Best Time to Visit Road Town

December to April: the sweet spot

This is the dry, sunny stretch, and it's also high season. Days are warm without being heavy, and the trade winds (steady breezes from the east) keep the afternoons comfortable. February and March are the driest, with only 4 to 5 rainy days a month. Expect sun for about eight hours a day.

Road Town is the main charter base for sailing in the BVI, so the harbour is busy with boats. If you want a yacht for a week around Norman Island, Jost Van Dyke or the Baths on Virgin Gorda, this is when the weather is most reliable. It's also when you'll pay the most and find the fewest free moorings. Around Christmas and New Year it gets especially packed. Want a quieter version of the same weather? Try early December or April.

May to July: warm, with showers

Things heat up and the rain picks up too, with 13 to 16 wet days a month. Most of it comes as short showers rather than all-day grey. Mornings are often bright, so snorkelling and beach time still work well.

Crowds thin out noticeably. If you'd like a mellow trip and don't mind a sticky afternoon, this is a good middle ground. The sea is at its warmest and swimming feels like stepping into a bath. Late July into early August brings the BVI Emancipation Festival, a big island-wide celebration with parades, music and food. It's a lively time to be on Tortola, so book ferries and rooms early for it.

August to November: the wet and stormy part

Our ratings dip to Fair from August to October, and October is the wettest month, with 111 mm. September is close behind on wet days, with 17. This is also the heart of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June to November. Some restaurants, hotels and charter companies close or slow down, and boat trips can be cancelled at short notice.

The upside is empty beaches, calmer prices and a slower pace in town. If you go, get travel insurance that covers storms and keep your plans loose. By November the rain eases and the rating climbs back to Good. Mid-to-late November is a smart time to catch the islands before the winter rush.