This Tiny Island Has a Floating Spa and a ‘Natural Jacuzzi’—and It’s the Birthplace of an Iconic Caribbean Cocktail

In the British Virgin Islands, every island seems to have its own distinct, larger-than-life personality, and tiny Jost Van Dyke is no exception. Named after a 17th-century swashbuckling sailor, Jost Van Dyke brims with a bravado that would make even a pirate proud. It is home to the renowned Soggy Dollar Bar, the birthplace of the famous Caribbean cocktail known as the painkiller. With the legendary Foxy’s just one bay over, Jost Van Dyke cements its status as one of the biggest party spots in the Caribbean.

However, visitors that care to peel back the layers of Jost Van Dyke find a mostly untouched island paradise, studded with sparkling clear bays and hidden landscapes that are, dare we say, even quiet. While Jost Van Dyke’s painkiller cocktails run colder and stronger than ever, new attractions like a floating spa and villas with sweeping views prove there are more reasons to come to Jost Van Dyke—and stick around well after final call.

Best Hotels & Resorts

The Hideout

A collection of seven private villas, The Hideout is located right on the sand at White Bay Beach, the most sought-after spot on Jost Van Dyke. Despite their buzzy location, these one-bedroom and two-bedroom standalone suites feel separate and distinct, each offering its own private plunge pool and oceanfront or tropical garden views.

White Bay Villas & Beach Club

Clinging to a cliff overlooking the water, White Bay Villas & Beach Club features 18 spacious villas with sweeping ocean and island views. Ranging from a sprawling five-bedroom estate to more intimate one-bedroom cottages, every space at the property has a breezy Caribbean feel and an indoor-outdoor vibe that fits perfectly with the island. The property also has a small beach club and a waterfront restaurant tucked on the sand below.

Sandcastle Hotel at Soggy Dollar

From its once humble beginnings, the island’s famous Soggy Dollar Bar has expanded to welcome overnight guests at its Sandcastle Hotel at Soggy Dollar. Though the property requires a three-night minimum stay, its six small, colorful cottages are a great option for those who want to be just steps from the sand—and the island’s party scene.

The Glass House

The Glass House is a sleek, sexy four-bedroom villa that sits nestled into the hillside above White Bay Beach, a standalone estate that feels straight out of upscale Virgin Gorda. The property is just as modern as its name implies, with a full wall of glass letting in every tone of Caribbean blue and offering uninterrupted views that carry throughout, from its full kitchen to the immense indoor-outdoor living space perfect for family gatherings.

Best Things to Do

Go beach-hopping.

As boats pull up to the pristine patch of sand at White Bay Beach, many island visitors barely get further than the famous Soggy Dollar Bar—but with vibes this festive, can you really blame them? Spend a few hours soaking in the sun here before heading just a few minutes away to Great Harbour, another popular beachfront with plenty to see and savor, from water sports like paddleboarding and kayaking to beachside bites at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar and Restaurant.

Get an overwater massage.

Anchored above the gentle waves of White Bay, the floating Ocean Spa offers perhaps the most unique relaxation ritual in the Caribbean. Choose from a variety of styles of massages and sink into the experience while being gently rocked and lulled by the sounds of the sea.

Go snorkeling or diving.

Jost Van Dyke’s volcanic foundation makes it a memorable spot for exploring underwater landscapes that range from wall dives suitable for beginners to advanced dive sites like The Cathedral, featuring a tunnel to a secret cave hidden beneath the heart of the island. Jost Van Dyke Scuba is the ultimate outfit for any excursion, offering everything from gear rentals to multi-day PADI certification classes.

Hike to the Bubbly Pool.

A natural wonder hidden on the little-visited eastern corner of the island, Jost Van Dyke’s Bubbly Pool is like a natural Jacuzzi cut from centuries of natural erosion in the craggy coastline. Propelled by waves, seawater funnels through narrow slots in the rocks, filling the natural pool with frothy, bubbly water heated by the sun. The Bubbly Pool isn’t accessible by car, so you’ll need to take a trail that cuts behind Foxy’s Taboo to reach it. Bring sturdy shoes for the short hike. Note that waves can get a little rough here, so swim at your own risk.

Best Restaurants

Soggy Dollar Bar

The most famous beach bar in the Caribbean, Soggy Dollar Bar is much more than just the home of the famous painkiller, a perfectly tropical concoction of dark rum, cream of coconut, and pineapple and orange juices topped with freshly grated nutmeg. Since the 1970s, patrons have been swimming to shore for cocktails, leaving their dollars waterlogged from the journey but always welcome. Nowadays, the popular spot has a full menu of food ranging from grilled fish sandwiches to jerk chicken and Asian-inspired sides.

Foxy’s Tamarind Bar and Restaurant

Peel yourself away from White Bay Beach and belly up to the bar at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar and Restaurant, a beloved island haunt since 1968. Foxy’s is “one of the most legendary beach bars in the Caribbean, known for its lively atmosphere, live music, BBQ feasts, and unforgettable New Year’s Eve parties that draw sailors and travelers from around the world,” says Mason Kramer, destination specialist at onefinestay, a luxury vacation home company that rents villas and curates memorable trips across the British Virgin Islands and beyond. Founder Foxy is such a famous personality in the BVI that he was named a Member of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II. Catch him chatting with patrons and performing original music at the bar well into the night.

Hendo’s Hideout

Some of the beachside spots on Jost Van Dyke’s South Shore all start to look the same after a while— but not Hendo’s Hideout. A slightly more elevated, but never stuffy, bar and restaurant experience on White Bay Beach, Hendo’s Hideout features an extensive all-day menu that ranges from sushi with fresh-caught fish to a popular Sunday brunch experience with bottomless mimosas. The gorgeous open-air dining space and spacious, shady beachfront invites guests to spread out all day long.

Abe’s by the Sea

During the busiest days in bustling Great Harbour and White Bay, escape to nearby Garner Bay for a dose of pure peace and plenty of classic Caribbean flavor at Abe’s by the Sea. Feast on fresh lobster, curried fish, and stewed conch among other island favorites, and wash it all down with a Carib at sunset at this still-secret, locals-only spot.

Nightlife

Full Moon Party at Foxy’s

Jost Van Dyke can feel like a party from sunrise to sunset, though its beach bar-style venues don’t lend a true nightlife feel to the island—with one big exception. Partiers flock to Foxy’s Tamarind Bar and Restaurant month in and month out for a raucous, renowned Full Moon Party. Featuring fire dancers, live music, and DJ sets that keep the party going as moonlight floods the bay, these celebrations are so popular that regional ferries often change their schedules just to accommodate attendees.

Areas to Visit

South Shore

White Bay Beach and Great Harbour sit side by side on the island’s South Shore. This area is the exclusive home to almost all of the island’s restaurants, bars, and accommodations, attracting partiers and paradise seekers. It can sometimes feel busy when the bays fill with yachts during the high season of travel.

East Shore

The less developed and far less visited East Shore of Jost Van Dyke feels a world away from the festivities of White Bay Beach. Despite having its own Foxy’s outpost, Foxy’s Taboo, Jost Van Dyke’s East Shore is about enjoying a laid-back lunch before hiking to the Bubbly Pool and sailing to Little Jost Van Dyke just across the channel.

Little Jost Van Dyke

Toss a conch shell from the beach on the island’s East Shore and you’ll hit Little Jost van Dyke, an uninhabited island with little more than a lone beach bar crowning its untouched coastline. After spending a few hours soaking up the sun, sail to nearby Sandy Spit, a perfect white dune emerging from the sea that makes for a perfect castaway experience (and a perfect snap for Instagram).

Best Time to Visit

Like most Caribbean islands, Jost Van Dyke experiences cloud-free skies and clear seas from December through April, drawing visitors fleeing colder climates in droves. Jost Van Dyke is busier and more expensive during the high season of travel, but its smaller number of stayover guests means it won’t feel as crazy as more popular islands in the archipelago.

Off-season travelers should keep in mind that Jost Van Dyke sits within the hurricane belt, where tropical storms are possible from June through November. Even when larger weather systems skirt past the island, the season usually brings high temperatures and storm clouds that dump afternoon rains several times a week.

As to be expected of an island so well known for its party scene, “New Year’s Eve on Jost Van Dyke is a legendary celebration known for its lively atmosphere,” says Kramer, with Foxy’s being the heart of the party. Book your trip during the festive season far in advance, as hotel rooms and villas can book out up to a year in advance.

Sailing enthusiasts will want to plan a visit to the British Virgin Islands in early April for the annual BVI Spring Regatta, considered one of the most prestigious regattas in the Caribbean. Though most of the week-long festival’s events take place on Tortola, Jost Van Dyke is always packed with event visitors and participants looking to unwind before and after the main event, giving the island a festive vibe all week.

How to Get There

Jost Van Dyke doesn’t have an airport of its own, so most travelers start their trip to the island by traveling to Tortola. The largest and most populated island in the British Virgin Islands, Tortola is home to Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS), which receives a daily American Airlines flight from Miami and multiple daily flights from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and other neighboring Caribbean destinations.

From Tortola, Jost Van Dyke is easily accessible via water taxi, ferry, or private boat charter. Ferry service makes the round-trip journey between Tortola’s West End and Jost Van Dyke’s Great Harbour in just 25 minutes, five times a day. Tickets cost $40 per person, round trip.

How to Get Around

Most visitors stick almost exclusively to Jost Van Dyke’s southern shore, making it easy to navigate beaches and oceanfront accommodations on foot. However, the more adventure-minded travelers will love the independence of a car, available for rent from Paradise Jeep Rentals in Great Harbour, to access hilltop viewpoints of the craggy, windswept north coast, or rental homes hidden in the island’s interior. Taxis are also readily available for visitors.