Jost Van Dyke is an island in the British Virgin Islands. An easy and beautiful sail from Tortola and the home of the notorious rum Painkiller.

Get in

The only way to get to Jost Van Dyke is by sea. Ferries run daily from West End (Tortola) somewhat regularly, and docks aren't available at every landing. The Great Bay has public moorings, but be sure to arrive early before these run out! You can also anchor for the night in Little Bay, but if the wind is blowing in the wrong direction you're no longer protected and you're in for a miserable night.

Get around

Walking is the easiest method of transportation on the island. Paths and roads are available between each population center, bay and beach. The island is VERY hilly and can be muddy in the frequent rainstorms, so it's not the easiest place for those with disabilities, etc.

Several taxi services are available, but very erratically. Don't expect lightning service... plan ahead.

4x4s can be rented from locals. No chains here. Expensive and they don't offer insurance, but they are effective for getting around. Not necessary, however if you are up for some energetic walking.

See

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 western end of the island is a surf-fed "Bubble Pool" that is a tourist attraction. But beyond Foxy's bar and the beaches, there's not a lot to "see" beyond stunning natural vistas.

Do

Walking between the tiny main "town" on Great Harbor, up over the hill to White Bay is one of more peaceful, beautiful short walks in the Caribbean, allowing views from Tortolla all the way across St. John to St. Thomas in the distance.

Highly fit folks may consider hiking up to the highest point on JVD, 1000' high Majohnny Hill with stunning 360 degree views across the Caribbean. This is a significant undertaking however. Some people do it in 4x4s (available to rent from locals).

The point of being on JVD is to do pretty much nothing. Stare at St. John's. Rub suntan lotion into your companion's back. turn the page in your paperback. Maybe. Shout up to the Soggy Dollar Bar for them to bring you another Pain Killer please!

For the adventurous, hotels will be happy to arrange Deep Sea fishing, Sailing trips, or day trips to unihabited specs of perfection like Sandy Cay.

Buy

Not much commerce here beyond food, drink, and lodging. Foxy's and Sandcastle will both sell you a T-shirt, beach cover up or hat. Very limited grocery options. Best bet is to provision on Tortola (several online groceries) and have them meet you at the West End ferry landing.

Eat

Great Bay, White Bay and Little Bay all have restaurants, but each runs on a different schedule, more or less at the whim of it's owner. Wander up and down and you're sure to find something interesting. Great flying fish sandwiches, burgers, chicken and the like. Foxy's is known to have an all-you-can-eat buffet on weekends that will fill you up quite well.

Drink

White Bay has the Soggy Dollar Bar, Great Bay has Foxy's, and Little Bay has Sidney's Peace and Love Bar. Order a Painkiller from each and see which one has the recipe down best. (Soggy Dollar Bar invented it)

A simple recipe for a Painkiller is four parts pinapple juice, one part orange juice, one part "Coco Lopez" (sweetened cream of coconut), and dark rum to taste. A little nutmeg finishes off the drink.

Sleep

Your lodging choices are slim. White Bay has a few guesthouse-type places, the most established being Sandcastle and the expanding White Bay Villas. Great Harbor has a few hostelry-type facilities, and there used to be camping available. Most overnight visitors sleep in their sailboat berths, anchored dozens or more at a time in Great Harbor, Little Harbor, or White Bay.

Get out

Getting out, like getting in, means ferry or private boat. No cruise ships, no planes. Check the ferry schedule carefully. Private boats/water taxis from the other Virgin Islands (U.S. and British) are quite expensive.