Catamaran Sail to Jost Van Dyke (Soggy Dollar Bar)

The best part of this small-group catamaran sail is the time it gives you on Jost Van Dyke. Rather than rushing through White Bay, you get a full afternoon at the Soggy Dollar Bar, after first stopping in Great Harbor to see Foxy’s and check into the BVI.

I like the relaxed pace and the fact that the boat carries no more than 12 people. I also like that breakfast, snorkeling gear, unlimited mimosas, and an open boat bar are included. The main catch is the $85 cash customs fee per person, which comes on top of the $375 tour price and makes this a costly day on the water.

Key points to know

• A true international day trip: You need a valid passport, and the boat checks into British Virgin Islands Customs.
• Three hours at White Bay: The schedule gives you more beach time than a quick stop-and-go cruise.
• Small boat, limited to 12 people: This feels more personal than a large party catamaran.
• Foxy’s in Great Harbor: You get about 90 minutes to visit the famous bar, browse for souvenirs, and walk the sandy main street.
• Breakfast and drinks are included: Expect a light continental breakfast, bottomless mimosas while sailing, and a full open boat bar.
• Bring extra cash: The $85 government fee is not included and must be paid in cash.

Sailing from Red Hook toward Jost Van Dyke

Your day begins at 7:45 a.m. at American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, on the eastern side of St. Thomas. The boat returns to the same marina at the end of the trip, so you do not need to arrange separate transportation back to your starting point.

The ride takes you through the northern cays of the US Virgin Islands. This is a big part of the experience, not just a way to get from one beach to another. You spend the morning on the water, with time to settle into the catamaran, eat breakfast, and enjoy the views from the deck.

The crew serves a light continental breakfast. It is useful fuel for an early start, but you should not book this expecting a large brunch. Unlimited mimosas are available during the sail, along with an open boat bar. That setup suits a leisurely day, though anyone looking for a quiet, alcohol-free cruise should know that drinks are a noticeable part of the experience.

The boat has room for up to 12 people. Some departures may be smaller, and one reported group had only nine people. That matters because the trip feels more like a shared charter than a packed excursion boat. You still share the catamaran with other people, but the limited size gives you a better chance to speak with the crew and find a comfortable place to sit.

Several crew combinations have operated the boat, including Captain Carlie and Robin, Kenny and Suzanna, Sierra and Brandon, Rachael, and Danny and Sammie. Your exact crew may differ, but the consistently useful features are the small group, local information, and attentive service. Kenny and Suzanna, in particular, have been praised for keeping the day organized, relaxed, and informative.

Crossing into the British Virgin Islands

This is an international excursion, so a valid passport is required for every passenger. The boat checks into British Virgin Islands Customs after reaching Jost Van Dyke, and you receive a new passport stamp.

You also need $85 in cash per person for government customs fees. This is not included in the $375 fare. For two people, the customs charge adds $170 to the day, before any food, souvenirs, or purchases at the beach bars. I would set this money aside before you leave St. Thomas so there is no scramble at the marina or on the island.

The border crossing adds something special to the trip. You are not simply visiting another beach in the US Virgin Islands. You are spending the day in the British Virgin Islands, with a passport stamp to mark it. It also means that this tour requires a bit more planning than a domestic sail.

The schedule is described as roughly eight hours in the tour summary and about nine hours in the detailed plan. In practical terms, plan on most of the day, beginning early and ending back at American Yacht Harbor. Do not book a tight afternoon flight or another fixed activity immediately afterward.

Great Harbor and the hour at Foxy’s

The first island stop is Great Harbor, the main settlement on Jost Van Dyke. You get about 90 minutes here, with Foxy’s Bar as the main point of interest.

Great Harbor has a sandy main street and a casual island feel. The stop gives you time to stretch your legs after the crossing, look around the town, and visit Foxy’s. You may even meet Foxy himself, the longtime character associated with the bar, although that should be treated as a possibility rather than a promise.

The stop is short enough that you need to keep an eye on the meeting time. You can use it to grab a souvenir, look around the boutique, or try some Fire Water Rum. It is not long enough for a slow meal and a full tour of the town, so think of Great Harbor as a pleasant introduction to Jost Van Dyke rather than the main event.

I like this first stop because it breaks up the water crossing and gives the trip a sense of place. You get to see more than White Bay, which can otherwise make a Jost Van Dyke visit feel like a beach-only outing. The tradeoff is that people who prefer to spend every available minute on sand may wish the boat went directly to White Bay.

Admission to Foxy’s is free, but drinks, food, and souvenirs are your responsibility. The included open bar applies to the boat, not necessarily to purchases on shore.

Three hours at White Bay and the Soggy Dollar Bar

After Great Harbor, the catamaran sails to White Bay. This is where the schedule gives you the most time, about three hours, and it is the reason many people choose this excursion.

White Bay is known for its white sand beach and the Soggy Dollar Bar. The name comes from the fact that many visitors arrive from boats and swim ashore with wet cash. You can spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach, visiting the bar, and using the snorkeling equipment supplied by the boat.

Three hours is a useful amount of time. You have room to settle into the beach rather than immediately watching the clock. You can enjoy a drink, take a swim, try snorkeling, and still have time to sit in the sand. The boat crew can point you toward the right place to return when it is time to leave.

The Soggy Dollar Bar is not a private beach club, and the tour does not include food or drinks purchased there. The included bar service is on the catamaran. If you want lunch or a signature drink at White Bay, budget separately and expect to pay for it yourself.

The beach stop is also the least structured part of the day. That is good news if you want freedom, but less appealing if you expect a guided activity every minute. You choose how to spend the time. Snorkeling gear is included, though the supplied information does not promise a guided snorkeling session or specific marine life sightings.

One practical point: White Bay is the popular section of the trip, so it may feel busier than Great Harbor. The appeal is the setting and the freedom to enjoy it at your own pace, not solitude.

What the small catamaran setup means

A 12-person maximum is one of the strongest reasons to consider this trip. You are not lost in a large crowd, and the crew can keep the day personal. A small boat also makes it easier to ask questions, learn about the islands, and get help with drinks or equipment.

The catamaran offers several ways to relax. One person specifically enjoyed lounging on bean bags at the front of the boat. That detail matters if you want something more comfortable than a hard bench during the crossing.

Still, this is a shared trip, not a private charter. You will spend the day with other people, and the group’s mood affects the feel of the boat. The description makes clear that it is not a private tour. People looking for complete control over the schedule, music, or seating should consider a private charter instead.

The style is also more relaxed than a dedicated party cruise. The open bar and mimosas create a social mood, but the small-group setup is not described as a children’s party boat. It should suit adults and families who want drinks and conversation without a huge crowd.

Is the $375 price fair?

The listed price is $375 per person, before the $85 cash customs fee. That means the known cost is at least $460 per person, before you buy anything at Foxy’s or White Bay.

That is expensive compared with a simple beach transfer. The value comes from the package: a full-day catamaran sail, breakfast, unlimited mimosas, an open boat bar, snorkeling equipment, a small group, two Jost Van Dyke stops, and international customs handling.

I think the price makes the most sense if you care about the sailing itself. You are paying for the ride through the northern cays, the comfort of a catamaran, the limited passenger count, and the time at White Bay. If you mainly want to reach the beach as cheaply as possible, this is not the right product.

The drinks can also affect the value. Someone who plans to enjoy mimosas and the open boat bar will get more from the included package than someone who does not drink alcohol. The fee is less appealing if you will skip the drinks and only want time on the island.

Weather, timing, and practical details

The experience depends on good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The trip also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Your own cancellation terms are strict. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason if you cancel or request an amendment. I would wait until your plans are firm before booking.

Confirmation arrives at booking, and the activity ends back at American Yacht Harbor. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the day includes an early start, a boat crossing, time on a beach, and movement between the catamaran and shore. If you have mobility concerns, ask the operator for current boarding details before paying.

Pack your passport, $85 cash per person for customs, swimwear, sun protection, and a dry place for valuables. A light cover-up is useful when moving between the boat and the beach. Since the boat supplies snorkeling equipment, you do not need to bring your own unless you prefer your personal gear.

Who should book this Jost Van Dyke sail?

This trip suits you if you want to combine a scenic sail with two very different stops. Great Harbor gives you a quick taste of local life and Foxy’s, while White Bay provides the long, easy afternoon. The format works well for couples, families with older children, and small groups of friends who want a social day without a giant boat.

It is also a good choice for a first visit to Jost Van Dyke. You get the famous beach and bar, but you also receive a passport stamp and a short stop in Great Harbor. The crew can add local context, and the small group makes it easier to ask questions.

I would think twice if you dislike early starts, open-bar settings, or shared tours. The price is high once customs fees are added, and the weather can affect the schedule. You also need to be comfortable with an international excursion and the limits of a fixed boat timetable.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran sail if your priority is a full, easy day on the water with plenty of time at White Bay. The small passenger limit, included breakfast and drinks, snorkeling gear, and strong crew record give it a clear advantage over a basic ferry or crowded boat trip.

Skip it if your main goal is saving money, avoiding alcohol-focused outings, or spending the day on a private schedule. For the right budget and mood, though, this is a well-planned way to see Jost Van Dyke from St. Thomas, with enough time at the Soggy Dollar Bar to make the long crossing worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at American Yacht Harbor, 84GX+24H, Smith Bay Road, Red Hook, St. Thomas.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 7:45 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The catamaran returns to American Yacht Harbor, the same place where the activity begins.

How long does the experience last?

The tour summary lists about eight hours, while the detailed plan describes a nine-hour trip. Plan on most of the day.

Is a passport required?

Yes. Every passenger needs a valid passport because the excursion enters the British Virgin Islands.

How much are the customs fees?

Government customs fees are $85 per person. They are not included in the tour price and must be paid in cash.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum is 12 travelers, and the trip is shared with other passengers. It is not a private tour.

What is included?

Breakfast, unlimited mimosas, an open boat bar, and use of snorkeling equipment are included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the operator to cancel.