To get there, you can fly on its neighboring islands and then take a ferry which will bring you to Jost Van Dyke. But before, learn here about the island as one of your preparations for your dream vacation.
What Is Jost Van Dyke?
Jost Van Dyke (also referred to as JVD or Jost) is one of the British Virgin Islands in the Lesser Antilles. It is an eight-square-kilometer island (3 square miles) and tadpole shaped.
The island’s topography is steep and high and reaches about 1,054 feet (321 meters).
Who Owns Jost Van Dyke?
The British Virgin Islands owns Jost Van Dyke. It is one of its larger islands with Tortola, Anegada, and Virgin Gorda.
Where Is Jost Van Dyke?
Jost Van Dyke is one of the islands of the British Virgin Islands. It is in the Lesser Antilles and separates the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
It is 4 miles (6 kilometers) west of Tortola and to the east of Little Jost Van Dyke Island.
Who Was Jost Van Dyke?
Jost Van Dyke is a Dutch privateer from the early 17th century. He is among the first Dutch residents in the British Virgin Islands.
He established a small settlement at Soper’s Hole. He then secretly began trading tobacco and cotton with the Spaniards in Puerto Rico. When pirates and their ships joined forces with the settlers, the Spaniards became concerned about his settlement. Van Dyke saw this as a threat, so he built the initial defenses at Fort Recovery on Tortola today.
How Big Is Jost Van Dyke?
Jost Van Dyke is roughly 8 square kilometers (3 square miles). It belongs to the archipelago of the Virgin Islands in the eastern of the Caribbean Sea.
Is Jost Van Dyke Safe?
Jost Van Dyke is a generally safe place. The British Virgin Islands is among the safest among the Caribbean Islands.
You can stroll around the island at any time of the day without worrying about the possible dangers. Yet, it will always be a recommendation to look after your valuables. Do not leave them unattended as well as your rentals.
Jost Van Dyke Weather
Jost Van Dyke is a warm island all year round and has tropical humidity. It also has a probability of rain for most of the year.
July, August, and then September are the hottest months of Jost Van Dyke. The temperature during the day usually reaches around 32°C (89.6°F). Meanwhile, November has the highest chance of rain on the island.
It has four seasons: spring (March-May), summer (June-August), fall (September-November), and winter (December-February).
Best Time to Visit Jost Van Dyke
The best time to visit Jost Van Dyke is during the hottest months on the island. You can visit the island from March to September for its ideal weather. You can have a perfect vacation in its waters under the sun in these months.
This time is also a busy and popular month on Jost Van Dyke. Because of this, you may expect that accommodations can be quite expensive. But, you can always plan and save in advance.
What to Do on Jost Van Dyke
Despite its small size compared to other islands in the Caribbean, you still have a long list of things to do on Jost Van Dyke.
You can go and explore its beaches through sports activities. You can swim, snorkel, scuba dive, paddleboard, surf, sail, kayak, and fish. It is also an excellent experience to rent a dinghy and visit the small neighboring islands of Jost Van Dyke.
After having a blast on the island’s waters, you may try hiking and taking nature walks. It is also possible to have guided tours and arranged picnics. Then, experience the ocean spa of the island to release tension and stress from your body!
At night, don’t ever skip partying! Jost Van Dyke is famous for its nightlife, so drink, dance, and party while you are on the island.
Jost Van Dyke Beaches
As an island in the Caribbean, Jost Van Dyke is also a popular tourist spot because of its beaches. It is most especially famous for those who travel in yachts and boats.
Most of its beaches are secluded and have clear water and soft sand bars. You can spend your vacation here! Consider the following beaches when you visit the island: White Bay Beach, White Bay (Foxies), Soggy Dollar Bar, Sandy Cay, and Sandy Spit.
Jost Van Dyke Snorkeling
Jost Van Dyke has clear water and diverse marine life as an island on the British Virgin Islands. That is why snorkeling is one of the best activities you can do on the island!
You can swim with the fishes and sea turtles and marvel at the gorgeous coral reefs. Before snorkeling, wear all your gear to keep you safe and sunscreen for your skin.
Jost Van Dyke Scuba Diving
Jost Van Dyke is one of the most popular scuba diving destinations in the world. The island’s underwater scenery displays a dark world of sunken ships. Also, you can see large sea rays, remote reefs, and barracudas.
You don’t have to worry about being a first-timer! You can take lessons there and even get a certification. There are over 50 scuba dive sites on Jost Van Dyke that you can explore during your trip.
Bars on Jost Van Dyke
Although it is a small island, Jost Van Dyke has its popular legendary beach bars. These serve a variety of Caribbean food and alcohol.
Here are some of the beaches you can visit or stop by on Jost Van Dyke:
- Soggy Dollar Bar – This bar serves the signature drink of the British Virgin Islands, the painkiller cocktail.
- One Love Bar and Grill – You can try its delicious food such as lobster quesadilla or barbecue ribs and their alcoholic creations.
- Foxy’s Bar – This place is famous for its New Year’s Eve parties and the Bubbly Pool.
- Hendo’s Hideout – You can drink their frozen margarita here while sunbathing.
- Gertrude’s at White Bay or Corsairs at Great Harbour – These bars hosts pirate parties you may enjoy.
- B-Line – It is a small traditional beach bar in Little Jost Van Dyke.
Can You Stay on Jost Van Dyke?
You can stay at Jost Van Dyke. You have a lot of options where to stay starting with villas, guesthouses, inns, and hotels. Where you are going to visit may depend on your budget and the spot you will choose to spend your vacation.
Are There Hotels on Jost Van Dyke?
Despite its size, there are hotels where you can stay on the island during your vacation.
Where to Stay on Jost Van Dyke?
You have several options on where to stay on Jost Van Dyke. It may depend on you and your budget. Vacation rentals are available across the island. You may choose from hotels, guesthouses, villas, inns, and condominiums on Jost Van Dyke.
- Ocean View Villa, Paradise Villa, Kerensa Villa, Hillside Villas, Paradise Villas, Seaside Cottages
- Suncrest Inn, Green Leaf Oasis, Plantation Villa, Sunset Villa East, Sunset Villa West, The Hideaway
These places provide privacy, stunning scenery, breathtaking sunsets, and responsive staff service. Your expectations will be well taken care of!
Best Places to Stay on Jost Van Dyke
There are the best places to stay while having a vacation in Jost Van Dyke. These are near famous beaches, restaurants, and bars around the island.
You might consider staying at White Bay Villas. It is one of the top places on Jost Van Dyke. This is a 4-star villa that is close to White Bay Beach. It offers free parking, internet access, and an in-house kitchen. Your accommodation would cost around $390.
How to Get to Jost Van Dyke
To get to Jost Van Dyke you can fly to St. Thomas (STT), BVI’s Beef Island (EIS), and San Juan Puerto Rico (SJU). Then, you will need to take a ferry that will bring you directly to the island.
Ferry to Jost Van Dyke?
Riding a ferry is the only way to get to Jost Van Dyke. You may ride the ferry from the nearby islands such as St. Thomas, St. John, Beef Island, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
If you are from the US Virgin Islands, you can get a ferry service from Inter-Island Boat Services. However, if you are from the British Virgin Islands, you can get it from New Horizon Ferry.
Rates for ferry services cost around $20 (roundtrip) and $10 (one-way) for adults. For children, rates are half of the adults, while children under 5 years old ride for free.
Can You Fly to Jost Van Dyke?
You cannot fly to Jost Van Dyke. The only way to go to the island is by riding a ferry.
Best Way to Get to Jost Van Dyke
The best way to get to Jost Van Dyke is by water. For more accessible access to the island, the best way is to fly to St. Thomas airport and take a ferry to West End Tortola.
How Far Is Jost Van Dyke From St. John?
Jost Van Dyke is approximately 14 kilometers (8 miles) from St. John. It is not that far so you can get to the island in less than an hour.
You can ride ferries to get to Jost Van Dyke and spend about $120 on your trip.
How to Get to Jost Van Dyke From St. John
You can ride a ferry that leaves from Cruz Bay, St. John, to get to Jost Dyke. This is the only way to travel to the other island.
You don’t have to worry about boredom. The two islands are not that far, so it will be a quick journey.
Boat From St. John to Jost Van Dyke
A boat from St. John to Jost Van Dyke departs from Cruz Bay. This is the fastest and the way to arrive on the island.
The journey may take approximately 30 minutes. One of the operators that offer services between the islands is the Island Time Water Taxi.
How Far Is Jost Van Dyke From St. Thomas?
Jost Van Dyke is 21 kilometers (13 miles) from St. Thomas. Both islands lie in the Eastern Caribbean Sea, although different countries own them. The British Virgin Islands (BVI) owns Jost Van Dyke. Meanwhile, the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) owns St. Thomas.
You can still travel between the two islands. Interisland boat services operate in the two countries.
Boat From St. Thomas to Jost Van Dyke
You can ride a boat from St. Thomas to Jost Van Dyke. Ferries leave at Red Hook, and the trip will not be too long. It will take you about 30 minutes to get to the island.
This is also the cheapest and fastest way to go to Jost Van Dyke. You may spend around $170 on your trip.
How Long Does It Take to Sail From Anegada to Jost Van Dyke?
Departing from Anegada to Jost Van Dyke through sailing will take around 4 or 5 hours. Sailing time will vary on the wind – whether good or bad.
How to Get From Tortola to Jost Van Dyke
From Tortola to Jost Van Dyke, you can take a taxi from Road Town to Frenchman’s Cay. From there, you can take a ferry to the island. The whole travel takes around 40 minutes. This is the cheapest and fastest way to go.
You can also take a ferry from Road Town, Tortola, which will take you to Red Hook, St. Thomas. Upon arrival, you will take a ferry to Jost Van Dyke. This usually takes more than an hour.
How Long Is the Ferry Ride From Tortola to Jost Van Dyke?
Ferry rides from Tortola to Jost Van Dyke take around 40 minutes to an hour. This varies depending on the point where you will leave.
If you depart from Frenchman Cay’s Tortola, you will get to Jost Van Dyke for approximately 40 minutes.
Jost Van Dyke or Tortola?
Which place to choose may vary on your budget. These two places are one of the best in the British Virgin Islands, so it will always be worth it.
Tortola is the capital of the British Virgin Islands, so this can be more expensive than Jost Van Dyke. But, it is also busier. So if you prefer a quiet place for your vacation, consider going to Jost Van Dyke. The island may be small but it has a lot to offer!
