When Christopher Columbus returned on his second voyage of discovery in 1493, he arrived in these islands on the day of the feast of 1000 virgins, commemorating crusading nuns. Rather than call it the 'Thousand Virgins' he called it the Virgin Islands. As for Virgin Gorda, which means "fat virgin" in Spanish, lore has it she got her name when Christopher Columbus thought her portly, irregular shape and the hump of Gorda peak on the island resembled the shape of a large and shapely reclining woman.

With little desire for mass tourism, Virgin Gorda has remained an escape from the bustle associated with so many Caribbean islands. With her miles of serene and almost isolated beaches, Virgin Gorda provides a peaceful haven.

The Baths

The Baths, the British Virgin Island's most famous natural attraction, with giant boulders forming a series of spectacular pools and grottoes, is located on Virgin Gorda, which is also home to 20 or so beaches including the beautiful Devil's Bay, Spring Bay and Trunk Bay.