Going to Jost Van Dyke

What to do in Jost Van Dyke

by David Swanson

Lolling just northwest of Tortola, three-square-mile Jost Van Dyke has a reputation far greater than its girth. Named for an obscure Dutch pirate, the island has no airport and fewer than 300 residents. Lodging is limited to a campground, a handful of villas for rent, and the six-room Sandcastle Hotel, set on a superb beach. This quirky landing also boasts more than 20 bars and has become a must-stop on the sailing circuit for barefoot parties that sometimes run from noon till midnight, especially when a full moon shines overhead. By day, visitors engage in serious rest and relaxation, playing Frisbee or volleyball on the beach and mastering the ring toss at various bars.

Jost Van Dyke is famed for the Painkiller, a drink said to have been invented at the Soggy Dollar Bar (so named for the typical condition of...

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