Scrub Island BVI Charter Guide

Scrub Island is one of our favorite optional stops on a BVI yacht charter, particularly for families or guests who enjoy mixing their time on the water with an occasional resort experience.

It isn’t a destination we tell every guest they have to visit. But geographically, Scrub Island is incredibly easy to work into a counterclockwise BVI itinerary. It is a convenient stop when traveling west from Virgin Gorda toward Jost Van Dyke, and it also works very well when coming back down from Anegada.

What makes Scrub different from many BVI stops is the opportunity to dock the yacht at a marina and enjoy the amenities of a full resort. For the right group — especially families midway through a week aboard — that can be exactly what everyone wants.

Why We Like Scrub Island for Families

Families are probably the group we recommend Scrub Island to most often.

After several days of snorkeling, beaches, dinghy rides and exploring different islands, children frequently love the idea of spending an afternoon at a resort.

The large pool and waterslide are usually the biggest attractions for kids, while parents can relax around the pool and enjoy the resort.

It gives everyone a different type of day without really interrupting the natural progression of the charter.

And sometimes the simplest things are surprisingly popular. After several days aboard a yacht, guests often really appreciate the opportunity to take a long land-based shower and get ready for dinner without worrying about water conservation aboard.

Marina Dockage & Resort Access

If you want to stay aboard your yacht at Scrub Island, plan on reserving marina dockage.

The important benefit is that marina guests have access to resort amenities, which is what makes paying for a slip worthwhile for many groups.

Instead of arriving somewhere and immediately getting back into the dinghy, you can secure the yacht at the dock, step ashore and spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying the resort.

For guests who like the convenience of marina stays, Scrub can be a welcome break in the middle or latter part of the charter.

VCY TIP: If the pool, waterslide and resort amenities are what appeal to you about Scrub Island, plan it as a marina stop rather than simply cruising past the island.

Scrub Island as a Mid-Charter Reset

We sometimes describe Scrub as a great mid-charter reset.

By this point in a typical seven-night itinerary, you’ve probably already snorkeled several times, visited beaches, eaten at beach bars and spent multiple nights on moorings.

Scrub gives you something different.

Dock the yacht. Plug in. Step ashore. Let the kids spend the afternoon in the pool. Enjoy a land shower. Have a drink or meal ashore and take a little break from moving between islands.

The following morning, everyone is refreshed and you can continue west toward Guana Island, Jost Van Dyke and the final part of the charter.

Where Scrub Island Fits Into a 7-Night BVI Charter

Scrub works particularly well because of its location.

If you’re skipping Anegada, you can travel from Virgin Gorda toward Scrub Island and then continue west toward Jost Van Dyke.

If you’re visiting Anegada, Scrub is also an easy stop as you come back south and begin making your way west.

A typical route might look like:

Virgin Gorda & North Sound → Anegada → Scrub Island → Monkey Point/Guana Island → Jost Van Dyke

Or, without Anegada:

Virgin Gorda & North Sound → Scrub Island → Monkey Point/Guana Island → Jost Van Dyke

That flexibility is one of the reasons we like having Scrub as an option when helping guests plan their week.

Do You Need to Visit Scrub Island?

No — and that’s important.

If nobody in your group cares about pools, resort amenities or spending a night at a marina, don’t add Scrub simply because it’s on a suggested itinerary.

Keep going.

Spend the extra time in North Sound. Go directly toward Jost. Stop at Monkey Point for snorkeling. Or simply stay longer somewhere your group is already enjoying.

But if you’re traveling with children who would love a pool and waterslide, or your group enjoys combining a yacht charter with an occasional upscale resort stop, Scrub becomes considerably more appealing.

Scrub Island vs. Peter Island

Guests looking for a resort experience sometimes ask where it makes the most sense to incorporate one.

Both Scrub Island and Peter Island can provide a break from the more traditional mooring-and-beach-bar experience, but they fit different points in the itinerary.

Peter Island works particularly well early in the charter after Norman Island and is our choice for guests looking for a more upscale resort experience, spa, pool and fine dining.

Scrub Island fits naturally later in the route, after Virgin Gorda or Anegada, and we particularly like it for families because of the pool and waterslide.

You certainly don’t need to visit both on a seven-night charter unless resort time is an important part of your vacation.

What Should You Do After Scrub Island?

When you leave Scrub and begin traveling west, Monkey Point on Guana Island is one of our favorite snorkeling stops along the way.

You don’t need to spend the night at Guana Island. Stop for an hour or two, snorkel if conditions are good and then continue toward Jost Van Dyke.

That makes for a very natural charter day:

Scrub Island → Monkey Point snorkeling → Jost Van Dyke

If your group would rather get directly to Jost, that’s fine too.

Who Will Love Scrub Island?

Scrub Island is particularly worth considering for:

Families with children who will love a pool and waterslide.

Guests who enjoy resorts and want to combine a yacht charter with some time ashore.

Groups who appreciate marina dockage and the convenience of stepping directly off the yacht.

Guests midway through the charter who are ready for a pool, land shower and change of pace.

It may be less important for groups whose perfect BVI vacation is all about remote beaches, snorkeling and casual beach bars.

Our Scrub Island Recommendation

We think of Scrub Island as an option, not an obligation.

That’s actually what makes it valuable.

If you’re traveling with kids and they would love an afternoon racing down a waterslide and playing in a resort pool, stop at Scrub.

If you’ve been living aboard for several days and everyone is suddenly very enthusiastic about a proper land shower, stop at Scrub.

If you love marinas and resort amenities, stop at Scrub.

But if your group is happiest swimming off the back of the yacht and exploring quieter islands, keep going and use the time somewhere else.

VCY TIP: The best reason to visit Scrub isn’t because it appears on a list of BVI attractions. It’s because the resort experience gives your group something different at exactly the point in the charter when that change of pace can be especially enjoyable.

For more ideas on where Scrub Island fits into your week, explore our complete BVI Island Guide

Planning your BVI charter? Virgin Charter Yachts has been based in the BVI for 30 years. Our team can help you choose the right yacht and build an itinerary around what your group actually wants to do — whether that’s resorts and waterslides, snorkeling and beach bars, or a little of everything.