Please Register / Login to take part in discussions about the Virgin Islands.
I've been lurking here for a while. Great advice. I've got flights booked and a campsite reserved for a trip to St. John in February, and hoped to do a lot of snorkeling. What's the water temp like that time of year? I did some searching on the web, and found that February water temps average about 78 degrees. But I don't have any reference point. Is that warm or cold, as far as water goes.
Bottom line: Will we be comfortable swimming and snorkeling that time of year, or should I reschedule for warmer weather?
Actually the temp is closer to 80 degrees. You won't have any trouble swimming in the water. As a reference, most clubs with indoor heated pools keep the temp at around 80 - 82 degrees, a hot tub is about 100 - 104 degrees and most people can easily tolerate swimming in 70 degree water.
Andrew
What a difference the caribbean makes! Stick your feet into NH ocean water and you instantly have a block of ice! Not as bad as that right now, but VI water feels so wonderful after the cold Atlantic waters here in New England. We have crazies here in NH that take a dunk for charity in the middle of winter into the ice cold waters. BRR. I have become spoiled with the beautiful caribbean. Nothing else compares! JP, you will fall in love with the water-and everything else.
I was in STT back in February. The water was warm and clear. Great for snorkeling. You will love it.
I did.
you should be comfortable in these temps. Here are some comparisons.
- snorkeling: I can snorkel comfortably for about 45 mnutes before I get could in just a regular swimsuit - and I'm a cold wimp. My husband can go longer but that's guys for you. Always seemed like plenty at one shot
- compare to Hawaii: We tried Hawaii this year in Feb and the water was quite cold in comparison. I looked into buying a light wetsuit top or dive skin for that trip and it was justified. We've been going to the caribbean for 15 years and I never would have thought of needing a wet suit except for diving. Even for diving in the caribbean my husband just wears a t-shirt in addition to swim trunks.
- Nice about Feb - by then, the water has settled nicely after the churning due to fall storms. Water may get better later but then temps are better at home too 🙂
