Things to do nearWhite Bay
White Bay is a pristine natural beach on Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands, renowned for its turquoise water, powdery sand, and legendary beach bar scene.
White Bay sits on the southwestern coast of Jost Van Dyke, one of the smaller inhabited islands in the British Virgin Islands. The island itself was long a quiet fishing community before the sailing crowd discovered its natural harbors, and White Bay became a fixture on the cruising circuit as word spread about its exceptional anchorage and unhurried character.
The beach stretches roughly half a mile, backed by sea grape trees and a handful of casual beach bars that have become landmarks in their own right. The Soggy Dollar Bar, named for the wet currency swimmers once used to buy drinks after anchoring offshore, helped cement White Bay's reputation as a bucket-list stop for Caribbean sailors. Snorkeling along the bay's coral heads rewards visitors with parrotfish, sergeant majors, and the occasional spotted eagle ray.
Beyond the beach itself, the surrounding waters invite exploration by dinghy or kayak. The uninhabited islet of Sandy Spit lies a short distance away and makes a rewarding half-day side trip for those based at White Bay.
What makes White Bay worth the journey is the rare balance it strikes: genuinely beautiful natural scenery paired with just enough social energy to feel festive without ever feeling crowded or overbuilt.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting White Bay
Visit on a weekday morning to enjoy the beach before the day-charter boats arrive and the sand fills with fellow travelers.
Try a Painkiller cocktail at one of the iconic beach bars lining the shore, a tradition that has defined White Bay for decades.
Bring water shoes for the rocky entry points at either end of the bay, where reef edges meet the shallows.
Arrive by dinghy or water taxi from the main Jost Van Dyke dock at Great Harbour, roughly a ten-minute ride around the headland.
Snorkel the reef patches near the bay's eastern edge in the early morning, when visibility is sharpest and fish activity is highest.
Top tours & experiences near White Bay
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 White Bay Private Boat Charter
Settle into White Bay for swimming, snorkeling, and beach-bar time on Jost Van Dyke
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
BVI Friday Party Cruise
Explore Jost Van Dyke, Sandy Spit, and Willy T with breakfast and an open bar
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 Jost Van Dyke Catamaran & Snorkel from St. Thomas
Pair national park snorkeling with an island escape to the British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands Snorkeling Cruise
Explore The Baths, Norman Island reefs, and White Bay by power catamaran
Private 36' Catamaran Charter to Jost Van Dyke
Skip the early start and explore Jost Van Dyke on your own private island-hopping charter
Private Full-Day British Virgin Islands Catamaran Charter
Shape your island-hopping day around snorkeling, beach bars, and time to relax
Private 36' Power Catamaran Charter to Jost Van Dyke
Sleep in, then explore Jost Van Dyke on a customizable private cruise
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
The Baths at Virgin Gorda Private Charter
Swim, snorkel, and explore the Baths on a private charter through the British Virgin Islands