Scrub Island

We are looking for some specific information about Scrub Island. Any info/advice will be very gratefully receieved.

In the past we have never had cause to visit Scrub Island (other than tooling around in the dinghy in January this year to see if anything was open!). However, we have two BVI newbies joining us for a week next May/June. They are flying in to EIS so we thought it might be a good place to start their week.

My wife and I will have been aboard the boat for two weeks already so I'm thinking, filling up the water tanks, topping up batteries, ditching trash would be a good plan. Plus, after a long day travelling for our guests (who will be new to sailing and new to the BVI) being marina based with aircon and shoreside facilities might be a good way to ease them in. Plus, Diamond Reef for their first early AM snorkel!

I gather that a 48ft monohull with 6ft draft will easily fit in Scrub. And that dockage is c. $80 + $30 for electric + $x for trash + $x for water etc etc.

Any advice/info from others who have used the marina previously would be gratefully received. Some specific questions below:

-Ferry. Am I right that we can get a free ferry over to Trellis, to meet our guests and then free ferry back over to Scrub?

-Dining. Not looking to go 'big'. Are there casual, easy dining options available that won't break the bank?

-Mooring. From memory I understand this is alongside? Rather than aft-to with a bowline to a pile (per Sunsail/Moorings base).

-Booking. Should we be booking way in advance, or fine to give them a holler a few days out?

-Grocery/Deli. I've heard people mention this before. Any details of the kind of things available would be really helpful. One of our guests is Coeliac...so we will be more focused on provisions than we have been in previous years.

I'll take a stab at this.

Take your trash with you to the dumpsters in Trellis Bay - free.

Scrub has a discount off season, but not sure when that is. Be sure to include their resort fee.

Ferry is free in both directions, hourly.

I believe the outdoor restaurant, Tierra, at Scrub has finally re-opened. Get a reservation for the outer tables (by the water) unless it's raining. Much better than the indoor restaurant, IMO. Or go to Marina Cay.

Not a boater, but the cats go in backwards, as I recall. Can't recall about the monos.

Grocery is highly variable, depending on season. Good for beverages and shelf-stable stuff; very limited on perishables. Not cheap. Better selection and prices at Trellis Bay Market, or taxi to the East End Riteway.

We took a friend with Celiac to Hog Heaven. The owner was extremely knowledgeable and much of their menu is gluten free.

The 48 will fit fine. Water I believe is $.20/gallon and is metered. Make sure you look at the meter reading right after arriving. Last time I was there I got charged for way more water than what I used. Trash I believe was $5/bag so make sure you've got a big bag. You will be stern in with the spring line on the finger dock. Unless you have plenty of slip experience I would recommend getting there a little bit early in hope that you will be the first boat into the slip. All of the slips are wide enough for two monohulls. I find it a little hairy squeezing into the slip with another boat already there and the wind blowing at a good clip. I obviously need more practice!

Besides the cost you mention you will also get charged a per head resort fee. I don't recall how much that was (I was there August this year).

There is a free ferry to Trellis. And I agree with you that Scrub is a nice place to pick up some guests. You don't need to go pick them up. They'll arrive whenever they arrive. You should check with the front desk to get the ferry schedule.

I much prefer the outdoor restaurant so I'm glad to hear it's back open (it was closed in August). The food there is fine. And fact I think the best cheeseburger including fried egg anywhere in the islands.

The grocery in the best of times has been marginal. Some drinks and some canned stuff. Maybe a box of cereal or two. You are way better off running your dingy in to Trellis.

Booking is an interesting question. My experience is that it doesn't matter and that it's first come first served. I'm not positive about this but this has been my experience. The times I've made a booking they can't seem to find it nor did they seem to care.

We have done this a few times. It's so easy for the guests to arrive at EIS, walk over to Trellis and get on the Scrub ferry. We wait in the pool for our guests.
I don't think that we have ever paid a resort fee while we are docked. Just per foot, water, electric, etc. Now when we spend the night in a room, we always pay resort fee.

We have done this a few times. It's so easy for the guests to arrive at EIS, walk over to Trellis and get on the Scrub ferry. We wait in the pool for our guests.
I don't think that we have ever paid a resort fee while we are docked. Just per foot, water, electric, etc. Now when we spend the night in a room, we always pay resort fee.

are they coming in late? newbies? what would be better than walking from eis to trellis w/ a cocktail on to the beach into the dink and onto the 48' anchored in trellis? great first experience!

The marina looks like this, unless it's changed since Irma: https://www.google.com/maps/@18.466385,-64.5242747,258m/data=!3m1!1e3

I'm pretty sure that only the outermost slips are deep enough for a monohull. That might be a good reason to reserve in advance.

When approaching the marina, it's difficult to contact them via VHF until you round the hill and you're right there. It seems that the hill blocks the signal. So be prepared to hover just outside the marina while you get in touch with the staff. I don't think they had a phone number to use for that purpose -- don't know if that's changed. Hmm, come to think of it, I used a handheld VHF. If the boat's radio has an antenna at the top of the mast, maybe that would work better.

Dan

Thank you RatmansWife, Agrimsrud, Lcrich, Gudiss & DanS. Much appreciated.

Gudiss, they are supposed to land around 3.15pm. I was half thinking that if in Scrub we may even have time to dinghy over to Marina Cay for a painkiller or two after they arrive before back to Scrub for dinner. Then first snorkel early the next morning at Diamond (this year one of our best). In the past we have always moored in Trellis…but have generally found it to be the least attractive mooring field in the BVI, also quite buggy. Definitely an option though if we top up water tanks somewhere else on our way up.

What is the charge for the scrub ferry?

It's free

When Marina Cay is open, the Scrub ferry stops there in both directions. You could moor there and take the ferry. With the shop gone, the view is much nicer from the terrace restaurant. IMO, the food is as good or better than Scrub and a better value. It is more rustic, (We saw a rat run across the terrace), but more of the island feel. You choose. I can find out about refilling your water there.

I just have to laugh that Ratmans wife saw a rat!

Thanks RatmansWife,

I hadn't realised the ferry stopped there. So our guests could easily hop from Trellis to Marina Cay...that is definitely worth considering. Would that still be free? We could easily fill up water/fuel the day before in North Sound.

We love Marina Cay and always spend a few days there (even January this year when nothing was open...did we spot your Land Rover motoring around on Great Camanoe as we snorkelled past?!). My only concern is that it can be rolly on a mono in certain conditions...but it is a stunning spot for BVI newbies to start their holiday...and May/June, should be less chance of North swell and likely less breezy...

Trellis vs Marina Cay vs Scrub...

My experience: I have always booked in advance by phoning their office in Tampa, FL (877) 890-7444. I have no experience with simply showing up unannounced. The TTOL discount is seasonal (or at their whim & fancy). I have had more luck reaching the marina staff (Savio or Paul) on channel 74, rather than 16. Water is very expensive. Food and drink is at upscale resort prices. I have never been charged a resort fee as long as our boat was staying in the marina. When you check-in they will give you 'towel cards' for use at the pool. These cards are to be turned in before you depart. Showers are great. Provisioning in store is adequate although limited. Dive shop on site (DiveBVI). They have both slips and along side docking. I remember two dining options, one on a terrace (more casual) and one upscale restaurant. Yes, there is a ferry that runs between Scrub and Trellis, I don't know if it stops at Marina Cay.

The ferry is free to guests wherever you board. Stand out by the fuel dock so the captain sees you and knows to stop. Trellis is still a little rough (boats washed ashore), so Marina Cay is probably the best island feel/price choice. Since your friends are landing at 3:15, why not grab some barbecue at Trellis Bay Market while you wait for the ferry: great island feel, good prices.

You likely did see our Rover, complete with new canvas top! In January we were there for a week or so, but others use it sometimes.

Wish I could post a picture here of the two rats my husband caught in the same trap - a heavy duty German device. The rats did nearly as much damage as Irma, chewing wires and all sorts of stuff in the kitchen. My husband opened a cardboard fan box in the living room, and one ran right across the room! We're almost sealed up now, but it's an ongoing battle. Don't let anyone fool you - look around the hedges at even the most upscale resort and you will see black rat poison boxes.

Does the Pusser's restaurant on Marina Cay still provide a shuttle from/to Scrub after hours for dinning? I'm thinking the fellow called himself 'Big Shot'. I can't remember if this was a complimentary shuttle provided by the restaurant. We have done this in the past, not to say the food and cost is better or worse, just a different experience. We plan to stop at Scrub in about three weeks, perhaps dinner at Marina Cay is a good option.

So, you don't have to be staying in the Marina or hotel to use the ferry?

A bit off track, but try the chef's burger at Anegada Beach Club. An excellent cheeseburger with fried egg. My go to lunch item when I'm there.

Hard to believe this forum would go off track...... hmmm.....

Thanks for the tip regarding Anegada Beach Club - I have never tried eating there. I will stop there next time to have a cheeseburger including fried egg to see how it compares.

In regards to resort fee for boats on dock:
RESORT FEE:
20% OF TOTAL MARINA DOCKAGE RATE

Scrub Island is a must stop everytime we visit. Several dining options and the store there will have most basic items you may need. Just don't expect too much. Good selection of drinks, some shelf stable items and even deli meats and bread. Check the price difference for water vs marina cay as it may save you some dollars. I agree above that just have them take the ferry as you will not need to meet them at trellis bay unless you want to go and do your grocery shopping there. I believe the back side of Scrub Island is now open and should not be missed. Most cats and monos usually back in at Scrub but there are several spots that you would able to pull in bow first but these fill up quick. Keep in mind that Scrub is usual stop for the several sailing schools which take multiple spots so I would make my reservation ahead of time if you want to make sure you get a spot although we always just wing it. Plan on spending a full day there. Showers are the best in BVI ashore.