The Baths, Virgin Gorda day trip

At the southern tip of Virgin Gorda, granite boulders up to 40 feet long lie piled along the beach, forming tidal pools, tunnels, arches and grottoes open to the sea. A trail runs from The Baths beach through the boulder field, through the caves and across the pools, to little Devil's Bay, and both beaches have paths down from the car park at the end of Tower Road. It is a national park with a paid entry, and the path straight down to The Baths is the shorter and easier one. Most of the time goes on swimming and snorkelling around the rocks.

From Tortola, ferries cross to Spanish Town several times a day from Road Town and from Trellis Bay on Beef Island, and a taxi covers the last mile or so; many day sails also pick up moorings off the beach instead. When small cruise ships are in it gets crowded, so go before about 10 in the morning or after 3 in the afternoon. There are changing rooms, lockers and drinks stands at the beach. Spring Bay, just north, has the same boulders at The Crawl, sheltered pools gentle enough for beginner snorkellers, its own access from Tower Road and hardly anyone on it.