Catamaran Sail to Jost Van Dyke (Soggy Dollar Bar)

Two islands, one full day at sea. This catamaran trip links St. Thomas with Jost Van Dyke, giving you time at Great Harbor and White Bay, home of the Soggy Dollar Bar. I like the 12-person maximum, which keeps the boat more personal than a large cruise, and I like the generous time at White Bay instead of rushing through a string of short stops. The crew, including Kenny, Suzanna, Carlie, Robin, Sierra, Brandon, Rachael, Danny, and Sammie on different departures, earns especially warm praise for friendly service and local pointers.

The main catch is the cost and the border crossing. The tour is $375 per person, and you must add $85 in cash customs fees, plus bring a valid passport. The sailing schedule is also described as both eight and nine hours, so confirm the exact timing before you go.

Key details before you book

• Small catamaran group: The boat carries a maximum of 12 people, with some departures running at nine or fewer.
• Two Jost Van Dyke stops: You get about 90 minutes in Great Harbor and three hours at White Bay.
• International excursion: Every passenger needs a valid passport and $85 cash for customs fees.
• Food and drinks included: A light continental breakfast, unlimited mimosas, and an open boat bar are part of the price.
• Snorkel gear provided: Equipment is available if you want more than beach time.
• Early Red Hook departure: Check in at American Yacht Harbor for a 7:45 a.m. start, then return there at the end.

Setting out from American Yacht Harbor at 7:45 a.m.

Your day begins at American Yacht Harbor on Smith Bay Road in Red Hook, St. Thomas. The early start is practical rather than glamorous, but it helps the crew fit in both Jost Van Dyke stops and the customs process without cutting short your time on White Bay.

This is a shared charter, not a private boat. That distinction matters. You are paying for a small group rather than exclusive use, and the social side is part of the appeal. The boat can carry up to 12 people, though one departure had only nine passengers. That leaves more room to settle in, talk with the crew, and enjoy the ride without the crowded feel of a big party vessel.

The crossing is one of the main attractions. The catamaran travels along the Northern Cays of the US Virgin Islands, with open water and island views along the way. You can sit on bean bags at the front of the boat, a detail that came up repeatedly in praise of the ride. If you prefer a comfortable front-row view, arrive ready to claim that spot when appropriate.

Breakfast gives you something to eat early in the morning, while bottomless mimosas and the open boat bar set a relaxed tone. I would still treat the drinks as a bonus rather than the point of the trip. The best part is the combination of sailing, beach time, and a small group that lets you set your own pace.

Crossing into the British Virgin Islands

Jost Van Dyke is in the British Virgin Islands, so this is not simply a boat ride between two US Virgin Islands. The crew checks the group into BVI Customs, and you receive a new passport stamp. That gives the trip a real international edge, but it also adds a duty that you need to handle before departure.

Bring a valid passport for every person in your party. You also need $85 in cash per person for government customs fees. The fee is not included in the $375 tour price, and it is not a minor extra when you are budgeting for a family or larger group.

Because customs is part of the day, keep your passport and cash easy to reach. You do not want them buried in a dry bag under swim gear. The provided information does not specify how long the customs stop takes, so the exact sailing time may vary.

The duration is listed as approximately eight hours in one place and nine hours in the day plan. The itinerary gives 90 minutes at Great Harbor and three hours at White Bay, with the remaining time used for sailing and border formalities. Ask the operator to confirm the current return time when you book.

Great Harbor and Foxy’s, about 90 minutes

The first stop is Great Harbor on Jost Van Dyke, home of Foxy’s Bar. You have about an hour and a half to walk around the small town, follow its sandy main street, browse for a souvenir, and perhaps meet Foxy himself.

This stop gives you a break from the boat and a quick taste of local island life. It is not designed as a long museum visit or a formal sightseeing tour. The pleasure is in strolling without a tight list of attractions, enjoying the setting, and deciding how you want to spend your short time ashore.

You might stop for Fire Water Rum or browse the boutique. The experience works best if you keep your expectations in proportion. Great Harbor is a brief harbor visit, not a full-day exploration of Jost Van Dyke. The 90-minute limit means you should keep an eye on the meeting time so you do not turn a pleasant walk into a rushed return to the boat.

The crew adds value here by explaining the area and pointing out places that fit your interests. Kenny and Suzanna received especially strong praise for being organized, relaxed, and informative, while Rachael was noted for local knowledge and careful handling of the boat. Crew assignments can change, so the people on your departure may be different.

White Bay and the Soggy Dollar Bar

The main event is White Bay, where you spend about three hours on a white-sand beach beside the Soggy Dollar Bar. This is the longest stop of the day, and the schedule wisely gives it more time than Great Harbor.

White Bay is built for an easy afternoon. You can relax on the beach, visit the Soggy Dollar Bar, order food or drinks on your own, and use the time as you like. Admission to both listed stops is free, but food and drinks purchased ashore are not listed as included. Your onboard open bar and mimosas are covered, but plan separate money if you want to buy something at the beach.

The beach stop is also where the tour feels most flexible. You can focus on swimming and sun, spend time at the bar, or simply enjoy the sand. The boat carries snorkeling equipment, giving you another option, though the details do not specify a dedicated snorkeling stop or the exact conditions at White Bay. Bring suitable swim gear if you want to use it.

A short rain shower does not necessarily ruin the day. One account specifically praised Rachael for keeping the boat safe when a brief storm passed through. Weather remains a real factor, though, and the operator can cancel for poor conditions, offering another date or a full refund.

What the crew adds to the day

The crew is one of the strongest reasons to consider this charter. Kenny and Suzanna are praised for attentive service, clear information, and a calm style. Captain Carlie and Robin are also singled out as excellent hosts, while Sierra and Brandon are described as professional, personal, and fun. Danny and Sammie earned similar praise for taking good care of the group.

That range of names tells you something useful. The quality of the day depends in part on the crew assigned to your boat, but the operation appears to place real weight on hospitality. You can expect help with drinks, practical information about the islands, and a crew that stays involved without turning the trip into a loud entertainment show.

One particularly useful detail is that the boat does not appear to be aimed only at people looking for a floating party. A departure with nine passengers was described as relaxed and social, with cocktails available but without a kid-focused party atmosphere. That makes the trip a good fit for couples, friends, and families with older children who want a pleasant day on the water.

Still, you are sharing the boat. If you need total privacy, control of the music, or a schedule built around your own group, choose a private charter instead. This experience trades exclusivity for a more manageable price and the chance to meet other people.

Is $375 plus customs money a fair deal?

The headline price is $375 per person, which places this well above a basic ferry ride or short harbor cruise. You are also responsible for $85 in cash customs fees, making the known total $460 per person before any purchases at White Bay.

That sounds high until you separate the pieces. The price covers roughly a full day on the water, a catamaran crossing to another country, breakfast, unlimited mimosas, an open boat bar, snorkeling equipment, crew service, and time at two well-known Jost Van Dyke stops. It also buys a maximum group size of 12, rather than placing you on a large vessel with a much bigger crowd.

I think the value works best for you if sailing is a main reason for visiting St. Thomas. The ride itself receives as much praise as the beach stops, and the bean bags at the bow make the crossing part of the experience instead of dead time between ports.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a few hours at the Soggy Dollar Bar. You could be paying for breakfast, drinks, crew service, and a long crossing when your real goal is simply a beach visit. The $85 cash fee also needs to be treated as part of the actual cost, not an afterthought.

Food beyond the light breakfast is not specified as included. Plan for your own spending at White Bay, especially if you want lunch or additional drinks ashore. The tour’s open bar helps, but it does not remove every expense.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day

I would recommend this trip to you if you enjoy being on the water as much as reaching the destination. It suits people who want a polished day with drinks, a modest breakfast, a small group, and enough structure to avoid planning every detail themselves.

It is also a strong choice if Jost Van Dyke has been on your wish list. The passport stamp, Great Harbor visit, Foxy’s Bar, and White Bay stop give you a broad first look at the island in one day.

Families can participate, and service animals are allowed. The information says most people can take part, but the tour details do not describe specific boarding assistance or mobility arrangements. If you need those services, ask the operator before booking.

You may want another option if you dislike early starts, international paperwork, cash fees, or open-water sailing. The trip also requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for weather or because the minimum is not met, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund.

The normal cancellation rule is strict: the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason after booking. That makes travel insurance or careful date selection sensible, especially during uncertain weather.

Small details that make the day better

Keep your passport dry and accessible. You will need it for the BVI entry process, and every passenger must carry a valid one.

Bring $85 in cash for each person. Do not assume the tour price covers customs, because it does not.

Arrive prepared for a full day outside. Swimwear, sun protection, and a way to protect personal items from spray make practical sense, though the operator does not provide a specific packing list.

If sitting at the front matters to you, ask the crew where it is appropriate to settle once boarding is complete. Bean bags at the bow are a popular place to enjoy the ride, but space is limited on a small shared boat.

Remember that the three hours at White Bay can pass quickly. If you want beach time, drinks, lunch, and a visit to the Soggy Dollar Bar, decide early how you want to use the stop.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran sail if you want a full island day built around the journey, not just a transfer. The small group, warm crew service, open bar, passport stamp, Great Harbor stop, and long afternoon at White Bay create a well-rounded experience.

Skip it if $460 per person before shore purchases feels too steep, or if you want a private boat and complete control of the schedule. Also think twice if you cannot commit to a non-refundable booking.

For the right person, this is a strong St. Thomas day trip. You get a real taste of Jost Van Dyke, plenty of time at the Soggy Dollar Bar, and a relaxed catamaran ride that many people consider the best part of the day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

What time does the tour begin?

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

Where does the tour end?

The catamaran returns to the original meeting point at American Yacht Harbor.

How many people can join the trip?

The tour has a maximum of 12 participants. One departure had nine people aboard.

Do I need a passport?

Yes. This is an international excursion to the British Virgin Islands, and every passenger needs a valid passport.

How much are the customs fees?

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

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes a light continental breakfast, unlimited mimosas, and an open boat bar with alcoholic beverages.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, although the listed schedule does not specify a separate snorkeling stop.

What happens if the tour is canceled?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not met, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.