Things to do nearJost Van Dyke
Jost Van Dyke is a small, unhurried island in the British Virgin Islands known for its white-sand beaches, legendary beach bars, and warm Caribbean waters.
Jost Van Dyke sits at the northwestern edge of the British Virgin Islands, separated from Tortola by a narrow channel. Named after a Dutch privateer who once sheltered here, the island has long been a haven for seafarers. Today it remains one of the few places in the Caribbean where a single unpaved road connects the main settlements, and the absence of a commercial airport keeps the atmosphere genuinely unspoiled.
Great Harbour serves as the social heart of the island, with open-air restaurants and bars clustered along the beach where boats anchor just offshore. White Bay, on the southern coast, is arguably the most photographed stretch of sand in the BVI, its calm turquoise shallows ideal for snorkeling and wading. Little Harbour, tucked to the east, offers a quieter alternative with a handful of laid-back dining spots.
Day-trippers arriving by boat tours often combine Jost Van Dyke with a stop at nearby Sandy Spit, a tiny uninhabited sandbar just a few kilometers to the west that epitomizes the classic Caribbean fantasy.
For all its simplicity, Jost Van Dyke delivers an experience that larger, more developed islands rarely match: genuine calm, warm hospitality, and a natural beauty that feels entirely its own.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Jost Van Dyke
Visit during the quieter shoulder months of May or November to enjoy calmer anchorages and shorter lines at the beach bars.
Arrive at White Bay by dinghy or water taxi early in the morning before the day-charter boats arrive for the most peaceful experience.
Try the Painkiller cocktail at one of the original beach bars in Great Harbour, where the drink is said to have been perfected.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a snorkel mask, as the reefs just off the beach at White Bay are easily explored without a guide.
Take a short hike to the island's higher ridgelines in the late afternoon for sweeping views over the Sir Francis Drake Channel.
Top tours & experiences near Jost Van Dyke
Sail & Snorkel Jost Van Dyke 9-Hour Cruise
Catamaran sail to Jost Van Dyke with snorkeling, breakfast and an open bar
British Virgin Islands Full-Day Charter
Build a private island-hopping day with snorkeling and onboard comforts
Full-Day British Virgin Islands Private Charter
Island-hop privately aboard a smooth, shaded power catamaran
Jost Van Dyke Catamaran & Snorkel Day Trip from St. John
Pair national park snorkeling with a sailing escape to the British Virgin Islands
Full-Day British Virgin Islands Charter
Customize a private Nor-Tech day across the British Virgin Islands
Private 36' Power Catamaran Charter in St. John
Design a private day cruising the U.S. and British Virgin Islands
Private British Virgin Islands Boat Charter from St. Thomas
Take a faster, more adventurous route to British Virgin Islands highlights
Full-Day British Virgin Islands Charter
Create your own private BVI island-hopping adventure
Full-Day Private British Virgin Islands Catamaran Charter
Explore the islands your way aboard a comfortable private power catamaran
Full-Day British Virgin Islands Boat Charter
Customize a private day of island stops, snorkeling, beaches, and bars
BVI Friday Party Cruise
Explore Jost Van Dyke, Sandy Spit, and Willy T with breakfast and an open bar
Private Full-Day BVI Power Catamaran Charter from St. Thomas
Shape a private island-hopping day across the British Virgin Islands
Private Full-Day BVI Boat Charter From St. Thomas
Shape your island-hopping day around caves, beaches and waterfront stops
8-Hour Jost Van Dyke Charter
Explore Jost Van Dyke by private boat with fuel included
Full-Day Catamaran Sail to Jost Van Dyke from St. Thomas
Combine national park snorkeling with a British Virgin Islands beach escape
Private Snorkeling Charter in the British Virgin Islands
Shape a private BVI boat day around snorkeling, beaches, and your group
Private Full-Day Jost Van Dyke Sailing Trip from St. Thomas
Sail to White Bay with your own catamaran, snorkel stops, and time ashore
8-Hour Charter to Jost Van Dyke From St. Thomas
Private boat day with snorkeling gear, drinks, and time in Jost Van Dyke