Hike to the Bubbly Pool on Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands
- Tina Walsh
- Apr 20, 2021
- 5 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
On the far eastern side of Jost Van Dyke in the BVI, is a geological delight called the Bubbly Pool. This natural Jacuzzi is formed as waves roll through a crevasse in the boulders that line the Northeastern coast of Jost. The waves fill a small pool with effervescent sea water.
This beautiful spot is 3.8 km from Great Harbour and 1.3 km from Little Harbour. If you are walking from Great Harbour, there is a steep incline to reach Little Harbour and another steep incline to reach Long Bay. You can’t drive a car or boat directly to the pool, the start of the trail is directly behind Foxy’s Taboo Restaurant.
With lots of parking and a dock for dinghy access, Foxy’s Taboo Restaurant offers some of the best food on the island. A lot of people choose to have lunch here first and then walk it off with a trip to the Bubbly Pool, while others like to do it in reverse.
How to Get to the Bubbly Pool?
The easiest way to reach the Bubbly Pool is to pick up a mooring ball at Diamond Key and Dingy into Foxy's Taboo or grab a taxi from Great Harbour or Little Harbour. Take the road behind Foxy's Taboo until it ends at Cape Wright Salt Pond. Stay right and follow the coast until you reach the incline. You will see a large white caution sign. Walk up to the sign and go left. Once you get to Foxy's Taboo, you can follow All Trails to get to the Bubbly Pool. Either way, you will want to bring water, sunscreen and water shoes.
Pictured below are my favorite water shoes and reef safe sunscreen. I like these shoes because they work for easy hiking as well.
Essential Online Links For Booking Your Trip to the British Virgin Islands
Logistics: There is one international airport in the British Virgin Islands. You can also fly into St. Thomas USVI and take a ferry to Road Town, Tortola. :Â Taxis are available throughout the islands. Private Transfers are available from both airports: Private Arrival Transfer from EIS Airport to Tortola, Private Ground Transfers, St. Thomas, Ferry Schedules are available at USVI.net, Water Taxi transfers are available through Dolphin Water TaxiÂ
Top-rated British Virgin Islands tours and experiences:
☆Conch Island Snorkel Tour: Contact Kelly at Anegadaconcierge@gmail.com or Whatsapp at 281 496-0961
Top places to stay in British Virgin Islands:Â
Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina (Tortola - Luxury)
Wyndham Tortola BVI Lambert Beach Resort (Tortola - Budget Friendly, )
Sebastian's on the Beach Hotel (Tortola - Budget Friendly)
Rosewood Little Dix Bay Virgin Gorda (Virgin Gorda - Luxury, )
Saba Rock Resort ( North Sound - Luxury,)
Anegada Beach Resort (Anegada -Budget Friendly, )
My favorite Guidebook for Bareboating in the British Virgin Islands: The Cruising Guide to the Virgin IslandsÂ
My favorite Guidebook for the British Virgin Islands: Top 10 US & British Virgin IslandsÂ
My favorite Novel about the Caribbean: The Embarrassment Of Mangoes or Vintage Norman Island: True Tales About a Real Treasure Island with Pirates and Buried Treasure
Don’t forget to pack: water shoes*** underwater camera*** HD mask ***reef safe sunscreen.
How to Know You are on the Right Trail to the Bubbly Pool?
If you are looking at the sign from across the Salt Pond, you are on the wrong side. Back Track and return to the coastal shore.
This lovely view is from the goat paths on the wrong side of the Salt Pond. These paths dead-end before you reach the Bubbly Pool.
The goats are very timid and will not bother you.
On our recent visit to the Bubbly Pool, we were there at low tide. High tides and north swell create a completely different experience.
JOIN MY EMAIL LIST FOR THE LATEST UPDATES
This picture was taken at high tide on a visit before before Irma.
The pool is about 4 feet deep. Caution because the rip tide can be substantial.
How was the Bubbly Pool Created?
The north side of Jost Van Dyke faces the tranquil Caribbean waters on the southern ridge of the island, the Atlantic Ocean feeds the shores, where sheer rock faces and strong waves make things livelier. The wave action and rougher surf created the natural pool that is the Bubbly Pool. This environment is the perfect condition for the Bubbly Pool, at this hidden site where the pounding surf converges in a warm, effervescent pool, creating a natural jacuzzi.
At the caution sign, left takes you to the Bubbly Pool, right takes you to the rocky cliffs and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. There are many beautiful vistas when exploring those trails.
From your mooring at Diamond Key, it is easy to explore another natural delight, Sandy Cay. On Little Jost is the B-Line Beach Bar. You can while away an afternoon, sipping cold libations and enjoying the beach. Have you been to the Bubbly Pool? Share your experience in the comments below.
Are you interested in sailing in the BVI, check out my post,
If you are interested in land accommodations on Jost Van Dyke, check out Booking.com.
For More Information on Travel in the British Virgin Islands, Check Out These Posts:
