This villa earns its name, “Almost Heaven,” for good reason. Perched high on a cliff with breathtaking views of the Great Harbour on the charmingly under-the-radar island of Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands, it’s a place that will truly make you feel like you’re on cloud nine during your stay.

Location and How To Get There 

Almost Heaven Villa is tucked away on the lesser-known island of Jost Van Dyke in the stunning British Virgin Islands. While the island is famously home to the Soggy Dollar Bar, there’s so much more to explore beyond White Bay. Conveniently, the villa is just a short hop from the ferry port, which is likely where you’ll first arrive.

There are a few ways to get to Jost Van Dyke. You can fly into Tortola (the only BVI island with an international airport, code EIS), with direct flights now available from Miami. From there, you’ll take a 60-minute taxi ride to the West End and catch a 20-minute ferry to Jost Van Dyke. Ferry tickets cost $30 one way or $40 for a round trip, and you don’t need to book them in advance. There is a nominal fee of a few dollars for luggage, which will be loaded onto the ferry for you. There are several ferries each day, but it’s a good idea to check the schedule ahead of time, especially if you’re flying into EIS, so you can catch the last ferry, which typically leaves at 6 PM. On my last trip the taxi ride cost between $90 and $120 for three people. 

Another option is to fly into St. Thomas, which has multiple daily flights. From there, you can take a ferry to Jost Van Dyke. The ferry doesn’t run every day, so checking the schedule is crucial. Don’t forget your passport, as you’ll need it for immigration when you arrive. If you’re travelling with a group and the ferry isn’t running, consider booking a private water taxi from St. Thomas. While pricier, it can be a cost-effective choice for larger groups.

Once you’re in Jost Van Dyke, Almost Heaven Villa is just a three-minute drive from the ferry port. You can spot the villa on the hillside as you approach by boat—look for the colourful rainbow mural! We opted to rent a car through Paradise Jeep Rentals, which allowed us to explore the island at our own pace. Our fantastic hosts—Brooke, Les, and Tina—provided great recommendations and detailed instructions before we had even arrived. They made our stay so much easier! We booked the car through a recommendation from our hosts and found the process smooth, even though the payment page was down during our booking. Don’t worry if you encounter a broken link; you’ll still get a confirmation email and your reservation will be secure.

Check In Process

As I mentioned earlier, the communication with the villa hosts really was exceptional. I let them know our estimated arrival time since we were catching the 4 PM ferry to Jost Van Dyke. When we arrived at the villa after picking up our jeep, we were warmly welcomed by Brooke, Les, and Tina. They gave us a tour of the villa, walked us through the electronics and kitchen appliances, and shared some great personal recommendations for local spots, including restaurants and bars. Their tips were incredibly helpful!

The villa also has a handy binder with all sorts of useful info, like restaurant recommendations, activities, and practical details like the Wi-Fi password and where to find the rubbish bins.

A standout feature of our stay was the provisioning service. Even though we planned to try out local eateries, we decided it would be nice to have some essentials on hand for our first morning, like breakfast items, drinks, and coffee supplies. Before our trip, the hosts sent us links to two Tortola stores offering provisioning services. Ordering online was a breeze—just pick your items and choose a delivery time (most provisions come on the 1:30 PM ferry to JVD). Our hosts even picked up our order from the ferry dock, so when we arrived, we already had cold drinks waiting in the fridge! This service was incredibly convenient and worth every penny. There are a few convenience stores on Jost Van Dyke, but they only carry basic items, and some frozen goods might not be in the best shape. Provisioning costs only 10% of your total cart value, which I found quite reasonable for the ease it provides. Next time, we’ll definitely order more items!

The Villa 

I’ve stayed in some pretty amazing villas, but I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen a view as breathtaking as this one! The villa overlooks Great Harbour, with a stunning infinity pool perfectly framing the scene. I could’ve easily spent the entire week just lounging on the deck and taking in the view.

The villa itself is perfect for families, couples, or groups of friends travelling together. It has three bedrooms, each with its own ensuite bathroom and private entrance. None of the bedrooms share walls, so everyone has their own space. On either side of the villa, there are two king bedrooms, each equipped with an air conditioning unit above the bed and an ensuite bathroom with a shower. The middle bedroom has two queen beds and an ensuite that connects to the main living area, allowing the villa to comfortably accommodate up to eight people.

The kitchen has everything you need if you want to cook your own meals during your stay. It’s fully equipped with a huge fridge freezer, coffee machine, gas hob, oven, and a large Weber grill BBQ (powered by propane) outside, which we definitely put to good use one night for a BBQ on the patio while enjoying the scenery. The living area is cozy, with a large C-shaped sofa, a massive flat-screen TV with more channels than I knew existed (thanks to Dish Network), and a big dining table for meals. There are screen doors at each entrance, so you can let the breeze in without worrying about bugs.

The outdoor area was definitely my favourite spot, with plenty of places to sit and relax, but the real star of the show was the infinity pool overlooking the bay. The pool catches the morning sun, making it the perfect place to watch the sunrise, and then it’s shaded in the late afternoon, which I absolutely loved—after a day of exploring in the sun, it was nice to relax in the shade. There are also inflatable noodles and rings for the pool, which I can assure you were put to good use.

Facilities and Activities

Every detail of the villa has been carefully considered, and there are plenty of extras to make your stay even more enjoyable. From the Weber grill outside to a wide range of snorkelling gear (fins, masks, and snorkels), a sturdy beach bag, and a fantastic cooler, you’ll find everything you need to fully enjoy the island. Whether you’re exploring the waters with snorkeling gear, packing drinks in the cooler for a day at the beach, or firing up the grill for a family BBQ night at the villa, you’re all set for a memorable experience.

The villa also has a detailed binder filled with recommendations, and your hosts are responsive to text messages—they’re basically a walking directory for everything on Jost Van Dyke! You won’t run out of things to do on the island. While White Bay, home to the famous Soggy Dollar Bar, is absolutely stunning and a must-visit, there’s so much more to explore. From lively beach bars to natural “bubbly pools,” there’s something for everyone. Got an idea for a boat trip? I guarantee the amazing hosts will know someone who can make it happen. With only about 300 people on the island, everyone knows everyone!

Closing Remarks 

I had a feeling I’d love Jost Van Dyke—it’s definitely off the beaten path compared to the usual tourist spots, and everything I read beforehand mentioned its beautiful beaches and fantastic beach bars. But I didn’t expect to fall completely head over heels for the island, its people, and its culture. Now, I can confidently say this is my absolute favorite island in the entire Caribbean (and I’ve travelled extensively throughout the region, visiting over 32 islands!). I’ve never felt safer or more welcomed as a visitor, and I’m already planning my next trip back to this paradise.

What really took my stay to the next level, though, was the villa and the incredible hospitality of the hosts—Brooke, Les, and Tina. They welcomed me like an old friend, making me feel like family by the time I left. They went above and beyond to ensure we had an amazing stay and got to experience every bit of what the island has to offer. I know that every villa I stay at in the future might pale in comparison, which just means I’ll have to return—because as they say on Jost, “If you don’t leave, you can’t come back.”

Ready to book Almost Heaven Villa? Click Here!

You can find out more about my stay on my “Jost Van Dyke” Highlights on Instagram @chase.the.rainbows.

Disclosure: chasetherainbows.com participates in affiliate advertising programs as a way to earn revenue. Some links to products and services are affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you click an affiliate link and finalize a purchase at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support.