The Soggy Dollar Bar Jost Van Dyke British Virgin Islands

The Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke is the ultimate destination. Folks on our sailing tours to the British Virgin Islands often request a stop White Bay so they can try a painkiller at the Soggy Dollar. 

The bar got it's name from the soggy dollars everyone hands over after swimming to the beach. Saturdays and sundays are the best days to visit if you want to party. Locals from St John, St Thomas and all over the Virgin Islands show up to drink painkillers, lie in hammocks and play frisbee on White Bay. 

For those who want a quieter time we sail them over during the week, when the bar is less rowdy and there are more hammock vacancies. Our sailing catamaran, Fly Girl, takes the seven mile day sail in style and puts us right off white bay beach. I introduce my guests personally to Mic the bartender. A cold drink, a shady palm tree and a comfortable hammock, what else could one ask for. Our trips from St John to Jost Van Dyke are popular for families, retirees and couples looking for an sailing and snorkeling adventure to the British Virgin Islands and the Soggy Dollar Bar. 

World Famous Foxy's on Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands

Foxy's bar is one of the best know hangout spots in the Virgin Islands. Foxy entertains thousands of people a year with his jokes, sharp wit and knowledge of places near and far. 

On Sail Safaris sailing tours to the British Virgin Islands we always make sure to visit Foxy's. I like to introduce my guests to Foxy personally. He always knows something about where they are from, whether it's Italy or Poughkeepsie. 

Foxy's new years celebration is the largest in the Virgin Islands and attracts thousands from all over the world. Celebrities also sometimes show up, like Britney Spears or Keith Richards. I've bumped into all kinds of celebrities while doing tours in the British Virgin Islands including Peter Jennings, Kid Rock and Walter Cronkite. I also met the guys in the band Phish. 

These days Foxy has met so many celebrities it doesn't phase him at all. If they are musicians they are always welcome to play on the stage where everyone from Yellowman to Kid Rock to Kenny Chesney to The Beach Boys have played before. 

No snorkeling and sailing trip to the BVI's is complete without a visit to the world famous Foxy's bar. 

Kenny Chesney's house on St John

People on our snorkeling tours are always asking me if I know where Kenny Chesney's house is? Well St John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, it's only 3 miles wide, so yes I know where he lives. 

I don't think Kenny would appreciate me sending every fan on my tours up to his house. So I don't ever divulge this information. What I can do is point out the house while we sail by on our way to snorkel or visit the British Virgin Islands. It sits high up on a mountain with an incredible view of the islands. Have I been there? Sure. Am I friends with Kenny Chesney? Casual acquaintances would be more accurate. 

More interesting than his private home, which no one should ever attempt to visit without an invitation, is Ivan's Stress Free Bar on Jost Van Dyke. We visit Ivan's on our sailing tours to the British Virgin Islands. The bar is full of Kenny mementos, pictures and even a brand new beer cooler that Chesney bought to replace Ivan's old, rusty one. 

Kenny Chesney has been good to the US Virgin Islands, donating money to the local schools, sending thousands of tourists our way and even flying Ivan up to play in one of his concerts. Don't believe me? There's a giant picture of the event hanging at Ivan's along with many other pictures of Chesney if you look closely. 

If your lucky Kenny might just pull up on his boat while you're there. 

Snorkeling in the US Virgin Islands

The US Virgin Islands are in that unique latitude that allows coral reef to grow. Snorkeling the reefs of the Virgin Islands is possible because the water is clear, shallow and warm. All the qualities caribbean vacationers appreciate in a snorkeling excursion. St John has coral reef right off the beach making snorkeling easy to find. 

To find truly exceptional reefs you might consider signing up for a snorkeling tour into the national park.

Sail Safaris on St John offers tours into the Virgin Islands National Park with experienced guides. They sail to uninhabited islands and snorkel the fringing reefs.

Snorkeling on st John

No visit to  St John is complete without exploring the coral reefs. There are excellent places to snorkel but you have to be willing to adventure off the beaten path. The best snorkeling on St John is found by getting away from the crowds, maybe rock hopping over to a secluded beach or coral reef. 

If you find yourself at one of St John 's amazing beaches you'll discover the best snorkeling at the rocky points that hem in most beaches on St John.