Trip in September or October

[Kristen_Y]

Hi everybody! I've been a long-time lurker on this forum. There so much great information posted here!

My husband and I have been to St. John three times in the last few years. We always go in June or early July.

This year, we decided to plan a "last - minute" (for us anyway) trip to St. John. We just can't wait to get back! It looks like our schedules will only allow us to go the last week of September or anytime in October. I know its pretty rainy and the risk of hurricanes is high at this time.

My question is - should we wait till late October to go or is it a wash either way (no pun intended)? Any recommendations for when to go will be much appreciated. Thanks!

[mbw1024]

Our first trip was Oct 2-12 or something like that and it was great. We are returning this year Sept 23-Oct 3. Hoping for the best and I'm sure it will be great. Very hard to predict the weather.

[P-600]

Ive been to STJ twice in late September-Early October and the weather has been fabulous. A lot of the restaurants are closed but the water temperature is perfect. We are going again September 20th to the 27th!
Have fun!!

[GraysonDave]

Statistically, waiting until later should work better if you're trying to avoid hurricanes and tropical disturbances but of course you know there are no guarantees.

In general, Atlantic tropical activity peaks about Sept 10 and the distribution kinda resembles a bell curve.

[RD]

I agree with P-600. We've been 3 times in the late Sept./October/November range in the last 6 years. The weather was great all three times! The only downers for us was that once the Fishtrap was closed and a couple of times the smoothie stand out on Centerline Rd. wasn't open.
@GraysonDave - excellent chart!!

[msgcolleen]

We have always gone the first week of October and had fabulous weather and empty beaches . . .
. . . until last year!

A tropical wave turned into Hurricane Omar right before our eyes~ We were safe and sound relaxing at the villa but all our great snorkeling plans were washed away.
So, as you can see our next trip is this August and hoping mother nature does not have PMS!!!

[conchman]

We always go October thru November. Went out of hurricane season...hurricane Lenny came...went down next year in hurricane season, early October and had 10 perfect days...do miss out on some restaurants and the like but more than enough will be open...and sometimes...you might just have a beach to yourself for a couple of hours...enjoy...next year we are going for count them...3 weeks yeah

[Kristen_Y]

Thanks for the responses everyone! I think I just wanted to hear that some of you have visited in the same time frame and have had good luck

Restaurant closures not a big deal for us. We always stay on the East End and usually eat in anyway.

We'll keep our fingers crossed & get trip insurance!

[EagleRayLover]

we have gone every trip but one during October and will head back down for two weeks 10/4-10/18 -yeah!! we love it that time of year- water temp is a tad bit (warmer than it was during spring break this year for sure)and we found that if there was rain on one part of the island- we usually found sunshine somewhere else- we were able to snorkel every day!! We were happy with the restaurants that were opened and didn't feel like we missed out! hope this helps!

[cool breeze]

Another vote for October, this year will be our 5th Halloween on STJ and we too love that time of year. Have always had great weather and now that we have fallen in love with Coral Bay this October/November is going to be that much "sweeter". Have fun planning your trip.

CB

[waterguy]

Sept is my favorite month so layed back

[Teresa_Rae]

I think September is probably one of the best months to be on island because it's so empty and the water is so calm. My only concern would be regarding the restaurants, but if that doesn't matter to you then I'd definitely do September.

We've been in early November and the water was really rough. I didn't like being tossed around. I just didn't enjoy the water like I normally do so I would avoid October for that reason.