Climate and Weather of Saint Barthélemy
An island in the Lesser Antilles known for its exceptional aquatic fauna and flora, the French island of Saint Barthélemy, often abbreviated to St. Barths or St. Barts, is making waves for its serene beaches and landscapes. Dubbed the "Saint-Tropez of the Caribbean", Saint Barthélemy has managed to preserve the charm of its wild nature. Travelers will undoubtedly fall under the spell of the idyllic white sand beaches and turquoise waters of this true tropical paradise.Saint Barthélemy has a tropical climate ideal to visit at any time of the year. With a tropical climate, temperatures vary very little throughout the year, with highs ranging from 29°C to 32°C in August. Average sea and air temperatures move around 27°C. The year is divided into two seasons—a dry one referred to as Lent (Careme) and a more humid one in winter. Sun is present all year round and Saint Barthélemy has an exceptional record of having no more than 5 days per year without sun.
October can be Saint Barthélemy’s wettest month of the year when precipitation is high, ranging from 126 mm rainfall to 138 mm rainfall in Gustavia. Meanwhile, February can be Saint Barthélemy’s driest month of the year with an average rainfall of around 44 mm in Gustavia. Despite the tropical climate, rainfall is more frequent during the wet season in the form of short-lived showers. Rainfall on the island happens even in broad daylight and with the sun shining. During this season, temperatures are higher, reaching up to 32°C during the day.
Crystalline water and clear sand make for an extraordinary escapade, ideal to unwind and sit under the sun without many people—and Saint Barthélemy knows this with its Colombier Beach. Known as one of the finest beaches in Saint Barthélemy, Colombier Beach is a serene paradise of transparent water and white sand. Away from the bustling cities, getting to the beach involves a 20-minute excursion, passing through the island’s rich vegetation and wildlife—turtles, iguanas, and lizards. A good part of Colombier Beach’s seabed is considered a natural reserve.
Does it snow in Saint Barthélemy?
As a tropical island, it does not snow in Saint Barthélemy and there is no recorded history of snowfall on the island. Due to the tropical climate, seasons in Saint Barthélemy do not differ much from each other, which is not the case in the neighboring islands in the Caribbean. In other words, travellers to Saint Barthélemy can get to indulge in increased hours of sunshine than any other island in the Caribbean.
When is the best time to visit Saint Barthélemy?
As sunlight is abundant in Saint Barthélemy all year round, you can take a trip to the island whenever it suits you best. Keeping the seasonal changes in mind, however, we recommend the months from December to April, as they are the driest months of the year on the island. With warmer temperatures, you will be able to enjoy the incredible beaches of this paradisiacal island to the maximum.
Apart from the weather, we recommend the months from December to April so you would not miss the island’s highlights for a more memorable trip. December is a festive month for Saint Barth with the New Year's Eve Regatta held annually, where boats and yachts from all over the world alight at the port of Gustavia. Put Saint Barth on your bucket list in February as the celebration of Mardi Gras on the island is something you should not miss.
Are you interested in more detailed information for various cities in Saint Barthélemy?
Please select the city you plan to visit, or one closest to your destination. For each selected city, you will see the following graphs:
1. Yearly average minimum and maximum temperatures
2. Monthly averages of precipitation throughout the year (rainfall, snow etc)
3. Monthly average hours of sunshine throughout the year
Additionally, some pages provide historical weather data such as humidity, wind speed, and water temperature.