OFF SEASON

I have the same question.

Off season is the warmer months, roughly May to November, and it's a less popular time to visit because some people find it to be too warm in the islands. Or perhaps they'd rather stay where they are and enjoy the summer there, and save a trip to the islands for winter time.

These dates are from a hotel in STX...

Off-peak
May 1 - Nov 30
Peak
Dec 1 – Apr 30

Off-Peak = less tourists...

Offseason starts in May, but it doesn't really dip off as much as it seems, because a lot of people come home from the states, because of summer semesters and whatever other reasons and it doesn't seem too slow. Then October comes and this place is empty. Businesses close, people travel to be gone for huricane season, whatever. That period lasts just long enough to make you think it's going to stay that way, then as Thanksgiving comes around, people start flooding back.

It somewhat coincides with our Hurricane season - June 1 - Dec. 1.
The majority of cruise ships leave for other destinations such as Alaska, the Mediterranean and Europe.
Airline and tourists arrivals drop off significantly and that is "off or low season." Peak or high season is short . Dec - April 30..

Off-season does have to do with the decrease in tourism, but recently there has been a stronger "shoulder" season- May, June, July for graduations, weddings and honeymoons, summer vacations, Puerto Ricans (July), family reunions. August and September are VERY quiet, but people start gearing up in October for fall vacations, etc.

Also, while it doesn't get significantly warmer, the humidity goes way up and everywhere is less comfortable. We didn't have A/C and the worst part was getting into a damp bed every night. We actually had a heated mattress pad we used to keep the sheets feeling dry.

The best part of off season is the water temp -- it's lovely.

Also, while it doesn't get significantly warmer, the humidity goes way up and everywhere is less comfortable. We didn't have A/C and the worst part was getting into a damp bed every night. We actually had a heated mattress pad we used to keep the sheets feeling dry.

The best part of off season is the water temp -- it's lovely.

But that's also very dependent on where you live. I wonder if STX is generally more humid in the summer than STT and, if so, because it's flatter? I've not been there in the summer months so don't have a point of reference but I've lived pretty much all over STT and have never faced damp bed sheets even without A/C. Where I am (very happily) now in my third year of being up high on the North side of STT it's never been "nasty" hot/humid even at the peak of the summer doldrums. The most I've have to do is supplement my ceiling fans with a floor fan which is now stashed away for next summer!

My time on st thomas was limited, but the humidity on st Croix was a killer, and we lived fairly high.

I'm from Philly and in the summer you get temps over 100 degrees and 70% humidity and it's way worse. Also, sure spring and fall are beautiful there, but the temps change from 40 to 90 in one day and everyone gets sick. It's awful. Yes it feels hotter hear in the summer, but it's still not too bad and yes, the water is perfect.

Most of the Caribbean has an off season and it's mainly to give other destinations that are mostly attractive in the summer the chance to attract vacationers. Some people think the Caribbean is too hot and humid during summer compared to destinations closer to home.

However, summer is peak travel time for most families, and some cruise lines are returning ships to the Caribbean, because there was more summer demand in Caribbean than Europe.

I also think that more people are looking for travel bargains, so the summer is more attractive for those looking for value. They realize, just like the OP, that the Caribbean is beautiful year round, so save money by coming during off season so you can possibly take another vacation.

The worst time to travel in the Caribbean is Sept or Oct because many things are closed. Perfect for beachers, but limited for those who like additional options.

I can tell you, it does not mean cheaper flights. The airlines cut service to the islands and only have a few flights per-day and some only a couple of flights in per week. Airline tickets are actually cheaper during the peak season.

Airline tickets round trip from states to STX June - July 2013 were in the $900 to $2000 range.

wow, i paid less than that for rt here to vegas. it was about 600-700? cant remember exact. that was oct-nov 13

Thank youu all for your responses! We are arriving June 1 on a one way ticket and can't wait!! We are counting the days! The humidity won't be a problem, we have lived in Savannah Ga for so long our blood is thin!! ha ha! We hope to meet some of you when we arrive!

If you're from Savannah you'll be fine with the humidity.
I moved down from VA and I first thought people were crazy for saying it was too humid on St Croix in the summer. There's usually a breeze blowing to cool you off and being in the shade makes a difference- not like the SouthEast humidity where the breeze is just as hot and there's no relief in the shade.

wow, i paid less than that for rt here to vegas. it was about 600-700? cant remember exact. that was oct-nov 13

In September - November it was $325. The prices vary wildly between the seasons.

I, too, am from the South where the humidity of heavy and thick, especially during the Summer months! Even though people here will complain about it, when I visit New England in the Summers, the people are fanning themselves and complaining how the humidity is so thick and uncomfortable! They would probably have to go to the hospital in S. Arkansas during August/September!

I, too, live high on a hill overlooking harbor reef and even though I've lived several places on STX, I have never had damp sheets either! Well, O.K. maybe after Marilyn blew big hole out of roof over my bed they did get a little wet!

wow, i paid less than that for rt here to vegas. it was about 600-700? cant remember exact. that was oct-nov 13

In September - November it was $325. The prices vary wildly between the seasons.

Yeah, it wouldn't be so bad if they didn't cut the number of flights in and out during the summer months. Also, if you want a flight during the summer, you need to book fairly early to ensure that there are any seats left. When I go back and forth, it's usually late in the fall or spring time, never summer time or winter, mainly due to the rates.

wow, i paid less than that for rt here to vegas. it was about 600-700? cant remember exact. that was oct-nov 13

In September - November it was $325. The prices vary wildly between the seasons.

Yeah, it wouldn't be so bad if they didn't cut the number of flights in and out during the summer months. Also, if you want a flight during the summer, you need to book fairly early to ensure that there are any seats left. When I go back and forth, it's usually late in the fall or spring time, never summer time or winter, mainly due to the rates.

Yes, this was what became prohibitive for us too - we travel a lot for business, and at our ages two days each way to get to the west coast for a one day meeting was too much. Five days of travel for a few hours with a client. 🙁

I understand American didn't want to leave a plane on the ground overnight in STX, but the deal of bringing down the oldest 757 they had in the fleet departing Miami at 10am and then turning around and leaving STX at 3pm was silly. You had no time to connect from or to almost anywhere from MIA the same day. I hope it is better this year with the merger.

We're considering moving to STX from virginia as well. Glad to hear this!