Q's about Nov in STJ.....

[Pianogrl]

We have always gone to STJ in May (love that time frame & will continue to go then) but we have a trip coming up to STJ the first week in November.

Q: Having never been to STJ at this particular time, what are some of the things about STJ that are different at this time than in May?...(water temp/condition, restaurants, shops, people, etc) Anything you want to add is great!

Thanks!

[Ksea]

I have been twice in June and once the first week of November. I did not find any difference in the air temp or water temp. I think there were less mosquitos in Nov but Im not a bug magnet. All our usual shops and restaurants were open both months. Island traffic was the same both months. Have a great time!

[jdw]

Our trips were just the opposite - we went twice in November (first week) and this year decided to go in May. I think I like November better. Not a huge difference but I think in May it was hotter, there were more mosquitoes and it was a little more crowded. I think our next trip will either be in April or November again.

[kklay]

There is a group of us that have been to St. John in early November probably 8 or more times and also in the March timeframe. I actually prefer November (or late October)just because the water is a little warmer and there are less "spring breakers," although that's probably not a problem in May! Of course, any time you can go to St. John is wonderful and beats a day at work! We typically like to travel when the weather is not very "nice" in Ohio and November/March really fit that description. We've had some rain in November - and yes, we were there the week of the monsoon a few years back but made the best of it and still had a great time.

[Tam-MO]

Haven't been in May but we always go the end of Oct first of Nov and 2 yrs ago went Thanksgiving week. I think Miss Lucy's and Vie's were closed when we went the last week of Oct but were open when we went on Thanksgiving week. I'm not sure of their schedules so you may want to check those if you are planning a trip to either. Everything else seemed to be open. We have never found it to be crowded this time of yr and the weather has always been great (Knock on Wood!! We are going this yr Oct17). We love going in Oct and Nov. It's still hot in the mid to upper eighties and humid. Water temps are perfect. All three times we've been we've seen heavy rain showers a few nights but none during the day. There were a few days with passing showers. 15-20 minutes of rain then clear. Typical tropics.
I can't compare it to May since I've never been but I think you'll like it in Nov!
Too bad we will miss you by a few weeks. You'll have to let us know what you think when you get back and how it compares to May for you.

[CariBert]

Hey there Pianogrl, we normally go in the June/July time frame. We went one time in the middle of November, to get married, and we noticed two very distinct differnces.

1. It gets dark earlier, less sun time for the beaches, and 2. The water temp is noticably cooler, at least it was to us.

We much prefer to go in the June/July time frame, mainly because, and you can probably relate to this, it is MUCH cooler down there than it is here in Dallas! A nice break from the 104 degree temps.

-JMHO, Bert

[djmom]

Pool was a little cold for adults in the evening in November...but not unusable. Much more pleasant air temps at night.

You may encounter northern swells-we have both times we went in November. That was the week before Thanksgiving (both times). If waves are crashing on the North shore, just go to a beach that is not on the north shore and you can't even tell.

Both times that happened it was over in a few days.

[Lulu76]

So far, I have only gone in October and November, so I can't talk about Spring, but I can tell you about November.

The only thing that was still closed during the 2nd week of November last year was Sweet Plantains.

We did still have a little trouble booking a boat trip, but not nearly as much as we did in October. Some boats are still off island in November.

Our car rental was cheaper in November because we got some sort of special off-season discount (like 20% more than usual off the off-season rates).

It does get darker, but we like to wrap up our beach visits by happy hour anyhow. We also did not use the pool much because less sunshine does mean colder pool. We could stand it on floats but that was it.

The water everywhere on the north shore and on Jost was very choppy. Lots of swells. Trunk had a surf advisory, and our lone snorkeler was only able to get out once. I didn't even feel comfortable on my noodle most days.

But it's still St. John and it was much better than being here in November. I don't know what May is like but hopefully that gives you an idea of what to expect in the fall.

If I do another fall trip, I will plan it in October. I like when the shops are closed; I spend less money!

[Pianogrl]

Thank you all so much for your input!!

[Rachelle & Joe]

Hi Robin, well well well , two times this yr. ! wonderful !!!!!!! just remember whatever the case may be.... it's alway's better on stj ! PS......... just wondering will u b at time out again ? & will u b there next may too ? Rachelle

[RickG]

November is our favorite time to visit and love to start with Halloween. Things are open, the water is warm, the hills are green and the weather has been great for us. We've gone every November since 2001.

Cheers, RickG

[designbyroe]

November is our favorite time to visit and love to start with Halloween. Things are open, the water is warm, the hills are green and the weather has been great for us. We've gone every November since 2001.


Rick...
are you going this halloweeen into Nov again?

Cheers, RickG

[cptnkirk]

We go in May and November not really much difference to us. Only thing I don't care for is the North swells start coming in November. Which can suck if you love to snorkel and you like the North shore beaches. Yea you can head East or South but man we love the Northshore. You are going early November so ya might miss them completly