What month do you like to go and why?

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:38 pm

I thought the weather was perfect when we were on STT the first week of May '05. That's why I picked the same timeframe for our trip to STJ this time.

cat · Post by **cat** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 11:16 pm

We went in June last time and will be going in June again. The weather was great and we love the off season rates! I never had a problem with mosquitoes but met up with noseeums one evening at lameshure at around sunset.

nothintolose · Post by **nothintolose** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 12:27 am

We've been in late June once, and mid-July twice. Both were great as far as weather. It was (I'm sure hotter than in the winter months but it's hotter in New Orleans when we go because we have no tradewinds). We feel like we are going to cooler weather when we go

I would like to go in May, but schedules wouldn't allow it this time so we are going in June again this summer.

As far as crowded beaches go, I have never been to STJ during the busy season, but I can't imagine the beaches ever get as crowded as the ones you see on the travel channel in the Mediterranean.

nothintolose

St. John Lover · Post by **St. John Lover** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 1:24 am

Ok, I'm trying to remember over 15 years worth of traveling to STJ (I can't help it; I LOVE it there!). I've been in January, March, April, May, June, July, September, October, November. Would have been easier to say I've never been in December, February & August

My favorites and why--

January: on-season rates but so worth it when I leave my home in temperatures that are -24 below with snow & slush and VOILA! 12 hours later I walk down the plane steps & feel the wonderful hot air breezes brushing my face which is now miraculously converted from being framed by a fine-hair wisp to BIG HAIR!

Plus being able to be on the beach & swim in that beautiful crystalline water while at home everyone is standing at the gas pumps dressed up like abominable snowmen & shivering in the sleet & cold. Like cheating 'mother-nature.' I LOVE it! The previous is DITTO for ALL on-season travel!

March & April: All of the above plus being able to get an early start on my tan, plus being tired of waiting for it to be SPRING which never really arrives in the Great Lakes area until May (after 5 LONG months of yukkie winter weather), plus in earlier years being able to spend time with my kids on spring break from high school or college.

May & June: Summer's arrival at home is still pretty unpredictable so ditto the above early March & April comments plus, I forgot to mention above, that ALL the great restaurants and shops are open from Christmas through end of July. I have developed addictions to Lime Inn lobster, Tage & La Tapa ANYTHING, Ronnie's pizza, the Balcony's lobster ravioli, Cafe Roma, Joe's BBQ, Miss Lucy's eating a greek salad surrounded by goats & baby chicks, etc. Plus usually zero humidity, great warm weather & water, nice breezes so no mosquitos. Love it!

July: one of our favorite places to stay (all of our favorite places to stay) have sunset views which means, on July 4th, they have FIREWORKS views! (I'm still a kid at heart: I LOVE fireworks, Christmas trees, & elephant ears at fairs). Ditto most of the above June & May comments but it's starting to get quieter (AFTER the 4th) but most things are still open.

September, October & November: I LOVE these months because I feel like a local & can pretend I actually LIVE here! Easy to find drop-dead beaches that we have all to ourselves, roads are not crowded at all, local people smile at you and are happy that you are here, water is the same temperature as the air--HOT--which is what I LOVE (I must be an amphibian at heart!). Lower villa & car rental rates. About 1/3 of the restaurants (if not more) are closed but the ones that are open are full of locals & happy travelers & people who are very welcoming and glad that you are there. VERY calm seas (unless of course there's a hurricane which when there isn't we've instead been blessed with absolutely awesome weather).

Ok, after MANY words I have to concur with an earlier poster who basically said the best time to be in St. John is when you are there!

FrankG · Post by **FrankG** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 2:25 am

I lived in STT and STJ for 3 years back in the early 80's and have visited whenever I have had the chance ever since. ANY time on island is a good time to be there. That said, I prefer to visit STJ for Carnival. Late June - first week of July. Off season rates, less people crowding and the Carnival parade and fireworks over Cruz Bay on the 4th of July are a spectacle not to be missed! Plus, my daughter is out of school then and she loves STJ almost as much as I do. We took her to Disney World one year, and then to STJ the next. I asked her which place she would rather go back to again. Without hesitation, she said "St. John, Dad!" We will be there again this year for STJ Carnival.

b-as-u-r · Post by **b-as-u-r** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 7:43 am

I've been in May a couple of times and everything was great! It was my little way of getting a head start on summer. I was just there the first week in December and absolutely loved it. It wasn't crowded at all. I think we timed it just right. While we were there, there was this little locals Christmas parade and that ignited the holiday spirit. My best vacation ever (but I always say that after a trip to STJ).

mrsb · Post by **mrsb** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 8:41 am

I really have no other time to compare it to but we go in late October.
This is the slower time for our business, when our clients aren't travelling so we picked this time. We always get trip insurance just in case. I really enjoy it because there are very people there and we had several beaches to ourselves. It did rain quite a bit, not that it matters when you are in the water

Steve S · Post by **Steve S** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 9:34 am

Been there Feb-Mar, Jan-Feb, and Mid April a couple of times. All were good; April was sweetened by the lower Villa rates although April is starting to get a little too hot for us...

Laura T · Post by **Laura T** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 10:04 am

We have been to St. John in Oct, Nov, early December and May. All off-season. We didn't really notice much differences except that it didn't rain as much in May. We were actually very lucky in one of our November trips - we had good weather, but the week after we left there was an incredible amount of rain.

The crowds seemed a bit higher in May, but that was also our most recent trip (2006)and it seems to be getting busier every year. We are heading back this winter - for the first time visiting during the high-season, so that will be telling...

sailorgirl · Post by **sailorgirl** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 11:37 am

Our one and .. so far.. only trip was in August. We are hoping for a return this July. Im used to tropical vacations in the summer though. Husband is a school teacher so are trips are limited to summer. August was hot.. no way around it, but then again I ride the NYC subways in August as well. In the shade for me it was fine. A few times I found myself wrapped in a towel in the shade on the beach because of the breeze.
Bugs were not too much of a problem, so more than we get at home that time of year. Someone reccommnended taking B-6 and it seemed to work.

My thinking is just use common sense. Start early to the beach or go late. Get into the island time rythym and "nap" mid day in the AC villa

parafins · Post by **parafins** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 11:57 am

October!October 1st is the time we like to go.Less people,off season rates,and our honeymoon was spent on St.John in October of 1994.Last year we tried June,but have made up our minds that October is best.I do have to say that I would go any time if I had the chance!!!

tarheelgirl · Post by **tarheelgirl** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 7:06 pm

When is NOT a good time to go to St John. I'm up for ANYTIME!

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