Best time to visit Aruba and Virgin Islands

[sd2734]

What is the best time of the year to visit Aruba and the US and British Virgin Islands? We are thinking about a vacation at one of the three places in October/November when kids are in school. We plan to use an Ocean Pointe studio (platinum week 6) for the exchange. Any thoughts?

 

[GregT]

What is the best time of the year to visit Aruba and the US and British Virgin Islands? We are thinking about a vacation at one of the three places in October/November when kids are in school. We plan to use an Ocean Pointe studio (platinum week 6) for the exchange. Any thoughts?

I've only been to USVI twice, visiting this year in late January/early February and in May 2008 and it was beautiful both times. Sept/Oct are hurricane season in St. Thomas and availability should be very good at Frenchman's Cove. I believe late October/November are really nice times to visit as the hurricane risk is substantially reduced (but you have to deal with occasional thunderstorms). Please note: everything I've just said about Oct/Nov is what I've read on the internet, not personal experience, so others hopefully have their actual experience to contribute.

I've not been to Aruba, but understand its pretty consistent throughout the year -- I think one of your risks with requesting Aruba however is that in trading a Studio, you may end up with a Studio. A 1BR may be there on Instant Exchange but you won't be able to have a search on-going for it. I know 1BR availability is good because I have numerous examples of getting 1BR's with an on-going search with Worldmark (so it passes thru the Marriott preference).

Good luck, and let us know what you end up doing!

Best,

Greg

 

[Mr. Vker]

Aruba is great year round. However, the "rainiest" times have been Sept/Oct but not terrible. What is bad is the drainage. It doesnt take much rain to flood the local road to and from SC.

We like May. Schools are not out yet and things are not crowded.

But, there is NEVER a bad time to be in Aruba.

 

[sd2734]

Yeah, Aruba really sounds great, but we are leaning more toward British VI. We are under the impression, strictly to research and TUGgers input, that the US VI are more developed and that the UK VI are somewhat more pristine. Anyone to concur with this?

 

[JanT]

SD2734,

We are in St. Thomas as I write. Aruba is wonderful and there really is no bad time to go there in my opinion. Temperature is consistently in the 89 degree range all year 'round and there is a constant trade wind that helps it feel cooler but it is a bit humid even though it is desert in general (except for around the resort areas where there are palm trees and tropical plants). Very clean in general and just a wonderful place to go.

This is our first trip to St. Thomas and it is nice here as well. You can't really compare the two places because the terrain is different, the people are different, and the "feel" of the US is here where it isn't so much in Aruba. But, Aruba is certainly developed enough to have anything you might want and from recent reports is developing more and more. I personally think you would love it.

Having said that, I can tell you that just today we took a day long tour with New Horizons II that took us to the BVI and it is beautiful there. Honestly, if I had to take my pick between St. Thomas and the BVI, I would take BVI just from the brief view we had of it. In fact, we will definitely be going to the BVI for an extended stay in the future.

But, I don't think you could go wrong with any of these places. It depends on how much you want to do, how strongly you feel the need to be around things that seem familiar to you, etc.

Much luck with your decision!

Jan

Yeah, Aruba really sounds great, but we are leaning more toward British VI. We are under the impression, strictly to research and TUGgers input, that the US VI are more developed and that the UK VI are somewhat more pristine. Anyone to concur with this?

 

[sammy]

We were in Aruba twice. Once for Christmas week and it was just as lovely and comfortable as it was the year we went in July. I am most certain fall will be wonderful as well.

I have never been to BVI, but Aruba is lovely, the people are really tremenduous, it is safe to walk around, and there is plenty there to do of all types.

I'm sure whatever you decide will result in a lovely vacation!

 

[exotherm]

It's All Good In Aruba

Because Aruba is so far south it is out of the hurricane belt- a real plus in the Fall. Year round temperature is very consistent and constant winds alleviate the heat and almost eliminate the bugs.

 

[tashamen]

What is the best time of the year to visit Aruba and the US and British Virgin Islands? We are thinking about a vacation at one of the three places in October/November when kids are in school. We plan to use an Ocean Pointe studio (platinum week 6) for the exchange. Any thoughts?

Unfortunately there is only 1 resort in the British VI available through II which has "limited exchange" availability so your chances of getting it are not very good.

 

[GregT]

Unfortunately there is only 1 resort in the British VI available through II which has "limited exchange" availability so your chances of getting it are not very good.

If it's the one I'm thinking of.....Long Bay Beach Villas.....I respectfully suggest that you pass (please look for my TUG review of Elysian Beach Resort circa Summer 2008).

Best,

Greg

 

[SpikeMauler]

I've been to St.Thomas in late October 2008 and Aruba in late September 2010. The weather in St Thomas was perfect. It wasn't crowded due to hurricane season,which in turn could be a potential problem. The weather in Aruba was horrible. It rained five of the seven days we were there, all day. I was told it was the second week of continuous rain. Some locals said it was the worst rain they had ever seen, and that all that rain over those last couple of weeks was a rarity. That being said Aruba is out of the hurricane belt so that won't be an issue. I'd probably opt for Aruba that time of year.