Vacation Review

Jost Van Dyke, the smallest of the British Virgin Islands is a sparsely populated, but heavily visited paradise of bars, coral reefs and turquoise waters. The island is particularly favored by the yachting crowd, although there is ferry service from Tortola and Saint John.

The Main Harbour is the mooring destination of most boats visiting the island and it is here that most of the bars and restaurants on Jost Van Dyke are located. Foxy’s is perhaps the best known of these, since it has been serving tourists and residents alike since the 1960s. Foxy himself will often provide the singing entertainment and dancing goes on through the night. On New Year’s Eve, the harbour is filled with thousands of visitors who ring in the new year with a rousing celebration.

Nearby White Bay is home to a pristine beach, swaying palm trees and the Soggy Dollar Bar. This bar is another legendary watering hole that takes credit for inventing the drink known as the Painkiller, a rum cocktail. Ivan’s Stress Free Bar is another casual and secluded place to hang out and take in the ocean breezes.

Although Foxy’s and the Soggy Dollar Bar have reputations widely known througout the Caribbean party crowd, most people visit this small island for its authentic appeal. As there was no electricity on Jost Van Dyke until 1989 and it is still very sparsely populated, visitors have the rare opportunity to experience what life would be like on a desert island. Walking around the island barefoot with a cool drink in hand, that is the best way to take in this tropical wonder.