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| White Bay, Jost Van Dyke BVI |
White Bay on Jost Van Dyke (pronounced Yost) is one of our favorite beaches. Actually we debated if we wanted to let our "secret" out about this beach.
When we sail in the British Virgin Islands we usually spend at least a couple of days or more anchored off this beautiful white beach. The sand on the beach is sugar white and the water is clear as a swimming pool. This is a beach we can spend the entire day just laying under our favorite palm trees enjoying the view of the islands. From the beach you can see St. John, St. Thomas in the USVI and Tortola in the BVI. You just can't beat the view from the beach!
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| Anchorage at White Bay |
This beach is not a secret anymore because it was made famous by the country singer, Kenny Chesney who frequents this beach when he is spending time in the Virgin Islands. Kenny Chesney mentions Jost Van Dyke and some of the beach bars such as the Soggy Dollar and Ivans. He even did one of his music videos on this beach around the Soggy Dollar and "inside" Ivans. We use the term "inside" loosely because nothing really has and "inside" on this beach.
Our favorite place is the Sand Castle and the well known Soggy Dollar Bar. The Beach Snobs are not drinkers so we really can not give a review of the Pain Killers served at the bar. But judging by the crowds and the number of Pain Killers they sell each day they must be good. We may not be into the Pain Killers, but we are into the food they serve at the Soggy Dollar. They make a pretty good cheeseburger that you can enjoy while sitting under the shade of the Sea Grape trees. After all, you have to follow the advise of Jimmy Buffet and have your "Cheeseburger in Paradise".
Our favorite time to eat at the Sand Castle / Soggy Dollar is dinner. They serve a four course gourmet style meal complete with linen table clothes, candlelight and a great view of the beach. We never make a trip to Jost Van Dyke with doing dinner at the Sand Castle / Soggy Dollar. To get a table you need to make reservations during the day at the Soggy Dollar. When you make your reservation you will also select your main course from the menu board posted at the Soggy Dollar. You may be wondering why they call it the Soggy Dollar? It is because they get more than their share of wet money. On White Bay there is not a dock to tie up to, so the only way to get ashore is to swim from your boat or land a dingy on the beach. Either way, you and your money are going to get wet.
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| Morning at White Bay |
The morning on White Bay is great time to walk the beach. Often we have the beach all to ourself in the morning before 10:00 am. However, the beach has a dramatic changeover that starts about 11:00 a.m. each day when the day trip boats begin bringing people from the hotels in the USVI's and at times cruise ship passengers. Between the hours of 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. White Bay is a really busy place. The beach at White Bay provides some of the best people watching anywhere in the Caribbean and that's one of the things we like about it. People from all over North America, Europe and beyond, come to this beach to enjoy the day. The variety of people provides great entertainment during the busy beach times, especially after they have had one, two or more of the Pain Killers.
White Bay is a great place to drop anchor and spend a few days. This is a popular anchorage so finding a spot to anchor can be difficult. The anchorage has only about ten mooring balls in about 12 foot of water and if you are staying for the night it is best to pick up one of the moorings. It is a pretty tight bay so anchoring between the mooring balls can be difficult, because there is really not enough room. At night the wind tends to shift from the shore so be aware your boat will swing toward the reef, so make sure you anchor with enough room for the boat to swing at night.
White Bay is a great place to spend a day or several days... we prefer several. The beach is white and the view of the Virgin Islands is great. White Bay is Beach Snob Approved!
The Beach Snobs prefer to visit White Bay by sailboat. Here is a link to our favorite charter company
Here are some good links for more information about White Bay
