Virgin Islands Seasonal Closures

When is the off-season?

Peak season in the Virgin Islands runs mid-December through April, when the weather is driest and every business is open. The slow season is August through October, overlapping the peak of Atlantic hurricane season (officially June 1–November 30). September and October are the quietest weeks of the year — this is when the most closures cluster.

Closures fall into two buckets: places that shut for a few weeks of annual maintenance and staff vacation, and places that close for the entire off-season and reopen for the winter crowd. Reopening is usually late October into November, timed for the start of the busy winter season and events like Thanksgiving.

Confirmed seasonal closures

A community-tracked list of spots we know are closing for the 2026 off-season. Dates move year to year, so always confirm directly before you plan around one.

British Virgin Islands off-season closures

The BVI list below is compiled from operators’ 2025 schedules — the best guide to 2026 until this year’s dates are posted. Treat every date as likely, not confirmed; a TBC tag marks the least certain. (Tipsy by Ann and Soggy Dollar Bar are featured above.)

Staying open all summer

Confirmed open through hurricane season last year — some on reduced hours:

• Anegada — Anegada Reef Hotel, Anegada Beach Club, Big Bamboo
• Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina (year-round)
• Marina Cay
• Willy T (William Thornton) — bar only in September
• Leverick Bay — downstairs bar, marina & grocery
• B-Line (Little Jost Van Dyke)
• Virgin Gorda — The Bath & Turtle / Chez Bamboo, The Rock Café, Top of the Baths
• Tortola — Gene’s Bar & Grill, Old Yarde Village Café, Pusser’s, Rhythm and Sands, Botella
• CocoMaya (Virgin Gorda) — stays open, weekends only
• Myett’s (Cane Garden Bay, Tortola) — stays open, weekends & cruise-ship days only

St. John off-season closure tracker

St. John sees the most seasonal closures in the Virgin Islands. The list below is deduplicated from the island’s 2023 and 2024 off-seasons. These spots also closed in 2025, and 2026 dates haven’t been posted yet — treat every window as approximate and confirm directly before planning around one.

Usually open, with a possible short break: Beach Bar, High Tide Bar & Grill, Amore Arowako Vegan Club (Leng’s), and St. John Scoops generally stay open through the off-season but may close for a week or two in September/October.

Typically open all off-season: Caneel Bay Beach Club, Cruz Bay Landing, Downtown Sips, Greengo’s Caribbean Cantina, Heading East, Longboard, Love City Wing Spot, Maho Crossroads, Mid Way Café, Our Market Smoothies, Parrot Club, The Refinery, Sharky’s By The Water, Sun Dog Café, Surf Club Cantina, Tap & Still, The Tap Room (St. John Brewers), Trunk Bay Restaurant, Uncle Joe’s BBQ, Upstairs Bar & Grill, Windmill Bar.

What typically closes

• Restaurants & beach bars. The most common closures. Independent restaurants and remote beach bars — especially on Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, and St. John’s north shore — often close for several weeks in September/October, or the whole off-season. Menus and hours also shrink at spots that stay open.
• Small hotels, villas & guesthouses. Some owner-run properties close for annual maintenance or renovation. Larger resorts usually stay open but may close a restaurant or pool bar and run reduced amenities.
• Day tours, charters & watersports. Many boat and dive operators reduce their schedules, run on-demand only, or haul out for maintenance during the slowest weeks. Book ahead — same-day availability thins out.
• Shops & galleries. Boutiques in Cruz Bay, Charlotte Amalie, and Road Town may cut hours or close mid-week when cruise traffic is light.

What stays open year-round

• Ferries. The core routes — Red Hook–Cruz Bay, Charlotte Amalie–Tortola, and the car barges — run all year, though some drop to a reduced off-season timetable. Check the current ferry schedule before you travel.
• Beaches & the National Park. Virgin Islands National Park on St. John and the public beaches (Magens Bay, Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay) stay open year-round. A few park facilities run limited hours in the off-season.
• Taxis, groceries & essentials. Taxis, grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, and the airports operate normally all year.
• Major resorts & their main dining. The big properties stay open through the off-season, even if individual outlets pause.

Island by island

St. John

The island most affected. Cruz Bay stays lively, but north-shore and off-the-beaten-path restaurants frequently close for weeks in September and October. Villa rentals dip too — good deals, but confirm your favorite spots are open.

St. Thomas & St. Croix

Larger economies, so more stays open. Expect reduced hours rather than full closures, with the quietest stretch when cruise ships are fewest. Downtown shopping in Charlotte Amalie tracks the cruise-ship calendar. Pizza Pi, the floating pizza boat anchored in Christmas Cove off St. Thomas, also closes for the off-season — it has historically shut down in late July.

BVI — Anegada, Jost Van Dyke & the out-islands

The remote BVI beach bars and restaurants are the most likely to close for the whole off-season — Anegada’s and Jost Van Dyke’s in particular. If you’re planning a day trip out to one of these islands in September or October, call ahead: a closed kitchen on Anegada means a long boat ride for nothing.

Planning around hurricane season

Most off-season trips go perfectly — the weather is warm, the beaches are empty, and prices are low. But August through October carries real storm risk. Build in flexibility: buy travel insurance, keep an eye on the tropics, and have a backup for anything you can’t confirm is open. Watch conditions on the Virgin Islands weather page, and check the travel FAQ for more on the best time to visit.