Jost Van Dyke, in the British Virgin Islands, named for a 17th Century Dutch pirate, is a small island on the north side of Tortola having only 200 inhabitants. Today this Virgin Island retains a unique feel some compare to Thailand and possesses some of the world’s finest white sand beaches and turquoise waters. Foxy, the island patriarch has been spinning yarns for 50 years in Great Harbor while White Bay is home to the world-famous Soggy Dollar Bar.
Destinations
JOST VAN DYKE
Reachable in the British Virgin Islands by boat from St Thomas or St John and located just off the eastern tip of Jost Van Dyke, Sandy Spit is the coolest sand bar in the world! There is no place that speaks to that mental image of a remote desert island than Sandy Spit. Go ashore and “run around like a 12-year-old” or go for a snorkel off its southern tip!
SANDY SPIT
Norman Island
Norman Island in the British Virgin Islands is for snorkeling, a great lunch, and Pirate lore. The two signature snorkel spots are The Indians and The Caves. The Indians are a rocky outcropping considered the best snorkel in the Virgin Islands. Columbus named these on his second voyage for their resemblance to an Indian headdress. The stunning underwater rock formations, hard and soft corals, and teaming fish will astound underwater visitors. Nearby, the “Treasure Caves” are the most dramatic cave formations in the region. With their dark interiors, it is a test of nerve to venture to their innermost reaches, so bring a flashlight! Outside each cave the waters team with tropical fish that gather looking for snacks from boaters. After snorkeling visit “Pirate’s Bight Restaurant”, the nearby beach Bar/restaurant, and learn about the island’s pirate past from your captain. Norman Island happens to be “Treasure Island”, the island that inspired Robert Lewis Stevenson to write the classic novel “Treasure Island“!
Tortola, the mother island of the British Virgin Islands, is midway between Jost Van Dyke and Norman Island. There is a BVI Customs house there and just a few places that we call day boat destinations. Cane Garden Bay has a long white sand beach with numerous bars and the Callwood Rum Distillery. At 400 years of age Callwood’s is the longest continuously operating rum distillery in the Caribbean. Nearby Smuggler’s Cove is worth checking out. It is like White Bay on Jost Van Dyke was 30 years ago. Smuggler’s with its gorgeous sand, water, and single bar is a quieter alternative to the more festive Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke.
Tortola
Virgin Gorda
Virgin Gorda is the easternmost island in the British Virgin Islands. Virgin Gorda is home to the Baths, which are a major tourist attraction. The baths, short for batholiths (a very large igneous intrusion extending deep in the earth’s crust), are made up of huge granite boulders that form a scenic geologic formation. While the Baths are a popular attraction in the Virgin Islands, the boat ride there takes almost two hours by Lion in Da Sun in good sea conditions. Although an excellent and enjoyable destination, keep this factor in mind when deciding on traveling to Virgin Gorda by boat.
Lime Out is a floating taco boat that is accessible by water. Complete with tacos, craft cocktails + a floating bar. A perfect destination for a fun lunch.
Lime Out (Taco Boat)
Mermaid's Chair
This isn’t a traditional St John beach! It’s diminutive size and hard to reach location make it one of the less visited beaches on Saint John. Snorkeling at Mermaid’s Chair Beach is best along the eastern side between Oppenheimer Beach and Mermaid’s Chair.
Explore the serene beauty of St John National Park perfect for a day of snorkeling and relaxation.
St John National Park
Mayo Bay
Maho Bay is a popular beach in the U.S. Virgin Islands, located on the island of St. John. It’s known for its beautiful white sand, calm, clear waters, and frequent sightings of sea turtles.
Nestled off the east end of St. Thomas, Christmas Cove is a picturesque spot known for its turquoise waters and vibrant marine life. A designated marine sanctuary frequented by dolphins, turtles, starfish, conch, and various species of tropical fish. Also home to the only pizzeria sailboat offering delicious pizza and great cocktails.
