it is the last stop in the Caribbean before trekking across the Atlantic to England. It is also the last stop before crossing Anegada Passage to Anegada (if you go counter-clockwise, which we did not!) or it can be the first stop for cruisers arriving from the eastern shores of the U.S.  There are mooring buoys to grab if you like or good anchorages about the protected sound.

I’m not sure what type of birds these are just that they have good voices.

History.

Blessings.

Lizards.                                                           Fun!

The Fat Virgin Cafe is in Biras Creek, which is the creek below.

Biras Creek from a walking trail.

(This post is dedicated to the s/v Moonshadow, wherever she might be, that sailed us here in 1982.) 

ANEGADA is a flat island that sits on an “immense coral barrier.” Columbus discovered it, as he did most of the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. It is part of the BVI and the northern most of the Virgin Islands.

Anegada was once known as a death traps to ships at sea, due to its long coral bank that’s awash and  runs south of the island. Anegada means “place of drownings” and is also called, “The Drowned Island.” Its highest point is only 28 feet. Being off the beaten path, cruisers have to cross the notorious Anegada Passage and then dodge coral heads and reefs to get there. But it was well worth the visit.

Being 15 miles from the northern tip of Virgin Gorda, it takes awhile to yell, “Land Ho!” when sailing to Anegada. As you can see by lack of white-water, we picked a good weather window to make way.

Setting Point is the main anchorage just off the main part of town called The Settlement. Many boats are on buoys. Not sure what a buoy would cost – $15 if lucky, $25 if not – we went around the corner to anchor.

This boat was leaving, so we faced the wind and dropped anchor. This beach is described as “one of the most lovely and wild beaches in the Virgins.”Its sand turned out to be like powder. It’s water heaven on earth.

Our homeport flag is taking a beating!               Moody Blues at anchor north of Pomato Point.

That’s Virgin Gorda, BVI, in the background.

In case the walk to The Settlement is too long, you can take a load off and rest.

Yum.

Yum, yum.

Yum, yum, yum!

This was a fun, interesting gift shop.               Pretty bird, wish I had a better bird book!

More yum.

Anegada’s population is around 350. Motto: Vigilate—”keenly watchful to detect danger or trouble.”

(This post is dedicated to Captain Jack Sparrow who knows what Vigilate means!)