Jost Van Dyke information?

[Lawdawg]

We will be in Tortola in September on the Fantasy. I am looking at the Jost Van Dyke day trip, but I am curious from anyone else who has been there, do the boats get in the way of being able to swim? We will be there with an 11 and 6 y/o and this would be "beach day" so they would want to swim as well as hang out on beach, but I have seen a lot of pictures with a lot of boats pulled right up to the shore and it seems as this could be an issue. Any information would be appreciated.

 

[JoAnnPan]

The Disney area is not by all the private catamarans that anchor near the shore. The boat which brings you will be anchored off the beach; swimming was not an issue at all when we went.
My sister & I did this excursion in Nov 16 and we loved it.

 

[squirk]

We will be in Tortola in September on the Fantasy. I am looking at the Jost Van Dyke day trip, but I am curious from anyone else who has been there, do the boats get in the way of being able to swim? We will be there with an 11 and 6 y/o and this would be "beach day" so they would want to swim as well as hang out on beach, but I have seen a lot of pictures with a lot of boats pulled right up to the shore and it seems as this could be an issue. Any information would be appreciated.

It is hit-or-miss, in my experience. Sometimes White Bay looks just like @JoAnnPan's picture; sometimes it is a bit crowded with boats.

That having been said, the boats tend to cluster around the middle of the beach, where the bars are. So if you show up and it's too crowded for your taste, just head to the eastern or western ends of the beach (i.e., a little further away from the bars), and you'll be fine.

One thing I will add as an aside - if you are doing the longer JVD excursion that includes the lunch, manage your expectations regarding the food. It's pretty crappy. I would still do the longer excursion solely for the extra beach time, but I would not factor in the food as even partially justifying the upcharge from the half-day version.

 

[Lawdawg]

Thank you!

The Disney area is not by all the private catamarans that anchor near the shore. The boat which brings you will be anchored off the beach; swimming was not an issue at all when we went.
My sister & I did this excursion in Nov 16 and we loved it.
View attachment 243952

[/QUOTE

The Disney area is not by all the private catamarans that anchor near the shore. The boat which brings you will be anchored off the beach; swimming was not an issue at all when we went.
My sister & I did this excursion in Nov 16 and we loved it.
View attachment 243952

 

[Lawdawg]

Good to know about the food. Thanks!

It is hit-or-miss, in my experience. Sometimes White Bay looks just like @JoAnnPan's picture; sometimes it is a bit crowded with boats.

That having been said, the boats tend to cluster around the middle of the beach, where the bars are. So if you show up and it's too crowded for your taste, just head to the eastern or western ends of the beach (i.e., a little further away from the bars), and you'll be fine.

One thing I will add as an aside - if you are doing the longer JVD excursion that includes the lunch, manage your expectations regarding the food. It's pretty crappy. I would still do the longer excursion solely for the extra beach time, but I would not factor in the food as even partially justifying the upcharge from the half-day version.

 

[JoAnnPan]

The picture I posted are all people from the Ship - the boats in the photo are the main boat that brought us and the tender. We did do the full day for more beach time - we sat further down the beach and purchased wonderful lobster quesadillas & drinks! Enjoy your cruise!!