Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Dramatic geology, unspoiled landscapes, quiet coves and gorgeous beaches are all part of Virgin Gorda’s appeal. Along the western ridge of the plump middle is Gorda Peak National Park, whose trails deliver stunning panoramic views. At the island’s southernmost tip is its most famous landmark, the Baths. Here massive granite boulders form tidal pools, grottoes and arches, and separate the white sands of Devil’s Bay and Spring Bay beaches. Spanish Town and Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour are laid-back centers of commercial and maritime activity. For a taste of local history, visit the clifftop ruins of a copper mine or Little Fort National Park, now a nature preserve. As the island stretches north, its roads end. The most exclusive resorts, restaurants and private homes are only reachable by boat, including the scenic, sheltered North Sound, popular for watersports.