Exploring Jost Van Dyke

Jost Van Dyke is one of the first islands you see when you say "Land ahoy!" coming from the US East Coast. It was truly a welcome sight on our eighth day at sea! We passed by Jost Van Dyke about 45 minutes before crossing the finish line for the Caribbean 1500 Rally back in November. It has now become a favorite place for us.



JVD is a smaller island, but packed with fun! First of all it is the home of the 42 year establishment called Foxy's. Good food, good drink, good times! There is a barbecue with live music on Friday and Saturday nights. And music on Thursday nights, too. If you anchor too close you will hear it into the wee hours of the morning when the last customer goes home - or gets in their dingy to head to the boat! Great Harbour is also the customs and immigration for the island so many people come ashore here.

White Bay is the best beach in the BVI



Foxy's provides evening entertainment while at White Bay just west of Great Harbour lies the most beautiful beach in these islands. The sun, sand and surf keep you "entertained" during the day. There are hammocks and beach chairs and several restaurant bars. The most famous is the Soggy Dollar Bar. It got its name from people swimming ashore for the famous Painkiller rum drink invented here.



The bay is protected by a huge coral reef so many boats cannot go ashore. We can't because we need at least 8 feet of water with no waves to bounce us up and down. Instead we go by taxi and leave S/V Trillium in the Great Harbour bay around the point. The two days we have spent in White Bay reading and relaxing were the best!



Foxy's Taboo on the east end of Jost Van Dyke

After a second overnight in Great Harbour with Vicki and Larry, we pulled out early and went to the east end of the island. There is a place on the north shore called the Bubbly Pool, but it is too dangerous to anchor on the north side due to the northeast Trade Winds. Instead, you go ashore at Foxy's Taboo (no wonder the smart island businessman located his second establishment there), then walk along the beach, climbing over coral and tree limbs to a rocky path that takes you up and over the top to the north side. As you come down the path you can hear the water crashing on the rocks below.



Hiking up and over the mountain to the Bubbly Pool


The Bubbly Pool is a relatively small area of sandy beach tucked in behind some major rocks. When the waves hit the side of the island and rush into the pool area, it fills with bubbly water and spray. There is a strong surf and surge effect as the water crashes in and rushes out. It was well worth the climb. Many people have built little structures of coral "rocks" on the ledges of the pool "walls" as offerings to the spirits.

The water between Jost Van Dyke and Little Jost Van Dyke is one large bed of coral and you cannot even go through with a dingy. Some people were kayaking in that area. You may be familiar with the beautiful Caribbean blues of the water, but you definitely need to be aware of brown water: that is coral underneath. It will destroy your dingy and dingy motor not to mention potential - actually, probable - damage to your boat if you should get onto one of the coral reefs by mistake.