Hurricane Season...
 

I am recently engaged and am thinking of having an October, 2002 wedding. The problem is, we have heard June through November is the hurricane season. Does anyone know if this is correct? If so, is the end of October a safe time to travel there? We would love to visit, but don't want to risk cancelling due to a storm. <BR> <BR>Thanks!

October is in the middle of the season, but it is like predicting a blizzard. If you go to Sandals they have a hurricane guarantee. Or look at Aruba which is south of the hurricane zone. The island is dry and windy though. Don't worry about the hurricanes!

Yes, I have heard that there are some Islands not in the hurricane zone. Are there any others besides Aruba?

Hurricane season is June through November, with probably your highest risk in August, September and October. For any given week you still have the odds in your favor, but the risk is there. <BR>Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao are all below the "hurricane belt" and the chances of getting nailed there are much smaller.

Around here in the VI, hurricanes have hit during September on the average. They have been as late as November and early as July. You should not ler something like that get in the way of your plans, I would think you have better things to worry about. We know for as much as a week in advance if it is heading our way, So, you would have ample time to leave. <BR>Ronnie

Teri, <BR> <BR>Yes, October is in hurricane season, but after the peak of the season in late August/September, the frequency of the storms declines (but does not disappear, to be sure). Remember that the Caribbean basin is a LARGE geographical area, and the chances of a hurricane hitting any one particular spot are slim. There are, however, areas which are less likely to be hit, such as the aforementioned ABC islands, as well as Barbados, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, and to a somewhat lesser extent, St. Vincent. <BR> <BR>The threat of hurricanes is part of what makes autumn the low season in the Caribbean. Along with generally lower prices, there are other factors to consider. Fewer tourists, decreased cruise ship traffic, more seclusion, uncrowded beaches, higher levels of attention from staff. At the same time, some places may be closed for business, but this is usually in September; by October, most places are gearing back up for the start of the high season. The weather is generally pretty good as well, with the waters being near their warmest while the trade winds still provide cooling breezes. Daily and nightly rain showers never seem to last long. Having traveled to the islands at practically every time of the year, I can assure that there is a lot to recommend off-season travel. <BR> <BR>Remember that this is your (hopefully) once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon, so make it special by choosing the destination of your dreams. Obtain a trip interruption insurance policy, watch the Weather Channel, and you should be OK. And no matter what happens, if you have a good attitude and decide to make the best of what your honeymoon and Mother Nature throw in your direction, all will be well. <BR> <BR>Congratulations.