Fewer than 300 people live on tiny Jost Van Dyke, one of 60 or so British Virgin Islands (B.V. I.) in the Caribbean. The island is accessible only by sea.
We visited via a tender from the Seabourn Pride, one port call on our 10-day Caribbean Highlights cruise.
While it was a short distance from the Pride to the dock, the trip took more than 30 minutes. The reason: this boat was blocking the dock and in no hurry to move.
Finally, someone came out and moved the Ocean Sem forward enough that we could dock in Great Harbour.
We immediately caught the Seabourn-sponsored shuttle to White Bay.
The ride is scenic, up and down with sharp curves. The white sand of White Bay can be seen in the distance.
White Bay is home to the Soggy Dollar Bar, the establishment that claims to have “originated and perfected” the original Painkiller rum cocktail in the 1970’s.
It’s also home to a number of beachfront establishments such as Gertrude’s Beach Bar & Boutique.
Where the view is drop-dead gorgeous.
And the Carib beers are cold, plentiful and relatively inexpensive in U.S. dollars. Don’t be in a hurry. The service is on island time.
We are certain that the North Dakota State University fans enjoyed themselves here: the beer is cold and the weather is at least 80 degrees warmer than Fargo in late November.
White Beach, with its nice white sand beach, attracts a number of yachts — bringing visitors for a swim and a painkiller.
The real reason to go to White Beach, however, is to experience the original Painkiller from the Soggy Dollar Bar while relaxing is a chair on the beach.
The Painkiller is a concoction of premium dark run, cream of coconut, pineapple and orange juice topped with fresh grated Grenadian nutmeg.
Painkillers are delicious, and guaranteed to make you forget any pain.
After 1.5 painkillers, and a rain shower, we decided it was time to head back to the ship.
The line for the shuttle was long and slow-moving.
If you need to get back quickly, the Soggy Dollar bartender will call a cab. And for $5 per person, we were back to the tender dock in no time.
While our stay was brief, Jost Van Dyke was one of our favorite Caribbean islands.
Have you drank a “Painkiller” at the Soggy Dollar bar? If so, please share how many you enjoyed. Post your response in comments below.
Read more posts about our 10-Day Caribbean Highlights cruise on the Seabourn Pride: