Marina Cay

I know there is nothing there now but how are the mooring balls? Are they being maintained well by Scrub?

Is this a reasonable place for a night if the north swell is running?

Thanks

Stayed there a few times in the last few months. The balls are there, the scrub boat collects the fee each night and the pennants on the buoys that I have used seem in good condition. There is often a decent breeze across the field from the east so there is a lot of pull on the mooring, but we haven't had any problems. North swell this week didn't seem to cause an issue either. Marina Cay itself looks to be under some level of construction still - as the real estate has apparently been leased for use by the Scrub Island Resort.

There have been up to 24 boats a night, with no apparent issues. The calmest moorings are the ones tucked behind nearest the reef, in front of the old restaurant.

The Marina Cay balls all are FCFS Boatyballs now. $40 paid online.

Is it practical to dinghy to Trellis Bay from there (including at night)? Or would that be more a case of dinghy to Scrub Island and ferry to Trellis?

I've done it in the daytime, but if it's rough or the dinghy is at all loaded I'd pass.
Definitely not at night.

The ferry sounds like a good option, though I have not taken it.

Jaime,

Trellis is actually an enjoyable anchorage IMHO. There are many fun things to see and do, with numerous eating options and trellis bay market. Rite Way and others will deliver to you at the dock if you have greater needs. There is also a reliable ATM at the airport only a few hundred feet away if you need to top up on cash. If you are a religious man, Mary by the Sea has Saturday and Sunday service via taxi.

I have not done the dingy ride across, and honestly I wouldn't. You can always stop mid day and accomplish your chores in trellis, then motor over to Marina Cay/Scrub. It only takes about 20 min. You will be snorkeling diamond reef by 2pm.

Thanks - I’ve stay in Trellis and very much enjoy it. I haven’t been for 3 years now and the mooring field has changed there. So only asking with regards to dinghying from Marina Cay as a back up plan if I get to Trellis and all the moorings taken. I like to have a plan in my back pocket for most moorings based on weather and if they’re full - and in case of Trellis, if it’s full moon. Like to avoid rushing to a mooring just to get a stop unless I really have to.

Re Trellis…how long has The Last Resort been closed? Wasn’t it sold a couple times? Anybody looking at reopening it?

Unfortunately, the Last Resort has been closed a long time. Before Irma there were attempts to get it going. I recall a young couple moving all their stuff out there, but that didn't last long. My understanding is there were health issues in the family that owned it, then Irma hit. As long as the threat of airport expansion hangs over it, it is unlikely anything will happen, which is sad.

Oh, to see Tony perform one more time!!

I have a Tony Snell CD - actually he was a pretty good musician when sober and his charter captains songs were hilarious. The food was pretty good. Who can forget the donkeys Vanilla and Chocolate. Thankful he ended up on Bellamy Cay after escaping from a German concentration camp in Italy.

My favorite Tony Snell song (to the tune of “My Way”)….”Reefs, I’ve hit a few, but then again, too few to mention….”

Paraphrasing > I remember:

one story > He would say "these tourists rent these sailboats, motor them all the way to the Bitter End > then,think they're tough stuff

one song > about the people on your boat you been chartering with the past few days > ~ once were your best friends, now they're your worst enemies!

I have made the trip by dinghy to Trellis from Marina Cay, and once or twice even at night. That was when I was young and foolish. When you try to take dinghy back from Trellis, you are usually motoring against what can sometimes be a significant current, as well as a prevailing wind pretty much on the nose. Should you lose power, there is no way you will be able to row against it.

RM