A First-Timer’s Guide to the BVI: Private Island Life at Scrub Island
For nearly two decades, Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina has watched guests pass through its doors: families with adventure-packed itineraries, newlyweds glowing with anticipation, retirees savoring well-earned peace and quiet.
With each visit, we stand amazed as the island molds itself, creating a personalized, tailor-fit travel guide for every guest.
There’s a story for everyone, and after watching a few thousand stories unfold, we like to think we know a thing or two about island life. So, consider this our unofficial application to be your travel agent. No fee is required: just a few minutes of your day, an open mind, and a notepad ready to be filled. Let’s dive in.
Uncover Hidden Gems with Dive BVI
Seeing the island for the first time immediately sparks an itch to explore. A quick stroll across its sandy shores, and you’ll notice boats begging to set sail, native marine life prepared to put on a show, and deep waters scoping out the next daring diver.
There’s no better way to get acquainted with Scrub Island than by plunging 7 feet into its surrounding waters. Head to Mariana Village, where you’ll find Dive BVI, your first taste of exploration below the surface. With a full portfolio of white-glove diving services, from lessons to guided tours, Dive BVI opens a portal, allowing you access to the island’s most treasured hidden gems.
Tranquil and tucked away, The Baths and Devil’s Bay feel otherworldly. Beautiful pieces of the BVI that remain untapped, kept away from anything that could taint their glassy appeal. Island hop to Virgin Gorda and dive head-first into their hypnotizing turquoise tidal pools.
Featured in almost every scuba magazine, the 1977 film The Deep, and plenty of bucket lists, RMS Rhone is one of the world’s most sought-after wrecks to visit. As a proud home to the wreck, Dive BVI has spent 51 years studying its depths and guiding tours through them. The remains hold stories for days, brought to life by a team of seasoned tour guides and the haunting feeling of being within arm’s reach of the original wreckage, artifacts and all.
Discover Deeper with Island Time BVI
Island Time BVI takes adventure out on the open water and doesn’t come back until there’s a story worth telling. Book a day charter and island-hop across the BVI, where a whole sea of secrets awaits.
Visible from Devil’s Bay and The Baths, another illustrious beauty waits across the water. From afar, it’s a large formation of boulders resembling a fallen city, hence the name Fallen Jerusalem. Up close, however, it’s one of the island’s deepest secrets. Declared a Bird Sanctuary in 1959, Fallen Jerusalem’s uninhabited shores offer a comfortable home for the rarest native birds, many of which have recently become endangered. For years, the national park has remained untouched, making it a must-stop destination along the way.
Where Fallen Jerusalem tells a story in boulders, Anegada’s Conch Mounds tell one in shells. Found on the East end of the island, 10-foot shell mounds stand as a piece of history. Started thousands of years ago by the Arawak people, local fishermen carried on the tradition, adding to the sweeping collection of shells that defines the landscape. A visit to the Conch Mounds serves as a reminder of the years, each one building upon the island’s special story.
Both destinations remain exclusive experiences, only accessible by boat and only discoverable by thorough research, making Island Time BVI a must in your travel itinerary.
Make Waves with Marina Cay
All it takes is one quick look at Scrub’s surrounding deep seas, and you’ll be itching to jump in.
Watersports, an obvious need for every island getaway, are taken very seriously on the island. Enter Marina Cay, Scrub Island’s sister island, for all things aquatic adventure. With everything from paddleboards to eFoils, choosing at least one way to soar across the deep blue is nearly a rite of passage. Big families take off on paddleboards while adventure seekers hit the water on AquaDarts. No matter the skill level, each activity makes every inch of the open water yours for the taking.
Reach New Heights
Scrub Island’s beauty only amplifies 400 feet up.
With sweeping panoramic views as the driving factor, hiking to the top of Big Scrub has become a coveted climb. Indigenous plant life, secret waterfalls, and open fields make every step feel personal, as if the whole island is laying out its best for you.
Explore even more, just across the waters, where the surrounding mountains each tell their own story. While many enjoy charting their own course, Hike BVI allows guests to travel alongside locals who know every trail forwards and backwards. Whether it’s a slow search through a pineapple field or the full summit experience, your journey is in excellent hands.
Waiting to welcome your climb, Sage Mountain of Tortola National Park and Summit Mount Alma of Beef Island both offer unique vantage points. Sitting at 1,716 feet tall, Sage Mountain is the BVI’s highest peak, commonly recognized for its rainforest. Rising 736 feet above Beef Island, Mount Alma rewards climbers with a 360-degree, uninterrupted view of it all.
Slow Down at Ixora Spa
You can’t do an island getaway without a little pampering. Offering the perfect blend of science-backed treatments and stress-melting solutions, Scrub Island’s acclaimed Ixora Spa delivers a truly restorative experience.
Between its relieving deep-tissue massages, transformative couples’ retreats, and resetting sunrise yoga sessions, our spa is fully equipped to anticipate needs you didn’t even know you had. Whether you take full advantage of all Ixora’s indulgences or only partake in a few, you’ll undoubtedly leave feeling more whole.
Get Acquainted with the Deep Blue
Surrounded by tranquil waters on every side, a beach day is constantly calling.
Scrub Island has two main beaches, both with something special to offer. Donovan’s Beach is where active mornings at sea meet afternoons shaded under the palms. North Beach has a quieter appeal. Tucked away on the other side of the island, you’ll find plush chaise lounges, bookable private cabanas, and provision delivery; all curated for an afternoon basking in luxury.
On the water or on the shore, Scrub’s beaches equally deliver, creating a comfortable home for everyone who visits.
Taste the Caribbean’s Best
From days at sea to steep climbs, it all leads back to the table. The ocean’s freshest finds become the main course, its lapping waters the soundtrack, and its sweeping sunsets the backdrop. Mealtime is a show where the whole island comes together, each playing their role with the talent of a seasoned performer.
At Cardamom & Co., the resort’s signature restaurant, dishes turn heads from the moment they leave the kitchen and make taste buds dance at the first bite. As the credits roll, you’ll notice a world-class chef, curated beverage menu, and unobstructed views were the perfect supporting acts, making the whole evening one to remember.
Overlooking the beach, ocean, and marina, Donovan’s Reef Marina Bar & Grill is instantly recognizable for its views. Located right in the heart of the resort, exciting Caribbean energy spills into the restaurant, while a diverse menu, handcrafted cocktails, and swim-up bar all contribute to the spectacle.
Nearly every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., the iconic North Beach Festival invites you into the show. With live entertainment and inspired cuisine, it’s the full Caribbean experience: a night that exists nowhere else in the world.
There’s no bad seat in the house; each restaurant offers a different experience, all with new opportunities to fall deeper in love with the island.
A Stay to Support It All
Now, with half your story already written, the rest writes itself upon arrival. The plans are in place; all that’s left is to make the book: your stay at Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina awaits.
