White Bay, Jost Van Dyke

About This Anchorage

White Bay on Jost Van Dyke is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean — a perfect arc of brilliant white sand backed by coconut palms, with the famous Soggy Dollar Bar at the centre (named because arriving sailors had to swim ashore, making their money soggy). The Soggy Dollar claims to have invented the Painkiller cocktail (rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, coconut cream, nutmeg) — now the official drink of the BVI. Hendo's Hideout and Ivan's Stress Free Bar add to the beach bar collection. The bay is protected from the NE trades but slightly open to the south. Mooring buoys (NPS managed) are available and strongly preferred over anchoring given the bay's modest size and high traffic. One of the most popular daytime destinations in the entire BVI sailing circuit.

Hazards

• !Reef on eastern approach — always approach from the west; do not attempt eastern entry in swell
• !Extreme daytime dinghy traffic — ferry boats, water taxis, and charter dinghy traffic throughout the bay
• !Mooring balls fill by 10:00 in peak season — anchor in sand only if no mooring available
• !Small bay with limited swinging room — anchor position critical if not on mooring
• !South exposure — unusual swell direction can enter in weather systems; check forecasts

Skipper's Tips

• →The Painkiller at Soggy Dollar Bar is not optional — it is the defining BVI sailing experience; swim ashore to get yours wet (hence 'soggy dollar')
• →Arrive before 09:00 to secure a mooring ball; the bay fills completely by mid-morning in February–March
• →The approach from the west is straightforward in clear conditions; the reef on the east entrance is visible but not well-marked — avoid
• →White Bay to Great Harbour: dinghy ride takes 10 minutes around the western point, or a 15-minute walk over the hill
• →The Frosé (frozen rosé) at Hendo's Hideout is the second-most iconic White Bay drink after the Painkiller

Nearby Anchorages