Greetings Everyone,

I am fortunate to have a business trip that will take me to the Bahamas (Nassau) the first week in October. As part of the trip, I have been thinking about taking a week of holiday with my family (wife and 4-year old daughter) prior to my business meetings.

After doing some research, we decided that a week on Harbour Island would be nice. Then, after talking with a few people we have become concerned that many of the restaurants and other activities will not be open or operating this time of year. Apparently, September is when many places close to refurbish or take holidays because this is the worst time of year weather-wise. Moreover, if the weather is not good, we don't want to be cooped up in a room for a week. Certainly there is nothing that we can do about the weather, but it seems like the odds of bad weather (this is the rainiest month) are the worst in September. Moreover, while we are not shoppers, we don't want a ghost town either. This has led us to consider other places in the Caribbean for our week holiday and then I could just go to the Bahamas from wherever it is we end up (probably through Miami, but this is ok).

So, my question is, where would be a better place than the Bahamas (Harbour Island)? It is probably best if I tell you a little bit about our desires and interests to help guide any advice and assistance you may be able to offer.

This will be the first trip to the Caribbean for my wife and daughter and we would like something nice in terms of accommodation. For us, that means, about $250/night with $300 as the maximum for something particularly special.

We would like to have nice beaches with the opportunity to snorkel (and maybe a day or two of scuba diving for me). While we do not sail, the opportunity to go sailing for a day to an island would be fun. A small town with some restaurants and maybe a few arts shops would also be good. So where would you recommend we go?

I have thought about St John USVI and honestly, I think that it would be just what we have in mind. Here again, I am not sure about the weather. The USVI seems to have better weather than the Bahamas in late-September, but again, September is the wettest month. Another place that looked like it might qualify is the Bitter-End Yacht club (a little more on the sailing and less on the diving is fine) except that I now read that they too are closed until 15 October for renovations.

Other options...we are very experienced travelers and despite what I have said about beaches and all that, would consider, for example, the rainforest of Belize (with a sde-trip to Tikal), if we thought it was right.

So, please, ideas, suggestions, recommendations.

Thanks in advance for all of your assistance.

jason

I would save your family holiday in the caribbean for another time.

Do a search and type in Hurricane season, you will see lots of posts just like yours. Not only is first week of October hurricane season, it is the peak of hurricane season (mid sept - mid oct)for the entire region. You may have good weather you may not but why risk it.

The best information you can get on caribbean weather is this site www.stormcarib.com take a look for yourself and see what's going on now. As of today theres a big rain storm and 2 on the way from Africa with potential, this is a normal activity for this time of year thru mid October. Things settle down by late October (last week) to 1st week November when most places re-open for the season (nov 1st). It is still Hurricane season to Nov 30, it has happened but rare.

Your price range is a litle tight even in low season, you might try the Westin Resort on st. john, as it comes close to your price range. Again, as far as weather and snorkeling....the waters get turned up this time of your so you most likey will not have great visibility for snorkeling. All of the caribbean is affected by this season. If you wish to avoid the weather entirely, you would have to go much further south Aruba, Barbados
etc..don't know about the $$ though.

I have been to Belize (ambergis cay) and it is great if you are an avid fisherman or diver, it is More of an adventure - type vacation, IMHO. Also it is a very long travel day. Where we stayed it took 3 planes and a boat. And the last plane was a 4 seater which flew just above the water - yikes! Again I do not know of the weather that time of year..but am sure it is affected.

Have you considered Aruba, Bonaire, or Curacao? They are outside the hurricane belt.

Sandy Feet,

Many thanks for your input. As soon as I am finished typing my reply to you, I will check the websites that you mentioned. In the meantime, a question or two...you mentioned Barbados.

Not knowing anything about Barbados (I will start research after checking the weather sites), would it offer some of the things that we are looking for in this type of a vacation (good beach, some snorkeling, a nice town, and sailing opportunities).

I am a bit surprised by the costs and your thought that $250-$300/night might be too low. I was thinking that this is for accommodations only and based upon some of the villas that I was looking at on St Johns, didn't think that this would be a problem. Am I missing something?

Any other areas besides Barbados that you would recommend for better weather? The reason why I am somewhat intent on this vacation is because my airfare and my wife's will be paid for by my company. Still, if the weather is going to be lousy (or at least a good chance of it), then you are right, why spend the money on for the hotel/villa, food, etc...save it for another time.

Thanks again.

Jason

I've been to St. John and the BVI in September and they're both very quiet this time of year. You'll experience the same as far as many restaurants and other businesses such as day sail charters being closed. It didn't really affect us as we were staying at Peter Island, but if you're planning to stay at a villa, dining out, and doing a few day trips, it might. Weather wise it's a risk, but I don't think it's as big of a risk as some make it sound. The chance of a full blown hurricane hitting your island is still small. We were there in between 2 hurricanes, one had just passed through and another was on its way, and experienced a few cloudy days and rougher seas than usual. The resort did not close at any time and we still had a great stay. I think $250-300 for accomodations is very reasonable (unless you're talking about a luxury resort) as September is the slowest period of the low season.

Belize is a great destination but you could run into some wet weather there too. If you go to Belize, I would try to stay north as the farther south you go, the more rain. You could combine a visit to the Cayo region (for rainforest and side trip to Tikal) with a stay on Ambergris Caye (OK beaches but fantastic snorkeling and diving).

I have been doing a TON of research for my wedding/honeymoon in the Caribbean next summer, and I think $250-300 per night accomadations is very reasonable. You should be fine with that price range.

We're going to Jamaica during high season and are only spending $100-$200/night at each place. I would imagine that would should be able to find something quite nice for $250 off season.

The hurricane "belt" technically extends all the way south to South America.
Hurricanes and major storms affect Aruba just like all the other islands in the Caribbean, only at a lower rate.

Hi Jason1,
I have to agree with Patty. The chances of the island you pick to be hit by a hurricane is small. Don't get me wrong, the possibility does exist, but I think it's small. My husband and I have gone a few times to the Caribbean the first week of October (it's a special date for us). We've never been hit by a hurricane. Of course, now that I've said that, we'll probably get one when we go this October! (smile).
Anyway, it's really up to you.
My husband and I made a decision a while back we wouldn't let hurricanes change our October vacations and we've been lucky so far.
We loved St. John when we were there in June. Incredible beaches/water and great snorkeling. It definitely sounds like what you're looking for.
We stayed at the Westin St. John. It was just ok. I'd recommend going for a villa. Quite a few posters on this board have done the villa-thing in St. John and seemed to love it. We never stayed on the Westin beach (it's man-made and pitiful compared to the real beaches on St. John). We rented a jeep and spent a lot of time at all the St. John beaches. That's what you'll end up doing, so might as well rent your own villa, no?
Caneel Bay is the only other resort on St. John but I think the room prices are a bit higher than what you had in mind.
Good luck.