Transportation
- Best Beach Nearby
- White Bay Beach (Consistently ranked top 10 globally)
- Top Regional Airline
- Silver Airways or InterCaribbean (via Tortola EIS or St. Thomas STT)
- Top International Airline
- American Airlines (Direct flights from Miami to Tortola EIS)
- Highway Access
- One main paved road connecting Great Harbour to White Bay
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Great Harbour Ferry Dock (Connections to West End, Tortola and St. John, USVI)
- Public Transport Passes
- None. Inter-island ferries are approx. $30-$50 round trip
- Regional Travel
- Inter-Island Boat Services ferries to St. John (USVI) and Tortola
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps. Local safari taxis (e.g., Gregory's Taxi) charge $5-$10 per person
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not common due to steep, unpaved hills; Paradise Jeep Rentals ($80+/day)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Jost Van Dyke Clinic (Basic care). Major emergencies go to Peebles Hospital, Tortola
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Occasional yoga at Hendo's Hideout ($20 drop-in); no dedicated studios
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- None. Most residents use outdoor hiking trails or swimming
- Laundry Services
- Sunshine's Laundry in Great Harbour ($15 per load)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None available. Most places offer take-out via VHF Radio or phone
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Roti or Fresh Caribbean Lobster (approx. $45+ at Foxy's)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- CocoLoco (Tacos/Salads); limited options elsewhere beyond sides
- Best Dessert Spots
- Soggy Dollar Bar (Famous for Nilla Wafer inspired treats)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Christine's Bakery (Fresh bread/pastries/basic snacks)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Aeropost (Via Tortola address) for US deliveries
- Grocery Delivery
- Bobby's Supermarket (Tortola) delivers via ferry to Great Harbour
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Great Harbour (Foxy's, Corsair’s, Ali Baba’s)
- Local Brewery
- BVI Beer (Brewed in Tortola, served widely); Try 'Tuma Gold'
- Wine Bars
- No dedicated wine bars; Hendo's Hideout has the best wine list
- Street Food Stalls
- Occasional BBQ stalls near the ferry dock during festivals
- Popular International Cuisine
- Corsair's (Eclectic mix of Mexican, Italian, and Caribbean)
Other Services and Amenities
- Tech Repair Services
- None. Must travel to Road Town, Tortola (Digital Life BVI)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Foxy's back area (Occasional tables)
- Language Classes
- English is primary; no formal language schools
- Libraries & Study Spots
- No public library; the private lounge at White Bay Villas
- Community Centers
- Jost Van Dyke School multipurpose room
- Gaming Lounges
- None
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in the British Virgin Islands
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL/FedEx pickups via Tortola; picked up at Great Harbour ferry
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Rarely available. Land starts at $250,000 for 0.5 acre
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Estimated $450,000+ for modular cottages
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $6,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $390,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $5,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $330,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $7,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $560,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $6,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $480,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 0% for BVI Business Companies (IBCs)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0%
- Tax System
- Territorial/Zero-tax (Payroll tax of 10-14% for employees only)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 0% (No Personal Income Tax)
- VAT
- 0% (Import duties apply: 5-20%)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No
- Property Tax
- Low; $50 flat fee plus small % of land value
- Property Transaction Tax
- 12% Stamp Duty for Non-Belongers (Foreigners)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes, zero income/capital gains tax makes it a top tier offshore hub
Essentials
- City
- Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands
- Population
- Approximately 300 residents
- Internet Speed
- 15-25 Mbps via Digicel/Flow; Starlink is now the preferred choice for nomads (150+ Mbps)
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar ($). 1 USD = 1 USD. No ATMs on the island; bring cash from Tortola/St. Thomas
- Tap Water
- Not typically drinkable (cistern water); bottled water is standard ($3 per 1.5L)
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (US standard)
- SIM Card
- Digicel or Flow BVI. Available in Road Town, Tortola before arrival ($30 for 10GB)
- Banking for Expats
- No banks on island; FirstBank or Banco Popular in nearby Tortola
- Accommodation
- Limited villas and guest houses (e.g., White Bay Villas, Glass House JVD)
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly cash-based; larger bars like Foxy's and Soggy Dollar accept Visa/MC with 3-5% surcharges
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local sites like BVIWelcome; prices range from $200-$600 per night
- Budget Accommodation
- Ivan's Stress-Free Bar and Guest House ($100-$150/night for basic cabins)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- White Bay (Home to famous beach bars and white sand)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Great Harbour (Better access to groceries, ferries, and stable infrastructure)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None. Remote work is done from private villas or foxy's out-of-peak hours
- Best Cafe for Work
- Foxy's Taboo (Diamond Cay) - quieter with decent Wi-Fi and power outlets
- Networking Events
- Informal networking at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar during yachting arrivals
- Social Events for Expats
- Old Year's Eve Party (Dec 31) - world-famous gathering at Great Harbour
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Bubbly Pool (Natural rock jacuzzi at the north shore)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Foxy's Gift Shop (Cultural artifacts and island history displays)
- Historical Sites
- Ruins of the sugar mills on the eastern end (Diamond Cay area)
- Religious Sites
- Jost Van Dyke Methodist Church (Great Harbour)
- Annual Events
- JVD Music Festival; Foxy's Wooden Boat Regatta
- Cultural Districts
- Great Harbour (The administrative and social hub)
- Theater Venues
- None. Performance art is usually live music at beach bars
- Local Markets
- Small produce market near the customs dock on Wednesdays
- Music Scene
- Live Calypso and Reggae at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar
- Street Art
- Hand-painted signs and murals at the Soggy Dollar Bar
- Cooking Classes
- Private sessions can be arranged at Glass House JVD
- Art Galleries
- The Sandbox (Local crafts and paintings)
- Historic Buildings
- The Old Administration Building (Great Harbour)
- Local Heritage
- Quaker history; burial ground of William Thornton (Architect of US Capitol)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Sandy Spit (Tiny uninhabited cay 10 mins away by boat)
- National Parks Nearby
- Diamond Cay National Park (Bird sanctuary and hiking)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The ridge hike from Great Harbour over to White Bay
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The 'Highest Point' trail over looking Little Harbour and Tortola
- Birdwatching Locations
- Salt ponds near Little Harbour (Common Stilts, Herons)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Ivan's Stress-Free Bar (Famous for beach bonfires)