USVI-On-Line

We are contemplating a trip back to STJ in November. I've only been in May, so was wondering what to expect....weather, crowds, etc. Anybody been in November?

Michele, we went in November2007 and it was great weather, slightly fewer people then in our other few times, which were always April- June. We needed no AC, as it was moderately cooler. Water was warm, clear and calm. Most restaurants that close during September and October were re-opened. The downtown ferry was running. I thought it was a pretty nice time to go because of the reawakening of everything. That was the only time that we ever went to Trunk and we had 100% to ourselves from about 7:30 until 9:00 one morning. We also had Little Lameshure to ourselves until around noon on another day. My only regret was that we left a couple of days before Thankspigging.

We have been in late November twice. It was really nice.

We do prefer the heat of the summer though, but that is just a personal preference. The pool and sea water was just a little cool for my taste, but my kids were fine with it.

We also had a bit of the northern swells (more than a bit one year), which can be avoided by just going to a beach other than a North Shore Beach.

Finally, it did rain a lot the week before we arrived both times. We lucked out though and had perfect weather.

So while I do like summer better, it was totally fine in November and would go back without hesistation, especially late November. I am sure someone else can fill you in on what chance of hurricane early in the month.

Late November, early December is our favorite time. This year (2009) we experienced a torrential downpour upon our arrival that continued into the next morning. After that all was fine. Cool with some showers at night, sunny, hot and humid during the day. The bugs were fewer because of the heavy rains I suppose. The snorkeling suffered a bit as the heavy rain cut down on water clarity . Winds were light this year and we did not have a swell, prior years we had to spend some days on the south shore as winds and swell made north shore beaches less than perfect. We never experience crowds and it is not unusual to have some of the beaches all to ourselves for at least part of the day. This year we had Francis, Denis & Saloman for a good part of the day with not a soul in sight. Parking is not a big issue in Nov although sometimes you still have to make a couple of trips around downtown to find a spot. Cruise ship traffic was light also, we made a trip into Charlotte Amalie to shop and actually had to schedule it on a day when there was a ship in port as otherwise the shops would've been closed.

edited from reading early November

We usually head down twice a year - in late May and also in late November/early December. I have never really noticed much of a difference between the two.

VickiH wrote:We usually head down twice a year - in late May and also in late November/early December. I have never really noticed much of a difference between the two.

Well, when you're in a constant state of being toasted, you don't usually notice much!

I have always traveled in early November.

Weather - chance of rain is good. We had more rain than usual this past November, but only 1.5 total washout days. Otherwise, mid-80's.

Crowds - I find the first week (especially if it wraps around Halloween) to be more crowded than the 2nd week. This past November (2nd week) was really quiet - no problems getting into restaurants or getting stools at the Beach Bar or table at Woody's. It was probably more quiet than normal due to the economy.

Beaches - it varied. The most crowded we encountered was a day at Francis. Most beaches were not too bad (even Trunk with cruise ships in).

Restaurants - Sweet Plantains was the only restaurant still closed.

I'm actually reversing this year and headed to St. John in early March and early May.

We had only gone in May before this last trip in November 09....arrived on Halloween & stayed the first week of November. We loved it then: water was warm, didn't find the number of people on island to be a problem, restaurants open, several times had the beaches to ourselves or very few people around.....another favorite time to be on STJ found!

You'll enjoy this time of year! Have FUN!!

Pianogrl wrote:.....another favorite time to be on STJ found!

You'll enjoy this time of year! Have FUN!!

Is there a "bad" time?

We have been to STJ twice in early November. Once we had perfect weather. Dry, sunny, a bit breezy. The second trip was in 2003 and we had a complete rainout--torrential rain every day. That was an unusual year I am told. I would return in November, but probably later in the month.

toes in the sand: you are right! ANY time is a great time to be on STJ!!!

We normally are May visitors too but went down the week before Thanksgiving and into Thanksgiving week in 2009. There were a lot of families down for the holiday and we were surprised with the swells on the north beaches and how much less beach there was because of it. They even closed Trunk Bay to snorkelers for a few hours one day. The weather was perfect.

Our first 7 trips were in June (usually late in the month), July, and August so that is the time of the year I'm familiar with on STJ. Then this past year we added a second 2009 trip in mid-November.

We definitely noticed a difference in the water temperature. It was still doable in November but it was definitely noticeably colder. It also rained like nobody's business when we were there this November but that might not be indicative of the month. There were also no laughing gulls at the beaches...that was weird for us. There were also huge swells at the beaches that we weren't used to...I definitely got thrown around by the ocean like I never have before. I would definitely go back in November, but probably only if it was our 2nd trip of the year...if I was only going to go once, I'd rather it be in a warmer month with calmer water. Though the crowds were smaller in November so that was nice.

Only real difference we have noticed between May and November was ya can get the north swells in November.They are hit and miss but they do arrive in November. Like someone said ya can always head for the east end or south or just catch some waves on the north shore.

We found STJ to be much more lush and green in November (for obvious reasons) than late April / early May especially after a harsh dry season. Early last May was particularly brown before rains came....