Jost Van Dyke Port is the tiniest of the four islands comprising the British Virgin Islands. It has an area of 8 square kilometers and is barely 4 miles long. The island is volcanic, mountainous and has coral sand. The highest point on the island is at 1054 ft. (or 321 meters). Jost Van Dyke Port is named after the Dutch privateer Joost Van Dyke. This island is home to several notable natives, including William Thornton, the architect of the U.S. Capitol Building.
Jost Van Dyke Port of call is accessible using ferries and boats from Tortola and Saint Thomas. The boats usually moor at Little Harbor or White Bay. Great Harbor has no moorings and finding a good hold for anchors can be challenging. Jost Van Dyke also has a small airport on the island itself. The island has a taxi service that can prove to be erratic. Vehicles can be rented from the locals but can be quite expensive. The treacherous reefs are blessed with exotic marine life. It is one of the favorites for scuba divers and snorkelers. The beach strip is lined with restaurants and bars that are popular for partiers. There are thousands of people who come to party on New Year's Eve. The New Year's Eve is locally termed as "Old Year's Night".
Shopping
Local crafts can be bought at CocoLoco's boutique in White Bay beach by the sandcastle. Clothes, jewelry, painted mugs, designer baseball caps, T-shirts and magnets are available here. Little Harbor has Tees and Things, which sells lucky charms, earrings, t-shirts, and jewelry.
Things to See
The scenic beauty of Jost Van Dyke is mesmerizing. The treacherous reefs allow marine life to flourish. The beaches are virtually deserted and made of coral sands. Sandy Cay and Diamond Cay are 2 notable beaches. Diamond Cay can be reached from "Foxy's Taboo," which is one of the famous Foxy's bars. The mountainous region allows for a peaceful uphill trek for a secluded spot amongst nature.
Restaurants and Bars
Most of the action in Jost Van Dyke Port takes place in the bars and restaurants. Foxy's has expanded from a one-day lemonade stand to a cultural icon serving seafood. It hosts a Halloween Party and Halloween Cat Fight. Foxy's is also the founder of the Jost Van Dyke Preservation Society. Ali Baba's is another joint that serves seafood, drinks and Monday pig roast. Corsair's Beach Bar and Restaurant specializes in Mexican food, pasta and fresh seafood. Happy Laury's Snack Bar offers quick bites like honey-dipped chicken and beer. Nature's Basket stocks grocery and vegetables. Sandcastle is one of the most famous restaurants in White Bay and offers a candlelight dining experience.
Soggy Dollar Bar has a history behind its name. It is the birthplace of the popular cocktail "Painkiller" made from rum. Mariners facing difficulty in navigating the reef, swim to shore and pay for the drink with wet bills. Another popular bar is Ivan's Stress-Free Bar. Customers can walk behind the counter and mix their own drinks. Sidney's Peace and Love bar features "home-cooked" lobsters and a self-service bar. It is advisable to take a reservation for this eating joint.