Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands.

Named for an early Dutch settler and former pirate, Jost Van Dyke runs deep with rugged scenery and colorful folklore. Explore vegetation-covered sugar mill ruins, old trails that crisscross the island and the East End’s natural sea-formed Jacuzzi, or observe whales and dolphins.

Measuring just four miles by three and with fewer than 300 inhabitants, the BVI’s smallest island has been home to Arawak Indians, Caribs, Dutch, Africans and the British. Notable inhabitants have included William Thornton, architect of the U.S. Capitol Building, and John Lettsome, founder of the London Medical Society.

Food and fun abound on Jost Van Dyke, with numerous places to indulge in favored cuisine, such as barbecues, West Indian rotis, flying fish sandwiches, grilled fresh fish and lobster. For the party animals, Great Harbour is world-famous for its yacht-filled parties on Halloween and New Year’s Eve.

Foxy’s Tamarind Bar, Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke.

Foxy (born Philliciano) Callwood started life as one of seven children on Jost Van Dyke in 1938. Since then, this barefoot man with dreadlocks, chocolate skin and guitar has become famous. The public first met Foxy in 1968, when his mother set up a booth on the beach for a festival at Jost Van Dyke and proclaimed it ‘Mama’s Booth and Foxy’s Bar”. Soon word spread among sailors and they’ve been coming ever since. Today, Foxy has a boutique selling Foxy memorabilia, a huge two-story restaurant addition tucked behind his open-air bar, and his own private-label rum. Foxy’s has a worldwide reputation for having great beach parties.

Mal relaxing on the beach of Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke.

Island Time!!!

We found this sign on a beach bar, Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke.