White Bay
5
About
A great place for underwater exploring, this secluded half-mile white sandy beach has reefs close to shore.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience White Bay and nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
23 within 3 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
5.0
735 reviews
Excellent
615
Very good
84
Average
21
Poor
10
Terrible
5
Andrew W
Richmond Hill, Canada1 contribution
Jan 2020
We spent some time recently sailing on catamaran between British Virgin Islands. One day we dropped an anchor in White Bay on Jost Van Dyke Island. It was a beautiful place but it won’t be remembered that way.
The beach was beautiful and quiet in the evening and early morning. During the day many boats were arriving carrying tourists to visit beach bars. Some boats were bigger and they parked on the deeper water and some were smaller and parked on the shallow water, directly on the beach swimming area. One boat owner started to clean his boat using some chemicals and flashed everything to the water in the place where many tourists were swimming. Smell was terrible. Also, they dropped additional anchors without marks indicating an anchor position in the area where many tourists entered the water to swim. Most of the anchors were Danforth type with sharp edges. One of our crew members stepped on such a piece of metal and almost got injured. We tried to argue with boats owners but they responded with aggression and we were verbally abusive. We were advised to leave the place if we didn’t like it and do not come back. When we promised to them to share our experience with other people they responded with laugh and jokes. Many people on the beach witnessed the whole situation and they were shocked. They couldn’t believe that tourists who come here and spend some money to visit BVI and help them to recover from hurricane disaster could be treated in this way.
The beach was beautiful and quiet in the evening and early morning. During the day many boats were arriving carrying tourists to visit beach bars. Some boats were bigger and they parked on the deeper water and some were smaller and parked on the shallow water, directly on the beach swimming area. One boat owner started to clean his boat using some chemicals and flashed everything to the water in the place where many tourists were swimming. Smell was terrible. Also, they dropped additional anchors without marks indicating an anchor position in the area where many tourists entered the water to swim. Most of the anchors were Danforth type with sharp edges. One of our crew members stepped on such a piece of metal and almost got injured. We tried to argue with boats owners but they responded with aggression and we were verbally abusive. We were advised to leave the place if we didn’t like it and do not come back. When we promised to them to share our experience with other people they responded with laugh and jokes. Many people on the beach witnessed the whole situation and they were shocked. They couldn’t believe that tourists who come here and spend some money to visit BVI and help them to recover from hurricane disaster could be treated in this way.
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dmas6
Santa Ana, CA943 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
I have visited many beaches in many different locations, but I have just crowned a new champion of the most beautiful beach ever! White Bay has a view that you don’t believe is true. We came over from Saint Thomas via ferry to Saint John then to the BVI. Not a big deal to change ferries in Saint John and was a little rough, but not bad at all. VERY IMPORTANT…if you are on the morning ferry and you sit on top of the ferry you will get wet and especially for whatever reason on the right side facing toward the front of the boat. The newlywed couple to our right were soaked, but very happy regardless. There is a $20 fee upon entry to the dock for immigration and yes you will receive a new stamp and you will pay a $10 exit fee. All worth it!!!
Written 4 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Culture760400
Maynard, MA5 contributions
May 2019
White Bay is the perfect stop for whatever getaway you are looking for. Want fun, cocktails and people watching? Just pull up a seat outside Soggy Dollar, Gertrudes, One Love, or Hendo’s and let the party begin. Want some quiet time? Head down the beach towards White Bay Villas and pull up a seat and order something to drink at Ivan’s Stress Free. Much quieter and the girls at Ivan’s are very gracious. Just sit with a libation and look at the beautiful blue water and take in the boat show. Really can’t go wrong with this little piece of paradise.
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RC30319
Atlanta, GA1,355 contributions
Jan 2020
As far as beaches go this is a winner. Only downside is that it can get crowded especially if there are some big ships over at Tortola with excursions to here. Also there are days that the anchored Catamarans pull in so close it can interfere with swimming. Best plan is to get there early and stake out your area. It seems to be most crowded around the Soggy Dollar. Other areas had more room. In the end it's all worth it. Great beach with a good vibe.
Written 30 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joseph C
Hudson151 contributions
Nov 2022
We took a day trip via ferry to Jost Van Dyke and made the obligatory visit to White Bay and the Soggy Dollar. The beach is one of the nicer ones we visited but expect a lot of boat traffic. Our visit was in the afternoon so relatively tame but I suspect the area could be a bit "lively" at night.
Written 6 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TDHSNJ
New Jersey685 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
This was our first time going to JVD as we were on a cruise excursion. We enjoyed our almost 4 hours of time drinking painkillers, shopping for souvenirs and eating some amazing Mahi Mahi sanwiches at The Soggy Dollar Bar. What made this so great is the absolutely amazing beach area that can be matched up against the best beaches in the Caribbean. Photos are great, but until you can experience this beach in person, they don't do it justice.
Written 23 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MikeGSyr
Syracuse, NY305 contributions
Feb 2020
We took a day catamaran trip from St. John.
Of course, our atop in White bay was for the Soggy Dollar.
Of course, it is a tourist trap, but it is a fun, party place, the views are fantastic, just sitting with the waves at your feet is paradise.
Of course, our atop in White bay was for the Soggy Dollar.
Of course, it is a tourist trap, but it is a fun, party place, the views are fantastic, just sitting with the waves at your feet is paradise.
Written 2 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
flyingcolonel
St. Petersburg, FL315 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
Absolutely gorgeous harbor and beach just around the corner from Great Harbor. Idyllic and beautiful and one of my favorite places that we stayed on a recent charter. Short swim or dinghy ride to many fun bars and restaurants especially the Soggy (Dollar Bar).
Written 3 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John B.
21 contributions
Oct 2019
In my opinion, one of the best anchorages in all of the BVI. There are two approaches into White Bay, one on either side. They should both be marked with red and green buoys, so use them. The center of the bay shallows up and could present an issue depending on how much water you draw.
Once on a ball, you can dingy or swim to shore to have yourself a delicious rum drink. The Soggy Dollar Bar is the HOME of the Pain Killer, not Pusser's as some might have you believe. The bars and restaurants are rebuilt following Hurricane Irma, and no doubt, welcome your visit. We concentrated out time at the Soggy Dollar, and there was plenty of seating, shade, lounge chairs, and refreshments. If tee shirts and souvenirs are your thing, they have them. Not inexpensive, but of good quality. The food was good, service timely, and everyone was friendly. A stop not to be missed.
Once on a ball, you can dingy or swim to shore to have yourself a delicious rum drink. The Soggy Dollar Bar is the HOME of the Pain Killer, not Pusser's as some might have you believe. The bars and restaurants are rebuilt following Hurricane Irma, and no doubt, welcome your visit. We concentrated out time at the Soggy Dollar, and there was plenty of seating, shade, lounge chairs, and refreshments. If tee shirts and souvenirs are your thing, they have them. Not inexpensive, but of good quality. The food was good, service timely, and everyone was friendly. A stop not to be missed.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen N
Pinedale, WY6 contributions
Mar 2022
Our 4th stay at White Bay Villas. The accommodations are very comfortable and clean. The kitchen is functional for those who want to cook. Provisioning was easy to arrange. The beach is perfect for spending the day in the sun or shade. Very quiet and peaceful but close enough to Ivan’s Stress Free Bar that a cold beer or rum punch is not far away.
Written 20 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have reservations at White Bay for 6/19. We are getting in on the 18th at 340pm. Should we stay on St Thomas or make our way over the Jost? Also, how do we get over to Jost?
Thanks, I really appreciate any help you can provide.
Written 31 January 2021
Is this beach ok for kids, too? Sounds like a lot of people drinking. Just looking for a nice beach they can play, swim, and enjoy the Caribbean because it’s their first time!
Written 21 January 2020
Yes it is. There were children with their parents enjoying it when we were there. Yes drinking young and old there also. Farther from bar fewer drinkers.
Written 23 January 2020
Do you have to pay a $75 tax to enter Jost V Dyke from Tortola?
Written 15 May 2019
The fees are for entering/exiting BVI. Once you pay the entry fee you are free to go to any BVI island. You will then have to pay the exit fee when leaving BVI.
Written 9 July 2019
It helps when you have actually been there to give a correct depiction on Trip Advisor, because your comment certainly did not describe the island of Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands, where the Soggy Dollar Bar is located in White Bay.
Written 8 March 2019
It is dead center on the beach next to Hendo's. Not hard to find at all. Yes, I was there, if your suggesting I wasn't. We also had a beer at One Love at the opposite end of the beach. There are several places there. We didn't tour the whole island, but, were day trippers enjoying White Bay. I don't write fake reviews.
Written 12 March 2019
HI Doug I see this is from 2013 but in case others see this post, knocking the Soggy Dollar in White Bay was outline, its not their fault you cant swim, its not their fault you choose to go to a beach bar where you knew ahead of time you will need to swim and get out of the boat to get there, if there is any blame to be assigned to blame your boat charter for dropping you off where they did. Try going again and this time dock in Grand Harbor by Foxys and taxi over or have your charter drop you off right near the shore line in White Bay.
Written 4 January 2019
Great response.....place the blame where it needs to be!!!
Written 14 August 2019
Hi, Kathy. What would you like to know about this attraction?
Hi Doug, who did you use for your private boat operator? Cruising to Tortola in January of 2019 and would like to go to Jost Van Dyke. Thank you so much for any help you can provide.
Written 20 November 2018
Not sure if I'm interpreting "cruising to Tortola" correctly, but if you're staying on St. Thomas, I'd use See and Ski-theyre awesome! If you're on/staying on Tortola going to Foxy's I would use their service as the other person mentioned. Be sure to hit corsairs while there too.
Written 13 January 2019
Thinking of taking a catamaran excursion over from Tortolla. I've seen posts that say the boat usually can get right up to the beach for passengers to get off, other that say you get off in shallow water, and others that say you must be able to swim about 30 feet to the beach. I realize weather may play a role in this, but what is it typically like? My husband doesn't swim!
Written 24 September 2018
I think you can get right up on the beach down a couple hundred yards.
Written 30 September 2018
Visiting Tortola Tues.Nov. 13th via Carnival Breeze.In port 8 am til 5pm.Best way to get to Jost Van Dyke for a few hours.All suggestions welcome.Thank you😉
Written 16 August 2018
Going on a cruise in Sept 2017 and we have a stop on St Thomas and Tortola. I want to go to white bay and need suggestions on how to get there. What catamaran company did you use? From where? While on a cruise ?
TIA
Written 21 July 2017
Cruise stops in Tortula. Want you use private tours instead of cruise excursions. What do you suggest?
Written 16 January 2017
Showing results 1-10 of 16
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Airport exclusive: extra 20% off beauty
Sponsored by Armani Beauty, YLS & Lancôme
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing