It’s been said that every island has its secret. Half the fun in visiting is trying to discover what it is.
Such is the case with Scrub Island, a British Virgin Island and part of the Lesser Antilles. Home to Scrub Island Resort Marina and Spa, the privately owned, largely uninhabited island comprises Big Scrub and Little Scrub and offers innumerable amenities and activities for Caribbean lovers.
Photo Courtesy of Scrub Island Resort & Marina
Boating, of course, is the primary pastime. During the high season, the marina brims with world-class yachts and vessels. The fine weather and cooperative winds make it an ideal spot for sailing enthusiasts—novices can take lessons at the resort’s renowned sailing school—and guided charters are popular with guests interested in island hopping; there are more than 60 easily reached neighboring islands. Organized day-trip destinations are plentiful and varied, including the North Sound of Virgin Gorda, commonly called Billionaire’s Playground; Norman Island, where the snorkeling is divine and a pirate ship bar and restaurant floats in the middle of the bay; and Anegada, the only coral atoll in the BVI and home to more than 16 miles of white-sand beaches.
Serious anglers will appreciate the island’s proximity to North Drop, known for tuna and world-record blue marlin fishing. Surrounding island coves, bays, reefs, and inlets make for excellent snorkeling, diving, and kayaking conditions.
Photo Courtesy of Scrub Island Resort & Marina
For landlubbers, hiking Big Scrub’s majestic mountain peaks is an enjoyable (and steep) endeavor.
Pavilion Beach, located right in front of the resort, is a playful place with its enormous floating trampoline—a big hit with the kids and young at heart. North Beach is a golf-cart ride away (staff whizz guests around the island in no time flat)—a Caribbean delight with its crystal waters, white sands, robust palms, and One Shoe Beach Bar and Grill. Plan to spend the day camped out on a chaise lounge; shade seekers will appreciate the hand-thatched huts that dot the shore. (Lucky honeymooners enjoy a private beach.)
The resort’s Marina Village features a 24-hour fitness center, a gourmet market stocked with fine cheeses and choice meats, a small boutique, and an eclectic dive shop.
Photo Courtesy of Scrub Island Resort & Marina
Scrub’s guest rooms and one- and two-bedroom suites are incredibly spacious, tastefully appointed, and handsomely dressed in West Indies decor. Offering full ocean views, veranda seating, and all the comforts of modern living, they provide a tranquil setting for a restful stay.
An ever-growing number of hillside villas are ideal for large parties, accommodating up to 10 guests. For those looking to make a home of it for a week or two, plan to have the kitchen stocked ahead of arrival. Consider, too, hiring a private chef. All villas feature enclosed rain showers, infinity-edge pools, and ample outdoor seating from which to enjoy panoramic views.
Photo Courtesy of Scrub Island Resort & Marina
Seafood connoisseurs will relish the ahi tuna found at casual Tierra! Tierra! For romantics, perfectly curated candlelit dinners on the beach are an option. And breakfast devotees will find omelets and French toast fit for a king at Caravela, the resort’s signature restaurant.
Perhaps the island’s finest amenity is the Ixora Spa. Perched high on a bluff, it offers the island’s best views and gentlest breezes—a skyward oasis, where botanical scents calm the spirit and expert hands tend the body. After a treatment, guests sip fresh cucumber water and float in a whirlpool above the Caribbean sea—the peak of relaxation.
Whether planning a wedding, looking to sail, seeking respite, or out for adventure, Scrub Island Resort Marina and Spa is sure to please. . .and the island itself awaits the discovery of its own little secret.
Photo Courtesy of Scrub Island Resort & Marina
For Your Island-Hoping Itinerary
Jost Van Dyke is an adult-only locale. “Dive bars” like Foxy’s and the Soggy Dollar are popular places for Caribbean cocktails.
Speedboat Tours can be arranged by resort staff, who can recommend islands and activities.
Underwater Safari offers guided excursions and lunch at Cooper Island Beach Club on Manchineel Bay.
Virgin Gorda is renowned for being home to the Baths, a collection of giant boulders that form a maze leading to Devil’s Bay Beach. It is a must for snorkeling enthusiasts.
Scrub Island Resort & Marina
877-890-7444