Virgin Islands In September
September is the best month to find amazing deals in the Virgin Islands. It is the least crowded time of the year, and this is the only month when travelers might get the feeling that they have the world’s best beaches nearly all to themselves.
Lower Costs On Everything
Be on the look out for coupon codes, discounts, and specials this month. Even without advertised deals, the prices in general should be lower on everything in the Virgin Islands in September — from flights to hotel stays.
Bioluminescence Is Amazing
September is the absolute best month to see the bioluminescence that lights up the waves and bays of the Virgin Islands. Some visit the Caribbean just to gaze at the dazzling sea, full of the glowing phytoplankton that emit this magical light.
We’re Open And Running Daily Charters
Island Roots Charters runs daily charter trips in September. Some of our guests have said that visiting the USVI when the crowds are down was the best travel decision they’ve ever made in a world that feels increasingly overcrowded with tourists. While some restaurants close this month, a long list of places are open (see table below).
St. John, USVI – Restaurant Status for September 2025
| Restaurant | Status in September | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beach Bar | ✅ Open | Open through low season |
| Cruz Bay Landing | ✅ Open | Operating daily |
| Longboard | ✅ Open | Staying open off-season |
| Greengo’s Caribbean Cantina | ✅ Open | Open during off-season |
| Tap Room | ✅ Open | Keeps regular hours |
| Windmill Bar | ✅ Open | No seasonal closure listed |
| Upstairs Bar & Grill | ✅ Open | Low-season operation |
| Maho Crossroads | ✅ Open | Open all year |
| Sharky’s By the Water | ✅ Open | Year-round operation |
| St. John Back Bar | ✅ Open | Included in low-season list |
| Shambles | ✅ Open | Open during low season |
| Surf Club Cantina | ✅ Open | Located in Coral Bay |
| Love City Wing Spot | ✅ Open | Operating off-season |
| Woody’s | ✅ Open | Included in low-season list |
| Tap and Still | ✅ Open | Open through September |
| High Tide Bar & Grill | ⚠️ Partial Closure | Closed Sep 15–26 |
| ZoZo’s at Caneel Bay | ❌ Closed | Seasonal closure |
| Lovango Resort + Beach Club | ❌ Closed | Reopens in December |
| Soggy Dollar Bar | ❌ Closed | Reopens October 4 |
| Extra Virgin Bistro, Lime Out, etc. | ❌ Closed | Closed most of September |
Sailing
The winds generally die down in September so anyone planning to sail to the USVI from the USA or just around the islands will likely be motoring around versus using the sails.
Weather
September marks the beginning of rainy season in the Virgin Islands. Temperatures might be around 89F, which compared to some of the top beaches on the mainland shown in the table below, the USVI actually feels cooler.
| Rank | Beach Name | Location | Highest Temp (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Siesta Beach | Florida (Gulf Coast) | 99°F |
| 2 | Waikiki Beach | Oʻahu, Hawaii | 94°F |
| 3 | Clearwater Beach | Florida | 98°F |
| 4 | Folly Beach | Charleston, South Carolina | 97°F |
| 5 | Myrtle Beach | South Carolina | 97°F |
| 6 | Wrightsville Beach | North Carolina | 95°F |
| 7 | Cannon Beach | Oregon | 89°F |
| 8 | South Beach | Miami, Florida | 98°F |
| 9 | Santa Monica Beach | California | 93°F |
| 10 | Gulf Shores | Alabama | 99°F |
Travelers usually know far enough in advance if a hurricane is predicted that cancellations, if need be, are easy. Weather-related cancellations with Island Roots Charters will be refunded in full or, if possible, rescheduled with us or an affiliated charter company on a different day.
Fresh Fruits, Fishing and Herbs
In September, fruits in the Virgin Islands are going out of season, with mangoes being the last ones dropping from nearby trees. Wahoo and Tuna are the wild fish being caught on fishing charters running from St. Thomas and St. John.
Herb season starts this month, with many locals taking advantage of the rain to grow their own. There are also a number of wild herbs that grow on island:
| Herb Name | Scientific Name | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Culantro | Eryngium foetidum | Culinary seasoning, bush tea, fever remedy |
| Spanish Thyme / Cuban Oregano | Plectranthus amboinicus | Cooking herb, sore throat, congestion relief |
| Lemongrass (Fever Grass) | Cymbopogon citratus | Tea for fevers, digestion, calming |
| Moringa | Moringa oleifera | Nutritious leaves, immune support, energy |
| Wild Basil | Ocimum species | Tea, seasoning, natural mosquito repellent |
| Gully Root (Guinea Hen Weed) | Petiveria alliacea | Cleansing, immune tonic, bush medicine |
| Bitter Bush | Neurolaena lobata | Detox tea, fever relief, wound wash |
| Cassia Alata (King of the Forest) | Senna alata | Skin and fungal infections, laxative properties |
| Soursop Leaves | Annona muricata | Sleep aid, stress relief, mild pain relief |
| Bissy (Kola Nut) | Cola nitida | Traditional antidote, stimulant, energy booster |
Disclaimer: This list is for general informational purposes only and may contain inaccuracies. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider before using any herbal remedies.
In a community discussion on Facebook about local medicinal plants in the Virgin Islands, someone suggested referring to Toni Thomas’s book on herbs and plants of the Virgin Islands. Island Resources Foundation has this pdf online of Plants of Conservation Concern: Herbs and Plants of theUnited States Virgin Islands.
The Caribbean Welcomes You In September
The Virgin Islands is a magical place to visit every month of the year. September is no different, with it’s own unique opportunities for everyone.
Natural beauty chasers are well positioned for the chance to swim with the brightest bioluminescence of the year. Lovers seeking space can roam the beaches as kings and queens of what would otherwise be crowded beaches most other months of the year. Bargain hunters, you will love the affordable rates on everything the VI has to offer this time of year. And, for families with kids it will feel like a truly exotic vacation with the island rain, singing frogs, and snorkeling adventures this side of the Caribbean Sea.