Caribbean: Finally back after hurricane - new island destination in the BVIs

The tiny island Marina Cay was one of the British Virgin Islands' cult destinations before "Irma": a cosy bar on the shore with a great view of the Sir Francis Drake Channel and the passing yachts. The reef in front is ideal for snorkelling. The famous phone box photo box on the jetty. There was also a "Pusser's Marinestore" for shopping. In the evening, the pelicans made their rounds on the buoy field.

But then came "Irma" in 2017. The island was one of the hardest hit, the small hotel, the pier, palm trees - everything was completely razed to the ground. The owners couldn't really get going, then came corona. Crews had to make do without the popular stopover for almost six years.

But now the Scrub Island Resort, which is located on the neighbouring island of the same name, has opened the "Marina Cay Bar & Grill" there. The building, constructed as a typical Caribbean wooden house in corrugated iron style, surrounded by trees and with a large terrace and nice beach in front, should appeal to most crews. The pier has been restored, there are cosy chairs and hammocks on the beach right by the water, the buoy field in front of the jetty is back in operation and crews can take the dinghy directly to the dinghy dock for a cocktail or dinner. The buoy costs 40 US dollars/night, bookable via the Boatyball" app. Marina Cay is also a good place to visit the legendary Full Moon Party in nearby Trellis Bay on Tortola, which is usually hopelessly overcrowded. It's only a short dinghy ride across the bay from Marina Cay.

The Pusser's Store and the photo box may no longer exist, but a start has been made and the buoy site, which is well protected by the reef, is a welcome addition to the cruising programme in the BVIs. It would also have been a shame if the island, which is a minor literary celebrity, had remained dormant. Because in 1930, Robb and Rodie White bought the island and built a small paradise on the then overgrown pile of stones, the story of whose creation they beautifully described in the 1953 bestseller "Our Virgin Island". Hollywood later even made the story into a film. Perhaps a new chapter is now beginning in the history of Marina Cay.

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