Day three has two world famous stops – the Wreck of the Rhone and “the Baths”, and then a nice sail up Virgin Gorda to the beautifully protected North Sound, home of the Bitter End Yacht Club.
We spent too much time the previous day to snorkel at the Wreck of the Rhone, so after breakfast we headed directly to it, going south to the far end of Salt Island. There are several mooring balls at the Wreck of the Rhone (no anchoring, it’s a national park!).
The Wreck of the Rhone
Immediately upon diving in you see a huge sunken ship stretching out into the depths, most obviously the huge propeller and the long drive shaft. A stunning sight!
Here’s what it looks like when diving through the propeller area:
We then set sail for the famous “Baths”, an amazing rock formation at the southwestern tip of Virgin Gorda. We anchored just off of the beautiful beach at Spring Bay, had lunch, and then took the dinghy over to Devils Bay Beach.
The Baths
The Baths is a collection of granite boulders as large as 40 feet in diameter that look as if they’ve been dumped by a huge truck. The were formed when molten lava cooled slowly and formed a hard crystalline granite layer. Shrinkage and cracking formed blocks, which are visiable today because the softer rock has worn away.
There is a nice path with steps and handrails through the rocks of the Baths. Best to do the hike early or late in the day, as it can get hot and crowded – spoiling your ability to just enjoy nature. Kids will also love swimming in the pools around the rocks.
After enjoying the baths, the beaches, and a nice climb up to the bar/restaurant above called “top of the Baths” where you can get a refreshing drink or lunch, we headed up Virgin Gorda on the way to the Bitter End. This beautiful coastline has some of the most exclusive beaches and homes in the world – several movie stars call it have houses along the route.
The Bitter End Yacht Club
The North Sound at Virgin Gorda is well protected by islands and reefs, making it an ideal bay to anchor for the night. Upon entering, you will see the triangular roofs of the bungalows, as well as many moored yachts throughout the sound. You can also see Leverick Bay on the right and the famous Necker Island (owned by Richard Branson) on the left as you approach.
You’ll nearly always get a great sunset at the Bitter End!
Tomorrow – north to Anegada, Loblolly Bay and Grilled Lobsters for Dinner!.
