Jost Van Dyke: What I’d Tell a Friend
At just three square miles and with an on-island population of about 500 people, Jost Van Dyke is tiny.
There are no high-rise hotels or major attractions competing for your attention. Instead, you’ll find beautiful beaches, beach bars with your toes in the sand, friendly locals, and some of the clearest water in the Caribbean.
Many visitors experience Jost Van Dyke as a quick stop during a sailing excursion or day trip from another island. After all, it’s home to the world-famous Soggy Dollar Bar and Foxy’s.
But after spending a few days there, I’d recommend staying a little longer if you can.
Here’s what I’d tell a friend before going.
Getting to Jost Van Dyke
There is no airport on Jost Van Dyke, so everyone arrives by boat.
Most travelers come through Tortola in the British Virgin Islands or St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
We flew into St. Thomas and originally planned to take the ferry, but the timing didn’t work well with our arrival, and we weren’t interested in ferry hopping.
Instead, we decided to use a private water taxi. Thankfully, they found another couple willing to split the cost and join us for the ride.
Was it more expensive? Absolutely.
Was it convenient? Also, absolutely.
Within about twenty minutes of leaving St. Thomas, and after passing one of our favorite islands, St. John, we were approaching Jost Van Dyke.
Blackberry House Tip: Before booking your flights, compare the ferry schedules with your arrival time. Depending on your timing, a private water taxi may be worth considering, especially after a long travel day.
Where We Stayed
One thing to know before planning a trip to Jost: accommodations are limited. Very limited.
That means booking early is important.
The Hideout
If I were planning another trip tomorrow, The Hideout would definitely be on my list. Actually, it would be my top choice!
Unfortunately, we planned this trip last minute and they were booked.
Located directly on White Bay, The Hideout is an intimate luxury boutique resort—right down my alley. Think one-bedroom villas with plunge pools, located steps from Soggy Dollar, Hendo’s Hideout, and the beautiful water of White Bay.
White Bay Villas
This is where we stayed during our visit.
The location above White Bay offered incredible views. Every morning we enjoyed coffee on the patio overlooking some of the bluest water I’ve ever seen.
The villas aren’t brand-new luxury accommodations. At least our villa, I’d describe as weathered and a little rustic, but it was comfortable, welcoming, and exactly what we expected for a laid-back Caribbean getaway.
From White Bay Villas, we could walk down to Soggy Dollar and the other beach bars. The walk down was easy peasy… the walk uphill after a few Painkillers was a bit more than we bargained for.
There are taxis on the island if that sounds more your speed.
Vacation Rentals
Vacation rentals are also worth considering, especially if you’re traveling with family or another couple.
There is very little inventory, though, so plan well in advance if that’s what you’re looking for.
The Experiences I’d Make Time For
You really don’t need a long list of activities on Jost Van Dyke, but there are a few things I’d definitely put on the list.
Spend Time at White Bay
White Bay is every bit as beautiful as the photos suggest.
Soft white sand.
Clear turquoise water.
Beach bars scattered along the shoreline.
It’s the kind of place where you plan to stay an hour and somehow realize you’ve spent the entire afternoon there.
Visit Soggy Dollar Bar
You can’t visit Jost Van Dyke without experiencing Soggy Dollar.
Located directly on White Bay, it’s famous for the Painkiller cocktail and has become one of the island’s most iconic stops.
Even if cocktails aren’t your thing, it’s worth visiting simply because it’s such a quintessential Jost Van Dyke experience.
You know how I mentioned losing track of time?
That happened to us here.
We were hanging out in the water, drinks in hand, yapping with some fellow Southerners who’d made their way to this little slice of paradise. Before we knew it, we realized it was almost time evening.
Explore Bubbly Pool
For something a little different, make time for Bubbly Pool.
This natural tidal pool creates waves that rush through the rocks and create a natural jacuzzi-like experience. It’s definitely unique.
The walk there is part of the adventure and offers beautiful coastal views along the way.
Explore the Town
Calling it town might be a stretch, but there are a few shops, restaurants, and the famous Foxy’s along a dirt road in Great Harbor.
If you’re willing to explore a little beyond the shoreline, you never know what you might discover.
Getting Around the Island
Technically, Jost Van Dyke is small enough to walk.
Technically.
What the maps don’t always show is how hilly it can be.
Taxis are available, but during our visit, they weren’t always easy to find exactly when we needed one.
Funny story: We took a taxi into town for dinner and then had after-dinner cocktails at Foxy’s. When it was time to get a taxi back up to our place, we learned they were all at a party on the island and had taken the night off.
So we had two options: hoof it straight up a mile-and-a-half hill in the dark to our place or humbly ask the restaurant owner where we’d dined earlier for a ride back up.
She graciously gave us a ride, and we will forever and always recommend Tipsy Shark for dinner!
Eventually, we rented a vehicle from Paradise Jeep Rentals for one day so we could drive to the other end of the island, and we were glad we did. It was nice and freeing to have our own wheels.
Where We’d Eat Again
Jost may be small, but the food scene is wonderful.
Hendo’s Hideout
One of our favorite spots.
We ate at Hendo’s a couple of times—once for lunch, where we chowed down on lobster rolls (delicious, by the way!), and again for dinner.
Hendo’s sits right on the beach and has beautiful views and a laid-back atmosphere.
Tipsy Shark
One of my favorite dinners of the trip.
Remember the kind owner who drove us home? This is that place!
Good food, a casual atmosphere, and the kind of place where you want to linger over another drink and conversation.
We were seated at a table with views of the ocean. It was lovely!
Soggy Dollar Bar
Perfect for lunch with your toes in the sand and a Painkiller nearby.
Traditional bar-type food, plus another island cocktail you might want to try. Personally, I loved the Coco Lima. Light, refreshing, and perfection!
Other popular spots to eat include:
- Foxy’s
- Foxy’s Taboo
- Corsairs
- Gertrude’s
- Ali Baba’s
Most meals come with a water view and a laid-back atmosphere. Not a bad combination.
A Few Things I’d Tell a Friend Before Visiting
Bring your passport. You’ll need it whether you’re visiting for the day or staying longer. Yes, I know it’s just a twenty-minute boat ride from the U.S. Virgin Islands, but Jost sits in the British Virgin Islands.
U.S. dollars are accepted. No need to exchange currency.
Pack bug spray. You may not need it during the day, but you’ll appreciate it around sunset.
Book accommodations early. The island is small, and the best places fill quickly.
Don’t overplan. Give yourself time to enjoy the beach, grab lunch, wander around, or stay for one more drink because you’re having a good time.
That’s about as much of a plan as you need.
Would We Go Back?
Absolutely.
I’d stay longer, book earlier, rent a Jeep for at least a day, and probably spend an embarrassing amount of time at Soggy Dollar.
And I’d happily do it all again.
