Just a regular ferry, like one you'd take over to STJ. You can sit on top or underneath. Once you're there, you'll go thru customs, and there will be taxis there to take you wherever you want (like White Bay). here is a pic of the ferry dock on Jost...

Doesn't the ferry first go to Tortola and customs is cleared in West End?

Depends which ferry you take. We took a ferry from Red Hook St. Thomas, traveled to St. John, switched ferry and then off to Jost. The one we took only runs twice a day and I believe only on the weekend. I know there are others that run thru Tortola first.

that's correct - Fri, Sat and Sun it goes direct to Jost from St John. You don't pay your $50 until you get to st John, and then that's all we paid - no customs fees. Once you get to Jost, a guy is sitting at a table on the porch of that blue building checking passports etc, then you hop on a taxi (truck) to go wherever! one of the best days of our vacation!

Hmmmm, all these years and might just have to try that direct route. Especially since that trip over on a group trip sail now costs 25.00 per person. A charge not paid on the ferry. Basically all you miss is the snorkeling portion.

Found out that in fact the 25.00 does go to the BVI government. It assesses differently for the charter groups than the ferry which naturally carries many of it's good citizens back and forth.

Hubby and I will be in St thomas in 12 days and want to take a trip to the Jost . Is going on the weekend the best bet and avoid the stop at Tortola? I checked into day sails and they can get pricey ,we were just thinking of doing the ferry way .Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

Noel

You never know the route. It's 50/50 when I go over whether it stops in West End but it's always quick before heading over to Great Harbour. When they say to be there at 2:45 to come back, be there. A friend missed it when it left early.

Noel,

Absolutely, positively DO take the ferry to JVD! We've done it 3 times, always on a weekend. It's really easy that way - if you are on STT, just ask one of the polite ticket sellers where to go and they'll get you on the right ferry to STJ. Once there, you'll purchase your ticket (round trip) and board the ferry. If it stops at Tortola (ours always has), just be in the middle of the crowd and you'll be shown exactly what to do there (take your bags/luggage with you). A quick check of your credentials and a possible search of your bags and you'll get back on the same ferry. It's just a 5-6 minute ride over to Jost from there. Once you get off the ferry at JVD, do take a taxi (though it's not a LONG walk to White Bay, it is very hilly). It's around $5 each wherever you go whether Foxy's, Ivans, or Soggy Dollar. We normally start at Ivans with a little sunning on the beach, bananawackers (delicious and potent!) late morning, and burgers/fries for lunch. After lunch, we walk over to Soggy Dollar for the afternoon sights and Painkillers. Take a taxi back over to the ferry or leave just a little early and see Foxy's. You can walk from Foxy's back to the ferry area with no problem. As stated in a previous post, DON'T BE LATE for the departing ferry - once they get there, they load and leave quickly.

Good Luck! Have Fun!

Thanks for all the wonderful advice. We will definitly take the ferry over. I am getting so excited. 11 more days !!!

click on the link above that says "ferry schedules" then go to the link that says St Thomas to Jost Van Dyke - you will see that it goes directly there on Fri, Sat and Sun - no stopping at Tortola.

I've never done a day sail and I'm sure that's an experience in itself, but if you are just wanting to hang out on the beach
(the most beautiful beach in the world, I might add!) with a drink in your hand - just ferry over and use the money saved on lunch and drinks!

The ferry to Jost sounds like a nice way to spend a day. Do you catch the ferry from STJ at the Cruz Bay ferry dock? I didn't see it listed in the ferry schedules for the BVIs or on the JVD web page (btw, the JVD web page has a lot of good information on JVD). I could have missed it however.

Found the schedule, hadn't looked hard enough! We have to do that in Nov.

We're going Nov 3-10th and doing a full day private charter to several islands with snorkeling, beaches and including Jost bars and lunch.......then probably taking the ferry over again to enjoy the whole day there on Friday. Looking forward to it. The day charters are really nice to have your own itinerary and small group. There's 2 couples of us going and we have room for 1 more couple if anyone is interested on Nov.5th.

I have to tell you that every year we take a catamaran trip over to Jost with a snorkel stop along the way at Lovango Cay. It's always great to get to Foxy's for lunch and the ride over to Soggy.

I am now thinking that next year we just might do the direct ferry over on one of those direct days. Aside from the money, it certainly would give me time imbibing.