Jost Van Dyke is among the most popular destinations to visit and chill in the Virgin Islands. Really chill.

Back in the 17th century, a Dutch privateer, Joost van Dyk, (from whom the island got its name) used this little three-square-mile island as a base, but today its known for its little population, natural beauty, laid-back island culture, and magical experiences like this:

Imagine yourself at Foxy’s, an open air bar with old sailor’s knots and shells everywhere, listening to reggae late into the night, and when you’re tired of dancing, you feel like walking right out into the warm sea, just steps away. The ocean comes to life with an otherworldly bioluminescence created by millions of little light emitting organisms as you wave your hands, mixing this primordial potion of life into an infinite assortment of designs and patterns, a wonderous glow morphing in infinite ways right before your eyes.

You see a big stingray swim by, and glancing over to the pure white shores, there are huge crabs with really long legs walking sideways under the soft moonlight that makes everything feel like a dream. No problems exist in this realm. it’s the most magical place on Earth.

On the map, Jost Van Dyke is about 20 or so km from St. Thomas and St. John (U.S. Virgin Islands), and Tortola, so booking a charter boat to Jost Van Dyke is one of the only (and best) ways to get there to really take advantage of everything it has to offer.

White Bay is Jost Van Dyke’s most popular beach, so named because of its white sands. Beachgoers and boaters both flock here, which is why it’s off season trips can be appealing to some. Great Harbor is the main harbor on the island.

Bars on Jost include, Soggy Dollar Bar, which is on White Bay, and famous for its Painkiller cocktail. Foxy’s is in Great Harbor and known for its live music. dancing, and parties, since 1968. It closes this year on September 5th 2024 during off-season, but Soggy Dollar is open now all year around.