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The Baths National Park

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

History

Encompassing the beaches and rocky shoreline at the southwestern tip of Virgin Gorda, The Baths is a collection of massive granite boulders as large as 40 foot in diameter, with white sand beaches and secret rock pools.

The cavernous surroundings are a result of molten rock seeping up into the existing volcanic rock layers. The molten rock did not reach the surface, so it cooled slowly and formed a hard crystalline granite layer. Further shrinkage and cracking formed blocks, which were exposed when the softer volcanic rock above eroded away. Weathering rounded the corners of the boulders to what they are today. These massive boulders are also found at Fallen and Broken Jerusalem.

A series of steps and rope handrails guide explorers along a trail through the boulders from the beach at The Baths to the sandy expanse that is Devil’s Bay. This is a physically challenging trail that includes small spaces, wading through water and bending down in boulder areas.

This popular daytime anchorage is ideal for swimming and snorkeling. The dinghy dock line offshore provides facilities for small vessels, whilst mooring buoys protect the reef from anchor damage. A swim line separates the swimming area from the mooring field and dinghies are not permitted to access the beach. There are swim line safety ropes to guide swimmers to shore but this is a physically challenging activity and not suited to everyone. There is a safety flag system in place, with a red flag prohibiting mooring buoy use and swimming due to rough seas or strong currents. A purple flag indicates marine life, such as jellyfish in the water.

There is a one way system in place on the trail due to high visitor numbers at The Baths and Devil's Bay National Parks. This requires park visitors arriving from the parking lot at the top to walk to Devil's Bay first, spend some time at the beautiful Devil's Bay beach and then proceed through the boulders to The Baths beach and then hike back up to the parking lot. If arriving from the sea, visitors should be dropped off at the swim line at Devil's Bay, swim to shore, enjoy the beach and then walk through the boulders to The Baths beach, swim back out to the swim line and be picked up by dinghy to return to your vessel.

Onshore facilities include bathrooms and lockers, creating a safe and enjoyable experience in this unique environment.

Strong ocean swells can occur in the winter months, preventing use of the mooring buoys and access to the beach from the sea. Swimming is not permitted during these periods, due to the strong currents. 

 

Jumping off the rocks and rock climbing is strictly prohibited.

Park Information

Established: 1990

Area: 6.91 acres

 

Activities

Hiking

Swimming

Snorkeling 

Panoramic Views

 

Additional Information

Visitor Fees - Adults - $3.00

                 Children - $2.00

Purchase at: https://www.bvinpt.org/parkentry

 

Park Opening Hours - 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

 

Marine Access - Moorings Permit required

Red Flag: No mooring or swimming

Purple Flag: Dangerous marine life advisory

Yellow Flag: Use caution

No overnight mooring permitted

Marine Moorings Permits may be purchased from:

Photos

CONSERVING NATURE'S LITTLE SECRETS SINCE 1961

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