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I have read about "Christmas Winds". I have not experienced them during our past trips to StJ.
Can someone give me a little information about this phenomenon?
The only details I have read are that these winds occur usually in Nov. and Dec. and that they come from the north.
Is this correct?
We will visit the first week in December. Of course I am not looking for a detailed weather forecast for our visit, but the bulk of my plans were for the North shore beaches and snorkeling. Should I consider some South shore beaches just in case?
Can you give me an idea of wind speed?
ex: A) it will be a pleasant breeze while I sit on the beach at Hawksnest. B) it will kick up sand and surf. C) it will blow my chair from the beach. D) I will be able to raise a towel above my head and sail in from Waterlemon Cay to the Leinster parking lot.
Anyone snorkel Tektite? If so is it suitable for intermediate skilled snorkelers?
I have visited the Lamshur bays but did not swim because it was near sunset. They looked like rocky bottom. I think I read in "Off the Beaten track" that there is sand to be found in Little Lamshur. Is the bottom comfortable for swimmers there?
We did Salt Pond, it was ok, my wife did not care for the lack of shade or the lack of coral. I think we were in the wrong part of the bay though.
Thanks,
got my toes in the sand and a drink in my hand
got my toes in the sand and a drink in my hand
"With no bottom"!
Salt pond you want to snorkle out to the coral in the middle of the bay
Toes in da Sand-
The Christmas winds CAN kick up on the NShore beaches but not all the time. It's not like you go to Hawksnest and get sandblasted!
Early Dec is when we always went and the Xmas winds would kick up the surf on the left side of Cinnamon, on Jumbie, at Trunk a little. Makes snorkeling kinda cruddy cuz the sand kicks up underwater but makes for fun waves at Cinnamon!
Maho was never affected during our experience. I'm assuming Francis woudl also be unaffected.
Xmas winds can make charters to the BVI's a little challenging! We hit a wave last year crossing the channel that knocked my mom-in-law out of her seat!! Just be advised.
For calm water snorkeling if the winds are bothering you, hit Haulover Bay (the one right off the road- I can never remember if it North or South).
Hit Vie's beach (pony up the $2.50) and get some garlic chicken if the Sback Shack is open. I think she has an honor box for the $2.50 beach fee if the Snack Shack isn't open.
Drive down the road a bit more and there will be a small sandy beach with a tree ot tow in the middle- park across the street and snorkel to the left out the Pelican Rock. Awesome snorkel!!
These options should keep you busy!
Thanks for the recomendations LysaC and waterguy
Ground swell is the cause of the waves. This is related to storms in the North Atlantic. The Christmas WInds are a separate phenomenon. If one beach is rough, drive to another one! 🙂
Wait. I thought Xmas week was supposed to a great time to go??? I'm bringing the family down and keep bragging about the snorkeling. I went to Virgin Gorda in April and was told the snorkeling wasn't too good that time of year, because of the swells. So, did I pick the wrong time of year to visit? Now I'm concerned.
~Gulp
gg: Swells can occur at any time of the year. They tend to accompany north Atlantic storms in the winter. The Christmas winds can happen any time in the winter, not just Christmas. If it is rough on one side of the island, go to the other side! 🙂
Christmas winds are one thing, North Swell, another. I am a long time liveaboard chartering sailor here....read on:
In winter, poor we who live peacefully here are often, and I mean OFTEN blasted by waves sent like ripples from a pebble in a pond all the way down to innocent we from storms way up North, where we have the good sense not to go. This is a routine issue, and those who plan to visit here on land concentrate on beaches facing South, not North. As to the story of the woman being thrown down, oh, yes, the Christmas winds which are coming anytime now from Nov. to March can make for some lively sailing. Especially for those lacking sea legs. Charter skippers know where and how to go to minimize the weather conditions on the boat...hope this helps. Come on down for whatever adventure you might encounter: Remember "A day at sea is better'n any day on land".
The probervial "Christmas Winds" in the Virgin Islands herald the return of the trade winds from the African continent. During the summer doldrums the trade winds die down while, at the same time, the sahara dust often flies as the African nations go through their drought season.
The Virgin Islands are equatorially on a parralel to the African continent. Which is why during hurricane season the disturbances coming from Africa during its dry season are closely watched by meterorologists both locally and stateside.
A general visitor to the Virgin Islands would probably notice no real difference in the weather year-round. During the sumer months (generally July-October) residents notice a relatively minimal increase in humidity, more rainfall, etc. but that's because the Trades die down.
The return of the "Christmas winds" doesn't herald a Big Blow, just a return to basic wafting breezes.
As far as sea swells are concerned, sailorlady and East Ender have explained. St Thomas and St John are borded by the Caribbean sea on one side and the Atlantic ocean on the other. There really is no reason to be in any way fearful about any beach, although of course there is a caveat!
If you're dumb enough to rent a 4-wheel vehicle to try to find some sort of an ULTIMATE beach spot which is not listed or rarely spoken about, then the onus is on you! If you do your research you'll find that the majority of STJ beaches are pristinely awesome and ULTIMATE where most are concerned. Enjoy and cheers!
