USVI-On-Line

Ive been to STJ in summer but not winter. Other than prices, what are some differences between visiting at these different times of the year? Are they good/bad differences? Knowing that snorkeling is my favorite activity, would it be dumb to visit during the winter?

My winter experience is more in the BVI's, but the main difference to me is more Europeans= more speedos!

From a purely snorkeling aspect, in winter the water is (or feels, anyway) much cooler. I found it uncomfortable even with a long sleeved rash guard. If I come in winter again, I would rent a shortie wetsuit. Also, the water is choppier, resulting in poorer visibility.

I think the snorkeling is much better in the summer. The best month of all (to me, anyway) is October. Dead calm, very warm water and excellent visibility.

I think the summer is much better for snorkelling.

Maybe we have had bad luck but for all but one of our 5 winter trips, we had periods where not only was the visibility bad but the water was too rough to enjoy swimming. The worst was 2005 where 5 out of 7 days were dangerous.

Is the north end or south end choppier in the winter? I seem to remember seeing some data that the swells tend to come from the north in winter...

We used to go exclusively April- July for years. Then because of other trips to Europe and timing we started going down during the first two weeks of December.

Here are my observations for winter:

Water temps are noticeably cooler. As Pia mentioned locals think it's too cold, but if you're from the mainland you will probably feel rthe water's just fine. A rash guard helps but I am fine in a bathing suit.

Ambient temps are (or feel) cooler, even more so at night. I usually bring a long sleeve shirt for nighttime and depending on where you stay you might actually need a light blanket at night. The bonus is that you aren't sweating your ass off all the time.

Days are shorter - you get fewer daylight hours.

Fewer mosquitoes -- this is not scientific, just my personal experience.

Pools at villas are colder- we have found that a pool in winter is not as much of a necessity for us as it is in summer. Again, you don't get as hot IMHO and the pool can be pretty cool. Again, this depends on how much sun your villa gets.

Water can be choppier if the north swells are in. Summer is pretty much calm as bathwater.

Not many sales at the shops- If you travel in summer most of the shops are offering merchandise at serious discounts. Going "in season" during the winter they are going to have most everything full price so deals are not as readily avaialble IMHO.

Different crowd I generally find that there's a different crowd as you head into the winter months. Take that any way you want to. Not worse or better, just different.

Can be more crowded- you'll need to consider making reservations at popular restaurants. You'll need to book your car well in advance and parking is at more of a premium.

More live music - I feel like more live music is more readily availble on island during the season/winter months.

It's nice to go somehwere warm when it's cold at home, BUT... it makes re-entry really brutal. The one thing I like about going in spring/summer is it's like a kick start to my summer. Going in winter, you have to go back to some pretty rough weather and winter is still in full swing.

You have to bring something to wear back home to the cold. which means you have to bring a fleece and gloves so you don't die when you arrive back home.

Weather check. It's really nice to check your iPhone and see the weather report back home "12 inches of snow expected overnight followed by an ice storm" while you're in a bathing suit on the beach.

Your friends will hate you when you return home with a gorgeous tan. Plus you look fabulous in all the holiday pictures while all of your friends and family are pasty white.

Most everything is more expensive in Winter (villas & cars) unless you go the first two weeks of December.

Snorkeling Occasionally if stuff is kicked up snorkeling may not be as good, but I still see plenty of good stuff.

Sorry for the long list!

As you can see there are plusses and minuses to both seasons. For me it's just more about timing and money. As long as I'm on STJ -- it's all good!

Hope this helps!

Muhaha-- the north shore beahces are more affected by the swells in winter. When that's the case, you just head to the south shore beaches like Salt Pond and the water will likely be much more calm.

The only time I've been is in Jan and Feb, so I can't compare/contrast. But the water temp was fine. I laughed at the people in the wetsuits. [No offense to my fellow posters ]

Gromit wrote: Different crowd I generally find that there's a different crowd as you head into the winter months. Take that any way you want to. Not worse or better, just different.

This strikes me as interesting. I'm curious to know what you mean by different?
As much as I'd love to visit STJ between Dec-Feb to get away from these nasty Wisconsin winters, I like the deals during summer months, plus seeing as how snorkeling is a very high priority for my wife and I, I'll probably stick to June/July.

John and I felt that the main difference between the people we encountered in January vs. the off season months was that we noticed a lot more people really dressed up--in town and at the restaurants.

We also talked to/noticed more folks who just didn't seem very relaxed. There were people conducting business on their cell phones (loudly) by the Gallows pool, for instance. "What do you do?" was usually the opening conversational question. Who wants to talk about work while on vacation? Not me, and definitely not John!!

But interestingly, I believe that the beaches have always been more crowded the times we've visited in July vs. that trip in January.

My husband and always go in February and have gone in October several times; we find it extremely hot in October and February is perfect; to us the water is warm and the nights are warm also. I find it hard to say its cold in STT in February when I come from Virginia and Virginia can be really cold in February; the only difference in the winter is that for the most part there are more people there; needing to make reservations for dinner, and things like that. Personally, I would rather go to STT in the winter than in the summer (no hurricane season) and its a nice break from the cold winter time. Re-entry is often times very hard to take...but we keep doing it and have been since 1999 and love every minute of it.

I'd say that the first two weeks of December aren't that bad either (tho technically off season).

I'd say most folks don't travel those two weeks b/c it's sandwiched between T-giving and Christmas.

I agree with everything on Gromits list We also go the first 2 weeks of December and find that is a perfect time for us. We have gone other months, but never in summer. Michigans summers are just to short and to nice to go any where else. On the flip side...our winters are nasty and I LOVE being able to look at the weather back home while I am sitting in my lounge chair. EVERY single trip we have gone on my poor SIL, who watches our kids while we are gone, has had all the kids home due to a blizzard!! Re-entry is very hard, but with Christmas a week and a half after we get home, it is ok!