Is Jost Van Dyke Worth Visiting? Beaches, Bars & More
Ranked among the world’s top beaches time and time again, White Bay on Jost Van Dyke first caught our attention when we booked a cruise ship excursion more than 15 years ago. When a hurricane forced our cruise to change its itinerary, we spent the next year dreaming about the little island paradise we’d missed. Rather than wait any longer, we booked a room and made the trip to the British Virgin Islands.
It was love at first sight! We’ve since moved to the Virgin Islands and spent countless days and weeks exploring everything Jost Van Dyke has to offer.
So, is Jost Van Dyke worth visiting? Absolutely. From beautiful beaches to laid-back beach bars, there’s a lot to love about this little island of roughly 300 residents.
Jost Van Dyke Day Trip or Overnight: Which Is Better?
Both are worth it, but they are very different experiences.
What You Get on a Day Trip
On a day trip you get the classic Jost Van Dyke: turquoise water, white powdery sand, lively beach bars, and swimming in some of the clearest water in the Caribbean.
If you book a boat excursion, you will often get a stop at a snorkeling spot or two as well.
What You Miss If You Only Come for the Day
We were spoiled by experiencing Jost Van Dyke overnight before we ever came for a day trip because it was really something special.
Around four or five o’clock, the day trippers head out and the whole beach empties. It gets quiet, the chill vibe at sunset is incredible, and some of the beach bars shut down completely while others turn into relaxed dinner spots.
In the evening, a handful of places pick up with live music. It is not a nightclub scene, but it is definitely lively for island time.
Who Should Stay Overnight and Who Should Stick to a Day Trip
The short answer comes down to how much time you have.
If you are staying on one of the other Virgin Islands and want your first taste of Jost Van Dyke, take the day trip. The same goes if you’re on a cruise and it’s your first time. It is absolutely worth visiting.
Stay overnight if you love a beach setting and are not looking for a resort or a nightclub scene. The evenings are laid-back island style with Caribbean cooking. You will not find fast food chains or fine dining restaurants here, but there are some incredibly talented chefs to hire for your villa.
It may be a great fit for families looking for a beautiful beach trip. There is some snorkeling and a few hikes, but there are not a lot of activities for kids beyond the beach in the evening.
How to Get to Jost Van Dyke
Jost Van Dyke has no airport, so everyone arrives on the island on some type of boat.
By Ferry
Ferries run from Tortola to Jost Van Dyke multiple times a day, and the ride from West End takes about 25 minutes.
Ferries from St. Thomas and St. John can take up to 60 minutes. You can check current ferry times here.
If you are coming from the US Virgin Islands (St. Thomas and St. John), you will clear customs and immigration into the British Virgin Islands, so you must bring your passport.
By Day Charter
This is one of the most popular ways to visit. Day charters run from cruise ports and from St. Thomas, St. John, and Tortola.
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By Sailing Charter
In our opinion, a sailing charter is the best way to experience Jost Van Dyke. Your accommodation comes with you, and you can stay as many days as you like in multiple bays.
White Bay is the most popular, but it is far from the only bay worth visiting. We cover them all below.
By Private Boat
If you have your own boat, getting here is pretty straightforward. If you are coming from the US Virgin Islands, you will need to clear customs into the British Virgin Islands.
You cannot simply go back and forth between the two territories without clearing in and out. If you travel by boat, you likely know the drill, but it’s worth knowing it exists.
Visiting Jost Van Dyke on a Cruise Excursion
Why Cruise Line Excursions Are Worth It
White Bay on Jost Van Dyke is one of the most popular destinations in the British Virgin Islands, and it is well worth a short trip if you have never been.
It is a boat ride of close to an hour from the cruise port, so timing matters. The type of boat, the excursion itinerary, and your port all affect how long it takes to get there.
Road Town, Tortola, is the closer cruise port, but excursions often run from Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, as well.
Many cruise lines offer their own shore excursions that include White Bay, and that is usually the way to go because of the distance from the ports. You’re excursion is planned around your ship’s departure schedule when you book through the cruise line.
When a Private Excursion Makes More Sense
A private excursion costs more, but it gives you flexibility around your own preferences. It also lets you see more than what is included in a standard excursion.
With a cruise line trip you will usually get a quick swim, some beach bar time in White Bay, and then head back. With a private excursion, you can talk with your operator about what you want out of the day and possibly reach some other areas of the island.
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The Bays of Jost Van Dyke: What’s Worth a Stop and What’s Worth a Stay
Most people only see White Bay, but Jost Van Dyke has several bays, and each has its own personality.
White Bay
White Bay is the most popular, the most prominent, and the most picture-perfect stretch of white sand on the island. It is home to the world-famous Soggy Dollar Bar and to Ivan’s Stress-Free Bar, where Kenny Chesney filmed the music video for “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems.”
You will also find plenty of other fabulous restaurants, souvenir shops, an ice cream shop, and several places to stay along the beach and within walking distance. It is quintessential Caribbean and worth every bit of the hype.
White Bay is great as a quick day stop, and it is also a fantastic place to spend the night if you plan to stay longer.
Great Harbour
Great Harbour is the place to be in the evening. There are a handful of restaurants, a dive operator, a few accommodations, and the night scene is centered here. This is also the main “town” with small convenience stores, Customs & Immigration offices, and the police station.
The beaches here are not the bright turquoise water and white sand beaches you will find in White Bay, as the seafloor is grassy. It is also a busy harbor, with ferries and powerboats coming and going, so it is not the place to float and hang out in the water all day.
We treat Great Harbour as an evening spot. If you are visiting for the day, spend your daytime elsewhere and come here for dinner and music.
Little Harbour
Little Harbour is very quiet. It is a working bay, so it looks a bit more industrial than the others.
There are mooring balls available, and more space to anchor, though the water is deeper. We recommend Little Harbour for dinner, thanks to some great restaurants we cover below, or for a peaceful overnight on a boat.
Diamond Cay and the Bubbly Pool Area
This side of the island has great snorkeling around Diamond Cay. It is also where you start the trek to the Bubbly Pool.
The trail is not an extreme hike by any means, but the surface is uneven and there are some rocks to climb over. It is great for bird watching, as it passes a salt pond, and you will often see goats along the trail. Seeing a mongoose pass through is not uncommon either.
The Bubbly Pool sits between rock faces where the Atlantic Ocean rushes into a narrow area and creates a natural whirlpool. The conditions have to be right, though.
You need a north swell, which happens when weather in the North Atlantic sends big waves down to the Caribbean. When that swell hits, waves pour into the pool and you feel bubbles all around you, like a natural jacuzzi.
Be careful. During a north swell this area can be dangerous, so keep a close eye on kids, and do not climb out on the rocks. If there is no north swell, it’s just a tiny bubbly puddle!
This area is great for a quick stop or a day trip. There is also a comfortable anchorage, so if you are on a charter and want a quiet, lesser-visited place to spend the night, it is a great option in addition to White Bay.
Sandy Spit and Little Jost Van Dyke
This is surprisingly one of our favorite areas. We love White Bay for its beauty, and it is still one of our favorite beaches, but when we want to hang out for a few days of solitude, we love anchoring along Little Jost Van Dyke.
Sandy Spit is a sandbar with a few palm trees. It is where one of the Corona “Find Your Beach” commercials was filmed. You can swim or dinghy in and walk around the whole island in less than five minutes, and it is all about being alone on a deserted island.
Little Jost Van Dyke is a larger piece of land separated from the main island by a rocky, shallow reef. It has a secluded, rugged coastline with tiny beaches you can reach by kayak or dinghy, and there is one tiny beach bar we love, B-Line. There are mooring balls and places to anchor nearby.
This is a semi-popular stop for day trippers who pop in for short visits, and it is a favorite for us when we want extra time. It sits close to Diamond Cay and the Bubbly Pool, so this whole area is a go-to for charter boats to spend the night.
The Bays at a Glance
| Bay | Best For | Quick Stop or Longer Stay? |
| White Bay | Beautiful beach, beach bars, shops, places to stay | Both. Great for a day stop and a good base for overnight |
| Great Harbour | Dinner, live music, evening fun | Evening visit. Not a daytime hangout |
| Little Harbour | Quiet dinners, peaceful anchorage | Dinner stop or quiet overnight |
| Diamond Cay and Bubbly Pool | Snorkeling, hiking, nature | Quick stop option, with a comfortable anchorage for the night |
| Sandy Spit and Little Jost Van Dyke | Seclusion, tiny beaches, quiet anchoring | Quick stop for day trippers, personally a favorite for a longer stay |
Best Beaches on Jost Van Dyke
White Bay is without a doubt the most beautiful beach on Jost Van Dyke, and it regularly makes lists of the best beaches in the world. It earns it.
The east end of the bay is the quieter side. There are a couple of restaurants down there, but they are much more laid-back, and the day boats rarely come to this end. There is also decent snorkeling.
The west end is the party side. There is a rocky outcrop between the two, with a path you can cross over. The west end is where the popular Soggy Dollar Bar sits, where all the day boats go, and where most of the beach bars are. This is where everybody floats, drinks, and parties.
Beyond White Bay, the tiny beaches along Little Jost Van Dyke and the sandbar at Sandy Spit are well worth a visit if you are traveling by boat.
Beach Bars and Restaurants Worth Your Time
This is one of our favorite sections, because Jost Van Dyke has some super fun spots, and we are huge foodies!
Soggy Dollar Bar and the Painkiller
You cannot come to White Bay without having a painkiller at the world-famous Soggy Dollar Bar. The drink is a blend of dark rum, cream of coconut, pineapple juice, and orange juice, topped with fresh grated nutmeg.
The bar got its name decades ago because there was no dock. The only way to get to it was to swim ashore, so patrons paid with wet, soggy dollar bills. The bar kept a clothesline where the dollars could dry.
Foxy’s Tamarind Bar and Foxy’s Taboo
Foxy is a legend. He has been hosting sailors since the 60s, and he is famous for his Old Year’s Night New Year’s Eve party.
Foxy’s Tamarind Bar in Great Harbour is the most popular of his two bars. There is usually a DJ or a band playing at night, and it is the place for a dance party. It is toes-in-the-sand with all kinds of memorabilia hanging above your head. There is great barbecue, and tree stumps for seats, so it has a very eclectic island feel.
Foxy’s Taboo is his second location, on the other side of the island near the Bubbly Pool trailhead. It is much more laid-back and still open-air…because island life!
B-Line Beach Bar
Bunkey and Angie welcome patrons at their rustic beach bar, the only establishment on the secluded Little Jost Van Dyke. It’s a hidden gem with an old-Caribbean feel, home cooking, and beach toys.
This is our favorite place on Jost Van Dyke! 🐝
They’re open daily for lunch and will stay open for dinner too with reservations. Angie’s BBQ sauce and jerk seasoning are the best!
Other Favorites
There are a lot of great spots on Jost Van Dyke, so here’s the highlights.
White Bay
Hendo’s Hideout: A fantastic menu and a great view. There is a raised deck as well as lower picnic tables with your toes in the sand. They also have villas to stay in. Our top pick for lunch!
Ivan’s Stress-Free Bar: A toes-in-the-sand hangout, often with music in the evening. On Wednesday nights they host a beach barbecue with a bonfire.
Alice’s: On the quieter end of the bay. Everything is cooked in a big stone pizza oven, including the lobsters and the great pizzas.
Coco Loco’s: Owned by a fisherman, so you can count on good seafood.
Gertrude’s: Set up like an honor bar, where you pick your own bottle and make your own drink. It is a fun experience.
Great Harbour
Corsairs: A sailor favorite for 20 years, and a fun, rowdy party place with famously cheeky bar stools. It did not open last charter season, so check before you plan around it.
Tipsy Shark: Owned by a fisherman, with great seafood and a bohemian feel. There is a deck restaurant with a few extra tables out on the sand, and it is a great dinner spot.
Ali Baba’s: Serving up delicious island flavors. The spot to experience some true Jost Van Dyke hospitality, history, and artwork.
Sugar and Spice Shack: Delicious homemade empanadas.
Little Harbour
Sidney’s Peace and Love: An honor bar with decades of history. My stepdad has fond memories with Sidney from the ’90s, and Strawberry, Sidney’s daughter, continues the tradition.
Abe’s by the Sea: Known for its huge Caribbean lobsters, chosen from the lobster crawl before dinner. A long-standing favorite for a casual, open-air meal right on the water.
Harris Place: Come for the lobster, but stay for Cynthia’s hospitality.
How to Avoid the Crowds on Jost Van Dyke
Jost Van Dyke is one of the most popular spots in the Virgin Islands, so White Bay is busy during the day, especially in season. High season runs from November through July, and the busiest times are Christmas and spring break.
The best way to avoid the crowds is to spend the night. White Bay in the early morning and at sunset is one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
Waking up to the sunrise before anyone else is there is a special experience. You might see someone strolling the beach or maybe a few kids playing in the water. You will hear the Soggy Dollar Bar turn its music on before anyone arrives.
If you are visiting for the day, there are still ways to find some space:
- Head east: Grab your obligatory painkiller at the Soggy Dollar Bar, then walk to the far east end of the beach. Alice’s and Ivan’s are on the quieter side of the bay.
- Book a massage: On the east side of the bay, there is a floating spa. Getting a massage out on the water is a great way to escape the crowds. In season, book a few days ahead.
- Try the other bays: Little Jost Van Dyke and Diamond Cay are far more laid-back. Even in peak season, when the mooring balls may be full, it never feels crowded.
- Visit in the evening: White Bay is quieter and more chill at night, with great dinners at Hendo’s, Alice’s, and Ivan’s. Great Harbour is where the evening crowd gathers.
Sunday tends to be the busiest day of the week. A day with no cruise ship in port is slightly calmer, but because Jost Van Dyke gets day trippers from all the neighboring islands, the cruise ship crowds are not as noticeable as they are at other popular spots, like The Baths.
Best Time to Visit Jost Van Dyke
The most important thing to know is that many places on Jost Van Dyke close in the middle of hurricane season. From mid-August through mid-October, most of the restaurants in White Bay and Great Harbour, like Soggy Dollar Bar, close for at least a month, if not two.
That is a great time to visit if you just want a beautiful beach and do not need the party scene. Just make sure you have travel insurance.
If you want to see the beach bars in full swing, plan to come in season, from November through July.
If you want the big crowds and a super fun party atmosphere, come for the holidays. We planned a trip specifically for Foxy’s Old Year’s Night celebration several years ago. It is wild, and it is not family-friendly. There is a big stage, it is a blast, and it gets a little crazy.
Foxy’s full moon parties are also a big draw, though they are not nearly as wild as New Year’s Eve.
Good to Know Before You Go
Currency: The US dollar is the official currency in the British Virgin Islands. British Pounds are not used in the British Virgin Islands.
Bring Cash: While most establishments take credit card, power outages are not uncommon, and you’ll want cash for tips and taxis.
A Tiny Island: There are no big grocery stores, chains, or resorts, and the island runs at a much slower pace. Bring the things you cannot easily replace, like sunscreen, bug spray, and any medications.
Passport and Customs: A passport is required by all visitors to the British Virgin Islands.
Where to Stay on Jost Van Dyke
Hendo’s Hideout is a fantastic place to stay, right on White Bay. White Bay Villas is another great option with fabulous views from the hillside.
Of course, if you are on a sailing charter, you can stay right on the boat and wake up wherever you like.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the ferry ride from St. Thomas to Jost Van Dyke?
It depends on your route. Most trips from St. Thomas or St. John can take up to 60 minutes, but the total time varies depending on departure and Customs port.
The ride from West End, Tortola to Jost Van Dyke itself takes about 25 minutes. Check the current schedule before you go.
Is Jost Van Dyke or Virgin Gorda better?
They are two totally different vibes. Virgin Gorda has beautiful high-end resorts and restaurants and stunning beaches. Jost Van Dyke has a laid-back, chill island feel.
The better one depends on what you want out of your trip.
What is there to do on Jost Van Dyke?
Visit the beach bars, swim, snorkel, float, and hike. The Bubbly Pool is the top hike, but you can also walk up above White Bay for an incredible viewpoint, or stretch your legs on the path between the east and west ends of the beach.
Swimming is really more floating, since the beaches are so beautiful, and there is snorkeling around the island too. Beyond that, it is all about beach days and the party atmosphere.
Is Jost Van Dyke Worth Visiting? Our Verdict
Yes, absolutely. The beauty alone helps us understand why it has all the hype, and it truly lives up to what everyone envisions for island life.
Jost Van Dyke is worth at least a day trip, and in our opinion, this little piece of paradise is worth staying even longer!
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