Virgin Gorda is mostly known for its gorgeous beaches like The Baths and Devil’s Bay. But if you need a break from the sand and sun, there’s a few other things to do on Virgin Gorda. Just a short drive away from the famous beaches is where you can find ruins from a Copper Mine in Virgin Gorda.
About the Copper Mine, Virgin Gorda
The copper mine was first constructed in 1837 after copper was discovered on the island. Cornish miners mined the area for about 25 years reaching a depth of 240 feet. The ore that was mined was then sent by boat to Wales and the boats would return with supplies.
However, the operation was too expensive to maintain and the copper mine ended up closing in 1862. The mine was abandoned and left to the natural decay of the island. The crumbling structure sits right on the edge of the island and is susceptible to weather and hurricanes.
The mine stayed closed and in March of 2003, the BVI government declared Coppermine Point a national park.
How to Get There
Coppermine Point is located directly across the island from The Baths on the southeastern tip of Virgin Gorda. You can get there by taxi or rental car, but if you go by taxi, I’d suggest having them wait for you too.
There’s one main road that will take you past some houses and neighborhoods then wind you around to the southern tip.
There’s a small parking area that can fit a handful of cars and there’s very little walking involved–you’ll be steps from the copper mine ruins.
Copper Mine National Park
Coppermine Point National Park is a small attraction on the island and one that can be visited in 10-15 minutes. There’s no fee to visit and you’ll likely be the only one stopping by when you visit.
The ruins are located along the rocky coast so you have a great view of the water and shoreline. There are a few short steps down a dirt pathway that take you up closer to the ruins. The structures are blocked off so you can only see them from the pathway. The main building, engine house and original stack are all that remain.
You can still find a variety of different rocks at the site, such as copper, quartz and malachite. You’ll be able to see some rocks within the structure with the green or orange copper color. And if you look closely at the rocks surrounding the foot path and just beyond it, you’ll find all sorts of different kinds of rocks.
The copper mine ruins are a short visit but something different to do. If you have the time to explore, it’s an easy place to check out before heading back to the beaches!
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