Virgin Islands Safety During Hurricane Season
Virgin Islands Safety During Hurricane Season
Virgin Islands sailing weather is ideal for most of the year, making it a fantastic place to learn how to sail or increase your nautical miles. However, for a few months each year, hurricane season rears its (sometimes) ugly head and can cause conditions that will challenge even the most experienced sailors. But if you plan ahead, it’s possible to sail safely even during hurricane season—as long as there aren’t any hurricanes in the area during your trip.
Here are some tips on how to sail safely during the stormy season.
Keep an Eye on the Forecast for Hurricanes
Sailing weather safety is often all about timing. Whether it’s figuring out when the tide is changing or predicting shifting winds, it’s crucial to have an idea about what to expect on the open waters before you set sail.
If you’re planning to take courses with Go Sail VI, you’ll want to remember that hurricane season lasts from August through October—keep this in mind if you’re a beginner to intermediate sailor. If you are an experienced sailor taking advanced courses, these months can be particularly attractive for lower rates and fewer boats on the water.
We will never sail if a hurricane is predicted (or currently occurring) in the area you plan to sail. While we’ve never had to cancel any Virgin Islands ASA courses or bareboat charters because of hurricanes, it’s always a possibility.
Your safety is our top priority. If we have to cancel due to a Force Majeure event (including hurricanes and other natural disasters), we’ll contact you and give you a credit for a future sailing trip and discuss your availability and trip preferences. You will need to schedule it within three months from the original date, and we don’t offer refunds. Keep in mind, if there are additional costs incurred by the client as a result of changes to a trip, Go Sail is not liable for those costs. This is one reason we highly recommend travel insurance to all our customers!
Use Weather Apps
It’s always important to use weather predicting tools when sailing safely, but this becomes particularly vital during hurricane season. Even though we don’t sail during hurricanes, you may encounter heavier rains and windy conditions. We recommend downloading a few of the best sailing weather apps and activating offline features whenever available.
Bring an Emergency Kit
While we provide emergency equipment on board, there are a few things you’ll want to add to your packing list when sailing during the rainy season. Carry at least several days’ worth of:
- Water.
- Personal Medications.
- Food.
- Moisture-resistant clothing and shoes.
Practicing sailing weather safety is much easier when you have the right gear and emergency supplies!
Alert Others That You Plan to Sail
If you are setting sail during hurricane season, it’s especially important to let your family and friends know that you are sailing. While we never sail when hurricanes are predicted, it’s important to prepare for the unexpected. You can share your location on your smartphone and try to stay in touch when island hopping.
It’s also a wise idea to tell local authorities where you plan to sail and tell our expert captains and crew your sailing itinerary if you are chartering a bareboat.
Know the Conditions of Each Island
While the BVI and USVI are similar in a lot of ways, sailing conditions can vary depending on where you plan to sail.
Here’s a look at some things to know about the Virgin Islands during hurricane season.
British Virgin Islands
Hurricanes can affect both the USVI and BVI, but the most recent event left the largest impact on the British Virgin Islands.
If you are sailing during hurricane season, you may want to avoid notoriously challenging areas near Jost Van Dyke for the safest sailing conditions.
US Virgin Islands
We sometimes get asked, “Is St. Thomas safe?” or “Is St. Croix safe?” Most of the time, the answer is absolutely! During hurricane season, however, you’ll want to be careful sailing through certain areas like the “Roaring Forties,” which is found approximately 40 degrees south of the equator.
Safe Sailing With Go Sail VI
We strive to offer the safest experience for all of our guests. Email us at [email protected] if you’d like to discuss when you should plan your sailing courses, depending on your experience level.