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St. Thomas is one of the islands that make up the US Virgin Islands, and it is a popular destination for people from the US to visit. St. Thomas has great weather most of the year, which is why it is such a popular spot.
You will also find beautiful beaches and lots of shopping. This article has everything you need to know about when to visit St. Thomas, including the best, worst, and cheapest times to visit.
Why You Should Visit St. Thomas
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St. Thomas is a beautiful island that is part of the US Virgin Islands. You will hear anyone and everyone who has been to St. Thomas rave about the beaches on the island, most of which are a beautiful white color.
St. Thomas is also popular for water sports, as there is, of course, plenty of water surrounding the island. You can try windsurfing, snorkeling, jet skiing, or take a boat tour.
If you are staying at a hotel or resort on the water, they can help you find a company that offers water sports if they don’t offer them, or you can find an outside company if you are not staying at a hotel.
And, you can eat, drink, and shop while you are there too, which is a great reason to visit the capital of Charlotte Amalie, where you will find all these things and more.
The capital is also a great place to learn about the island’s history and how it came to be what it is today. Finally, you can spend some time relaxing at one of the many hotels on the island, some of which are all-inclusive.
If you opt for an all-inclusive resort, you will have all your food and drinks included, saving you some planning and time, and giving you more freedom to enjoy the island.
Overall Best Time to Visit St. Thomas
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The best time to visit St. Thomas is in the spring, specifically in April and May. During these months, you will have good weather, but the crowds who more commonly visit in the winter months will be gone.
Many people visit in the winter months when there is snow and cold weather in the north that they want to escape. But, by April, most of these crowds die down, and you will not find as many people on the island.
You will also save money as prices are lower, and places won’t book up as fast, if at all, since demand is lower. You will also get good weather during these times since the summer is approaching and the days are getting warmer and are still sunny.
However, you should go in April or May right after the crowds die down, as hurricane season starts in June, and you will miss out on the good weather if you wait too long and end up going in the summer instead of the spring.
Cheapest Time to Visit St. Thomas
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You will find the cheapest flights to St. Thomas in September, which is, unfortunately, peak hurricane season, which is why they are so cheap.
If you’re willing to risk a hurricane ruining your trip, you can save a lot of money by traveling during these months. Most people avoid visiting during hurricane season, especially during its peak, as they want to enjoy nice weather on the island, not a lot of rain.
Since there are very few people visiting during hurricane season, you will find a lot lower prices on hotels and activities on the island.
Demand is low, and hotels and accommodations want to sell as much as they can in the less busy season, so you should be able to find some great deals during September and the rest of the hurricane season.
Least Busy Time to Visit St. Thomas
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The least busy time to visit St. Thomas is from June to November because of the weather and the hurricanes.
Primarily, the US Virgin Islands experience hurricane season from June to November, with the highest chance of hurricanes between the second half of August and late October.
Another reason why the summer and early fall months are the least busy time to visit St. Thomas is that the weather is nice elsewhere in the Northern Hemisphere.
People, especially those from the United States, travel around the US or even fly to Europe to enjoy the nice summer weather. Then, they save places like St. Thomas to visit in the winter when they need to escape their cold weather.
However, if you can avoid hurricanes, which is best done if you visit in June, July, or November, you can still get some great weather in St. Thomas and avoid the crowds.
Worst Time to Visit St. Thomas
Coki Point, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) – April 30, 2019: Scuba divers on the tropical Coki Point Beach in St Thomas, USVI, Caribbean. Caribbean Vacation Travel Concept/byvalet/Shutterstock
The worst time to visit St. Thomas is during the busy season in the winter months. From December to March, people from the north, particularly the United States, come to St. Thomas to escape the cold and enjoy the warm weather.
During the winter, you will find temperatures in St. Thomas in the upper 80s (Fahrenheit). Since so many people are coming to the island to enjoy the weather, you will also see higher prices for flights and accommodations.
If traveling during these months, you should book in advance if you don’t want places to book up. And book early for the best prices, as the more places and flights book up, the higher prices will be. You should be certain to book as soon as possible if you are traveling during any holiday.
Many people travel in December for the holidays and in March during spring break when kids are off from school, so these months book up the quickest.
Remember that you will also have to fight the crowds if you plan on doing any activities or shopping during your visit to St. Thomas. You should be prepared for the most popular places to be busy.
Things to Consider
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands – May 16, 2016: Landscape in St. Thomas, cruise port at Charlotte Amalie at St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands on May 16, 2016/Solarisys/Shutterstock
Here are some things to consider during your trip to St. Thomas:
- Passport requirements. If you are a citizen of the United States, you can travel to the US Virgin Islands without one. But, if you live in the United States and aren’t a citizen, you will likely have to bring your passport with you, at least to get back into the United States. People visiting St. Thomas from outside the United States must also bring a passport.
- Cruise ship ports. Many cruises from the United States stop in or depart from St. Thomas, especially from the south part of the island. If you want to avoid crowds in these parts of the island, you should check cruise times to avoid when they are docked or visit early in the morning or later at night when the cruise ships are not docked.
- Hotel types. You have a couple of types of hotels you can choose from during your stay in St. Thomas. You can stay in a traditional hotel, or you can opt for an all-inclusive hotel. At an all-inclusive hotel, your food and drinks, likely alcoholic beverages, are included in the price of your stay. On the other hand, if you stay at a traditional hotel, you will have to pay for anything extra, including food and drinks.
- Money. The currency used in the US Virgin Islands, including St. Thomas, is the USD, so if you are visiting from outside the United States, be sure to bring some money or exchange some at the airport. You should also have a credit card to use, as cash is becoming less common and more places are taking cards only.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Here are some frequently asked questions about when to visit St. Thomas:
What months is hurricane season in St Thomas?
Hurricane season in St. Thomas is from the beginning of June to the end of November. However, most hurricanes hit between August and October.
When is the St. Thomas rainy season?
There is not a specific rainy season in St. Thomas like there is in many places around the world, but there is a hurricane season that takes place in the late summer and early fall.
However, St. Thomas experiences some rainy months, which you might want to avoid if you want a sunny trip. The rainiest month in St. Thomas is November, when there can be over seven inches of rain.
What is the hottest month in St Thomas?
The hottest months in St. Thomas are July, August, and September, all of which have an average high temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The average low temperature in St. Thomas in July, August, and September is 78 or 79 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is the coldest month in St Thomas?
The coldest month in St. Thomas is January, when the average high temperature is 84 degrees Fahrenheit, which is still quite warm to almost everyone. At night, the average temperature drops down to 73 degrees Fahrenheit on average, which is common for the winter on the island.
How many days is enough for St Thomas?
You should spend at least three full days in St. Thomas if you want to enjoy your time there, get a good feel for where you are staying, and make your flights worth the trip. If possible, stay for a week to do even more fun activities on the island.
What is the cheapest time to go to St Thomas Virgin Islands?
The cheapest time to go to St. Thomas is in the middle of hurricane season, which is in September. Not many people visit during this time of year, so you will find accommodations and flights to be cheaper.
Can you swim in the ocean in St Thomas?
Yes, you can swim in the ocean in St. Thomas, and you will find plenty of beaches around the island where you can access the water. You can also do a lot of water sports in St. Thomas, like surfing, water skiing, and scuba diving.
Is it okay to drink tap water in St. Thomas?
You can drink tap water in most places in St. Thomas. If you are at a hotel or restaurant where you can’t drink tap water, the staff will alert you, or there will be signs. You can find bottled water all over the island.
Is there a pink sand beach in St Thomas?
There is a slightly pink sand beach in St. Thomas, which is white with a touch of pink, not a vibrant pink. The beach is Lindquist Beach in Smith Bay Park. A majority of the beaches in St. Thomas are white.
What is St. Thomas best known for?
St. Thomas is a tropical destination known for its beaches and warm weather. Many people come here to relax and get away from their homes, especially in the winter. It is also a great place to do some water sports and shop.
Do I need a passport for St. Thomas?
If you are a United States citizen, you don’t need a passport to visit St. Thomas, as it is a territory of the US. But, if you are flying in from outside the US or aren’t a US citizen, you have to have a passport to visit.
What kind of money do they use in St. Thomas?
The official currency in St. Thomas is the United States Dollar (USD), and it is the only currency accepted on the island. You can use a credit card at most places, but if you go somewhere that only accepts cash, you will have to pay in USD.
Can you touch sea turtles in St. Thomas?
You shouldn’t touch the sea turtles or any other wildlife in St. Thomas. While it may be tempting to get close to them, you need to respect their homes and remember that you are in their natural habitat.
Can you bring shells back from St. Thomas?
You aren’t allowed to shell back from St. Thomas. You aren’t allowed to bring any natural species or resources from St. Thomas away from the island. There is a law in place that bans this as a way to protect the island and its natural beauty and wildlife.
What should you bring to St. Thomas?
You should bring sunscreen, bug spray, and a swimsuit to St. Thomas. Sunscreen is important all year long when the sun is hot, and bug spray is especially important if you will be on the island after it rains.
You should also bring clothes to wear at restaurants if you are out and about on the island. Pack like you would if you went to any other tropical or Caribbean destination.
Are there jellyfish in St. Thomas?
There are jellyfish in the water surrounding St. Thomas, and you might see them or even come in contact with them when you are swimming or doing water sports. However, they are mostly harmless jellyfish, and if they sting you, they will be mild and likely not hurt you too badly, if at all.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit St. Thomas?
The best time to visit St. Thomas is in the spring, around April or May, when you will beat not only the busy winter crowds but also hurricane season.
If you want to visit in the winter to escape the cold at home, you will have no problem with bad weather in St. Thomas, but it will also be busier, and you may pay higher prices as demand is high.
However, with so much natural beauty, friendly locals, and amazing food, you’re sure to love your trip, regardless of when you go. So what are you waiting for — book your trip to St. Thomas today!