Seasonal· St Thomas· Virgin Islands (BVI, USVI and Spanish Virgins)

Christmas Winds (Winter Trades)

18° 20.0′ N · 64° 49.5′ W · approximate

From late December through January the trades blow at their strongest, the so-called Christmas winds, piling up short steep seas in Pillsbury Sound and the cuts.

British Virgin IslandsUS Virgin IslandsSpanish Virgins

Practical

Position approximate: Pillsbury Sound, as the reference area. Coast Pilot: the trade winds blow almost without exception from the east, between north-northeast and south-southeast; the highest mean maximum wind speeds usually occur from late December to the end of January; winds pick up from daybreak to a late-morning/early-afternoon peak and ease from about 4 pm. Wind against current in Current Cut, Middle Passage and Windward Passage (up to 3 to 4 knots) makes broken water. Reef early, and plan cut transits with the current.

Best for

Planning passages around the windiest weeks

Season

Late December to end of January

Nearby