Every year, travelers wonder whether October is one of the months not to visit the Caribbean because of "hurricane season." The US Virgin Islands does not close in October. The beaches are open. The dive sites are open. Flights are running per normal. And because modern weather systems can detect hurricane activity far ahead of time, there’s usually plenty of time to cancel a vacation if by chance bad weather does start brewing.

Think of it this way: Disney World sits in the middle of Florida hurricane country, and it operates every single day of hurricane season. Nobody seriously debates whether October is a bad month to hang with Mickey. The Virgin Islands operate much the same way and in fact October is in some ways actually one of the best months to fly into St. Thomas, hop over to St. John, and board a private charter boat trip with Island Roots Charters.

Book Now

The Hurricane Risk: Real, But Manageable

October does indeed occur at the tail end of the Atlantic hurricane season, but direct hits to the Virgin Islands are statistically rare, usually only occurring once every 5-10 years. Most of the time these storms pass through, or bring in some heavy rain and wind. Most of the time October in the USVI and BVI is sunny, warm, and perfectly normal.

Locals know this. In fact, since 1726 locals have celebrated Hurricane Thanksgiving Day on October 25th as a day of gratitude that another storm season has passed safely. You could be there for it.

If you did want to manage your risk, make sure your bookings come with flexible cancellation policies, buy travel insurance that covers bad weather, and keep an eye on the National Hurricane Center forecasts as your vacation comes up. Satellite tracking usually gives plenty of advance warning if anything is brewing. This way you are not flying blind.

Virgin Islands Weather In October

Image: October rain shower rolling in / Credit: Island Roots Charters

October weather can be surprising cooler than many places on the mainland, USA. Lows can be in the mid seventies, and the highs almost never reach 90F. One reason is that this is also the wettest month. Rain is known to cool everything down, from the beaches to the boat rides. This brings out the mosquitoes, which can be bothersome this time of year. There is no malaria here, and dengue cases are rare. It’s still good to apply mosquito repellent as needed.

This also means that the humidity is higher in October than in the dry-season months, so make sure to pack light, breathable fabrics. For those who are wanting to enjoy a tropical vacation before the dry skin months of winter, this humidity might be a great way to moisturize the whole body before the cold sets in.

What's Open In October

Some businesses do close in October, while others stay open.

The major resorts and hotels on St. Thomas stay open. The national park beaches on St. John, which include Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, and Hawksnest stay open. Snorkeling, diving, water sports, and sailing charters stay open. Of course, the beaches you can only access by boat are the best part. Most attractions on St. Thomas, including Magens Bay and the historical sites, are open and running normally.

St. John In October

October is on of the quietest months in St. John. Some smaller restaurants and other local businesses close for a few weeks during this slower season. In many cases it is just a good excuse for the families running the business to take some time off for their own vacations, or to make some much needed renovations. That still leaves nearly a dozen restaurants on St. John island that remain open during October. October is also when businesses begin to open again, so if you are visiting late in the month you may not even notice so many closings. If food and nightlife variety matter to you, this is worth noting.

Less Crowds Means Easier Access to Beaches, Deals, And More

In October, it’s far easier to get a waterfront table at your favorite restaurant without waiting forever. Resorts are quieter. Beaches are emptier. Charters may be running smaller groups and can provide more personalized service. You might even find that the most popular snorkeling spots like Waterlemon Cay and Hawksnest Bay, which get super packed during high season, could very well be all yours.

The Best Month For Snorkeling And Diving

The sea water in the Virgin Islands is at its warmest (82-84 F) temperatures from August to October. This means spending hours out in the water — swimming, snorkeling or diving — without ever feeling cold.

The water visibility is great this time of year and many of the dive sites like Carval Rock and Tektite Reef get less traffic. Snorkeling along the national park reefs off St. John is great because it’s not nearly as crowded as it usually is.

Fishing The Virgin Islands In October

Offshore, October is a great fishing month around St. John USVI / BVI. Expect to haul in some wahoo, and conch season opens October 1st (though there are a number of regulations, so make sure to book a fishing charter — Just Fish is where we recommend).

Local Fruits Ripening

If you’re planning to visit the farmer’s market or want to time your visit with a good month to try local fruits, this is one of the best ones to find tamarind and soursop.

Sailing — Catch The Wind While You Can

If you’re into sailing, October is one of the last months that you’ll find some wind for your sails. After that, it won’t be until late December when you’ll be able to catch a ride on nature’s invisible currents again.

Book Now