We have been coming to SB for probably 20 years or more in August for our anniversary. The past few years it has been somewhat frustrating because so many of our favorites restaurants have been closing earlier. So we are thinking of coming in May or June but we have heard about the Christmas winds and wondered if the winds are more pronounced that time of year than other times. I know it can be windy anytime on SB but is this a thing? In general, how is the weather that time of year?
Windy Season??
- Thread starter zin
- Start date
JEK
Senior Insider
Many sources to find on Christmas Winds. One such.
CHRISTMAS WINDS
One last stage lay ahead of us this year. The stretch from Guadeloupe to Antigua. A 75 nm distance to the north, 50 nm of which was not protected through open passages. The weather forecast drove us off a week earlier than planned and we did without two more stops in Guadeloupe.
The reason for the hurried departure is called “Christmas Winds”. Sounds nice, but it’s not. These winds are the trade winds of the Atlantic that hit land in the Caribbean and are renamed. Usually they mistreat the islands from mid-December to mid-late January. What pleases the sailors on the Atlantic coming from Europe is the sailor’s pain in the Caribbean.
CHRISTMAS WINDS
One last stage lay ahead of us this year. The stretch from Guadeloupe to Antigua. A 75 nm distance to the north, 50 nm of which was not protected through open passages. The weather forecast drove us off a week earlier than planned and we did without two more stops in Guadeloupe.
The reason for the hurried departure is called “Christmas Winds”. Sounds nice, but it’s not. These winds are the trade winds of the Atlantic that hit land in the Caribbean and are renamed. Usually they mistreat the islands from mid-December to mid-late January. What pleases the sailors on the Atlantic coming from Europe is the sailor’s pain in the Caribbean.
JEK
Senior Insider
Another one.
Christmas Winds
Definition: "The Virgin Islands lie in the belt of 'Easterlies' or 'Trade Winds.' The trade winds blow very steadily from the southeast, east, and northeast. These consistent winds make the Virgin Islands one of the finest sailing areas in the world.
The trade winds are often interrupted from December to February by 'Northers,' locally known as 'Christmas Winds' which blow from the north or northwest. These winds are often accompanied by rain and large waves from the North.
During the spring months (March - May) the trade winds are reduced in speed and blow mainly from the east. In the summer months (June - August) the trade winds become strong again, blowing from east to southeast. July has the strongest winds of the entire year. During the fall (September - November) winds are usually their lowest, blowing from the east to southeast. The trade winds are sometimes interrupted during summer and fall by tropical storms or hurricanes that develop in the eastern tropical Atlantic and travel west to the Caribbean."
Source: "Climatology of the Virgin Islands," Government of the Virgin Islands Division of Fish and Wildlife Resources website.
Christmas Winds
Definition: "The Virgin Islands lie in the belt of 'Easterlies' or 'Trade Winds.' The trade winds blow very steadily from the southeast, east, and northeast. These consistent winds make the Virgin Islands one of the finest sailing areas in the world.
The trade winds are often interrupted from December to February by 'Northers,' locally known as 'Christmas Winds' which blow from the north or northwest. These winds are often accompanied by rain and large waves from the North.
During the spring months (March - May) the trade winds are reduced in speed and blow mainly from the east. In the summer months (June - August) the trade winds become strong again, blowing from east to southeast. July has the strongest winds of the entire year. During the fall (September - November) winds are usually their lowest, blowing from the east to southeast. The trade winds are sometimes interrupted during summer and fall by tropical storms or hurricanes that develop in the eastern tropical Atlantic and travel west to the Caribbean."
Source: "Climatology of the Virgin Islands," Government of the Virgin Islands Division of Fish and Wildlife Resources website.
dadto6
Senior Insider
Hi Zin,
Anita and I celebrate our anniversary end of August, have done so many years. However, missed out 2020 and 2021 due to travel restrictions. When we visited 8-weeks ago, we were surprised at how many restaurants were closed or closing imminently, much more so than years past as I recall. Attended a couple restaurants on their closing night, was very disappointing with very little to offer on the menu due to getting rid of product. Probably not return in 2023 in August for reason stated.
Anita and I celebrate our anniversary end of August, have done so many years. However, missed out 2020 and 2021 due to travel restrictions. When we visited 8-weeks ago, we were surprised at how many restaurants were closed or closing imminently, much more so than years past as I recall. Attended a couple restaurants on their closing night, was very disappointing with very little to offer on the menu due to getting rid of product. Probably not return in 2023 in August for reason stated.
To be candid about the subject, my “boots-on-the-ground” assessment of the situation is that local service providers — restauranteurs & others — have become so exhausted by the end of July that they’re emotionally / physically unable to provide the standard of service that they give in the season. I applaud those that continue to serve elegantly & with style, as though there were no fatigue in what they do.
Exactly. Planning 2023 in May or June.
Cwater
Senior Insider
Back in 1987 I had never been to the Caribbean. Cheryl had been a few times so she looked for a place in June that had trade winds. St. Barth was the best choice. Winds kept the bugs away. Memorable and we have returned just about every year since. Due to the pandemic we changed our May vacation to June/July. We have already booked for May 2023. Enjoy your time in paradise & see you on the beach
trnorman
SBH Insider
2022 was our second visit to the island, first in 2021, both visits in early July. 2021 was considerably more windy than 2022, which I'm guessing had more to do with the tropical storm/hurricane activity in the Caribbean at the time.
It seems as though visiting in June-September is really a gamble as to how windy it will be. I noticed some posts of people visiting in late July, and the waters of Saline and Gouverneur were extremely calm with no signs of wind. I do like a steady breeze, as it does keep the mosquitos at bay.
It seems as though visiting in June-September is really a gamble as to how windy it will be. I noticed some posts of people visiting in late July, and the waters of Saline and Gouverneur were extremely calm with no signs of wind. I do like a steady breeze, as it does keep the mosquitos at bay.
