White Bay Villas & Seaside Cottages

From its entrance, White Bay Beach Villas doesn’t look like much. A worn sign announces the hotel’s presence on the side of the road, and points in the direction of a makeshift lobby. Here guests go through an informal check-in process and receive the keys to their unit. Hotel staff members will likely drive guests to their units, as most are not within walking distance of the lobby.  

The atmosphere at White Bay is quiet and relaxed. Since there aren’t any communal amenities, most people choose to spend their days off property, either exploring the island or lounging by the beach. Children are welcome at White Bay, but there’s not much for them (or anyone, really) to do here. 

White Bay Beach Villas is located on Jost Van Dyke, the smallest of the four main islands that comprise the British Virgin Islands. With a population that wavers between 200 and 400, the island is a quiet oasis with nothing much to do. The hotel is about a five-minute cab ride from the ferry dock in Great Harbour, and taxis are always plentiful near the dock.  

Travelers can reach Jost Van Dyke via ferry from either Tortola or St. Thomas. Jost is a popular day trip for many people visiting the Virgin Islands, but few visitors spend the night. Those traveling from St. Thomas, or any of the U.S. Virgin Islands, will need to clear customs upon arrival in Jost, so passports are a must.  

White Bay Beach Villas is located above White Bay, one of Jost’s largest and most beautiful beaches. White Bay gets its name from its soft, sugar white sand, which is noticeably whiter and brighter than that on neighboring islands, and keeps the ocean water crystal clear. 

While they’re not luxurious, rooms at White Bay Beach Villas are certainly the nicest on Jost. The hotel’s apartment-style accommodations are ideal for families, or groups of friends traveling together. They are equipped with full kitchens, separate living spaces, and multiple bedrooms. Decor throughout is dated, but can pass for homey and nostalgic. Something about the cushioned wicker furniture and patterned futons remind us summers spent at old family beach houses. Living rooms have a small bar with two stools, and a bookshelf with a small flat-screen TV and Bose speakers. Kitchens are small and equally dated, but fully equipped with everything one might need to prepare meals. For an extra fee, guests can request provisioning services so kitchens are stocked with food and drinks upon arrival. 

Bedrooms have a queen-size bed, dressed in a simple floral quilt and a small mosquito net. There’s a small dresser and a closet, but not much else. Every unit has one bathroom per bedroom, but most do not have tubs.  All units have large outdoor decks with hammocks and stunning views of White Bay. 

Currently, there aren’t any communal amenities at White Bay Beach Villas, though the property’s managers have big plans to add a restaurant and a pool in the coming years. As its name suggests, White Bay Beach Villas does have access to White Bay beach — often considered Jost Van Dyke’s most beautiful. But since the property is located on top of a rocky cliff, it’s a long, steep walk from the villas to the beach. Once there, though, guests are rewarded with sugar white sand, crystal clear waters, and a quiet atmosphere. There are a few restaurants and bars on the beach that are within walking distance of the hotel, including Jost Van Dyke’s famed Soggy Dollar Bar. At the hotel’s beach entrance there is a small shed with lounge chairs and rafts, which are free for guests to use. White Bay Beach Villas has free Wi-Fi, but it can be spotty on different parts of the property.