Beverly

Thinking of going to Jost Van Dyke. Has anyone been, specifically the White Bay Villas. How is the snorkeling there? How are the accommodations? <BR> Beverly

Louis

We spent several nights at the Sandcastle on Whites Bay, Jost Van Dyke several years ago. It has since changed onwnership and perhaps it also changed its name to White Bay Villas. Either that is the case or they are new construction. If it is a new property the bay may be getting a little crowded. There was no electricity when we were there and that added to the color of the place with candle light dinners and propane lamps in your room. If it is the same place, the rooms were separate units on the beach - rather basic but comfortable with outdoor showers. The beach is clean and there is no surf. Snorkeling was minimal, too much sand. The best was at the far end of the beach to the right. The owner's son and chef at that time was a rather unpleasant fellow, or a least our personalities clashed, and that tended to spoil my enjoyment of the place. Also, there was too much power boat activity in the bay for my taste. I almost was hit be one in a full plane. Also daytrippers tended to come in and overrun the property on occassion. It was enjoyable enough but we would not go back again. In contrast I would choose the Cooper Island Beach Club. http://www.cooper-island.com. Or if your really want and can afford pure tranquility, Guana Island is the best. http://www.guana.com I think Frenchmans Cay looks good even though I have not ever stayed there since it has always been full. http://www.frenchmans.com <BR>If you really want an unusual stay, rent a villa on Anagada. There is not much there except top snorkeling and wonderful lobster to eat. There is a new two bedroom villa that was just completed.

Louis

Your question made me curious so I went to the BVI Tourist site http://www.bviwelcome.com and looked up the White Bay Villas under out island lodgings. I remember the structure well as I walked past it many times. The location is excellent and you will have just as good snorkeling off the rocks down below as you will find anywhere along the bay. You also will be away from the boat traffic there. You however, will not find much in the way of groceries to purchase on the island so you will have to bring your food from Tortola or St. Thomas if you plan to fix many meals. It is a fair walk to the bakery. The nearest place to eat dinner is the Sandcastle. I also noted Sandy Ground Estates with 4 villas and a private beach. I don't know where they are located and I don't remember seeing them. I believe electricity went as far as White Bay Villas and stopped there when we were on Jost Van Dyke. At that time nobody was staying at the villa and it was not listed by the BVI tourist office as a place to stay. I thought it was a private home. If they have electricity, I like the location.

Joel

Ditto to Louis Dameson's comments. Only thing I can add is that when I was last on Tortola (1998), the talk was that Yost Van Dyke was planning to be a major world site for celebration of the Millenium. This was going to play out (the locals were saying) with installation of better utilities, etc. I gathered that some of the to-do was about Y2K and being somewhere one could party on through the Global Meltdown. (To each his own.) <BR>

hans

I have found a new web site called www.antilia.com, which holds incredible information on the BVI: travel guide with pictures and maps. They also list hotels and stuff on JvD, including room pre-views (SandCastle, White Bay Villas). <BR> <BR>Hope this helps, <BR>Hans <BR>