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Boulder Maze at The Baths - Virgin Gorda

VG_The_Baths_Grotto Boulder Maze at The Baths - Virgin Gorda The Grotto Inside The Baths
If you enter the maze from The Baths, you will be met with this truly exquisite grotto! The colours found in these particular boulders are amazing. You'll discover all sorts of other geological wonders to delight even those of us with absolutely no knowledge of the subject. Quite simply, it is awe inspiring.

You'll find plenty of photo opportunities along the way if you have the presence of mind to stop and take shots. I usually get so caught up in the moment that I generally forget! There's one shot I am determined to get one of these days. It is a rock formation that looks like the face of the devil. I've often wondered if that's how Devil's Bay got it's name?

There's a lot of climbing and scrambling to be done to successfully complete the maze. The NPT (National Parks Trust) have done a great job in making some of the more difficult areas much easier to traverse than they once were. They've installed ropes, ladders and bridges in various places to assist those of us who aren't as spry as we once were. In the photo below, there is a ladder on the left side, at the end of the cave. Hard to discern in this shot, I know ... but it's there.

Take your time and do a little exploring while you're in here. It's not a race. Enjoy!

The colours in these rocks never ceases to amaze me. But the next photo (below - lava flow) amazes me even more. It's times like this that I really wish I understood even the basics of geology. But alas, I don't.

VG_The_Baths_Boulders_And_Ladder Boulders and Ladder
VG_The_Baths_Lava_Flow Lava Flow?


The British Virgin Islands islands are almost exclusively volcanic and the boulders at The Baths are granite. I think that this particular boulder may have cooled a little too quickly, while it still contained a great deal of magma, molten rock, lava ... or whatever you call the hot runny stuff inside a granite boulder that hasn't yet completely solidified.

I am also guessing that the very, very hot runny stuff inside that hard shell, likely also contained air or oxygen and other gases. The "pitting" or "bubbling" inside the cave suggests (to me) that some sort of gas was present.

So here's my theory ... the combination of elements, together with rapid cooling might create the ideal conditions for a spontaneous explosion, blowing out the weakest side of the boulder and dumping it's contents. Kind of the way an ice cube, that hasn't completely frozen in the middle, will undergo a mini explosion when you drop it in a glass of water. The cube will crack or explode, and the unfrozen water dumps out.

I'm sure anyone else's explanation would be better than mine, but until I get a chance to ask a geologist, this is the story I'm going with! Regardless, I find this one fascinating.

I know you can't tell by the photo as there's no perspective provided, but this boulder is huge. At least three or four adults could stand inside that cave, perhaps more.

VG_The_Baths_Inside_View Inside The Maze
VG_The_Baths_Catamaran View of a lone catamaran


As rain starts to fall on Tortola (in the distance) and the sun begins to dip on the horizon, yet another perfect weekend has been had by all and it is time to sail home and get back to work.

A shameless plug ...
After seeing these photos, can I tempt anyone with a bareboat yacht charter? Oh come on, you know you are dying to see this spectacular place for yourself. Even if you don't sail, we can provide a captain for you. Call me or send a message! :)



Last updated: Jan 5th 2015
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