Scrub Island, a tropical paradise in the British Virgin Islands first discovered by Christopher Columbus nearly 500 years ago, beckons to explorers in search of the wonders and adventures that come with an untouched private island retreat. Now, with the debut of the first BVI resort in more than 15 years, the Scrub Island Resort Marina and Spa invites travelers to once again enjoy the BVI’s stunning natural beauty along with spectacular suites, gourmet culinary creations, a unique spa and a full-service marina. 

Photo by yachtshotsbvi.com

More than five years in the making, Scrub Island Resort is a carefully planned 230-acre development by the Tampa, Florida-based Mainsail Development. Over the summer, I was invited to tour the island and get an inside look at the luxury development. Developers clearly paid meticulous attention to every last detail, ensuring that guests can find a haven from the outside world but still vacation in luxury and remain connected (if they so choose) with state-of-the-art technology. During my visit, 400 workers toiled in the sun to put the finishing touches on the impressive resort.

Scrub Island’s marina offers 53 deep-water berths available for long term, or transient docking, including vessels up to 150 feet in length. This premier marina offers a host of amenities including metered electricity, Wi-Fi, black water pump-out station, fuel, laundry facilities and concierge services. Just steps from the marina are the Scrub Island Marina Village, centrally located in the heart of the resort. The village offers upscale restaurants, shops, lounges and a gourmet provisions store.

As the closest marina to the famous North Drop, where anglers from all over the world seek prize-winning Blue Marlin, guests may choose to book fishing expeditions directly from the marina.

Guest rooms and suites feature stunning views of the sweeping waters between Scrub Island and the Island of Great Camanoe. Decorated to evoke the feeling of old world Caribbean elegance, guests are pampered with king-sized beds adorned with soft cotton sheets, down bedding, flat screen televisions, and bamboo ceiling fans. Suites feature gourmet kitchens, granite countertops, and appliances of the highest quality such as Wolf professional ranges and Sub-Zero refrigerators. Natural stone floor, carved wood furniture and luxurious fabrics mix with decorative accents from the natural world to create a soothing blend of traditional, natural and comfortable.

As I chat with Resort General Manager Bill Lee, a key word that arises is “interaction.”  Here at Scrub Island, guests are invited to explore and discover as they desire. Careful research has gone into what is appealing to Caribbean travelers and visitors – and Scrub Island Resort has put this research to good use making available activities and services that will fulfill your every wish.

“Guests can choose their experiences at Scrub Island – whether it be exploring the island’s natural beauty, sampling exotic culinary creations or getting pampered at the spa – and they can do so in their desired format and on their schedule,” Bill says. “We are proud of what we are doing, and we want to share it with everyone.”

Snorkeling and diving are bound to be in popular demand, especially with the nearby gorgeous Diamond Reef as well as the natural beauty offered by Scrub’s shores. Dive BVI is to head up the dive operation and will offer charter tours and full training for dive certification. Kayak tours, day boat rentals, mountain biking, and tennis lessons are also available. Guests in need of pampering can make an appointment at the spa, which will offer massages, body and facial treatments and salon services. Or, guests can take a swim in the large, tropical multi-level pool, which features a 15-foot waterfall and swim-up bar.

Exploring the island is, of course, high on the to-do list of all guests. Webcams placed close to bat and birds’ nests allow onsite conservationists to monitor developments. We also marvel at the turtle conservation area on the island’s north shore. Impressive, I think, considering that some of our own wildest beaches also need this kind of attention.

The resort offers several upscale dining establishments. The one-of-a-kind Caravela, which overlooks the ocean and nearby Turtle Beach, features Old World European dishes as well as Caribbean Classic creations. Tierra! Tierra!, so-named for the lookout on the Pinta who found land and cried “Tierra! Tierra!” (Land! Land!), offers wine by the glass, fresh cocktails and after-dinner drinks as you bask in the elegant atmosphere and spectacular views of Turtle Beach and Trellis Bay. Aliseo, which is Italian for the tradewinds that breeze across the Caribbean, offers Mediterranean and Caribbean grilled cuisine. The One Shoe Beach Bar and Grill, known for its more casual atmosphere, offers live music, cookouts and tasty meals all designed to sweep guests into the intoxicating Caribbean atmosphere.

As our visit closes, I watch the sun set over Camanoe, the calm waters shift from blue to green, and the brilliant blue sky streak with flashes of red. We found every member of the staff to be relaxed, confident and utterly charming as well as refreshingly excited about the project. When I glanced through the team profiles, I was pleased to discover a group of hardworking professionals, all with a fitting passion for wildlife, the Caribbean and the sea.

I hope you enjoy your visit to Scrub Island Resort Marina and Spa – whether you’re a proud boat owner or whether you’re treating yourself and crew to a day trip or overnight stay. Mainsail Development is bringing the highest standards in excellence and service to this breathtaking project. And, with the welcoming approach of Scrub Island Resort, it is destined to immediately become an integral part of charter routes and day trips so that everyone can enjoy its facilities.

To begin exploring uncharted luxury at Scrub Island resort, email [email protected], call (877) 890-7444 or visit www.scrubisland.com .