St. Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands that attracts millions of visitors every year.
It offers stunning beaches, vibrant culture, historical attractions, and a variety of activities for all ages and interests. However, not all times are ideal for visiting this tropical paradise.
Depending on when you plan your trip, you may encounter unfavorable weather, high prices, or overcrowded places that can ruin your vacation experience.
In this guide, we will help you avoid the worst time to visit St. Thomas and give you some tips on how to choose the best time for your travel goals.
The Seasons of St. Thomas
St. Thomas has a tropical climate with warm and humid weather throughout the year. However, there are some variations in temperature, rainfall, and wind that create distinct seasons on the island.
These seasons affect not only the weather conditions, but also the availability, demand, and cost of accommodations, flights, and activities.
St. Thomas isn’t the only place where weather can make or break a vacation. If you’re interested in how weather can affect travel to Greece, take a look at our article on the Worst Time to Visit Greece.
High Season
The high season in St. Thomas runs from mid-December to mid-April. This is the peak tourist season when the island receives the most visitors, especially from North America and Europe who are escaping the winter cold.
The weather during this time is generally sunny and dry, with average temperatures ranging from 75°F to 85°F (24°C to 29°C). The water temperature is also pleasant for swimming and snorkeling, averaging around 80°F (27°C).
However, the high season also has some drawbacks. Because of the high demand, the prices for hotels, flights, car rentals, and tours are significantly higher than in other times of the year.
You may also have to deal with long lines, crowded beaches, traffic jams, and limited availability of some services and attractions. If you want to visit St. Thomas during the high season, you should book your trip well in advance and be prepared to pay more for your vacation.
Low Season
The low season in St. Thomas runs from mid-April to mid-December. This is the off-peak tourist season when the island receives fewer visitors and offers lower prices and more availability.
The weather during this time is generally warm and humid, with average temperatures ranging from 77°F to 88°F (25°C to 31°C). The water temperature is also warm, averaging around 82°F (28°C).
However, the low season also has some risks. The main one is the hurricane season, which lasts from June to November. During this time, the island may experience tropical storms or hurricanes that can bring strong winds, heavy rains, flooding, power outages, and damage to infrastructure and property.
Although hurricanes are rare and unpredictable, they can pose a serious threat to your safety and travel plans if they hit the island while you are there.
If you want to visit St. Thomas during the low season, you should check the weather forecast regularly and purchase travel insurance that covers hurricane-related cancellations or interruptions.
Hurricane Season
The hurricane season in St. Thomas is a subset of the low season that runs from June to November.
This is the worst time to visit St. Thomas because of the potential for severe weather events that can disrupt your vacation or endanger your life.
The weather during this time is generally hot and wet, with average temperatures ranging from 79°F to 90°F (26°C to 32°C). The water temperature is also hot, averaging around 84°F (29°C).
The hurricane season is not only dangerous but also inconvenient for travelers. Many hotels, restaurants, shops, and attractions may close or operate on reduced hours during this time.
Some flights and ferries may be canceled or delayed due to bad weather conditions. Some activities and tours may be unavailable or unsafe due to rough seas or poor visibility. Some beaches may be eroded or polluted by debris or seaweed.
If you want to visit St. Thomas during the hurricane season, you should be very cautious and flexible with your travel plans.
You should monitor the weather updates frequently and follow the instructions of local authorities in case of an emergency. You should also avoid traveling during the peak months of August and September when hurricanes are most likely to occur.
Just as with St. Thomas, Alaska also experiences peak seasons with crowds and higher prices. To learn more about the challenges of visiting Alaska during its peak times, check out our article on the Worst Time to Visit Alaska.
The Best Time to Visit St. Thomas
The best time to visit St. Thomas depends on your personal preferences and travel goals.
If you want to enjoy the best weather conditions and avoid the hurricane season, you should visit between December and April.
However, if you want to save money and avoid crowds, you should visit between April and June or between November and December.
Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best time to visit St. Thomas:
- Weather: The weather in St. Thomas is generally warm and sunny throughout the year, but it can vary depending on the season. The high season offers dry and mild weather with little rainfall and moderate winds. The low season offers humid and hot weather with more rainfall and stronger winds. The hurricane season offers the hottest and wettest weather with the highest risk of storms and hurricanes.
- Prices: The prices in St. Thomas are generally higher than in other Caribbean destinations, but they can vary depending on the season. The high season offers the highest prices for hotels, flights, car rentals, and tours due to the high demand and limited supply. The low season offers the lowest prices for these services due to the low demand and high supply. The hurricane season offers the cheapest prices for these services due to the low demand and high risk.
- Crowds: The crowds in St. Thomas are generally moderate compared to other Caribbean destinations, but they can vary depending on the season. The high season offers the most crowds for beaches, attractions, restaurants, and shops due to the influx of tourists and cruise ship passengers. The low season offers the least crowds for these places due to the decrease of visitors and cruise ship arrivals. The hurricane season offers the fewest crowds for these places due to the avoidance of travelers and cruise ship operators.
- Events: The events in St. Thomas are generally festive and colorful throughout the year, but they can vary depending on the season. The high season offers some of the most popular events for culture, music, and sports, such as Carnival, Jazz in the Park, and Rolex Regatta. The low season offers some of the most unique events for history, art, and nature, such as Emancipation Day, Art Thursday, and Coral Spawning. The hurricane season offers some of the most quiet events for relaxation and spirituality, such as Wellness Month, Yoga Fest, and Full Moon Meditation.
Conclusion
St. Thomas is a wonderful island that has something for everyone. However, not all times are equally good for visiting this destination. Depending on when you plan your trip, you may encounter different weather conditions, prices, crowds, and events that can affect your vacation experience.
To avoid the worst time to visit St. Thomas, you should stay away from the hurricane season that runs from June to November. This is the most dangerous and inconvenient time to visit the island because of the possibility of severe weather events that can ruin your vacation or endanger your life.
To enjoy the best time to visit St. Thomas, you should choose a time that suits your personal preferences and travel goals. If you want to enjoy the best weather conditions and avoid the hurricane season, you should visit between December and April. However, if you want to save money and avoid crowds, you should visit between April and June or between November and December.
Whatever time you choose to visit St. Thomas, you should plan your trip carefully and be prepared for any changes or challenges that may arise. By doing so, you will have a memorable and enjoyable vacation on this beautiful island.