GREAT HARBOR
Six months after Hurricane Irma, Jost Van Dyke, like much of the BVIs, displays the dichotomy of destruction and regrowth. In the days immediately following Hurricane Irma, the cruisers’ and charter boat hot spot, “Foxy’s,” in Great Harbor, served as a center for refuge and relief disbursements. Six months later, Foxy’s is up and running and celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a grand soirée. Foxy, with his whimsical sense of humor, sang at the 50th Anniversary celebration, what has become known as “Foxy’s Hurricane Irma Song.
Ryan & Ronan at Foxy’s, Great Harbor, Jost Van Dyke, BVIs, (March 2018)
Foxy’s, Great Harbor, Jost Van Dyke, BVIs, (March 2018)
Ryan & Ronan, Jenga at Foxy’s, Great Harbor, Jost Van Dyke, BVIs, (March 2018)
Great Harbor, Jost Van Dyke, seemed to have fewer mooring balls than were available in previous visits, however, there was plenty of room to anchor and the harbor was full of boats.
Great Harobor, Jost Van Dyke (March 2018)
There is also a brand new dinghy dock directly in front of Foxy’s.
New dinghy dock, Great Harbor, Jost Van Dyke, BVIs (March 2018)
New dinghy dock in front of Foxy’s, Great Harbor, Jost Van Dyke, BVIs, (March 2018)
Customs and Immigration services are available a short walk down the beach, in Great Harbor. It is a good place to clear in, if heading south, or out, if heading north. Along the beach, are the lingering signs of Hurricane Irma’s destruction, and the resiliency of the recovery efforts.
Relief tent in a box, Jost Van Dyke, BVIs (March 2018)
Corsair’s is rebuilding
WHITE HARBOR
With Pilots’ Discretion securely moored in Great Harbor, we rode the dinghy over to White Harbor. In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Irma, weekly flotillas cruised into White Bay to assist in the rebuilding efforts. Six months later, as we were repeatedly told “the drinks are still cold and the water is still blue.” The infamous Soggy Dollar and Hendo’s were both open and fully operational.
Scott & Randy walking ashore to the Soggy Dollar, White Bay, Jost Van Dyke, BVIs (March 2018)
Ronan, Ryan, Randy & Scott heading into Soggy Dollar, White Bay, Jost Van Dyke, BVIs (March 2018)
Hendo’s, White Bay, Jost Van Dyke, BVIs (March 2018)
New palm trees outside Soggy Dollar, White Bay, Jost Van Dyke, BVIs (March 2018)
Soggy Dollar & Hendo’s, White Bay, Jost Van Dyke, BVIs, (March 2018)
White Harbor, Jost Van Dyke, BVIs, (March 2018)
Soggy Dollar, White Bay, Jost Van Dyke (March 2018)
LITTLE HARBOR
Little Harbor, Jost Van Dyke, appeared, to us, to be the hardest hurricane hit harbor on Jost Van Dyke. On previous visits to Jost Van Dyke, we always spent a few nights in Little Harbor because it seemed quieter and quainter to us (translation fewer party boats and more family friendly). Sidney’s Peace and Love, Harris’ Restaurant and Abe’s were all places not to be missed. Now they are all missing.
The old Sidney’s Peace and Love restaurant and souvenir shop (located to the left of the two white doors in the photos below, is completely gone. In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Irma, a large ferry boat landed atop the building wiping out the entire structure. We were glad to see that Sidney’s niece “Strawberry” has since reopened the restaurant on the other side of the building.
Sidney’s Peace & Love is open, little Harbor, Jost Van Dyke, BVIS (March 2018)
Harris’ Restaurant was likewise completely destroyed, but is reportedly rebuilding soon.
Harris’s restaurant is gone, but is reportedly rebuilding, Little Harbor, Jost Van Dyke, BVIs (March 2018)
Leaving Jost Van Dyke astern, we next cruised over to another one of our favorite bays in the BVIs, Cane Garden Bay. . .
pilotsdiscretiondotcom 