Oil Nut Bay is one of the most exclusive resorts in the Caribbean. Now, a taste of that luxury lifestyle is available to all guests at Oil Nut Bay Marina Village. Be sure to include it on your itinerary!
On the furthest east tip of Virgin Gorda, in the North Sound, sits Oil Nut Bay. Flanked by the cerulean waters of the Caribbean Sea on one side, and the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean on the other, this ultra-luxurious 400-acre resort is just a stone’s throw from the prestigious Necker and Moskito islands, Eustatia and Saba Rock. It’s arguably one of the most exclusive neighbourhoods in the world.
For those dreaming of their next island escape, it doesn’t come much better than this idyllic retreat. Accessible only by boat or helicopter, Oil Nut Bay is the epitome of luxury island living. Every amenity awaits you, whether you are a homeowner or a villa guest.
The private beach club has three-tiered swimming pools and a swim-up bar surrounded by landscaped tropical grounds, multiple restaurants with world-class dining options, two tennis courts, helipads, a gym and wellness centre, and exclusive rental villas.
You can choose to dine at one of the three exquisite restaurants on-site or eat in the comfort of your villa with a private chef or their “ONB Eats” food delivery service. Heading the food and beverage team at the resort is Daniel Echasseriau (formerly of Belmond La Samanna, Saint Martin), who brings 24-years of luxury hospitality and fine dining experience to the property.
Known for their meticulously high-end property developments, Oil Nut Bay uses only the finest architects and leading industry artisans to construct their exquisite island homes, supervising the design and buildout every step of the way. As a result, the resort is constantly evolving. It has the home-sites land ready for building, breathtaking turn-key villas for sale, and luxurious, ecologically engineered villas in the extensive rental portfolio.
Post-Irma, the management added Oil Nut Bay Marina Village, the only public area of the property, which has seen further expansion of its own since it first opened in 2018.
Oil Nut Bay Marina Village
A full-service marina, available to everyone, Oil Nut Bay Marina Village comprises 93 slips, 11 mooring balls and a host of other facilities. It’s home to Nova, an overwater restaurant and bar with a suspended swimming pool, hammocks and daybeds. There are air-conditioned marina showers, retail boutiques, a coffee shop, and a well-stocked market for your wine and provisions, locally grown coffee, freshly baked pastries, and tempting takeaway sushi.
The perfect overnight stop en route to Anegada, Oil Nut Bay Marina, is suitable for boats up to 130ft and 8ft draft, with channel markers leading from Saba Rock and the Bitter End Yacht Club, making a straightforward approach to their docks. First, restock your boat at the market and ensure that you have ample wine and provisions for the rest of your charter. Then, fill your water and load up with ice before you continue to explore the islands. Finally, don’t forget to include time for a meal and a swim at Nova restaurant.
This season alone, the marina village has added two new retail boutiques, an on-site water sports centre with an instructor, and revitalised the experience at Nova restaurant with a brand-new menu, making this stop an absolute must on your itinerary.
Nova Restaurant
Nova’s exciting new menu options now include a selection of generous sharing platters and sushi boats, perfect for larger groups or hungry crew. Immaculately presented, they are sure to wow the whole table. The dishes bring influence from all over the globe with bold flavours and creative plating from Nova’s chef de cuisine, Maria Furdui. There is also an additional vegan menu.
New manager, Quinton Maclear, leads the restaurant team. Enjoy the breezy al-fresco dining experience as the shell chandelier gently rustles overhead. Attentive service, an extensive wine list, and their delicious hand-crafted cocktails perfectly complement your meal. The weekend brings their popular “rosé Saturday” promotion and bottomless mimosas and Marys for brunch on Sundays, with live music from Kamau Georges. On Tuesday nights, the Nova restaurant team has a DJ playing chilled-out island vibes at sunset and then upping the tempo after dinner for a mid-week party you don’t want to miss.
Marina Rental Villas
The four new marina rental villas currently under construction will join the existing three in the collection, which are proving exceptionally popular and quick to rent. Each with its own private pool and spacious terrace, the villas are impeccably finished and elegantly decorated with views over the Marina Village and the ocean beyond. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors onto the sun-soaked deck area let in plenty of natural light, and beautifully light the clean white living spaces. Furnishings are kept tastefully neutral with lots of wood, glass and other natural materials used. They have en-suite bathrooms with sumptuous soaking tubs, double vanities and outdoor showers, walk-in wardrobes and an open-plan kitchen dining and lounge area. The Marina Villas are available in either two, three or four-bedroom configurations.
More exciting developments at the Marina Village continue in early 2022, with the anticipated opening of a new day spa and the completion of four additional luxury Marina rental villas.
New day spa and beach area
Adjacent to Nova restaurant, the new day spa (opening in spring 2022) will include three treatment rooms–one of which will be large enough for couples’ treatments–two mani-pedi stations and a small hairdressing salon. A hairstylist and masseuse/esthetician will offer a full menu of spa treatments that you can book in advance of your visit. In front of the day spa, mangroves shield the new beach area, the perfect place to relax after your invigorating treatment.
Luna Boutique and Deep Bay Watersports
In November 2021, two new boutiques were opened at the Marina Village, curated by Roy Keegan of Arawak BVI. Luna Boutique stocks a collection of high-end resort-wear brands, including Australian swimwear, Seafolly. Flowing maxi dresses, beautiful beach coverups and rails of stylish separates and women’s accessories line the walls.
Deep Bay Watersports has mens apparel and activewear, including OluKai, the Hawaiian footwear brand. In addition, they now offer kayak and stand-up paddleboard rental, e-foiling, kiteboarding and wing hyrdrofoiling lessons (by appointment) with internationally qualified watersports instructor Tommy Gaunt (of Tommy Gaunt Kitesurfing in Anegada) for those looking for a little more adventure on their vacation.
Children’s activities – nature centre and ranger programme
It’s not just the adults that are so expertly taken care of at Oil Nut Bay, there is plenty for the kids to do too. There’s the Hobbit-inspired Nut House Kid’s Club and the new nature centre, with its beautiful marine and mangrove mural by young Antiguan artist Amaya Cameron.
A creative and educational resource filled with information about the local flora and fauna, it will inspire the younger generation and help teach them the importance of conservation. The property is packed with wildlife to discover: flamingos, animals in the rescue barn, and the bay filled with turtles and other sea life.
This year Oil Nut Bay is adding a ranger programme, with badges that children can collect after completing different environmental lessons and challenges. This is ideal for local schools and repeat guests, as they earn these badges over time.
The team at Oil Nut Bay can’t wait to welcome guests back this season, and predicts a busy and exciting few months as sailors race back to the British Virgin Islands to enjoy the ideal sailing conditions for which the BVI is famous.
Shaylene Todd, Oil Nut Bay’s sales and marketing director, says:
“We’re thrilled to see the North Sound come back to life this season. Oil Nut Bay is eager to welcome boaters to our Marina Village, to augment their experience in the British Virgin Islands with our world-class amenities, and to play our part in this territory regaining its position as a top Caribbean destination.”
You need to make sure that Oil Nut Bay is on your itinerary when you next visit the BVI.
You can see Oil Nut Bay’s location in our “Explore the BVI” map on page 18 of the printed magazine.
