Am I completely insane to go in August?

Travel discussion for St. John
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flip-flop
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Am I completely insane to go in August?

Post by flip-flop »

Ok, so now I've been in May (multiple times) and in November. Loved both times of year.

Am I crazy to do this in August? I know there is a threat of hurricane, but is it insanely hot? November was nice air temp but the water was actually a little chilly. May always seems perfect, but seems busier lately.

I am hopeful that August means no crowds but still stuff to do. It won't be dead dead dead will it?

I am just rambling ... cause I am a worrier.
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Xislandgirl
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Post by Xislandgirl »

I went in August last year. I will not lie, it was hot. But not so unbearable that you could not enjoy yourself. The island was quiet but not dead, really no difference just a few less people.
Buy trip insurance, get a villa with ac and have a great time!
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pipanale
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Post by pipanale »

Been twice in August and it's hotter than (insert inappropriate joke).

But, not that I have a reference point, the island seems very quiet. We look down our noses when we get to a beach and the number of people on it top 10.

We'll be hitting the ground on Aug 9 this year
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CariBert
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Post by CariBert »

Yes, yes you are insane to try and go in August. It is miserably hot, threat of storms, huricanes, everything being closed on Island.

But in an effort to do my part here on the board, I am offering to take your plane tickets and villa for you. I know, it is quite the scarifice, but I'd be willing to do it for a fellow formite. I will suffer through the extreme heat for you, weather the storms, and even take some pix for you to look at when I return.

Just send me a PM with all the info and I'll start packing........


O.K. only kidding, but, seriously, we only go in the summer months. It's much cooler there than it is here in Texas in August. It's less expensive, water is warmer, it stays light longer (more beach time). You will enjoy the islands in August, trust me. But if you should happen to have any trepidation, my offer to go for you still stands......

-Bert
The liver is evil, it must be punished!



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Teresa_Rae
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Post by Teresa_Rae »

Our first trip to STJ was for our honeymoon and it spanned from mid to late August in 2003. It was a nice cool down from the heat and humidity in central Illinois, so I’d definitely go then.

We’ve been going in June or July since then, but that’s only because we couldn’t wait an entire year to go back :)
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alw1977
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Post by alw1977 »

flip-flop, if you're crazy, I'm crazier. I'm attempting October. Here's how I see it: August-October offer the lowest rates, least crowds, warmest and flattest water and excellent snorkeling. You take a risk, sure, but I've been to the Caribbean in January and it was chilly, the water was rough, and it rained almost every day. You can have a perfect week in August and a cr*ppy week in February. There's no accounting for the weather, so make your plans when they suit you.

That being said, get trip insurance. As far as the heat, have you been to FL in August? If so, it's similar. However, the beach is right there, so if you get too hot, just get in. Problem solved. We went on a cruise once in August, and I had a great time. Most of our days brought great weather (excepting our day in St. John :()
sailorgirl
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Post by sailorgirl »

Been 2x in August. Go! but get trip insurance for the peace of mind. My August trip in 07 was just as Dean passed close by!
Heat is no problem when you're sitting on the beach, better than the subway IMHO :-)
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augie
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Post by augie »

alw1977 wrote:As far as the heat, have you been to FL in August? If so, it's similar.
I contend that it's cooler on STJ in August than it is in Florida. There are usually trade winds on STJ, and not as much concrete!

The great majority of my travel in the caribbean has been in the fall, for the reasons alw1977 cited. When there aren't tropical storms, which is the overwhelming majority of the time, the weather, seas, crowds, etc. can't be beat!
Come see us!
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cypressgirl
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Post by cypressgirl »

I'll be there in August, again. I love the warm water and the heat is a relief from our Houston summers.
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flip-flop
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Post by flip-flop »

With one kid in school, it is just easier to go in the late summer this year. Thank you all for your input & Bert thanks so much for your kind offer ;)

We were supposed to go to the Outer Banks which can be hot and the water is just not as fun for the kids. My daughter is happy because she considers "the beach" to be calm and STJ like after several trips and she was not looking forward to basically not being able to get in the water in NC.

Trip insurance ... check.
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martini girl
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Post by martini girl »

You can't be any crazier than me going to DisneyWorld in August. At least you'll have beautiful beaches and fabulous water to cool you off. The way I see it, if you're away from home/work/daily routine, regardless of the time of year, it's still "vacation." And as long as you have a/c in the villa, I think you're covered. Go and have a great time!
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PSUWethr
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Post by PSUWethr »

We love going down during the summer for the quiteness, the water is unbelievably warm and the beaches are empty. We have gone down during every month over the last 12 years and like July, August, and September the best. As far as hurricanes, my hubby and I are meteorologists, so we kinda dig the bad weather....(yes we are certifiable!!!)

I say go for it!!!!
PA Girl
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Post by PA Girl »

augie wrote: I contend that it's cooler on STJ in August than it is in Florida. There are usually trade winds on STJ, and not as much concrete!
Hubs, who spent his middle childhood years in FL, says the same thing. The same man, who would never dream of not having the central AC set at 70 all summer, willingly spent 3 summer trips to STJ without AC.

We found the weather in July to be wonderful. It was hot but certainly better than a PA humid, 95 degree spell.
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alw1977
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Post by alw1977 »

Oh, and can I add that I think it's no more insane to go to St. John in August than the Outer Banks. That part of the mid-Atlantic seaboard is hurricane-prone too.

Much like your daughter, I'm now spoiled when it comes to beaches. We're going to Hilton Head next weekend, and I'm all "really, you want me to get in that brown, rough water where I can't see my feet?" I think I'll stay on the beach and drink, thanks. Of course, that's not really an option for your six year old, so St. John is the natural choice.

When we have our first child (hopefully) in the next year or two, I plan on promptly spoiling him/her forever when it comes to beaches with annual Caribbean trips.
PA Girl
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Post by PA Girl »

alw1977 wrote:When we have our first child (hopefully) in the next year or two, I plan on promptly spoiling him/her forever when it comes to beaches with annual Caribbean trips.
That is us, 2.5 years old and three trips under his belt. Four if you count when he was just along for the ride.
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