Jerri,

My wife and I spent 10 days on St. John last year in October, and I can tell you it was wonderful. Yes, there is some risk, but buy trip insurance and don't worry about it.

When we were there, the mornings were absolutely gorgoeus. And it would be wonderful until late in the afternoon. Some afternoons, it would cloud up and rain, but St. John rain is warm and doesn't last long. At night there were thunderstorms and it was neat to sit on the deck of the Villa and watch the lightening strikes in the distance.

Is two weeks too long? I don't think so, but it depends upon what you want to do. If you're looking to relax, go to the beach, and snorkle, two weeks is not enough!

As far as beauty is concerned - all of the carribean is beautiful, but St. John is especially wonderful. Words and pictures cannot fully describe how beautiful it is. I can't imagine there is any place any more beautiful than St. John. In addition, the people are wonderful. It's a great place to go, and I plan to go back within a year.

Go, enjoy yourself. If you have any questions, feel free to write me.

JW

Jerri: There are two schools of thought on time spent in the Caribbean:
1. Find one place you like and visit it exclusively, because you might not like the next place as much.
2. Visit as many places as you can and enjoy each one for its own personality.

Personally, I am a #2 traveler, and still love to visit other Caribbean islands. If I had two weeks, I would probably visit at least 2 islands, if not three. If price is no object, you could do a week sailing the BVI and several days on St Thomas and St John without any difficulty at all. Or a week in St Croix and a week on St Thomas and St John. If you are a stay put kind of person, pick a spot!! (Isn't the planning the best part??)

You're not crazy traveling here in October any more than people who live here are crazy being here in October. October is usually a rainy month, but a total wash out day is very unlikely. Expect some off-and-on showers with sun most of the time. It's a good time for visiting because it's off-season with fewer tourists and lower hotel rates.

I'm on St. Croix and prejudiced, so I think you should spend at least a little time here. If you go off the beaten path, St. Croix pretty much rivals St. John in beauty. That means hiking half an hour along a step dirt trail to get to a secluded beach with tidal pools. Some adventurous tourists do it. We also have lots of regulary touristy things to do.

Two weeks isn't long enough in the USVI!

I and my soon to be husband will be traveling in October to St. Thomas. We will be honeymooning and because it's such a momentous occasion I'm wondering if it's too risky to go there in October. We love the outdoors-beach, golf, tennis, etc., and I guess I'm wondering if the hurricanes that have been hitting FL have been coming from that area. Is this something that I should cancel a trip over or do I just take a chance? I don't want it to ruin the trip.

Hello Andreea,

We have not been hit or greatly affected by the hurricanes that have hit Florida this year. Hurricane Frances passed a bit north of us and caused overcast conditions and rough seas in the USVI for one or two days. Hurricane Ivan passed close to South America (far south of us).

October is within our Hurricane Season (June 1st to November 30th) but historically speaking is not a month of much storm activity. This has been a busy season however so its hard to say what October will bring us. Perhaps you might consider travel insurance just in case.

--Islander

My fiancee and I are planning our honeymoon as well, and we found a resort that my parents have a timeshare with in St. Croix. We are very excited about it, but our moms are worried about the hurricanes and whether it will rain or not. I've read that the VI have not really been hit by the hurricanes, so I'm not really worried about that, but I do want to know, truthfully, what weather is to be expected in November? We are getting married November 7, so we would be in St. Croix from the 8th to the 13th. Is it going to be a good time of year to go, or should we look at other options?

thanks a ton!
--Sara

Sara,
If you are looking at November this year, you need to check on availability for your timeshare. Timeshares in the VI are VERY desirable. I'm with Interval International, and all timeshares in the VI are booked up about 5 years in advance!

Usually hurricanes do not occur in November, although our last hurricane came on November 17, 1999 (Lenny). Hurricane season is from June 1 to Nov 30, and November hurricanes are a bit of a rarity.

Hello Sara,

You can visit our weather section at

https://www.vinow.com/usvi/weather.php

it gives avg. temp (air and water) and rainfall for each month in the USVI. While November is not a popular hurricane month it is one of our rainiest months. The second highest after Oct. In general we do not get rain every day or for days at a time... usually its a short morning shower or nighttime showers. It is hard say: it is possiable that you will have a week of great weather and possiable you will have a few showers here and there.

--Islander

local islanders,

we too are planning a honeymoon on st john, oct 5-10 of this year... are we now doomed to spend our days in tropical storms and dark gloomy weather???

should we beg the gallows point resort to cancel our reservation without penalty???

please give advice.

thanks in advance.

It is too early to tell what the whether will be like next month, as with everywhere else in the world.

I am traveling to St.T & St.J from 10/9-18 and have been going to the VI's almost every year since 1992. I ususally travel in July/August but since I have to visit in October I am wondering how it will be.

The rainfall in August is almost unnoticeable and refreshing when it is happening, from my perspective, but I noticed that the average rainfall in October is significantly more (AVG Aug rainfall of 3.53 inches vs. AVG Oct rainfall of 5.55 inches). How does this typically happen: Are there longer rainstorms, more full days of rain, more rainfall during the night, etc?

I did buy insurance but do not want to have to cancel going to my favorite place on the planet. However, I am bringing a loved one that has never been there and I want her to enjoy it fully. My main concern is that maybe I should wait to bring her sometime when there will be more sun and less rain. What do you think? Thanks!

Best,
Dave

We are trying very hard to still put together a vacation. We were supposed to go to Grand CAymans on WEd. but all had to be cancelled because of the damage from hurricane Ivan.
How is St. Johns as of 9-20-04.
thanks

We are fine Amy... we were not affected by any of the hurricanes that passed through the Caribbean. Tropical Storm Jeanne did affect us, mainly with a lot of rain and some wind; nothing major. St. John is a great choice; start planning.

--Islander