Jost Van Dyke is the smallest of the main British Virgin Islands, and it can be found in the northern portion of the Virgin Islands archipelago. Just five miles south of this small and rugged island is Tortola, while the U.S. Virgin Island of St. John is located five miles to the north. Many Virgin Islands visitors make it a point to visit Jost Van Dyke while making their way through the archipelago, and the majority of these visitors arrive by way of boat. The allure of deserted beaches and an all around relaxing time is what brings visitors in.

The south shore of Jost Van Dyke BVI is where most of the action is. This side of the island is where the best beaches are, and it's also where the bulk of the Jost Van Dyke hotels can be found. Both White Bay and Great Harbour are home to excellent beaches, and many visitors head to these destinations. Some of the most renowned BVI beach bars and beach restaurants can be found at White Bay and Great Harbour. As such, heading to one of these bays to get something good to eat or drink is one of the top things to do on Jost Van Dyke Island. Enjoying a little nightlife is usually an option as well, especially during the peak winter season.

When Jost Van Dyke visitors aren't dining and drinking at the popular beachfront hangouts, they can engage in a number of watersports activities, including snorkeling. A rather treacherous reef lies off the island's coast, and it is home to an array of fish and other marine creatures. For those who want to explore the underwater realms on Jost Van Dyke vacations, snorkeling isn't the only option. Scuba diving excursions are relatively easy to arrange wherever you may find yourself in the British Virgin Islands, and Jost Van Dyke is no different.

British Virgin Islands Map

When looking for things to do on Jost Van Dyke Island, there are a few things that every visitor should consider. Well, every adult visitor, anyways. According to some, no trip to Jost Van Dyke BVI is complete without trying a Painkiller. This frozen, alcoholic beverage has become an institution of sorts. It is made with dark rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, sweetened coconut cream, and ground nutmeg. Another of the other top things to do on Jost Van Dyke Island is dine on fresh lobster. Great Harbour is one of the best places to enjoy a lobster feast, and visitors will find an array of good beachfront bars and restaurants that offer their fair share of fresh seafood. Coincidentally, Great Harbour is also where the famous Foxy's New Year's parties take place. These parties are primetime annual events, and boaters fill the harbor looking to get in on the fun.

Jost Van Dyke BVI is a fine place to escape to when you need a break from the everyday grind. This island is about as laid back as an island can be, and there is just enough in the way of nightlife to keep visitors entertained once the sun goes down. Whether you spend a day here or a few weeks, chances are good that you won't want to leave once it comes time to head home. There are lots of options when it comes to accommodations, so you shouldn't have trouble finding somewhere to stay. That being said, the Jost Van Dyke BVI accommodations can go fast during the peak winter season so book well ahead if you can.

Jost Van Dyke is also home to some vacation rentals that savvy travelers will be keen to consider. You can even go camping on the island, which is also the case on some of the other British Virgin Islands. The White Bay Campground boasts some dazzling campsites, and they come in the form of bare campsites with no amenities and tent campsites that feature beds, lamps, and coolers. Screened cabins are also available. According to some, the bare campsites are the best, as they are set on the bluff that overlooks the splendid beaches of White Bay.