The Baths – Virgin Gorda

After ten days of sailing we ended our staff training this morning with a visit to The Baths on the southwest tip of Virgin Gorda.

It’s famed for its large granite boulders that form a series of caves. It’s a climber’s paradise.

We moored early to beat the tourist scrum and splashed into the deep blue. This has to be one of the most beautiful sites I’ve seen so far. The water is like a tie-dye of various shades of blue bleeding into a blindingly white sandy beach.

Ashore we scaled some of the smooth rock faces taking care not to slip. Then we slid down and ducked under the sides of the rough boulders into the cave-like areas. Here shafts of brilliant light poked through the crevices darting across the light blue cool pools of water. Perfect conditions for a photo shoot, think Blue Lagoon.

At one of the highest points on the boulders you can see the entire horizon. The boulders remind me of the Kopjes in Tanzania’s Serengeti where big cats are sprawled out lazily soaking up the hot sun. No lions here though, in fact surprisingly no real wildlife on land. The scorched branches of shrubs reaching through the tiny gaps in the rocks don’t appear to even provide a home to sea birds. When I was in Belize in January I remember being stunned by the number of frigate birds and boobies on Honeymoon Island. The tree tops there were stuffed with a plethora of nests.

These volcanic structures in BVI however are eerily quiet. They’ve been worn down over time by the elements with some faces smooth to touch. I’m sure there are pockets littered with incredible fossils. Our hike around was a whistle stop tour; but this is where we will be bringing kids at the end of each programme as a treat so there’ll be another opportunity to explore.

After clambering on and off rocks we snorkelled for a while. I saw squid, a stingray, pretty coral and little fish. I’ve yet to be blown away by large shoals, I’m hoping that’ll happen with the more diving I do.

We hoovered up leftovers for lunch and prepared to de dock for our final destination. This is out last day together as a group.

We are sailing to Long Bay where we will have a bbq on the beach tonight. A send off of sorts. It’s also one of the returning staff’s birthday from another boat. She’s 21. Im sure she’s a very competent sailor and staff member. I’m double her age. I can hardly believe it myself. One of the other trainees told me today I will be the “Den Mother” once the teens arrive tomorrow. He’s not wrong they could literally be my children with an age gap like that.

It feels very surreal being surrounded by people so young and so accomplished with their lives outstretched in front of them. I wonder where they’ll be in another 20 years……?