Making the most of Jost Van Dyke Island
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
As ships are moored or anchored in this port, you will be tendered ashore. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the pier to the Great Harbour town center.
At roughly 8 square kilometers, Jost Van Dyke is the smallest of the four main islands of the British Virgin Islands. It was only in 1991 that electricity was introduced here.
Roadtown Cruise Schedule
Cruise schedule in the BVI and if you are anchor
There's no better way to end a day than with a rum concoction on the terrace of one of the small hotels and guest cottages along Jost Van Dyke's south shore. Especially after a dinner of Jost Van Dyke's famous lobster-reputed to be the best in the Caribbean. The most frequent mooring destination is Great Harbor (or Great harbor). The beach strip around the harbor is lined with small bars and restaurants. Since the late 1960s, Foxy's Bar in Great Harbor has been a popular stop for Caribbean boaters. Foxy's and the other bars in Great Harbor now host a modest crowd year-round and are filled with thousands of partiers on New Year's Eve (locally…
A few hundred people live on Jost Van Dyke.
Getting around
Walking is the easiest method of transportation on the island. Paths and roads are available between each population center, bay and beach. The island is very hilly and can be muddy in the frequent rainstorms, so it's not the easiest place for those with disabilities, etc.
Several taxi services are available, but operate very erratically. Don't expect lightning service... plan ahead.
Walking between the tiny main "town" on Great Harbor, up over the hill to White Bay is one of more peaceful, beautiful short walks in the Caribbean, allowing views from Tortola all the way across St. John to St. Thomas in the distance. Shoes for this hike are advisable as the terrain is rocky. It can be done barefoot, but people usually regret this choice half-way through this hike.
JVD Scuba can set you up with ecotours, kayak rentals and dives.
Money
The U.S. Dollar is the currency of Jost Van Dyke. Most establishments take major credit cards.