CVOA offers beach front villas on Virgin Gorda

CVOA is proud to offer a wide selection of the finest Virgin Gorda villas on this incredibly beautiful island.

Virgin Gorda appeals to those desiring to relax and enjoy the island’s natural beauty in a secluded environment. Laze in privacy on pristine beaches and gaze at striking sunsets over the sapphire sea. Explore grottoes and secret paths or swim in the saltwater ponds created by colossal boulders at The Baths. Discover beautiful fauna and diverse animal life as you hike to the island’s highest point of 1,359‘, Gorda Peak, then experience breathtaking views of this rugged island and its neighbors. Wonderful fare reflects Virgin Gorda’s African, Indian and Spanish heritage at a variety of restaurants. Apart from its luxury villa rentals, it is well known for its yachting, some of the finest in the world. Of course opportunities for diving and snorkeling abound, among other water sports. Breathe easy as you enjoy the laid back and friendly ambiance of Virgin Gorda and her people.

Choose a Virgin Gorda villa over a luxury resort and you can save money and relax in luxury at your own pace; eat when you want, sleep when you want and swim when you want. For the villa vacation of a lifetime, look no further than CVOA - your source for the best in Virgin Gorda villas.

Virgin Gorda, is the third-largest of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) after Anegada and Tortola, and the second most populated. The island is located about ten miles from Tortola and covers an area of approximately 8 square miles (21 km2). Christopher Columbus is said to have named the island "The Fat Virgin", because when viewed from a distance, its outline reminded him of a portly woman lying on her back .

"The Baths" lend to making Virgin Gorda one of the BVI's major tourist destinations. These unusual geologic formations are located on the southern end of the island, giving proof of the volcanic origin of the island. Forming scenic grottoes that are open to the sea, the huge granite boulders lie in piles on the beach. The main attractions here are snorkeling and swimming. The old Copper Mine is the most notable ruin on Virgin Gorda.

Virgin Gorda, BVI History

Arawak Indians from South America were first to settle the Virgin Islands by around 100 BC. There is some evidence though, of Amerindian presence on the islands as far back as 1500 BC. The more aggressive Caribs, a tribe from the Lesser Antilles islands of whom the Caribbean Sea is named, displaced the Arawaks who dwelled on the islands until the fifteenth century. This popular account of warlike Caribs chasing peaceful Arawaks out of the Caribbean islands is believed by some historians to be based on simplistic European stereotypes.

Christopher Columbus, on his second voyage to the Americas in 1493, was the first European to sight the Virgin Islands. Columbus named the islands Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Vírgenes, shortened to Las Vírgenes (The Virgins), after Saint Ursula and her 11,000 Virgins.

Early in the sixteenth century, the Spanish Empire acquired the islands, mining copper on Virgin Gorda. In the following years, the Danish, Dutch, English, French and Spanish all tried to gain control of the region. The islands became an infamous locality for pirates. The native Amerindian population was wiped out during the process of colonization.

In 1648, the Dutch founded a permanent settlement on the island of Tortola. Tortola was captured from the Dutch by the English in 1672. In 1680, the British annexation of Anegada and Virgin Gorda followed. Meanwhile, the Danish gained control of the nearby islands of St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas, over the period 1672­1733.

Primarily considered a strategic possession, the British islands were planted when economic conditions were decidedly good. Sugar cane was introduced by the British which became the principal crop and source of foreign trade. African slaves were brought in to work on the sugar cane plantations. The increase in the sugar beet crop in the United States and Europe considerably reduced sugar cane production, resulting in the decline of the Islands’ economy.

The United States purchased St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John from Denmark for US$25 million in 1917, renaming them the United States Virgin Islands. Afterwards, the British renamed the islands under their control as the British Virgin Islands.

With an Administrator representing the British Government on the Islands, the British Virgin Islands were administered variously as part of the Leeward Islands Colony or with St. Kitts and Nevis. In 1960, the Islands gained separate colony status and became autonomous in 1967. The Islands have changed, since the 1960s, from their traditionally agriculture-based economy towards financial services and tourism, becoming one of the most prosperous areas in the Caribbean.

What to Do

The Virgin Islands is the most popular destination for a Caribbean sailing vacation. Since the islands are close together and well protected from the Atlantic, the BVI is a first-timers paradise. Wake up to sunshine and a blue sky, choose the cruising target of the day by pointing on a nearby island and set sail in a comfortable trade wind. The British Virgin Islands are host to many yacht charter companies and marinas to help you experience an unforgettable adventure.

Scuba-diving enthusiasts will enjoy the Wreck of 'The Rhone', the BVIs best-known and most often visited dive site in the islands. It was the filming location for the underwater scenes in the 1977 movie, 'The Deep', starring Nick Nolte, Robert Shaw and Jackie Bisset. The RMS Rhone, lying just west of Salt Island, is a former Royal Mail Steamer that sank in The Great Hurricane of 1867 on October 29. Once a remarkably large 310 ft (94 meters) steamer, she now rests as a three-site dive, with each piece lying at different depths, from 20 to 80 ft (6 to 24 meters).

Without a recreational permit, it is illegal for non-British Virgin Islanders to remove any marine organism from BVI waters. A $35 ($25 plus a $10 application fee) permit is available for charters who expect to fish while in the BVI. Since the government office closes early on Friday afternoons and doesn't reopen until Monday morning, it may be a couple of days before you can obtain a permit when arriving on the weekend. Check with the local staff for advice on obtaining a permit when you arrive for your charter.

Transportation

Rental car agencies are available if you want to drive in the BVI, but you will need a valid BVI Driving License. The Traffic Licensing Office or the car rental agency can issue you a temporary license for U.S.$10.00, if you hold a valid driver's license from your country. Driving is on the left side of the road with a maximum speed limit of 30 mph and 10-15 mph in residential areas.

An open air jitney provides taxi service, shuttling between Spanish Town, The Baths, the main bays, and Leverick Bay Dock (to catch your water taxi to Biras Creek and Drake's Anchorage).