Virgin Gorda’s remoteness has long been part of its appeal, as well as its barefoot luxury vibe that makes the island such a storied destination. Located on the easternmost edge of the British Virgin Islands, Virgin Gorda is primarily known as a sailing destination and for The Baths, a bucket-list-worthy national park with giant granite boulders and secret pools and beaches.
Most visitors to Virgin Gorda either sail or take the ferry from Tortola, a journey that involves a car ride from the Tortola airport and then a 30-minute ferry or boat charter. Tradewind Aviation instead makes the journey much easier with our new seasonal scheduled service flights to Virgin Gorda starting November 2023. Rather than worrying about ferry timetables, you’ll be able to fly directly to the island from San Juan in just 35 minutes on scheduled flights offered up to five days a week, or on your own time year-round with a private charter.
Once you arrive at Taddy Bay International Airport (VIJ/TUPW), a short car (or boat) ride will whisk you away to your final destination—which could be any number of luxurious hotels or villas on the island. Read on for a complete guide to the island’s best high-end properties.
Rosewood Little Dix Bay
This perennial favorite first opened in 1964, the passion project of conservationist Laurance Rockefeller. Rosewood took over the property in 1993 and has continued Rockefeller’s work of establishing it as a luxuriously low-key destination. A planned 18-month renovation wound up taking nearly four years after Hurricane Irma decimated Virgin Gorda in 2017, but the property reopened to great acclaim in 2020.
It’s among the only full-service resort on Virgin Gorda, with several restaurants and a signature Rosewood Sense spa. Situated on a coveted half-mile stretch of pure white sand, its protected position on the island also gives guests direct access to crystal-clear Caribbean waters. Rosewood Little Dix Bay is exceptionally convenient for its guests, as it’s located just a 5 minute drive from the Virgin Gorda airport, making travel to and from the resort a breeze. This strategic proximity not only enhances the overall guest experience but closely connects travelers to this tropical paradise immediately upon arrival at Virgin Gorda.
Necker Island
Richard Branson’s 74-acre private island oasis has a certain mystique, in large part due to its incredibly remote location. After a Tradewind flight takes you directly to the Virgin Gorda airport, a complimentary Necker Island boat will shuttle you to the island, which is just off the coast.
Once you’ve arrived, there’s no need to leave, as Necker Island is much more than the sum of its individual parts. All stays include top class meals and access to Necker Island’s plethora of amenities—think freshwater pools, tennis courts, and endless water-related activities such as kite-surfing, wakeboarding, sailing, snorkeling, and more. The island, which accommodates up to 48 adults and six children in Balinese-style villas, is traditionally available for exclusive rental, but at certain times of the year it offers Individual Stays, where smaller groups can book individual room accommodations.
Moskito Island
Given the enduring success of Necker Island, Branson added another jewel to his Caribbean property portfolio in 2007 when he purchased the neighboring Moskito Island—also a short boat ride from Virgin Gorda. Most of the island is occupied with private estates, but in 2021, three of its properties became available to rent under The Branson Beach Estate at Moskito Island. The villas on Branson Beach Estate are available to rent individually all year round or together on an exclusive basis.
The three-villa estate comprises 11 bedrooms, including three master suites and several standalone guest rooms. Because the island isn’t a traditional resort, guests’ trips are expertly steered by a house manager who plans meals and excursions to ensure their trip is a one-of-a-kind experience.
Bitter End Yacht Club
This beloved destination has been drawing sailors for more than half a century, and it reopened last year after a herculean rebuilding effort following Hurricane Irma. It’s primarily designed as a destination for sailors—its mooring balls fill up quickly, and it offers a market, coffee shop, and several restaurants for people who come ashore. But the property also has space for visitors in its Marina Lofts, which are cantilevered over the ocean and offers one of the only “overwater” accommodations in the Caribbean.
The marine-inspired interiors of the lofts are heavy on wood paneling, natural textures, and sumptuous fabrics, giving the sense of being in a boat, even when you’re staying on land.
Oil Nut Bay
This remote, 400-acre development is only accessible by boat or helicopter, and is the ideal choice for privacy-minded visitors to Virgin Gorda. It’s primarily a real estate development, and many of the villas are available to rent, starting from breathtaking one-bedroom villas perfect for a couples getaway, all the way up to six-bedroom estates large enough to accommodate up to 12 guests.
The resort’s remote cliffside location means every accommodation has jaw-dropping views of the coastline and ocean beyond. Oil Nut Bay is well-equipped with several restaurants, and its staff can arrange in-villa spa treatments and meals for those who want a more private, low-key getaway.
With its remote location, unspoiled natural wonders, and fine dining, Virgin Gorda has a unique appeal that continues to draw new and returning visitors. With the ease of access Tradewind now provides with its scheduled flights, it’s high time to check Virgin Gorda off your travel list.
To learn more about Tradewind’s scheduled flights to Virgin Gorda and booking your vacation, please visit our website or contact our specialists at scheduledservice@flytradewind.com or 1-203-267-3305 option 1.
To receive a private charter quote, please complete our request form or contact our specialists at sales@flytradewind.com or 1-203-267-3305 option 2.