Climate Saint Barthélemy
Has Mother Nature been particularly generous to Saint-Barth? The sun shines brightly almost every day of the year (only 5 days a year without sunshine). An exceptional amount of sunshine that makes life so sweet! Temperatures are not sweltering, thanks to the trade winds, which always provide a breath of fresh air.
Saint-Barth can be very green, as well as very dry, with a sometimes lunar-like relief depending on weather conditions. Rainfall can be torrential, and concrete roads quickly become life-size slippery slopes. But these rains never last very long: the sun soon reclaims its rightful place. Yet this paradise is regularly subject to the vagaries of cyclones, and its inhabitants have always had to cope with devastating episodes. Irma in 2017 caused more than considerable material damage.
To pass between the drops..
The rainy season, called wintering, is very beneficial to water this arid volcanic rock, but remains nevertheless the most stifling period, because the humidity reinforces the feeling of heat. It is held from June to November and is perhaps the least pleasant to discover the island. But let's be realistic... when you arrive from the mainland, the mildness remains enveloping and sweet. Moreover, the rains are rarely of long duration and often fall at the end of the day and during the night. Rainfall can reach up to 1,000 millimeters over the year. The terrain also plays a role in rainfall. Travelers invariably attracting mosquitoes will be all the more vigilant during this season.
The cyclonic risk
According to météo France statistics, there have been 3 tropical storms and 11 hurricanes since 1950. The Antilles and the northern islands are the most affected. On average, the island is hit by 1 cyclonic phenomenon every 3/4 years and 1 hurricane every 5/6 years. Irma, which hit the island hard in 2017, is still on everyone's mind even seven years later!
The activities to privilege according to the season
Nature walks. After the rainy season, the blossoming of the flamboyants, majestic trees with red or pink flowers, heralds the end of Lent and the arrival of the dry season. The ground is dotted with shimmering colors, bringing out the green carpets. There's nothing like striding along the rocky slopes, discovering the flora and fauna on long walks. On the Pointe Milou side, east and northeast winds offer a steppe-like landscape. The sentier des Pêcheurs (fishermen's trail) invites you to immerse yourself in the wilderness, while the natural pools of Petit Cul-de-Sac will enchant you. TheAssociation St Barth Essentiel offers guided walks that respect and promote the local ecosystem.
Water in all its forms. The water temperature is delightful all year round (26°C on average). It reaches its peak from July to October, when it's ideal for swimming and water sports. But this is also the cyclone season (the peak often occurs in September). December to March, on the other hand, is the ideal time for surfers in search of the best waves. Kitesurfing can be discovered and practiced on various beaches, but the Grand Cul-de-Sac spot is a must at this time of year.
Gustavia and the whole island are lit up during the many regattas (West Indies Regatta, Les Voiles de Saint Barth, Bucket Regatta, Transat Paprec Finish) that pass offshore, depart or dock in Saint-Barth. The multicolored sailboats of crews from all over the world are a veritable fireworks display. The period from March to April favors the success of these events, as weather conditions are optimal.
