If you want to hop over to Scrub Island for lunch, fuel, or a sunset sail without turning boating into an all‑day project, where you live in the BVI matters. The islands sit close together, yet daily access to marinas, haul‑outs, and shore services can vary a lot by bay. You want a home base that fits your cruising style, your boat, and the way you plan to use it week after week.
In this guide, you’ll compare nearby communities around Scrub Island, understand dockage options and marina logistics, and get a clear checklist for viewing properties. You will also see the lifestyle trade‑offs that help you choose with confidence. Let’s dive in.
How location shapes boating
Living near Scrub Island and Trellis Bay puts you close to favorite cruising grounds across the Sir Francis Drake Channel and up toward Virgin Gorda. Shorter boat runs can mean more spontaneous days on the water. It also simplifies routine tasks like fuel, provisioning, and meeting a mechanic.
Proximity to full‑service marinas affects maintenance ease, haul‑out options, and access to parts. If you plan regular weekday or after‑work runs, a reliable slip or private dock nearby can be a game changer. If you travel often, being near the airport at Beef Island helps you maximize every trip.
Best places near Scrub Island
Scrub Island living
If you want the shortest possible boat commute, consider residences on Scrub Island itself. The resort community includes a full‑service marina next to villas and residences, and some homes have private docks or designated slips. You benefit from island amenities like restaurants, concierge, and security.
Be aware of island‑living trade‑offs. Property and service costs may be higher, and HOA rules can shape how docks are used and maintained. Everyday services are limited on‑island, so you may still run to Tortola for certain needs.
Trellis Bay and Beef Island
Beef Island is home to Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, which makes it convenient if you fly in and out. Trellis Bay is a local boating hub with moorings and small marina operations. Boat runs to Scrub Island and the eastern cruising grounds are short, and the village setting adds dining and basic services.
Facilities can vary in scale, and some sites are more exposed to swell. If you need heavy technical support or a larger haul‑out, you may run to bigger marinas on Tortola.
Road Town, Wickhams Cay and Nanny Cay
Road Town and nearby marinas offer the largest concentration of full‑service facilities on Tortola. Expect fuel docks, chandleries, mechanics, and travel lifts, plus banks and provisioning. This is a strong choice if you want reliable maintenance while keeping reasonable day trips to the eastern islands.
The trade‑off is a busier, more commercial feel and a longer boat run to Scrub Island compared with Beef Island or Scrub Island. Slip availability can tighten during high season.
North Sound, Virgin Gorda
North Sound is a renowned yachting cluster that includes marinas and mooring fields around Leverick Bay and other bays, with additional services in Spanish Town. You will find a strong yacht community and excellent leisure and engineering support.
Reaching Scrub Island from Virgin Gorda takes more time than from Tortola or Beef Island. This is a good base if your cruising focuses on Virgin Gorda and the Sound, while still making day trips to Scrub.
Other islands to consider
Jost Van Dyke and Norman Island offer excellent anchorages and a lively cruising scene. You may find private docks and moorings in select areas, though full‑service marina options are more limited. These islands can be perfect as a lifestyle play if you do not need frequent technical support.
Dockage types and services
Dockage options
- Private residential docks. Maximum convenience with ownership or deeded rights, plus responsibility for maintenance, permitting, and insurance.
- Long‑term marina slips. Leased from a marina with utilities, security, and access to on‑site services.
- Transient slips. Nightly or weekly stays suited to short visits, not a reliable full‑time solution.
- Moorings and anchoring. Cost‑effective but less convenient for daily use. Expect tendering and occasional exposure to weather.
What to check at marinas
- Fuel availability, hours, and whether both diesel and gasoline are offered.
- Pump‑out and sanitation services.
- Shore power amperage and frequency, plus fresh water and dockside connections.
- On‑site mechanics, rigging, haul‑out and travel lift capability.
- Chandlery and spares availability.
- Security and staffing hours. Ask about lighting and 24‑hour oversight.
- Slip reservation rules and transfer policies that can affect resale.
- Wi‑Fi and communications reliability.
Fees and seasonality
High season increases transient demand and can tighten slip availability. Long‑term slip agreements may require deposits or annual contracts. Expect separate charges for electricity, water, pump‑outs, and waste disposal.
Mooring fields can have seasonal maintenance or restrictions that limit use. If you plan to leave your boat unattended, confirm any seasonal rules that apply to your slip or mooring.
Permits and rules
The BVI Ports Authority and local harbor masters regulate marinas, moorings, and dock construction. Private docks typically require permits for new builds and major repairs, and environmental assessments may be necessary. After significant storms, rebuilding can be subject to updated codes and standards.
If you arrive from outside the BVI, you must follow BVI customs and immigration rules. Inter‑island movement within the BVI generally does not require immigration checks but confirm the current procedures.
Hurricane planning and insurance
Your marine and property insurance will outline hurricane preparation and boat movement requirements. Many marinas have specific storm policies that may require evacuation or haul‑out by a set timeline. Ask for the marina’s hurricane plan and confirm how docks are secured and what materials or designs are required.
Lifestyle trade‑offs to weigh
Convenience vs cost
Homes with private docks command a premium and may carry HOA obligations. If daily access is your priority, the convenience can be worth it. If you only cruise occasionally, a leased slip could be a better value.
Services access vs distance
Smaller marinas near Scrub Island or Trellis Bay may offer quick access but limited technical capacity. Road Town clusters have deeper service options but add time to your boat runs. Choose the compromise that best fits your maintenance needs and cruising rhythm.
Social feel vs privacy
Marinas and resort areas are naturally social and active. Quieter residential areas offer more privacy but less on‑site infrastructure. Decide how much foot traffic and waterfront buzz you want near your home.
Exposure and comfort
Some slips and moorings are more open to wind or swell than others. Ask about typical conditions and seasonal patterns. Comfort and safety at the dock will affect how often you use your boat.
Buyer checklist for viewings
- Verify the legal status of dock access. Confirm whether it is deeded, an easement, a marina lease, or part of common HOA property, and whether it transfers with the sale.
- Confirm boat size limits. Check LOA, beam, draft, and any height restrictions.
- Ask about waitlists and transferability. Speak with the marina manager about typical vacancy rates and whether a slip can transfer to you at closing.
- Inspect dock condition. Review pilings, cleats, fenders, electrical and water lines, and lighting.
- Request depth data. Ask for recent dredging records and basin or channel soundings.
- Review hurricane policies. Obtain the marina’s storm plan and history of storm impacts.
- Map daily logistics. Note distances to fuel, provisioning, haul‑out, and mechanics, and estimate typical transit times.
- Review community documents. Read HOA or CCR rules, minutes, and any recent or pending special assessments.
Next steps and local resources
- Tour marinas side by side. Visit Scrub Island, Trellis Bay on Beef Island, and the clusters around Road Town, plus North Sound on Virgin Gorda, to compare services and policies.
- Collect seller documents early. Ask for dock deeds or leases, marina invoices, dredging reports, HOA documents, and insurance requirements.
- Engage technical support. Hire a local marine surveyor or naval architect to evaluate dock design, depths, and loads for your specific boat.
- Retain local legal counsel. A real estate attorney experienced in BVI waterfront transactions can confirm title language and easements.
- Check slip availability now. Join waitlists if needed, especially if a property relies on a leased slip rather than a private dock.
Work with a local advisor
Choosing where to live for Scrub Island marina access is about matching your cruising routine with the right shore setup. If you want to compare the convenience of Beef Island and Trellis Bay with the service depth of Road Town, or balance Virgin Gorda’s North Sound lifestyle with day trips to Scrub, we can guide you through the details. Our team blends on‑island experience with technical advisory to help you buy with confidence.
Ready to align your property search with your boating life? Connect with Christies BVI Residential to explore options and plan marina tours.
FAQs
What are the closest home bases to Scrub Island?
- Residences on Scrub Island and coastal homes near Trellis Bay on Beef Island offer the shortest boat runs, with Road Town and Virgin Gorda requiring longer transits.
Can I own a private dock in the BVI?
- In some cases yes. Docks can be deeded or assigned by easement, while many marina slips are leased. Always confirm transfer terms and permits.
Where are the most complete marine services?
- The largest concentration of haul‑outs, mechanics, and chandleries is around Road Town, including Nanny Cay and Wickhams Cay, with additional services in Virgin Gorda’s North Sound and Spanish Town.
How do hurricane policies affect slips and docks?
- Marinas often require owners to move or secure boats before a named storm, and insurance may specify preparations or haul‑outs. Ask for written policies and past storm records.
Do I need customs to visit Scrub Island from Tortola?
- Inter‑island travel within the BVI typically does not require immigration checks, but arrivals from outside the BVI must follow customs and immigration rules. Verify current procedures before departure.
