THE 25 BEST Cruises to Jost Van Dyke 2024 (with Prices) - Jost Van Dyke Cruise Port Terminal on Cruise Critic

Q: Getting Around

On Foot: Easy. At White Bay, which is divided in two by a crop of rocks, use the beach to walk from Ivan's Stress Free Bar to the Soggy Dollar side. Bear in mind that you have to negotiate a rocky path to cross this stretch, so wear shoes. At Great Harbour, there's a roadway (sometimes a sand roadway) that runs along the harbor, and all the cafes and bars front that. By Taxi: Not really necessary unless you don't want to walk from one bay to another. Ask a bartender to call one for you or look for one at the dock at Great Harbour. (The two-mile walk between bays is hilly and not recommended for anyone with a mobility issue.)

About Cruising to Jost Van Dyke

Part of the British Virgin Islands, Jost (pronounced Yost) Van Dyke has a reputation as the Caribbean's party capital, and for good reason. Watering holes like the Soggy Dollar, Foxy's, Corsairs and Ivan's Stress Free Bar attract yachts and sailboats from around the region, offering a little camaraderie over cocktails. If this sounds like your kind of vacation, consider including Jost Van Dyke on your upcoming cruise itinerary to the British Virgin Islands.

Other than bars and beaches, there's not much to do on Jost, which at three square miles is the smallest of the BVI's four main islands. And that's just fine with most visitors who come to this undeveloped spot to relax and have a good time. The two areas where cruise ship passengers usually visit -- Great Harbour and White Bay -- have only minimum services. Stores and shops cater mostly to yachters who come for provisioning; the island population numbers approximately 300. Day-trippers from Tortola abound. The cruise lines that make Jost Van Dyke a port of call are mostly luxury and small ship lines like Seabourn Cruise Line and Windstar Cruises.

One thing that Jost Van Dyke does offer is water sports. The Caribbean Sea is particularly gorgeous around the BVI, as evidenced by its popularity among divers. While outfitters are limited, you can arrange snorkeling, sailing, speedboating and stand-up paddleboarding excursions or even rent your own dinghy for the day. Try BVI Sea & Land Adventure Sports or Jost Van Dyke Scuba.

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More about Jost Van Dyke

Why Cruise to Jost Van Dyke?

Pros:

Fun bars like Foxy's and Soggy Dollar, white sand beaches and water sports

Cons:

Not much to do other than sun worshipping; narrow beaches can get crowded

Bottom Line:

Sip Painkillers and lounge in the sun on this laid-back little island

Jost Van Dyke Cruise Port Facilities?

The mountainous, compact Jost Van Dyke, just four miles long, is one of the Caribbean's true getaway spots, with nary a posh resort or casino in sight.

Great Harbour is the more "developed" side of the island, with numerous wood-shack eateries like Christine's Bakery (try the coconut bread) and open-air cafes and bars like Corsairs. (Say hello to "Pizza Dave," who mans the pizza oven during the dinner rush.) There is a beach volleyball court for impromptu games. The most famous attraction on Jost is Foxy's Tamarind Bar and Restaurant, a sprawling open-air bar in Great Harbour that offers live entertainment, wacky celebrations and OK bar food. It's a big yachters destination.

More peaceful is White Bay, where Ivan's Stress Free Bar and the Soggy Dollar Bar are located. There are also lines of lounge chairs, at no charge.

Good to Know?

Jost Van Dyke is a safe little community. Your biggest worry should be protecting yourself from sunburn as you frolic on the beach or hike from one of Jost's bays to the other.

Getting Around?

On Foot: Easy. At White Bay, which is divided in two by a crop of rocks, use the beach to walk from Ivan's Stress Free Bar to the Soggy Dollar side. Bear in mind that you have to negotiate a rocky path to cross this stretch, so wear shoes. At Great Harbour, there's a roadway (sometimes a sand roadway) that runs along the harbor, and all the cafes and bars front that.

By Taxi: Not really necessary unless you don't want to walk from one bay to another. Ask a bartender to call one for you or look for one at the dock at Great Harbour. (The two-mile walk between bays is hilly and not recommended for anyone with a mobility issue.)

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

There is no ATM or bank on the island, so be sure to bring cash and your credit card. U.S. dollars are the official currency of the British Virgin Islands.

Language?

English is the official language of Jost Van Dyke.

Where You're Docked?

You'll be anchored and tendered ashore to one of two bays: White Bay or Great Harbour. (The two are connected by a hilly roadway, and intrepid hikers can walk the two-mile stretch.) Neither terminal has any facilities to speak of.