TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums Southern Caribbean SVG in August: Did I get lucky with weather?

Hi All,
Just returned from a week in SVG and could not believe how beautiful the weather was and the lack of boats in the anchorages!
Saltwhistle bay: 5 boats
Tobago Cays: 5-6 boats
Admiralty bay: 6 charter boats
PSV: 3 boats
Compared to high season the place was deserted. Yes some restaurants were closed but there were always a couple open.
So whats the scoop? Did I just get lucky? Or has is it the risk of hurricane that keeps people away?
I am seriously thinking that Summer is the time to go with a healthy dose of travel insurance.
cheers
Ian

I'd say you got pretty lucky! We went 2 yrs. ago in late July and it was pretty busy, with ALOT of French boats (not that there's anything wrong with that). Our weather was acceptable, but not perfect. When did you go? We also went in mid-Oct. 4 yrs. ago, weather was perfect, place was empty....all in the timing....you hit some nice spots, sounded like a great trip! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

July is usually a busy month but it historically starts to thin out by the first or second week in August.

There are a few reasons. One is that the weather in North and America and Europe is normally good in August and September - so folks don't need to spend a lot of money flying to the tropics when it's sunny in their own back yard.

Secondly, yes, hurricane season - not so much because of the risk of hurricanes, which is extremely low this far south, but because so many insurance companies require that yachts remain further south.

Thirdly, because a very large number of yachts head back to the USA or Europe for the summer months, typically leaving these parts in April and returning in November.

TimeHonoured - my favourite time of year to sail in the Grenadines is peak hurricane season (hurricanes apart, of course). The winds in the summer months are lighter, with correspondingly comfortable seas; between the tropical waves, the weather can be fabulous with 60-mile visibility, flat waters and lots of sunshine. I've been in the Cays in mid-September and been one of only two yachts there, and the only one in Salt Whistle Bay.

Thanks Seth
You and I can chat later about Cat availability for next August.
I am pretty well sold on the summer months.
cheers
Ian