Tell me about August

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 7:38 pm

Hello forum.

Who has been in August? Tell me about it. My summer dance card is so packed that if we are coming this year with the people we want to bring, it is going to have to be in August. So....how is it then? I have been in June and July but never August.

loria · Post by **loria** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 8:02 pm

I have been twice in August and both times it was HOT and BUGGY--th lasat time was paticularly crazy --there had been some rain and then the skeeters came out in FULL force--i mean I have NEVER dealt with skeeters like this...seriously (not that very august will be like that) but you had to be under the water to ecape--you could NOT be on the beach (esp Maho, but others as well)--

sailorgirl · Post by **sailorgirl** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 8:21 pm

I've only visited in August, three times. I love warm weather so I might not be the most objective, but I never had a problem. I figure it's beter than the subway.

Water is beautifully warm, you can snorkle forever. Go for it, I would not hesitate. I did not experience the same bug problem Ioria described, so maybe I was just lucky.

Knolmom · Post by **Knolmom** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 8:22 pm

Have been to St John almost every month of the year. Hate to admit that our best weather was in mid-August 3 years ago. Beautiful warm breezes--rain only at night or for a few minutes during the late AM or late afternoon--and the water was warm and like glass. It was not nearly as hot and buggy as October, and not nearly as hot and rainy as were our May trips in 2002, 2003 and 2004.
We are planing a trip this August. I guess we better hurry up and select our villa before you and your group grab one that's on our short list. You always seem to select the best spots.

hugo · Post by **hugo** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 10:28 pm

July 2010 had record rainfall, so mosquitos were a much larger factor than usual in August.
The sea is wonderful, of course.
The pleasantness of the air depends a lot on wind direction-if it's south or southeast, there will be African dust, which makes it feel much hotter than the thermometer says it is--not to mention the seriously impaired colors and views. We who live here complain a lot about the dust.
Generally the worst dust is between late May and late July. If the wind is more easterly, August may be one of the prettiest times of year.
It is hurricane season, very much so by the end of the month.

Knolmom · Post by **Knolmom** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 10:42 pm

Had African dust both times that we went to St John in June, once at the beginning and once just before and during Carnival. We stayed up in Catherineberg, paying for those those drop dead, crisp gorgeous views, and it was so hazy/dusty that we could barely see the sea!

JJShaw · Post by **JJShaw** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 11:45 pm

We were there this past August...and throughly enjoyed it. We have been in April..June..August and Sept..to me..June just felt the warmest..April, I thought the water was a little chilly..Sept was nice...August didnt seem as hot and humid and I didnt think the bugs were bad at all... maybe it was just me...I thought they were much worse in June 07 when we were there...but I wouldnt hesitate to book August at all, We rather enjoyed it. I booked for June this yr due the fact Air miles were going to expire..

Chicken · Post by **Chicken** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 11:46 pm

I've been in August and it wasn't bad at all. Water was terrific and that's where you'll be most of the time anyway, right? Had a great time going to Tortola for their carnival. I don't recall the bugs being bad at all. I'd want accommodations with air conditioning at least in the bedrooms, though.

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PSUWethr · Post by **PSUWethr** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 7:36 am

August can be very nice. The best part is how warm the ocean is and the weather seems to be clearer except for any tropical systems. As far as the bugs, it just depends on the weather the island has been having for the past few weeks. I think you can have a major bug outbreak any time of year. We have had terrible bugs in Dec. and April (to the point we were using 100% DEET. I know DEET is bad, but Dengue fever can be worse). We are heading down Aug. 29th and looking forward to the quiet time.

Is there any time of year that isn't a good time to go to STJ?!?

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 7:45 am

I guess I am alone, but I do not like STJ in August.
It is just too hot for me. In fact, last April it was crazy hot for 2 days and I was asking Ruth why it was August Hot in April?
I love the water temps and the quiet vibe of the island but that is about it.
I used to leave the island for the month of August when I lived there, and when I visted 3 years ago in August, I remembered why.

burgec · Post by **burgec** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 8:32 am

It is hot. I guess I always thought that was the point of the beach, the pool, the beer. Always had a good time though.

Last two years been up at Catherineberg. Last year did have the Sahara dust so while views weren't crisp, they were still gorgeous. Going back again this August, it just works for us.

Not sure there is a bad time to go, kind of like which side of the island to stay, they are all good.

inuny · Post by **inuny** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 8:48 am

I've been to St John just about every month of the year, including the beginning of August.

Pros of August: warm water, calm water (barring a hurricane of course), snorkel forever, beaches way less crowded than winter

Cons: Be prepared to sweat-it's hot as ---- (but it's easier to park at any beach for a quick swim), if you like to hike-it's harder in the heat. I don't mind sweatingall day in August, as long as I can sleep comfortably at night (a/c a must)

Re mosquitoes-I've encountered lots of them at different times of the year. I rented a condo once in July that didn't have screens; anytime I opened the window or doors the skeeters came in

Nic in KC · Post by **Nic in KC** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 9:36 am

For us, our one August trip was perfect. It's sooo hot here and humid by August that going to somewhere in the mid 80's was delightful. It was breezy and in the evenings it was very pleasant to us to be outside. We even used the hot tub way more than the pool in the evenings. We had no bugs while we were there either!

Steve S · Post by **Steve S** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 10:25 am

We were there in 2009 at the very end of July and it wasn't unbearably hot even though the sun was directly overhead (took a photo of my non-existent shadow

The vegetation was noticeably greener than late winter; we really took notice of a lush green Mary Point.

The only downside we noticed was the dearth of evening entertainment in town and the folks that were playing usually wrapped up early.

I don't remember bugs being an issue.

Teresa_Rae · Post by **Teresa_Rae** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 10:45 am

We've been there in June, July, August, and November. November was my least favorite because the water was really rough.

I guess it's probably a tie among June, July, and August.

Our first trip in August of 2003 was our honeymoon, and the day we got married it was 105 degrees F in central Illinois, so STJ was a nice "cool" place to go to get away from the heat!

The crowds are less in August compared to June, so that's a plus.

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