The Virgin Islands are warm all year, with sea temperatures that rarely fall below 25°C. What changes through the year is the wind, the rain, the number of other yachts, and the price. Choosing your week well can make a real difference to your charter, so here’s how the year breaks down.
The short version
- Best weather and atmosphere: mid-December to April.
- Best value and quieter anchorages: May, June and late November.
- Most crewed yachts take a break: August to October, the peak of the hurricane season.
- Book furthest ahead for: Christmas, New Year, February half term and Easter.
Month by month
December
The season starts in earnest in mid-December. The Christmas winds, stronger trade winds that often blow for a week or two, can make for exhilarating sailing. Christmas and New Year are the busiest and most expensive weeks of the year, with minimum stays on many yachts. The first two weeks of December are a quieter, better-value alternative.
January to March
The heart of the season: dry, sunny days, cooler nights and reliable easterly winds of around 15 to 20 knots. This is classic Caribbean sailing weather. February half term is popular with UK families, and the best crewed yachts are often booked by the previous summer. Late January and early March can be slightly easier for availability.
April
Still high season, with lighter winds and warmer water as the month goes on. Easter is busy and books up early. Late April is one of our favourite times to charter: settled weather, a little less wind and the anchorages beginning to thin out.
May and June
Often overlooked, and often wonderful. The winds ease, the sea is warm and calm, and prices on many yachts drop to their lower summer rates. The official hurricane season starts on 1 June, but early-season storms are uncommon. This is a good choice for couples and for families with younger children who don’t mind a gentler breeze.
July
Warm and generally settled, with summer rates and plenty of choice. The UK school holidays begin late in the month, and the islands are a good alternative to a crowded Mediterranean summer. Travel insurance that covers named storms is essential from now until November.
August to October
The peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. Many crewed yachts leave the islands or take a break for maintenance, and some businesses ashore close for a few weeks. Charters are still possible and can be very good value, but you’ll have less choice, and your plans need to stay flexible. We’ll always be honest with you about whether it’s the right time for your party.
November
The islands wake up again. Yachts return, businesses reopen and the trade winds fill in. The hurricane season officially ends on 30 November, and late November can offer excellent value before the Christmas rates begin.
How far ahead to book
For the most popular crewed yachts over Christmas, New Year, February half term and Easter, we suggest starting the search nine to twelve months ahead. For other weeks in the main season, four to six months usually gives a good choice. In the summer and shoulder months, a few weeks’ notice is often enough.
Bareboat yachts are more plentiful, but the newest catamarans go quickly over the holidays too.
How booking works
Charter yachts are booked week by week, usually from Saturday to Saturday, though crewed yachts can often be flexible on start days and length. Once you’ve chosen a yacht, we ask the yacht’s central agent to place a hold on your dates while you decide. The charter is confirmed when the contract is signed and the deposit paid, typically 50 per cent, with the balance due before the charter.
Choosing your week
If you have fixed dates, such as school holidays, start early and keep an open mind about the yacht. If your dates are flexible, tell us: moving a week either way can open up a better yacht or a lower rate.
Tell us when you’d like to go and who’s coming, and we’ll come back with the yachts that are free. Planning a family trip? Our guide to crewed and bareboat charters explains the difference.
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