Jan. vs. May

[khud]

My husband and I usually travel to STJ in May and I was wondering what the big differences would be if we were to travel there in early Jan. instead. During the months of Dec., Jan., and Feb., which time frame would be the least crowded? Is the heat and humidity really much less during this time?

[waterguy]

Early Dec. is still considered low season so the villa prices would be less. Yes the humidity is less never needed AC in Dec, Jan or Feb. Now I like to go in Jan. because it is our coldest month here in WI.

[PA Girl]

We switched from summer to winter trips several years back. My quick opinions -

January is cool enough that some (not me) of our group will wear pants and long sleeves at night. Several don't get in the water (shocking but true) as they think it is too cold.

Water tends to be rougher. This sort of bothers me as each winter trip had periods of rough water. Maybe we were lucky but we never experienced this in May-July.

[liamsaunt]

I have been at both times and greatly prefer May.

In January, we found the water to be COLD! I'll admit that I am a wuss, but there were a couple of days that we did not even go in. Snorkeling was a little uncomfortable. I should have rented a wetsuit.

We've been in April, May, June, July, October, and January. Of those months, the beaches were most crowded by far in January.

Snorkeling conditions were also the worst in January. The water was stirred up and visibility wasn't as good as we are used to.

All that said, we still had a great time and I would go back in January...I would just rent a wetsuit.
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It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.

[VickiH]

We usually go in May but the owners of the villa we rent offered us a deal we couldn't refuse last year: January at the summer rate. We went. That was my first and last time going in January.

Maybe my experience wasn't typical but I thought it was way too crowded and there seemed to be a different type of crowd during that season: more elite and less laid back. It didn't suit me.

It was also quite a bit cooler and the water was pretty rough.

[lpowmacback]

Oh no!!! We are going in January- (have always gone in November, March or June)... this time my husband insisted on going when it was cold in NJ - and since we're probably taking my son, we needed to go when school was out - that meant January

When it comes to cold water, I'm a wuss too ... we love to snorkel - so the water will be cold and a turbulent ... UGGGGHHHHHH
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Lisa

http://www.pbase.com/lpowmacback

[waterguy]

Cold is subjective suface temp here this weekend was 68 and it got colder the further down you went in STJ in the winter it is still in the upper 70's for sure

[khud]

I can deal with colder water, just put on a long sleeve shirt and bike shorts to keep that body heat in. Up here the water literally numbs your legs if you stand in the water for more than 5 min. It's the humidity that I have a hard time with and I don't think I want to deal with the typical tourist hordes so maybe early Dec would be okay or maybe even earlier in April. Thanks people.

[stjdeb]

We always go in the winter, as that is when I can vacation. It probably is more crowded but I have nothing to compare it to. That being said, maybe it's why I prefer Coral Bay.
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Deb

[iowaguy]

We have been to St. John in January, February, March, May, June, July and November. I have enjoyed every trip, in spite of a few weather mishaps, but we really prefer going in February. Why? Well, first off, have you been to Des Moines in February? Its cold---really cold--- and there are blizzards. Second, it does tend to be drier in STJ that time of year, which I like (statistically, February and March have the least rainfall). You do run the risk of northerly swells in the winter. On the other hand, we got Sahara Dust on our July trip, and I would take the rough water over the gray skies, if you have to choose among your possible misfortunes. But hey---its all good.
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---Jim

[hawksnestbay]

from the VI Now information page...

"Water Temperatures
Water temperatures in the Virgin Islands do not change greatly from summer to winter, however the 4 or 5 degree change is noticeable to those acclimated to consistently warm tropical weather. In the summer months the water temperature is about 83 degrees and in the winter about 79 degrees."

We have been Dec, Jan, Feb, June, July. I love it all. All of the other posts are accurate.

My friends on island will not swim in December. I found February coldest of the 3, but it does vary by year, like this summer in New England.

I love to watch weather. The coldest water we had was 76 degrees, highest was 82. But the corresponding air temperature will determine what makes you comfortable.
Also, it is real nice to leave Mass. when it is 20 degrees out.
In 1996, we came home from St Kitts to 32 inches of snow separating our driveway from the front door.

[Randy in MD]

I've been here in every month except February and December (working on that). It's all good for the same and for different reasons. Chances are it will be better than wherever you're coming from. Paradise is paradise no matter when...

[TomB]

[tjwgrr]

No one has mentioned April/ May are the ending of dry season - the island may be a little brown and parched- it was this past spring.

We've also been in November and found the island to be much more lush and tropical.

Just somethin' else to consider....

[Gromit]

I'll echo everything that's been said here.

I prefer to travel inthe shoulder or off season but not during hurricane season. We have been in early December for the last two years in addition to our spring/summer trips.

I just don't like paying A LOT more for my accomodations and prefer to save my $$$.

Observations:

1) the ocean/water is noticably cooler

2) the crowd on island (approaching December 15 and into high season) is also noticably colder. One time at Island Blues a young gentleman walked in and sat down at the bar wearing a pink izod shirt with the collar up and a green sweater tied over his shoulders. The woman that was with him looked like you could freeze ice on her ass. (Not that I'm judging or anything )

3) the water isn't as calm as it is in the Spring/ Summer. As Liamsaunt said visibility can be less.

4) there's less beach. This is noticable. The beaches are much wider (deeper) in the summer months.

5) it's less buggy in the winter (IMHO)

6) the overall temps are cooler and I find that I am comfortable in long sleeves at night, a sweatshirt or a light sweater. I am definitely not sweating my ass off in the winter like I do in the summer.

7) pools at the villas are also cooler -- almost too cool and unless heated or in direct sun most of the day are almost unusable.

While I truly enjoy being someplace that is warm when there's snow falling at home, I find that coming back to face the rest of the winter is pretty damn depressing. Whereas going in the Spring kind of kick starts my summer.

Bottom line-- it's nice to get away during the winter but if I HAD to pick the time I like best I'd pick April/May/June timeframe over December/Jan/Feb

SO those are my plusses and minuses.
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*Another fine scatterbrained production