Why Honeymoon on Jost Van Dyke
This is where the British Virgin Islands relax. Roads are few and steep, there is no airport and the day revolves around the sea. Couples come for the water at White Bay, which ranks among the clearest in the islands. They also come for bars where you can wade ashore with your drink money in a dry bag.
Jost is also a short hop from almost everywhere in the BVI, which makes it a natural part of a sailing honeymoon. Nearby you have tiny Sandy Spit, Green Cay and Little Jost Van Dyke, all within a short dinghy or boat ride.
The drawback is the crowds on peak days, when several charter boats and day trips arrive at once. Stay overnight or visit early to see the island at its best.
When to Go
December through April is high season, with dry, sunny days, steady trade winds for sailing and calm anchorages. Christmas, New Year and Easter are the busiest times. New Year's Eve, known locally as Old Year's Night, draws a huge crowd of boats to Great Harbour.
May, June and November offer warm water, lighter crowds and lower rates. The winds can be lighter in early summer, which suits snorkeling.
August through October is the peak of hurricane season. Many bars, restaurants and villas close for part of September or October. If you travel in summer or fall, choose flexible bookings and insurance that covers named storms. The island was badly damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and has since rebuilt.
Where to Stay
There are no big resorts on Jost. Lodging is a handful of small inns, cottages and private villas, mostly on the hills above White Bay and Great Harbour. Many have long views over the water to Tortola and St. John. Simple decor, open-air living and ceiling fans are the norm.
Villas give you privacy and a kitchen, which helps because dining options are limited. Look for places within walking distance of a beach, since the hills are steep.
Many couples prefer to experience Jost from a chartered yacht, mooring in Great Harbour or Little Harbour overnight. Others stay on Tortola's West End and take the ferry for a day trip. Expect roughly $250 to $600 a night for a cottage or villa in high season, as an approximate guide.
Romantic Things to Do
Spend a morning at White Bay before the day boats arrive. Swim, snorkel the edges of the reef and order a Painkiller at the Soggy Dollar Bar, which claims to have created the drink. The bar's name comes from sailors swimming ashore to pay with wet bills.
Walk or take a taxi to the Bubbly Pool at the eastern end, a natural rock pool where waves crash through a gap and fill it with foam. Go when the swell is moderate and the tide is right.
Take a boat to Sandy Spit, a tiny islet of sand and a few palms, for swimming and photos. Snorkel at Green Cay and Diamond Cay. In Little Harbour, sit down for a lobster dinner at a family-run restaurant. End a night in Great Harbour at Foxy's, a legendary bar that has served sailors for decades.
Getting There and Around
There is no airport on Jost Van Dyke. Most couples fly into Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) on Beef Island, Tortola. American Airlines flies there nonstop from Miami. You can also connect through San Juan. From EIS, take a taxi to West End, about 40 minutes, then a ferry to Great Harbour, about 25 minutes.
Another option is to fly to St. Thomas (STT) and take a ferry from Red Hook, which runs a few times a week. You will clear BVI customs on arrival.
On the island, taxis are open-air trucks. Roads are steep and narrow, so walking between bays is tiring in the heat. Water taxis connect the bays and nearby islets. If you are sailing, your dinghy is your car.
Food and Drink
Food on Jost is casual and good. Beach bars serve burgers, rotis, conch fritters, fresh fish and lobster in season. Most kitchens work on island time, so order a drink and enjoy the wait.
The Painkiller is the signature cocktail, a mix of dark rum, pineapple, orange juice and coconut cream topped with nutmeg. Other favorites include frozen drinks, rum punch and the local beer.
Dinners are a highlight. Little Harbour is known for lobster, grilled over open flames and served by families who have run restaurants there for generations. Great Harbour has a few bars and grills, with live music on some nights. Reservations are a good idea in high season and on charter-heavy evenings.
Honeymoon Tips
- Arrive early at White Bay, before the day boats. Afternoons can be crowded.
- Bring a dry bag for cash and phones if you plan to swim ashore.
- Carry cash. Some places take cards, but ATMs are scarce.
- Pace yourselves with the rum. The drinks are strong and the sun is intense.
- Wear reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes for rocky paths and the Bubbly Pool.
- Use insect repellent at dusk. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices for the BVI.
- Pair Jost with Virgin Gorda or Tortola for a few nights of resort comfort.
