The best time to travel to the Virgin Islands (US or British) to avoid crowds and enjoy the most fabulous weather is from late March to late June. When temperatures are pleasant, and rainfall is minimal.
Although the weather in the region is generally similar, each island has its unique weather fluctuation and micro climate.
Weather
Two factors influence the weather in the Virgin Islands: the North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The North Atlantic Ocean’s weather patterns are generally cooler and wetter than the Caribbean Sea.
The Virgin Islands lie in the path of the North Atlantic weather system, which means that the USVI experiences cooler temperatures and more rainfall than the BVI’s.
The Virgin Islands are located south of the hurricane belt; therefore, they are relatively spared from the worst Atlantic Ocean hurricanes.
The best time to visit these Caribbean Islands is during the dry season, from late March to June when rainfall is minimal and temperatures are comfortable.
Of course, this is also peak tourism season, so expect crowds and higher prices.
If you can’t travel during that time, the shoulder seasons of the winter months, late February/early March, and October / November, are also good times to visit, with slightly cooler temperatures and more rainfall.
No matter when you go, be sure to pack your sunscreen! The Virgin Islands enjoy year-round sunshine.
Also in the Caribbean: Aruba (30 Things to do in the Happy Island)
Average Temperature
The average temperature in the Virgin Islands is 78 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius).
The warmest months are July and August, when temperatures reach up to 87 degrees Fahrenheit (31 degrees Celsius).
The coolest months are January and February when temperatures can drop to as low as 69 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).
Average Precipitation
Precipitation in the Virgin Islands is heaviest from August to October and the lightest (dry season) from February to June. Although the dry season officially begins in December.
The wettest months are September and October, when the islands can get many tropical showers and up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) of rain.
Hurricane Season
The Virgin Islands region’s hurricane season runs from June to November, with October being the peak hurricane season.
If you are planning to visit during this time, check the hurricane forecast and plan accordingly.
While the Virgin Islands are mostly safe from the worst of the Atlantic storms during hurricane season, heavy rainfall and severe winds can sometimes occur.
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Key Events and Festivals
US Virgin Islands
St Croix Christmas Festival – December/January
St. Thomas International Regatta – March
St. Thomas Carnival – April/May
St. John Carnival – June/July
St Croix Mango Melee and Tropical Fruit Festival – July
The British Virgin Islands
Old Year’s Night at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar & Grille – December 31st
Caribbean Arts & Crafts Festival – March
BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival (late March)
Tortola Music Festival – March & April
Wreck Week – May
Virgin Gorda Music Festival – July
Emancipation Day Festival (late July-early August)
Jost Van Dyke August Festival – August
BVI Charter Yacht Show – November
Best Things to do in the US Virgin Islands
St. John
Virgin Islands National Park
You’re probably right on the edge of Virgin Islands National Park if you’re in St. John while on your Virgin Islands trip.
The parkland covers two-thirds of the island and is home to several of Love City’s most fantastic attractions, including Annaberg Plantation and Trunk Bay Beach.
Enjoy this tropical paradise in various ways.
More than 20 hiking paths are available for both adventurous guests and families.
Following the 2017 storms, several areas of the park, including the famed Cinnamon Bay Resort and its campers, are still undergoing repair and restoration.
Cruz Bay
It’s the principal town on Saint John’s Island.
Located on Saint John’s west coast and serves as the island’s primary commercial hub, principal port, and gateway to Saint John.
Saint John is connected to the more developed neighboring island of Saint Thomas by frequent barge and ferry services, including vehicle ferry service.
Ferries regularly travel between Cruz Bay and Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands.
Trunk Bay
One of the most popular beaches on St. John, Trunk Bay features a stunning underwater snorkeling trail.
Caneel Bay
Caneel Bay is a beautiful secluded beach that is perfect for relaxing or enjoying some water sports.
Annaberg Plantation
This former sugar plantation is now a popular hiking spot with beautiful views of the surrounding area.
St. Thomas
Magens Bay
Magens Bay is one of the best beaches in the Virgin Islands and offers stunning views of nearby St. John.
Charlotte Amalie
The capital city of Charlotte Amalie is a great place to explore Danish colonial architecture, shop for duty-free goods, and enjoy the lively nightlife.
Coral World Ocean Park
This marine park is a great place to learn about the local marine life and see some of the Caribbean’s most beautiful coral reefs.
Main Street
Main Street is the best place for shopping, dining, and nightlife in St. Thomas.
Paradise Point
Paradise Point is a popular spot for stunning views of Magens Bay and the surrounding area.
99 Steps
The 99 Steps is a popular tourist attraction in Charlotte Amalie that leads up to Blackbeard’s Castle.
St. Croix
Buck Island National Monument
Buck Island is a small island off the coast of St. Croix, home to one of the best beaches in the Virgin Islands.
Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge
It’s a great place in St Croix to see some of the local wildlife and enjoy the pristine beaches.
The Estate Whim Plantation Museum
This museum is located on a former sugar plantation and offers a glimpse into the island’s history.
Christiansted National Historic Site
This site contains the remains of the 18th-century Danish fort, Fort Christiansvaern, an 18th-century fort that is now a museum that houses a collection of artifacts from the Danish colonial era.
Cruzan Rum Distillery
The Cruzan Rum Distillery is a great place to learn about the history of rum production on the island and sample some of the best rum in the world.
Fort Frederik
Fort Frederik is an 18th-century fort built by the Danish to defend the island of St Croix from pirates.
Best Things to do in The British Virgin Islands
Every water sports enthusiast’s dream is the BVI’s. The Caribbean Sea surrounds the islands with miles of dazzling blue, crystal clear waters.
Many visitors opt to island-hop aboard a catamaran, sailboat, or yacht for a day trip or a weeklong experience. In contrast, others may prefer to kayak or paddleboard across the calmer water at lesser depths off the shore of their resort or local beach.
Whatever your interests are, you should plan to spend most of your time on the water while in the BVI’s.
Crewed charter boats eliminate the hassle of holiday preparation by requiring you to show up and enjoy a trip with a captain, crew, and chef on board.
The disadvantage is that this sailing style might be more expensive than staying in a hotel for a few nights.
My recommended sailing charter company: The Moorings. (Not Sponsored)
If you’re going with a large party, you can usually locate a low-cost boat that’s equivalent in price to a stay at an upmarket resort.
Travelers in the British Virgin Islands or elsewhere in the Caribbean can also sign up for day sails or specialty boat trips that include snorkeling or party-centric itineraries.
Virgin Gorda
The Baths
The Baths is a popular spot for swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the unique rock formations.
Tortola
Smuggler’s Cove
Smuggler’s Cove is a popular spot for snorkeling and diving.
Sage Mountain National Park
Sage Mountain National Park is the best place to go for hiking and stunning views of Tortola.
Brewers Bay
Brewers Bay, located just north of Cane Garden Bay on Tortola’s northwest shore, is one of the best snorkeling beaches in the BVI’s.
The extensive coral reef is excellent for snorkeling, and the beach is less busy than the adjacent Cane Garden Bay for people who are only interested in sunbathing and swimming.
Anegada Island
Anegada is a Caribbean vacationer’s dream, with over 300 wrecks to dive and explore, silvery sand beaches, and flocks (literally, flocks) of flamingos.
Anegada is also known as the “Drowned Island” due to its low elevation of only 28 feet above sea level.
Anegada has a few villas, hotels, and privately managed inns, although most visitors opt to sail here for the day from Tortola.
Hopefully, you value privacy, because Anegada has enough of it. On the plus side, you’ll never have to look for a decent perch on the beach; on the minus side, you’ll have to look for the local convenience store or bring your own snacks and water.
If you are hungry, go to the seaside Lobster Trap, which specializes in fresh seafood.
Anegada is located northeast of Tortola and north of Virgin Gorda.
Rhone National Marine Park
The Rhone National Marine Park is a popular spot for snorkeling, diving, and exploring the shipwreck of the RMS Rhone.
Jost Van Dyke
White Bay
White Bay on the southern part of Jost Van Dyke Island is one of the most excellent beaches to unwind with a drink in hand.
Practically all of the island’s bars, and numerous oceanfront houses and villas, are usually always bustling with activity.
Many independent yachts and boats dock in the sea, with passengers swimming or dinghying to shore.
The beach section has lots of space for visitors to lay down their towels or set up their chairs to sunbathe, while the bars have a more chaotic party atmosphere.
Local establishments such as Soggy Dollar and One Love Bar and Grill serve cheaply priced burgers and bar cuisine, but they also make potent beverages.
Enjoy the beach, the bar, and the infamous “Painkiller” (Rum Punch) at Soggy Dollar Bar.
