Guide to Jost Van Dyke

Named in honour of a 17th century Dutch pirate who once sailed these waters, Jost Van Dyke is typically laid-back Caribbean hideaway, a small island of lush green hills, fringed with dazzlingly white sandy beaches and dotted with unpretentious beach bars set among the palm trees, perfect for an idyllic yacht charter getaway.

Jost Van Dyke has a reputation as the ‘party island’ of the British Virgin Islands and there are plenty of sociable and welcoming restaurants and bars to choose from. Perhaps the most famous of all is Foxy’s Bar, which has been serving up cold beers and tasty Caribbean dishes for more than 50 years. It’s the perfect place to step ashore for a simple lunch, while the best times to visit are Friday and Saturday evenings, when Foxy’s famous beach barbecues, accompanied by live music and entertainment, always draw a crowd.

The island is also a great destination for scuba divers, with a variety of dive sites including underwater caves and coral reefs to explore. Suitable for trained novice divers, Wayward Wall lies between 12m and 40m below the surface, and a habitat for turtles and numerous fish species, while more experienced scuba divers will enjoy The Cathedral, where they can follow an underwater tunnel which surfaces in a cave in the island.

The coral reef just off the stunning White Bay Beach is perfect for beginner snorkelers, who can discover colourful hard corals, and a wide variety of tropical marine life. The beach, meanwhile, has been named as one of the best in the British Virgin Islands, and is a particularly attractive long stretch of sugary white sand, with superb views out over the Caribbean Sea.

There are hiking trails for those interested in exploring by land, and one of the main attractions here is the geological wonder of the Bubbly Pool, on the north coast of the island, facing Little Jost Van Dyke.

If the waves are strong enough, the shallow little pool, hemmed in by rocks, acts like a natural Jacuzzi, and is a great fun experience. Even on a calm day, though, it’s an attractive spot for a picnic or just to enjoy the unspoilt nature of this beautiful island.

Begin your own discovery of this idyllic island by viewing and comparing all private yachts for charter in the Virgin Islands.