How to Get to Jost Van Dyke from Tortola
The ferry from Tortola to Jost Van Dyke takes about 20 to 25 minutes and costs $30 one-way per adult as of 2026. New Horizon Ferry runs daily from the West End ferry terminal on Tortola to Great Harbour on Jost Van Dyke, with five departures in each direction. This guide covers the schedule, fares, how to book, what to bring, and where to stay on both sides of the crossing.
New Horizon Ferry: the public ferry service
New Horizon Ferry Service is the established public ferry operator connecting Tortola and Jost Van Dyke, running daily service since 2000. The route runs from West End, Tortola to Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke, covering roughly 5 miles of open water in about 20 to 25 minutes. The fare is $30 one-way or $40 round trip per adult as of 2026, and tickets can be booked online at trytn.com/en/NewHorizonFerryService or by calling 1-284-542-5959.
Payment is accepted in cash on board, so bring US dollars. The operator also runs excursions and a barge service, but the daily passenger ferry is the main service most travelers use. New Horizon’s office is located at Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke, with hours of 9am to 5pm daily.
Ferry schedule: West End and Great Harbour departures
New Horizon Ferry runs five trips per day in each direction as of 2026. The last departure from West End is at 6:00pm, which gives day-trippers a reasonable window for a full day on the island before the return. Arriving on the first 8:00am departure gives you the most time on JVD.
| Departing from West End, Tortola | Departing from Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke |
|---|---|
| 8:00 am | 7:00 am |
| 10:00 am | 9:00 am |
| 1:00 pm | 12:00 pm |
| 4:00 pm | 2:00 pm |
| 6:00 pm | 5:00 pm |
Schedules are consistent year-round, but confirm current times at newhorizonferry.com before your trip, especially around BVI public holidays when service may be adjusted. New Horizon also runs a Wednesday-only Virgin Gorda trip (departs Great Harbour 8:00am, returns 4:00pm, $80 round trip) for those wanting to extend their BVI island-hopping.
How to get to the West End ferry terminal
The West End ferry terminal (also called Soper’s Hole) is located at the western tip of Tortola, about 10 miles from Road Town (the capital). Most visitors arrive in Road Town first, either by air through Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island (East End) or by ferry from the USVI. From Road Town, taxis to West End take approximately 25 to 30 minutes, and shared taxi fares run around $8 to $10 per person. Private taxis charge roughly $25 to $30 for the full vehicle.
Parking is available on either side of the road near the West End terminal for those driving a rental car. If you’re doing a day trip from Tortola, it’s simpler to take a taxi and avoid the hassle of leaving a car at the terminal all day. The BVI Customs and Immigration office at West End is open Monday through Sunday, 8:00am to 9:00pm.
Private water taxi options
Private water taxis are available for travelers who want flexibility on timing or are traveling in a group. These charter boats typically depart from West End or Road Town on request rather than a fixed schedule, and prices are based on a per-boat rate rather than per-person. For a private charter within BVI waters, expect to pay from around $150 to $250 for a one-way water taxi to JVD, split among the group. Verify current rates directly with licensed charter operators at Soper’s Hole Marina in West End.
Private charters make sense for groups of four or more, or if you need to travel outside the standard ferry hours. For solo travelers and couples, the $30 public ferry is the practical choice.
Passports and entry requirements
Jost Van Dyke is part of the British Virgin Islands, a British Overseas Territory. All visitors must present a valid passport to enter the BVI, regardless of nationality or point of departure. Passport cards are accepted for sea travel only. The BVI Customs and Immigration office at Great Harbour is open Monday through Sunday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.
For travelers coming from Tortola (also BVI), you are already inside BVI territory, so there is no separate customs fee or immigration charge for the ferry crossing. The passport requirement applies when you first enter the BVI from outside its territory. If you’re basing yourself in Tortola for your trip, you’ll have cleared customs on arrival there and can take the ferry to JVD freely.
Arriving at Great Harbour: what to expect
The ferry docks at Great Harbour, the main settlement on Jost Van Dyke and the island’s primary port of entry. From the dock, Foxy’s Tamarind Bar is a short walk along the beach, a landmark establishment famous across the Caribbean for its lively atmosphere and New Year’s Eve parties. The customs office is just off the dock and marked clearly.
Getting around Jost Van Dyke is straightforward. The island is small (about 4 square miles), and the main road connects Great Harbour to White Bay on the south side and Little Harbour to the east. Abe and Eunice’s Car Rental at Great Harbour rents Suzuki Jeeps if you want to explore independently. White Bay, home to the Soggy Dollar Bar and Sandcastle Hotel, is a 15-minute walk or a short drive from the dock. Taxis (often open-air trucks) are available at the terminal for a few dollars per person.
Where to stay near the ferry route
Most visitors base themselves in Tortola and take the ferry as a day trip, but staying on JVD itself means arriving before the day-trippers and leaving after they’re gone.
The Sandcastle Hotel at White Bay is the most established lodging on Jost Van Dyke, with seven beachfront cottages set directly on White Bay beach. It sits next to the Soggy Dollar Bar, which is credited as the birthplace of the Painkiller cocktail. The property operates as an adults-only boutique hotel, and rates as of 2026 start around $350/night for a beachfront cottage. Book directly at sandcastlebvi.com.
For travelers basing themselves in Tortola to be close to the West End ferry terminal, Long Bay Beach Resort is a well-regarded 4-star property in West End with a 9.2 guest rating on Expedia, direct beach access, and rooms from approximately $280/night as of 2026. Fort Recovery Beachfront Villa and Suites, built around a 17th-century Dutch fort on Tortola’s western shore, offers 1, 2, and 3-bedroom villas from $323/night for a 1-bedroom as of 2026 and is about 15 minutes from the West End terminal.
Transport options comparison
| Option | Cost (2026) | Duration | Booking | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Horizon Ferry (one-way) | $30/person | 20-25 min | trytn.com or walk-up | Solo travelers, couples, small groups |
| New Horizon Ferry (round trip) | $40/person | 20-25 min each way | trytn.com or walk-up | Day trips |
| Private water taxi (charter) | $150-250/boat | 15-20 min | Direct with operator | Groups of 4+, custom timing |
Travel tips and practical advice
Bring cash in US dollars. ATMs are essentially nonexistent on Jost Van Dyke, and while some beach bars accept cards, cash is the reliable option for ferries, taxis, and smaller vendors. Most visitors recommend carrying at least $60 to $100 per person for a day on the island, covering the ferry, food, drinks, and a taxi.
Plan around the last ferry back to Tortola at 5:00pm departing Great Harbour. Missing it means arranging a private water taxi back, which costs considerably more than the regular ferry. If you’re doing a day trip and catching the afternoon ferry home, aim to leave White Bay by 4:15pm to walk back to Great Harbour in time.
The peak season for BVI runs December through April, when the ferry can be fuller on weekends and around Foxy’s famous New Year’s Eve celebration (which draws thousands of visitors and requires advance planning for transport and accommodation). Low season (August to October) has slightly lower hotel rates and fewer crowds, though this overlaps with hurricane season.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the ferry from Tortola to Jost Van Dyke?
The New Horizon Ferry from West End, Tortola to Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke takes approximately 20 to 25 minutes. The crossing covers about 5 miles of the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Five daily departures run in each direction, with the first boat leaving West End at 8:00am and the last at 6:00pm.
How much does the Tortola to Jost Van Dyke ferry cost?
New Horizon Ferry charges $30 one-way or $40 round trip per adult as of 2026. Tickets can be booked online at trytn.com/en/NewHorizonFerryService. Payment is accepted in cash on board, so bring US dollars. Private water taxi charters are available for groups and cost from $150 to $250 per boat one-way.
Do you need a passport to go from Tortola to Jost Van Dyke?
Yes, a valid passport is required for all visitors to the British Virgin Islands, including the Tortola to Jost Van Dyke ferry. Both islands are part of the BVI, so there is no separate customs fee for travelers already in Tortola making an inter-island crossing. The Great Harbour customs office is open Monday through Sunday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.
What is the last ferry from Jost Van Dyke to Tortola?
The last New Horizon Ferry departure from Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke to West End, Tortola is at 5:00pm daily. Travelers doing a day trip should plan to be back at the Great Harbour dock by 4:45pm to allow boarding time. Missing the last ferry means arranging a private water taxi, which costs significantly more than the regular fare.
Is there a cheaper way to get to Jost Van Dyke?
At $30 one-way, the New Horizon Ferry is the most affordable option for traveling to Jost Van Dyke. There is no cheaper scheduled ferry service. Day-trippers from the USVI often join organized boat tours or charter catamarans out of St. Thomas or St. John, which include the crossing, beach time, and snorkeling stops, but these are not cheaper on a per-person basis for those already on Tortola.
Where does the ferry from Tortola to Jost Van Dyke leave from?
New Horizon Ferry departs from the West End ferry terminal on Tortola, also known as Soper’s Hole. The terminal is at the western tip of the island, about 10 miles from Road Town. Taxis from Road Town run approximately $8 to $10 per person in a shared vehicle. The BVI Customs and Immigration office at West End is open 8:00am to 9:00pm daily.
What is there to do on Jost Van Dyke?
Jost Van Dyke is best known for White Bay beach, one of the Caribbean’s most photographed stretches of sand, and the beach bars that line it. The Soggy Dollar Bar at Sandcastle Hotel is credited with inventing the Painkiller cocktail. Foxy’s Tamarind Bar at Great Harbour is a landmark stop for sailors and visitors. The island also offers snorkeling at the Sandy Cay reef, hiking to viewpoints, and kayaking around the coastline.
