How to Get to Virgin Gorda (2025 Guide): Flights, Ferries & Tips

We’ll be honest, when we first started planning our trip to Virgin Gorda, the logistics gave us a headache. Do we fly into Tortola or straight onto the island? Which ferry dock? How long do we need between flights? But after a week of being there, I realised the journey is part of why Virgin Gorda feels so untouched.

It isn’t the kind of island where a jumbo jet drops you straight onto a crowded beach. Instead, reaching Virgin Gorda usually involves a bit of island hopping – by plane, by ferry, or sometimes a charter. But the good news is that when you finally step off the boat in Spanish Town, the reward of white sand beaches, secret caves and turquoise water is so worth it.

Virgin Gorda is the second largest island in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) but still feels wonderfully small, relaxed and authentic compared to some of the bigger Caribbean islands like Barbados, St Lucia and even Tortola (it’s sister island).

By Lauren & Jack · Updated September 2025 · Based on multiple trips to Virgin Gorda and the wider BVI

How we planned getting to Virgin Gorda

We started by mapping out the main options: fly into Tortola and catch the ferry across, try for one of the small regional flights that land directly on Virgin Gorda, or, if we were feeling a bit bougie, look into a private yacht charter from the main island in the BVI (Tortola). We knew we were going to stay in Virgin Gorda for one week, so each route had its pros and cons.

The ferry was cheaper and scenic, but a direct flight would have saved time. Obviously a yacht charter looked amazing, but not exactly backpack-friendly on the budget front.

In the end, we decided: flight into Tortola via Antigua, then get the ferry across to Virgin Gorda. It turned out to be the most affordable option which was our priority at the time. By the time we were standing on deck, watching Tortola shrink into the distance and Virgin Gorda appear on the horizon, we were happy with our decision. (Well, if we had a bit more money, we’d have definitely preferred the private yacht but hey, maybe one day!).

🥘 And once you’re here, it’s not just about the beaches and boulders. Virgin Gorda has some great food spots too and we’ve rounded up our fave 6 places to eat in Virgin Gorda so you can plan where to refuel between swims and snorkels.

Step 1: Flying into the British Virgin Islands

The BVI isn’t known for huge international airports. Most people fly into Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) on Tortola’s Beef Island. That’s the main gateway for the entire territory!

From the US mainland, you’ll likely need to connect through San Juan in Puerto Rico (SJU) or or St Thomas in USVI (STT). Connections are run by airlines like Cape Air, Silver Airways and InterCaribbean Airways.

If you’re coming from UK or Europe, as of September 2025, there are no direct flights to Tortola as of yet. The best option to fly through Antigua (ANU) or St. Martin (SXM). We tend to always fly from the UK to Tortola via Antigua with British Airways as you can book the whole journey (both legs) directly with British Airways and it’s pretty affordable.

💡 Once you’ve figured out how to get here, the next step is deciding where to stay. We put together a full guide on where to stay in the British Virgin Islands, including our picks for Virgin Gorda, Tortola and a few quieter outer islands.

Find cheap flights to Tortola:

Can you fly directly to Virgin Gorda?

Yes, but with caveats. Virgin Gorda has its own little airport, Virgin Gorda Airport (VIJ), which handles regional flights from San Juan and Tortola. The runway is short, so only small aircraft can land and not every carrier flies there daily. If your budget allows, private charters are also an option. Honestly though, most people find it easier and often cheaper to fly into Tortola and then catch the ferry. That’s exactly what we did.

Step 2: Taking the ferry to Virgin Gorda

You can get from Road Town (Tortola) to Spanish Town (Virgin Gorda) using Speedy’s and Road Town Fast Ferry, which usually takes about 30 minutes. 

The Virgin Gorda ferry runs several times per day. Tickets are reasonably priced ($20 one way at the time of writing this in 2025), and you don’t need to book weeks in advance unless it’s a holiday weekend.

If you’re flying into Tortola’s airport (EIS), you can either take a short taxi across the bridge to Trellis Bay, where Speedy’s Ferry departs, or head into Road Town to catch the Road Town Fast Ferry.

Do ferries run from St Thomas to Virgin Gorda?

No, there are no public ferries, which often surprises people. So, for how to get to Virgin Gorda from St Thomas: you’ll need take a ferry to Tortola first, then transfer onwards on another ferry to Virgin Gorda. We’ve done this journey ourselves and booked Smiths Ferry from St Thomas to Tortola. It’s a long day of travel and ferry catching, which isn’t ideal, but the views (and beers) help.

Alternative to Ferry: Private water taxis and charters

If you’re travelling as a group or just want to start your trip in a bit more luxuriously than slumming it on the ferries, we recommend booking a private boat or charter in the British Virgin Islands. Yes, it costs more than the public ferry, but you get flexibility on timing and not to mention an incredible day out on the water.

We didn’t splurge this time, but we met a family who took a private boat straight from Beef Island airport to their villa on Virgin Gorda and arrived super early, went to secret snorkelling spots, had incredible food and just an overall very fun day.

Many people are already sailing around the BVI, so Virgin Gorda is just one stop on a broader Caribbean island-hopping itinerary. If that’s your plan, anchorages like Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour, the Baths, the Dogs and Little Dix Bay are some of the best around the island.

Getting to Virgin Gorda from a cruise ship

We didn’t arrive on a cruise ourselves, but during our time in the BVI, we’ve met plenty of people who had just stepped off ships in Tortola and were trying to squeeze Virgin Gorda in as it is one of the best things to do in Tortola off a cruise ship.

If you’re on a Caribbean cruise, chances are your ship will dock in Tortola. So you can hop on a ferry to Virgin Gorda, but because of the limited time, we’d recommend you book an excursion.

Here are two good Virgin Gorda excursion options that will get you back to your boat on time:

1. Boat Excursion to Virgin Gorda Baths – this 4 hour excursion picks up from the cruise dock and takes you straight to The Baths with a stop at a quieter beach like Devils Bay, before heading back to your cruise ship.
2. “Seas the Day!” BVI island hopping and snorkelling – 7 hour private boar charter that combines several experiences in one, including the famous Baths, lots of snorkelling and relaxation time at the beach. And they pick you up and drop off at the cruise dock.

If you’re going it alone, our advice is:

• Check the ferry times in advance so you don’t risk missing the last boat back.
• Head out early. Morning ferries give you more time to explore before returning to Tortola.
• Prioritise The Baths. With just one day, you won’t cover the whole island and other things to do in Virgin Gorda, so we always tell people to head straight for The Baths. We’ve written a full guide to visiting The Baths in Virgin Gorda if you want all the details, from entry fees to the best times to go.

It’s a bit of a dash to fit Virgin Gorda into a cruise stop, but if you’re comfortable planning around ferry schedules, it’s absolutely worth it. Even a few hours wandering barefoot through those caves and rock pools makes the journey worthwhile.

Immigration and entry requirements (2025 update)

As of September 2025, US, UK and EU passport holders don’t need a visa for visits up to 30 days to the British Virgin Islands. You’ll just need a valid passport and proof of onward travel.

We were also asked for accommodation details on arrival, so it’s worth having your booking confirmation open on your phone.

If you’re connecting through the USVI or Puerto Rico, remember that counts as US entry so you’ll need an ESTA (visa waiver) or visa, and you’ll need to clear US customs (even if you’re just transiting).

So, what is the best way to get to Virgin Gorda?

It really depends on your starting point and your budget.

• For most people: Fly into Tortola (EIS), then take the ferry to Virgin Gorda. Reliable, affordable and lovely views.
• For convenience: Fly directly into Virgin Gorda Airport (VIJ) if your route offers it. Great if you don’t want to juggle ferries.
• For groups or luxury: Book a private charter.
• For sailors: Virgin Gorda is an easy yacht stop on a BVI itinerary, with good marinas and anchorages.

Once you’ve sorted out how to get here, the fun part begins – deciding what to do. From hidden beaches to snorkelling spots and of course The Baths, we’ve put together a full guide on the best things to do in Virgin Gorda if you’re looking for ideas.

Practical tips for how to get to Virgin Gorda

• Bring cash – Some ferry counters and taxis don’t accept cards, especially at Trellis Bay.
• Leave buffer time – Flights in and out of the Caribbean are prone to delays, so don’t cut it too fine with same day transfers.
• Pack light – Luggage gets manhandled between planes, taxis and ferries. We took backpacks to Virgin Gorda and it made our life easier than a bulky suitcase.
• Enjoy the journey – That cliché about “island time” really does apply here. Stressing won’t make the boat come faster.

FAQs about getting to Virgin Gorda

More of our British Virgin Islands guides

Planning a longer trip around the BVIs? Here are some of our other guides you might find useful:

• 13 Awesome Things to Do in Anegada
• Cane Garden Bay, Tortola: Everything You Need to Know
• 21 Best Things to Do in Tortola (2025 Guide to Have an Epic Time on the Island)
• 11 Best Beaches in the British Virgin Islands
• 9 Best Things to Do in Jost Van Dyke
• 15 Best Restaurants in Tortola
• Our Top 8 Tortola Beaches: A Tortola Beach Guide w/ Map