Food Fete to kick off on sister islands

BVI Food Fete activities for 2026 will kick off this month with a sister-island event lineup aimed at attracting diners to Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda.

The Jost Lime & Dine will start Saturday in celebration of Valentine’s Day and continue through March 14.

Besides special deals at the island’s 14 participating restaurants during that time, the programme offers a late ferry back to Tortola each Friday and Saturday designed to give Tortola residents a chance to dine on the sister island without spending the night.

The Saturday launch, themed “Lover’s Lime,” will include wine tasting, giveaways, live music from Cal J and a photo contest, according to the BVI Tourist Board and Film Commission.

On Fridays and Saturdays throughout the promotion period, the final ferry departure from West End to Jost Van Dyke will leave at 6:30 p.m., and the final return ferry back to Tortola will leave at 10:45 p.m.

Ferry fares will be $20 roundtrip for guests who provide proof of a restaurant reservation made through the BVITB’s booking service. Without proof, passengers pay $30.

Consultations

Tourism Director Clive McCoy said the annual promotion has been adjusted in consultation with the JVD community.

“Their feedback was clear: Extending the departure time from West End and hosting the event on both Fridays and Saturdays would make the experience even more accessible,” Mr. McCoy said.

The JVD activities will conclude on March 14 with a finale themed “Tropical Glow Night” and featuring music by DJ Nixx the Mix, performances by the BVI Optimum Skydancers, complimentary cocktails, a photobooth and giveaways, according to the BVITB.

On Virgin Gorda

Before that, however, the main action moves to Virgin Gorda from 5-10 p.m. on Feb. 28 for an annual Food Fete event rebranded as “Dockside Dining – Small Bites, Big Flavour.”

To accommodate a larger crowd, the event was moved from the Nail Bay Ruins to the Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour, according to the BVITB.

The programme will include tastings from 12 restaurants, a “Farm-to-Table Demonstration Tasting Trail,” and a “pop-up mixology bar,” the agency stated.

Entertainment will include DJ Quanie, the Hardcore Band and saxophonist Syothesax.

Tickets cost $120, and a $25 round-trip ferry package from Trellis Bay will include complimentary ground transport.

Ferries will depart Trellis Bay at 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., with a 10:45 p.m. return.

Tickets will be sold at Tourist Board locations in Virgin Gorda and Tortola and online via Eventbrite.