Climate of British Virgin Islands

Climate of British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands are located in the Caribbean Sea east of Puerto Ricoand are part of the Virgin Islands archipelago. The US Virgin Islands also belong to this archipelago. The British Virgin Islands are made up of about 50 islands, of which Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke are the four largest and most important. About 30,000 people live on the islands, the vast majority of whom live on the island of Tortola. The capital Road Town is also located on this island. Other important places in the British Virgin Islands are The Settlement on Anegada and Spanish Town on Virgin Gorda. Some of the smaller islands are privately owned and therefore not accessible to tourists. The British Virgin Islands, like a number of other islands in the Caribbean Sea, are known as a tax haven. But by far the most important source of income of the islands is tourism: every year hundreds of thousands of people flock to the islands to enjoy the snow-white palm tree beaches and the azure blue sea. Snorkeling and diving are favorite pastimes of visitors to the British Virgin Islands.

The British Virgin Islands have a tropical maritime climate, which is heavily influenced by the Caribbean Sea. The temperatures here are about the same throughout the year and the precipitation is always abundant. Tropical storms and hurricanes can occur in the region in the second half of the year. During this period, the humidity, in combination with the high temperatures and the heavy rainfall, can become very high and uncomfortable. In the first months of the year, the average precipitation is slightly lower than the rest of the year, but it is still not moderate. The sea temperature is very pleasant all year round. The precipitation that falls on the islands will generally fall in the early morning.

Climate figures

The figures below are based on long-term average climate statistics. The temperatures are displayed in degrees Celsius (°C).

Maximum temperature Minimum temperature Hours of sunshine per day Days of rainfall per month Water temperature
January 29℃ 23℃ 8 15 26℃
February 29℃ 23℃ 8 11 26℃
March 29℃ 23℃ 9 11 26℃
April 30℃ 24℃ 9 11 26℃
May 30℃ 24℃ 8 14 27℃
June 31℃ 25℃ 8 14 28℃
July 31℃ 25℃ 8 16 28℃
August 31℃ 25℃ 9 16 28℃
September 31℃ 25℃ 8 16 29℃
October 31℃ 25℃ 8 17 29℃
November 30℃ 24℃ 8 16 28℃
December 29℃ 23℃ 8 15 27℃

Best time to visit the British Virgin Islands

Do you want to know when is the best time to travel to the British Virgin Islands? You can determine the best time to travel to a destination based on the weather and climate. In addition, there are other factors that are not directly related to the weather and that can influence the best travel periods for a travel destination. Think, for example, of holidays or festive periods, which makes traveling more interesting or not, because daily life comes to a standstill as a result. If you are one of the lucky few who can enjoy a wonderful holiday in the British Virgin Islands, then you can look forward to a tropical climate with the corresponding temperatures. This archipelago is located in the Caribbean and belongs to the Windward Islands. The weather in the British Virgin Islands is characterized by the trade winds, the fairly constant temperature throughout the year and the fact that this special holiday destination has two seasons: the relatively dry season that runs from December to April and the wetter season that starts in May. and normally lasts until the end of November.

Best months

Based on climate statistics, the best time to travel to the British Virgin Islands is from January to March. December and April are generally fine too. There is a chance that the rainy season will last a little longer or start a little earlier. In that case you notice that both December and April are a kind of transitional months.

Another option

If the period from December to April does not suit you, then June and to a lesser extent July are a good alternative. The amount of rain is then not much more than in the high season. What you do notice is that it is a few degrees warmer. This, in combination with the higher relative humidity, makes the difference feel greater. He who is lucky will have few heavy showers; those who are more unlucky will experience more precipitation during this period during a holiday in the British Virgin Islands.

A risk in terms of weather

From August, the number of rain and thunderstorms increases. The same applies to the intensity of precipitation. This is also the season when hurricanes can form. Every now and then the British Virgin Islands have to suffer. Hurricane season begins in mid-June and officially lasts until early December. It is mainly the months of August to October when the most hurricanes arise.

British Virgin Islands