Here’s the full rewrite:
Jost Van Dyke BVI on a Budget — How We Got to the Soggy Dollar Bar Without a Million Dollar Yacht
Everyone in the photos of Jost Van Dyke arrived on a gorgeous sailboat. We flew into St. Thomas, figured out the ferry situation through a lot of Googling, and showed up the same way — and honestly we wouldn’t change a single thing about it.
Here’s the thing about Jost Van Dyke — almost everything you read about it assumes you have a boat. Charter guides, sailing itineraries, catamaran packages. We didn’t have any of that. What we had was a plane ticket to St. Thomas, a determination to find the Soggy Dollar Bar, and enough curiosity to dig through the internet until we figured out how to actually get there.
Spoiler: it’s not that complicated. But it took us a while to find that out — which is exactly why we’re writing this.
How to Get to Jost Van Dyke Without a Yacht
This is the part nobody writes about clearly and it drove us crazy during the planning stage.
Here’s how we did it: fly into St. Thomas, then make your way to Red Hook on the east end of the island. From Red Hook catch a ferry to St. John — that crossing takes about 20 minutes and runs frequently. From Cruz Bay on St. John you can catch a ferry directly to Jost Van Dyke.
It sounds like a lot of steps but once you’re in the flow of it, it’s completely straightforward. The ferry from St. John to Jost is not a tiny boat — it’s a proper ferry and the crossing is smooth. It’s a beautiful ride and you’ll start to feel the Caribbean magic the moment you’re on the water.
For the return trip we mixed it up — came back through Tortola and caught our flight home out of St. Thomas from there. Totally doable and worth it if you want to see a bit more of the BVI on your way out.
Pro tip: Google the ferry schedules before you go and screenshot everything. Cell service on Jost is not something you want to rely on for last minute planning.
The Soggy Dollar Bar — Everything You’ve Heard is True
We’ll be honest — the Soggy Dollar was the whole reason we went through all that research. And it delivered on every single thing we’d read about it.
White Bay is one of the most stunning beaches we have ever seen. The bar sits right on the sand, accessible only by boat — hence the name, because you historically had to swim ashore with your money. The Painkiller cocktail was born here and one sip tells you exactly why it became legendary.
Go early, stay late, and don’t count your Painkillers.
One Love Bar & Grill — Don’t You Dare Skip This
Right next door to Soggy Dollar sits One Love Bar & Grill and this is not an afterthought — this is a destination. The lobster nachos are some of the best things we put in our mouths the entire week. Order them immediately and thank us later.
Foxy’s — You Have to Go
If you only do two things on Jost Van Dyke, Soggy Dollar and Foxy’s are your two things.
Foxy’s Tamarind Bar in Great Harbour is one of the most famous beach bars in the Caribbean and has been run by the legendary Foxy Callwood and his family for decades. The vibe is completely different from White Bay — Great Harbour feels more like a real working Caribbean town and Foxy’s has an energy all its own.
There’s live music, incredible rum drinks, and walls covered in decades worth of sailing memorabilia from every boat that has ever pulled into Great Harbour. This place has soul. Don’t miss it.
Getting Around Jost Van Dyke
The island is small but hilly — you’re not walking everywhere. The good news is getting around is easy and cheap.
Taxis are pickup trucks that loop around the island. Getting from one side of the mountain to the other runs about $10–$15. They’re reliable, they know everybody on the island, and the rides are half the fun.
Some properties offer Jeep rentals if you want to explore on your own schedule — good for getting off the beaten path but they get pricey. For a week stay we found taxis to be plenty.
Food on Jost Van Dyke
Beyond Soggy Dollar, One Love, and Foxy’s there are a handful of casual beachside spots around the island serving fresh seafood and Caribbean food. Nothing pretentious, everything delicious.
The most important food tip we can give you: bring your own groceries from St. Thomas or St. John. There are a couple of small stores on Jost but the selection is limited and the prices reflect how remote the island is. We loaded up before we got on the ferry and it made a huge difference for the week — especially for breakfasts and easy lunches back at the room.
Where to Stay on Jost Van Dyke
We stayed a full week on Jost and split our time between the two main accommodation options on the island — both are great and both are right in the heart of the action near White Bay.
There are also Airbnbs scattered around the island which give you more space and a kitchen — a great option especially if you’re taking our advice and bringing your own groceries.
Accommodation options are limited — book early. This is a tiny island and the good spots go fast, especially during peak season from December through April.
What It Actually Costs
Here’s a rough breakdown of what to expect:
- Ferry St. Thomas → St. John → Jost Van Dyke — approximately $30–$50 round trip depending on operator and season
- Taxis on the island — $10–$15 per ride
- Drinks at Soggy Dollar — budget $15–$20 per Painkiller, worth every penny
- Food at One Love and Foxy’s — $20–$40 per person for a solid meal
- Groceries — stock up in St. Thomas before you go, dramatically cheaper than buying on the island
Is Jost Van Dyke Worth It?
A week on this island with 270 people, two legendary beach bars, the best lobster nachos of our lives, and not a single yacht required.
Yes. A thousand times yes.
Do the research, figure out the ferry, bring your groceries, and go. You will not regret a single minute of it.
Jost Van Dyke on a Budget — Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Jost Van Dyke from St. Thomas? Fly into St. Thomas, take the ferry from Red Hook to St. John, then catch the ferry from Cruz Bay on St. John to Jost Van Dyke. It takes a few hours total but it’s completely doable and far cheaper than chartering a boat. Screenshot your ferry schedules — cell service on Jost is unreliable.
How much does it cost to get to Jost Van Dyke by ferry? Budget approximately $30–$50 round trip for the full ferry journey from St. Thomas through St. John to Jost Van Dyke. Prices vary by operator and season so check current schedules and book in advance.
Do I need a passport to visit Jost Van Dyke? Yes — Jost Van Dyke is part of the British Virgin Islands which requires a valid US passport for American travelers.
What is the best bar on Jost Van Dyke? That’s a heated debate between Soggy Dollar Bar on White Bay and Foxy’s in Great Harbour — and the honest answer is both. Go to Soggy Dollar for the beach and the Painkillers, go to Foxy’s for the atmosphere and the soul. Don’t choose — do both.
How long should you spend on Jost Van Dyke? We spent a week and loved every minute of it. A day trip is possible but you’ll want more time once you get there. Three to five days is the sweet spot for most travelers.
What should I bring to Jost Van Dyke? Sunscreen, cash, a good book, and groceries. The island has limited stores and limited ATMs — come prepared and you’ll have a much better time.
