We plan on going to Jost for a day while we're on STT, but we're going by ferry. The others in the group aren't that up for snorkeling, we just want to check out the shops/bars/restaurants on the island and just hang out there (mostly on White Bay) for the day. The ferry is only $40 or $50 PP, and like a $5 customs fee, so its considerably cheaper than a charter, but obviously we won't have drinks on the way there like you would on a charter 🙂 Either way, I think you have to leave by 3:00pm to make it back to customs on time.

CJ,
Are you confused yet? I have done the trip both ways that you describe power boat and sail. I think to decide which way you want to go you will have to decide if its a boat trip with a stop or two on Jost or a trip to Jost that happens to include a boat ride. A sail trip should be more about the sail boat and water with an hour or two at Whites Bay for a stop at Soggy Dollar, Ivan's Etc. As far as Foxy's goes, and this pains me to say this as its one of my favorite places on the planet. I actually built a twelve foot by twenty eight foot tiki bar and deck on the riverbank behind my house that is decorated like Foxy's including a four foot square painted replica of the label from Foxy's lager beer. If your not there for the night, and preferably a weekend night you aren't really going to get the Foxy's experience. Foxy's voice isn't strong enough to sing, and during day trips his performances in the early afternoon were always the draw and without him singing there just isn't much to see there. So whites bay and its undeniable beauty, and a pain killer or three is the real draw for a day trip. The other option would be to spend a couple of hours at Marina Key and walk to the bubbly pool, or go anchor out at Sandy Key or Sandy Spit and do a little snorkeling. The bottom line is its probably better to do one or two things well on a day trip to Jost that to pull a Chevy Chase type trip were you see everything for two minutes each and never get to enjoy the experience. I have been on Jost on five different occasions over a six year period, three of these stays were overnight, and have still not done and seen everything that I would like to on the island. Don't drive yourself crazy, pick a thing or two to do based on what you like to do most, enjoy them then start planning your next visit.
Enjoy your trip,
Jay

CJ,

I highly recommend Born to Rhumb with Captain Kevin (borntorhumb.com). He will take you anywhere you want to go, and make some great suggestions to suit whatever kind of day y ou want. He and his first mate Andi are great! Seven of us had the best day with him last April (it was the highlight of our week) and we are booked again with him this April.

Paula

This is exactly what I needed to hear! This will be our 4th trip to St. John and certainly not our last -- so we will just start planning for next year as you suggested! Thanks so much.

I think Captain Jay has got it right. I have been there as many times myself and still haven't seen all I want to. It's all about relaxing not driving yourself nuts. You can do that on St Thomas. At home too for that matter. Just do what feels right at the time. Enjoy, Leticia

I would take a sailboat rather than a "fast boat" The fast boats go to Willy T, Baths, and other locals but don't spend much time on Jost. Sailboats usually go to Foxy's and then continue on to White Bay and the Soggy Dollar for lunch.

Or you can just rent your own boat for the day and set your own schedule.

I agree with Stu!!
My wife and I rented our own boat from Ocean Runner last March and set our own schedule. We were able to snorkel the Indians, visit Willie T.s, do the Caves on Norman and cruise to Sandy Cay and Spit and still spent a few hours at the Soggy Dollar at White Bay before heading back to Cruz Bay. Best day of our trip!! We'll be back in
2 weeks and will be doing the boat for 1 or maybe this year 2 days, just changing our destinations a bit. Although the Soggy Dollar will be our last stop again!! This year we plan on going to the Baths and maybe Pussers at Marina Cay.

Any other suggestions out there for a couple crazies in the Caribbean on their own boat and schedule?????

I'm a little confused about Jost Van Dyke. To tell you the truth I thought the only thing there was the Soggy Dollar Bar and that Foxy's was the same. I didn't know there were shops and other places to visit.

Is White Bay the same as where the Soggy Dollar Bar is?

Just confused about Jost....if someone could explain.

Yes, White Bay boasts the Soggy Dollar while Foxy's is at Great Harbour.
Soggy Dollar is a blast. Beautiful beach, hammocks, shade, games, lots of friendly folks and, oh yeah, the incredible Pain Killer!! You won't want to leave.

Connie,
I think that the Soggy Dollar and Foxy's are the 2 most famous bars, but there is Ivan's and One Love (I think its on the other side of the island tho - someone can correct me if I'm wrong). I don't think there are ALOT of shops (not like cruz bay or anything) but if you go to the BVI website, you can see pics of Great Harbour and there are a couple little shops. Nothing big. Boutiques that have swimsuits and tees, stuff like that. and a couple little restaurants.

check this out
http://www.jostvandyke.com/dining.html

Actually One Love is just down the beach from Soggy Dollar and you will not find a nicer bartender than Raquel at One Love. You will be family within minutes. And she has the two most adorable kids running around there as well.

Ivans is also in White Bay but you have to take a short walk over the boulder at the end of the Soggy Dollar beach, to the left down the beach if you walk out of Soggy's towards the water. Tts a short 5 min walk, and pretty easy to do WITH shoes.

If you rent your own boat I HIGHLY suggest www.seeski.com they have great boats with LOTS of shade and plenty of places to sit. Also I like that I don't have to refuel on the way back in because they have accurate fuel meters so you know exactly how much gas you use.

And if you don't have shoes there is a basket on both ends of the walk (over the rock to get from Soggy to Ivan's) with flip flops of all sizes and colors. You pick a pair out, where them one direction, put them in the other basket and keep walking. It's nice that someone thought up this little idea as I'm sure I wasn't the first one who thought I could walk barefoot from Soggy to Ivan's (of course the painkillers helped 🙂 !) Jill

How in the world were you able to cram all of this into one trip! Did you even get to sit down and enjoy that Painkiller at Soggy Dollar's?

Hi,

We spent 3 weeks in Jost over xmas and new years...take a "fast boat" if you only have a day. Dock in White Bay. Go to:

Ivans Stress Free bar - middle of the beach. This is the place Kenny Chesney sings about.

ONE LOVE - at the end of the beach to the left if you are looking at land from the boat. Seddy Caldwell and Raquel are the propriertors. YOU WILL NEVER EXPERIENCE ANYTHING LIKE THIS...ASK SEDDY TO DISPLAY HIS MAGIC AND TELL HIM SCOTTY AND CAMERON SEND LOVE! THIS WILL BE THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR TRIP.

Then, go to Great Harbour for dinner and eat at Foxy's...(Seddy's father)...the food is great and the music better. If you see a Black Lab, (his name is Taboo) give him a kiss for us.

Enjoy, Jost is a piece of HEAVEN!

cAMERO

CJ -

If you rent a private motorboat you can be on Jost by 9am and leave Jost at 4pm. So you have a nice long day over there.

We are doing a boat trip also through ocean runner. . . . . would like to go to Norman Island and willy t's, and then head over to sandy spit and end the day at JOst and the soggy dollar. Is this too much in one day???

That should be fine. After checking through customs at Sopers Hole on Tortola, plan on only a couple hours at Norman (the Indians and the Caves).
Just cruise by Willie T.s cause there's just not much happening until later in the day, I think.
Should leave plenty of time for the cruise to Jost for the Sandy's and White Bay (Soggy Dollar).

Thanks Hawk! We are trying not to "plan" too much. . .. just take it easy and go wherever the day takes us. But I'd really really like to get to Jost sometime throughout our trip.

I saw you're going in 2 weeks?? So are we! We leave on the 14th. .. well, ok, 2 and a half weeks. . . .haha, I can't wait!