Well thats off season for a reason... its HOT and most of the US is warm... The best month to go for me is feb when its coldest in new jersey. 🙂 norman bay and caves are on norman island in the bvi, indians is another snorkle spot in the bvi

Personally I think you'd enjoy July. We don't get that kind of nasty humid heat common in many mainland areas and exploring at that time of year without the hordes of "seasonal" visitors is pretty nice. For a great trip to the spots you mentioned, check out www.captainnautica.com. Cheers and good luck with your planning!

I know some people will disagree, but I enjoy STT/STJ more in the summer. I have been there three times each in the summer and winter. The water is a little warmer in the summer, and I enjoy the fact it is warmer at nigth time. Yes, it is HOT in the summer. Even with the temperature similar in the Northeast and Caribbean in the summer, I'll take any day in the VI since it is much more beautiful. I grew up going to the Jersey shore, and it almost pains to look at it compared to the VI, even in the summer. In addition, all of our flights, travel plans, etc. seemed to work more seamlessly in the summer. If I want to save a little money, the summer is better also.

Just never go too late in August though, you might miss some of the restaurants that close a month or two in the fall.

I personally like to go in the summer (June-July-August) because it is much less crowded and accommodations are significantly less expensive (villas are often around half price in the off-season). Going in the summer makes it a vacation that we can afford...going in the winter would be a stretch for us financially.

And living in the hot and humid Midwest, going to the USVI in July/August is actually a cool down for us 🙂

That said, when it's February, I really, really long for the islands and would love to escape the cold.

I don't think there's a bad time to go. LOL

We have gone in May, July, and the entire month of August. My mother-in-law goes the last week of September and first week of October. She also used to go in December a lot, but prefers September/October. Our best luck weather-wise has always been in July/August....not that other times are bad, but both May trips got rained out or were dreadfully warm due to lack of wind. Honestly, we didn't care much, but our best luck has been in July/August. There aren't as many tourists so everything is less crowded during the summer...and especially late August when the kids go back to school. It's so quiet.

As for the restaurants, our St John vacations are the only ones where we really don't feel the need to eat out much at all. We prefer making drinks and dinner at home and playing cards or a board game all night with music in the background. So it really doesn't matter to us that some of the restaurants close down. I would take closed restaurants any day if it meant the islands would be far less crowded and much more peaceful....but that's just my opinion. I live in San Diego and there are people EVERYWHERE. Being that I abhor crowds of people, I feel so perfectly happy all alone on a deserted little beach.

We have been to STJ in Winter and Summer. I definitely prefer Summer. Villas are MUCH more affordable, water is warmer, pools warmer, less people. Loved going in June!

All of our trips have been during the summer. We are from TX so HOT is a relative term anyway. Local VI residents can tell a difference but the statisitcs say temperature doesn't range more than 10 degrees throughout the year.
Given the major difference in prices and crowds versus the minor difference in weather (not counting a Tropical Storm or Hurricane), the summer offers us the best of all worlds.

wow it just seems that since summer is so popular with so many people - that it would be considered the peak, rather than the "off" season!

My sister and I are considering a trip next year, and she will have a son graduating from high school, so I think we're looking at June or July (after all the hype and festivities are over). I liked hearing that it still a great time to go!

I'll visit anytime, or if I'm not paying and I get to go, anytime works again!

As long as you avoid the cruise people, you're all good!

We always travel to STJ in July and we have been lucky weather wise. The weather is always great, water is great, and prices are great.

We went to the DR for our honeymoon in June/July (not too far from the VIs) and the weather was perfect.

I always tell my family to come visit me once in the winter to get out of the cold and then once in the summer if they can. I love the summer because it is less crowded the water is warmer and we have a lot more flat days for boat trips to the BVI's. As stated in this thread we have a little more humidity in the summer and on windless days it is definitely hot but nothing like the summertime in Florida or the Southern U.S. where it does not cool off much at night and it is still humid at night.
As a local the part I like the most is less cruise ships in the summer. I also use summer as a travel time with cheap over night trips to Peter Island and Little Dix etc.. great local rates that time of year. So for the original poster Barbara, I can say you and your family should have a great time. Everyone else I say keep coming in the winter and go vacation in the states or go to Europe etc.. in the summer. We honestly don't mind the break fromt the high season down here.

Summer: Hurricane season.

Summer may be hurricane season but it's hit or miss. We've been going to STT since 1993 every summer and only once did we experience a storm. It was Bertha. No biggie! But it followed us all the way back to NJ. LOL!

Hurricane season...yes but based upon statistics, if we limited ourselves along that simple rule the state of Florida should be off limits to any visitors during the summer. Unfortunately they seem to have had a target on their back lately.

August, definitely August is the worst time to go. Specifically the first two weeks of August. This has historically been the absolutely most horrible time period for tourists to visit St. Thomas. Cruise ships should not even think of docking or putting down anchor during that time. Do not buy a plane ticket or rent a room or villa for then. Do not visit Coki or Magens or Trunk or any of the beaches on St. Thomas or St. John in August. Stay away from the car ferries. Do not go to restaurants. Keep clear of Udder Delight. Just a friendly warning.......August is without a doubt the most horrible time to be in the Virgin Islands.

Just to be sure that everyone heeds this advice, I'll be down there checking in about 4 months.

Gerie

It will be warm -- 85+ - maybe a little rain (but not too bad). Rain does not last long and sometimes it feels very refreshing. I travel to STT every year in June/July. It is beautiful in STT - people are very friendly. It;s truly a paradise. Enjoy!

Barbara Dean:

You mentioned "family". If family means young children, and you do go to BVI, the Caves and Indians are fun. However, if stopping for lunch at Willy T's--keep the kiddies out of the bar--or at least scope it out first. In the day time, Willy T's can be a quiet family type place, or it can be full of nayked adults having a wild party in the bar. If the wild adults aren't around, the kiddies will have a blast jumping/diving off of the back.

Have a great trip!