Jost Van Dyke
Jost Van Dyke Cruising Guide
Small in size and huge in personality, Jost Van Dyke is the BVI’s spiritual home of the beach bar — a short sail from Tortola’s West End and an essential stop for anyone who likes their sailing with a side of fun.
The star is White Bay — a dazzling strip of sand where you wade ashore straight from the water to the Soggy Dollar Bar, birthplace of the Painkiller. Around at Great Harbour, the legendary Foxy’s has been serving rum and calypso for decades.
On the north shore, the Bubbly Pool is a natural jacuzzi where the ocean swell surges through a gap in the rocks — a quick, fun hike and a soak between beach bars.
Explore Jost Van Dyke
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In the water
Snorkel & dive
Easy, clear-water snorkels between the cays.
Sandy Spit & Green Cay
The reef between the two cays — clear water and easy from the anchorage. Drop only in sand.
Dive-site details →White Bay Reef
The fringing reef at the entrance to White Bay — a short swim from the beach bars.
Dive-site details →The Bubbly Pool
A north-shore natural jacuzzi — ocean swell surges through a gap in the rocks. A short, fun hike from the Diamond Cay dinghy dock.
Ashore
Eat, drink & do
Soggy Dollar Bar
Birthplace of the Painkiller — wade ashore at White Bay and pay with soggy dollars.
More →Gertrude’s Beach Bar
Next door to the Soggy Dollar since 1972: pour-your-own Painkillers and the best lunch on the beach.
More →Hendo’s Hideout
The polished east end of White Bay: a real kitchen, a boutique, orange umbrellas and cornhole in the sand.
More →Coco Loco
The quiet west end: blue umbrellas, lobster tacos and the best Bushwhacker on the beach.
More →Ivan’s Stress Free Bar
The honor bar Kenny Chesney filmed, rebuilt after Irma and still stress free.
More →Alice’s JVD
Wood-fired pizza and a solar kitchen on the quiet beach beyond the rocks.
More →Foxy’s
Rum and calypso for decades at Great Harbour — a bona-fide BVI institution.
More →Foxy’s Taboo
The quieter north-shore sister to Foxy’s, by the Bubbly Pool trail at Diamond Cay.
More →One Love Bar
White Bay’s quirky, family-run beach bar — magic tricks and painkillers on the sand.
More →Ivan’s Stress Free Bar
Laid-back White Bay honor bar — help-yourself drinks, live music and a barefoot campground vibe.
Hendo’s Hideout
Beachfront cool on White Bay — frozen painkillers, poolside loungers and sunset DJs.
Coco Loco
Colorful little beach shack at the west end of White Bay — strong pours and an easygoing crowd.
Gertrude’s Beach Bar
Friendly family-run spot on White Bay sand — cold Carib and a proper painkiller.
Jewel’s Snack Shack
Casual White Bay shack for a quick bite and a cold drink between swims.
Tipsy Shark
Beach bar at the east end of White Bay — cocktails, bites and a party mood.
Corsairs Beach Bar & Restaurant
Pirate-themed Great Harbour favorite — wood-fired pizza, big breakfasts and rum.
Ali Baba’s
Great Harbour beachfront kitchen — fresh lobster and a lively Monday-night BBQ.
Rudy’s Mariner’s Rendezvous
Long-standing spot at the west end of Great Harbour — fresh fish and island cooking.
Christine’s Bakery
Great Harbour institution for warm bread, pastries and a proper breakfast ashore.
Seaside (Wendell’s)
Casual Great Harbour beach bar and grill — cold drinks steps from the dinghy dock.
Sidney’s Peace & Love
Little Harbour’s honor-bar legend — famous ribs, help-yourself rum and free moorings.
Harris’ Place
Little Harbour mainstay — Monday lobster, live music and a warm Harris-family welcome.
Abe’s by the Sea
Relaxed Little Harbour restaurant — BBQ, seafood and free moorings for diners.
B-Line Beach Bar
Tiny Little Jost sandbar bar — swim-up drinks and a Bubbly Pool pit stop.
Keep exploring
Nearby anchorages
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