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Smallest of the four main islands of the British Virgin Islands
Photo: User:Mattes, CC BY 2.0 de via Wikimedia Commons
Jost Van Dyke (also referred to as JVD or Jost) is the smallest of the four main British Virgin Islands. It's an easy and beautiful sail from Tortola and the home of the notorious rum-based drink, painkiller.
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If you have a dinghy or want to make a stop with your sailboat along the way, do yourself a favor and stop by uninhabited Sandy Cay right along the way to Jost Van Dyke. It has one of the most spectacular sandy beaches available, is usually not too crowded, and even has a path around the island so you can look at the local flora and fauna. Please note that during some seasons the beach can be a little buggy, but the slightest breeze will take care of this problem.
On the northeastern end of the island, near Diamond Cay, is a surf-fed "Bubbly Pool" that is a tourist attraction when the swells are running. It's an easy walk from Foxy's "other" bar, Foxy's Taboo.
Highly fit folks may consider hiking up to the highest point on JVD, 1,054 ft / 321 m high Majohnny Hill with stunning 360-degree views across the Caribbean. This is a significant undertaking however. Some people do it in 4x4s (see Get around above).
Jost Van Dyke's only scuba diving operator. A full service dive shop offering dive charters, free delivery on equipment rentals and snorkeling and eco-tours. Explore some of the most remote and undiscovered diving in the BVI. More than 40 unmarked dive sites. Also offering free pick-up and delivery from Tortola saving you the cost of a ferry.
Different types of massage on board a ship anchored outside White Bay.
A nice spot for breakfast where you can hang out with the locals and have a beer with your eggs. The bar is a pleasant place to hang for a few hours. Live music some nights.
Reportedly has some of the best food in all the BVI.
Bar and restaurant with live music some nights. Foxy's is known to have BBQ night on Fridays and Saturdays that will fill you up quite well. Reservations for Foxy's BBQ night are strongly encouraged.
A decent spot for wings or casual food. You can also rent a beach chair and hang out for the day.
Ivan's on White Bay does a BBQ night similar to the one in Foxy's on Thursdays.
Just down the beach from Soggy Dollar and has excellent food ranging from Caribbean lobster to sandwiches. They also have good live music almost daily.
Bar and restaurant with Caribbean and American fare, sushi available on Thursday nights. Dinner menu on Th-Sa.
Seafood and Caribbean fare. Also has a grocery store and car rental.
Harris Place in Little Harbor serves fresh lobster. Established in the early 1980s. All-you-can-eat lobster night, also serves pea soup, homemade pies, bread, and hotsauce. Also a do-it-yourself bar...any drink made in any way desired. Live music almost every night.
Seafood and Caribbean fare, particularly famous for big lobsters.
Foxy's second location. Caribbean fare, a bit upscale.
Bar which also serves tacos and pizza.
Serves food in addition to their famous painkillers.
Baresite camping and some very basic, but colorful cabins. Cabins are spartan but come with a decent bed, small refrigerator, fan and light overhead. Most cabins have built in shelving and a mirror. Restrooms and showers are communal. Sheets are provided but bring your own towels. There is also a communal kitchen. Guests can make their own meals and store food. Some cabins have covered porches and chairs and everything is just steps from the beach. Clotheslines are available and flashlights for getting around at night are advisable. Ivan has also built a "villa" with a studio and a one-bedroom unit.
20 beautiful waterfront villas and cottages with amazing views of White Bay, St. John, Tortola and St. Thomas. The largest, the Plantation Villa has 5 bedrooms, while the smaller ones have one or two. Apparently one of the more "splurge" lodgings on JVD they have free Wi-Fi, tv, bathroom, kitchen and balcony.
Ocean View Villa is a 4 AC bedroom 4 bathroom house with fast Wi-Fi, cable TV and phone access, beautiful hand-made mahogany kitchen cabinets, kitchenette with dishwasher and a stunning view of the channel West End and Tortola. There are two bedrooms and two single 1 bedroom with own kitchen and bathroom.
8 villas at the eastern tip of JVD. Scheduled to reopen during 2019, when the damages from the 2017 hurricanes Irma and Maria have been repaired.
4 studio apartments. A/C, kitchenette, bathroom, free Wi-Fi.
Two big houses for rent on White Bay, geared towards larger parties and longer stays (only weekly rates).
Some rooms and single or double bedroom units. A/C, private porch, private bath, tv, kitchen.
A good spot to grab cookies or baked goods. Their specialty are their breads in several varieties.
Groceries.
Groceries.
By ferry from Tortola
The most frequent ferry service is from West End, Tortola to Great Harbour with New Horizon Ferry operating multiple daily departures.
By ferry from the U.S. Virgin Islands
From the U.S. Virgin Islands, there are some ferries during the weekends departing from Red Hook, Saint Thomas via Cruz Bay, Saint John. Sailing time is 60 min from Red Hook or 30 min from Cruz Bay.
By your own vessel
For those with their own boat, Great Harbour has no moorings and it may be challenging to find good holding for your anchor! You can pick up a mooring for the night in Little Harbour or White Bay.
By taxi
Several taxi services are available, but operate very erratically. Don't expect lightning service... plan ahead.
By car
4x4s and vehicles can be rented from locals — no chains here. Two reliable companies are Abe & Eunice's and Paradise car rental.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
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Articles and travel topics about Jost Van Dyke and British Virgin Islands.
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