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St. Barts is a dream destination for beach lovers, sun seekers, and luxury enthusiasts. Also known as Saint Barthélemy or St. Berths, this tiny island paradise sits in the French West Indies. This Caribbean paradise is 9.7 square miles, and welcomes nearly 200,000 tourists every year.
As a smaller island with plenty to explore, you may want to know the best time to visit St. Barts. Whether you’re looking for hotel/travel deals, tropical climates, or seasonal activities, there’s something for every traveler type and budget.
Below we look into the best time to visit the island and enjoy its amenities and ambiance. You’ll also learn the cheapest, least busy, and worst time to visit. Read on to learn all you need to know!
Why You Should Visit St. Barts
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St. Barthélemy’s natural splendor attracts families, friends, and the wealthy. Visitors come to this French Caribbean island to enjoy its stunning beaches, fabulous hotels, and tropical climate.
With plenty of sunshine year round, you can spend long hours on the white sandy beaches or explore the mountainous terrain. To enjoy the white sand and turquoise blue water, you’ll want to visit the island’s most iconic beaches, such as Saint-Jean, Colombier, Saline, and Grand Cul-de-Sac.
If you’re interested in incredible shopping options, luxury hotels, and the best nightlife, the capital of Gustavia has something for you. In addition, you can also explore the towering coastal mountains.
If you’re a culture and history lover, St Bergs is a melting pot for Caribbean lifestyle, French history, culture, and Nordic architecture. Visit Fort Gustave to learn about its history since 1787.
You can also take your family or friends to the Old Swedish Jail, Corossol, or explore the city’s buildings with a French design. St. Barts is a hotspot for celebrities, so you can spot your favorite celebs and interact with them.
Do you love trying a variety of dishes when on vacation? In St. Barts, you can try French, West Indian, Italian, Asian and Creole cuisines. The island is best known for its top-tier restaurants serving the best food.
Overall Best Time to Visit St. Barts
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The best and most popular time to visit St. Barts is from December to April, during winter. Unlike winter in the US, the weather on the island during these months is warmer.
Locals refer to the dry season as the “lent” season. Temperatures range between 70-80°F with a refreshing breeze coming from the ocean. Traveling to St. Barts at this time is a great way to escape the severe winter.
December through February is the ideal time for visiting St. Barts. The weather in December is moderately hot, with daily highs of 81°F and lows of 76°F.
January is the coldest, with temperatures ranging from 75-82°F. Despite being the coldest month on the island, the weather is warmer and favorable for outdoor enthusiasts. The temperature in February is similar to January but a bit warmer.
Traveling in winter allows you to explore the most on this island since the hotels and all attractions operate in full swing. Tourist areas, especially the popular ones, can be crowded, but you can find more remote areas to explore.
You can also partake in events such as:
- Christmas Village
- New Year’s Eve
- St. Barts Music Festival
- Carnival of St. Barts
- St. Barts Race Week
- St. Barts Film Festival
With more tourists arriving, expect to pay more for flights, hotels, rental cars, and activities. However, you can save money by booking your flight and hotel from September to November. If you want to avoid the busy months of December to February, visit the country from March to April.
The two months mark the high season’s end and allow you to enjoy moderate temperatures. The island is still busy, but crowds tend to thin out as the off-peak season approaches. Mid-April sees the beginning of the low season, and prices can be affordable.
Cheapest Time to Visit St. Barts
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The cheapest time to visit St. Barts is from Mid-April to June. The month of April sees the end of the uber-expensive winter and more tourists leaving the island.
If you’re visiting the country at the beginning of the low season, you’ll enjoy affordable prices and access the best activities. This is the best time for visitors seeking quiet time to relax on the beaches or hike the mountains with fewer crowds.
Temperatures are generally high and don’t vary much. Daily highs can range from 85°F to 88°F or above. The season is usually sunny but with precipitation that can range from moderate to high.
In mid-April, you can enjoy one of the biggest cultural festivals, Les voiles de Saint Barth. May in St. Barts is an excellent month for buying luxury products at discounts. You’ll enjoy great deals for luxurious products during the island’s annual sales, “les soldes.”
The best items you can buy include designer clothing, jewelry, artwork, beachwear, watches, and wines. If you’re on a budget and wish to save more, do your research to identify hotels, car rentals, and activities offering discounts.
The weather in June is warmer, with daily highs of 87°F. You can spend this summer month on the island visiting the less crowded beaches. Most attractions, hotels, and shops are still operating, so you can make long-lasting memories.
Least Busy Time to Visit St. Barts
Gustavia, St Barths– April 25, 2018. A pretty cobblestone street with retail stores on either side winds its way through Gustavia, St. Barths/Joe Benning/Shutterstock
The least busy time to visit St. Barts is summer when the weather becomes hotter and windier. Usually, the low season stretches from June to August. Most tourists who extended their winter on the island have left during this time.
If you’re planning to spend summer in St. Barts, know that temperatures can exceed 90°F. Summer peaks in June when there are more than 13 hours of daylight. The water is warmer, and the sun can be unbearable.
However, this can be your perfect time to enjoy water activities on various beaches. Besides the hot weather and winds, this season sees the beginning of the hurricane season. Expect rain and strong winds in July that can lead to hurricanes.
Unlike the high season, most hotels, beaches, clubs, and activities in summer might have closed. The few operating can offer exclusive discounts, so look around and save more.
With more attractions closed, you can hike in the mountains, such as Morne de Vitet, and try windsurfing in Saint-Jean and Lorient Beach. The low crowds and exclusive discounts make St. Barts a perfect place for romantic getaways.
This is the best time to spend time together on empty beaches and on less crowded tours. You can also participate in events such as Bastille Day, Gustavia Day, and St. Barts Family Festival.
Worst Time to Visit St. Barts
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The worst period to visit St. Barts is from September to October. During these two months, the weather can be unpredictable, with the chances of hurricanes increasing. Like other Caribbean islands, this season can bring destructive storms.
Be cautious or reconsider your trip. From June to August, the hurricane season in this French Caribbean island receives few visitors. Temperatures in September can range from 83-86°F that can go as low as 74°F.
This month has 14 rainy days, but you’re not sure when it will rain. When making your travel itinerary, remember that rain can disrupt your plans. October in St. Barts has over 15 rainy days, making it the wettest month.
Temperatures range from 83-85°F, with the lowest reaching about 77.9°F. The month has sunlight days for outdoor enthusiasts, but the weather can change dramatically.
Thunderstorms and tornadoes may accompany the rain. With fewer tourists visiting the island, most hotels, beaches, and rental companies have ceased operating.
You can make this season a remote getaway if you’re daring enough. While hurricanes are likely to occur, they’re seldom dangerous on this Caribbean island. So, don’t push the panic button yet when they occur.
Try various indoor activities or participate in events such as:
- All Saints Day
- Piteå Day
- Caribbean Rum Awards
- St. Barth Gourmet Festival
Things to Consider
After determining the most appropriate time to visit St. Barts, you should know how best to enjoy the trip. Below are the travel tips to help you explore this island like a seasoned traveler.
- Follow the advice of local media and authorities. This should help you learn about weather forecasts, especially the occurrence of hurricanes.
- Talk to locals. St. Bart’s locals are friendly and hospitable. Ask about their favorite restaurants, bars, and fishing areas. The locals can offer the best suggestions if you wish to find less crowded areas.
- Pack the right gear. St. Barts has a warmer climate throughout the year, so you’ll want to bring lightweight attire, sandals, and comfy walking shoes. Nights can get cooler, so a light jacket or hoodie can be great for going to clubs and parties.
- Bring SPF sunscreen. If you’re traveling from December to June, carry SPF sunscreen to protect your skin from damage caused by the scorching sun. Aim for a 30+ SPF sunscreen to ensure you’re safe from ultraviolet (UV) light.
- Abide by local laws. For example, don’t carry, use or traffic illegal drugs.
- Respect the flag warnings on the beaches. These warnings provide information about water conditions and whether it’s safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
ST. BARTS, FRENCH WEST INDIES – JUNE 13, 2015: Dramatic Winair plane landing at St Barts airport. At 2,133 ft its runway is one of the shortest in the world/Leonard Zhukovsky/Shutterstock
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about visiting St. Barts:
What’s the best way to travel to St. Barts?
The best way to travel to the island is by plane. Whether you’re traveling from the US, Europe, Canada, or the Caribbean, you can connect through a direct flight to Juliana Airport in St Maarten and then to St. Barts Airport. Tourists from neighboring islands can also use helicopter charters.
Do they speak English in St. Barts?
St. Barts is A French Caribbean Island, and the official language is French. However, English is widely and fluently spoken, so you can rest assured to get along well with locals and fellow tourists.
Are there a lot of mosquitoes in St. Barts?
St. Barts has fewer mosquitoes than other Caribbean islands. You don’t have to worry about wearing long pants and long sleeves on the beach or walking around the city. You may need to carry mosquito repellent while camping or hiking in the mountains.
Is St. Barts worth it?
Despite being a small island, St. Barts is worth exploring. The island has stunning beaches, top-notch hotels, luxurious resorts, lively beach clubs, and fantastic food. You’ll also enjoy soaking up the sun available throughout the year.
Is there crime in St. Barts?
St. Barts has little to no crime. You are unlikely to fall victim to armed robbery, assault, and pickpocketing. The US has issued a Level One travel advisory, requiring travelers to exercise standard precautions.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit St. Barts?
December through April is the best and most popular time to visit St. Barts. There’s plenty of sunlight, and all tourist areas operate in full swing. Book your flights and hotel earlier to enjoy lower prices before the high season begins.
With so much to see and do, we think that St. Barts is one of the best island vacations you can take. So what are you waiting for — book your trip today!