Booking choice: The Turtle Cove catamaran, from $119 per person. Check dates Tour details
Autumn is the cheap, quiet end of the year on St Thomas, and it is also the back half of hurricane season. Most days are fine for snorkeling. A few are not, and that is what your booking terms are for.
Below: the 2026 outlook, what operators do when the weather turns, and how to book so a storm costs you nothing.
The quick answer
Hurricane season ends on November 30. NOAA's August 2026 update gives a 75% chance of a below-normal season, helped by a strong El Niño. Book a trip with free cancellation up to 24 hours before, watch the National Hurricane Center from five days out, and expect the operator to cancel and refund or rebook if the sea is unsafe.
When does hurricane season end in 2026?
On November 30. The North Atlantic season runs from June 1 to November 30, with most activity from August to October.
That leaves about seven weeks of the 2026 season. From December the risk of a tropical storm is low and the winter trade winds and swells take over as the weather factor for boat trips.
What does NOAA forecast for the rest of 2026?
A quiet season: 7-13 named storms, 2-6 hurricanes and 0-2 major hurricanes, with a 75% chance of a below-normal year.
The August 6 update from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center raised the odds of a below-normal season from 55% in May to 75%. The reason is El Niño: NOAA gives a 90% chance of a strong or very strong event through the peak months, and El Niño tends to tear up storms in the Atlantic with wind shear.
A quiet season can still produce one storm that matters. The outlook is a reason to book, not a reason to stop checking.
| NOAA 2026 outlook | May | August update |
|---|---|---|
| Chance of a below-normal season | 55% | 75% |
| Named storms | 8-14 | 7-13 |
| Hurricanes | 3-6 | 2-6 |
| Major hurricanes | 1-3 | 0-2 |
What happens to your catamaran tour if a storm comes?
The operator cancels, and you get a refund or a new date. On Viator you can also cancel yourself up to 24 hours before for a full refund.
Every trip on this site has Viator's free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start. The VI Cat's listing adds that if the company cancels for weather, guests can take a full refund or rebook, and that the captain can call off the trip on safety grounds with a full refund.
The real risk is the day-of call. Small boats like Seas the Day may switch to a calmer cove when the wind is up, so the trip runs but the stop changes.
Book with free cancellation and decide closer to the date.
Check dates for the Turtle Cove catamaranHow should you book in October and November?
Book early for the boat you want, then check the National Hurricane Center five days and again 24 hours before.
The National Hurricane Center publishes a seven-day tropical weather outlook. If a system is heading for the Virgin Islands, cancel before the 24-hour cut-off rather than waiting for the operator.
Cruise passengers have a second layer: ships reroute around storms, and if your ship skips St Thomas you need to cancel the tour yourself in time.
Which trips handle wind and swell best?
Sheltered bays: the National Park Service says Maho Bay on St John is less affected by winter swells than other spots.
The park’s snorkeling page singles out Maho Bay's seagrass for turtles, best early or late in the day. The Maho Bay sail with lunch goes there. One guest on that trip notes that the moorings were full on the day and the captain found two other spots.
Cloud matters as much as wind for snorkelers. A guest on the Seas the Day trip says a cloudy day makes the water look foggy, so if you have a choice of days, pick the sunniest.
Want a sheltered turtle bay and lunch on board? The Maho Bay sail leaves from the Ritz-Carlton.
Explore the Maho Bay sail with lunch Tour detailsFrequently asked questions
Is October a good time for a catamaran trip in St Thomas?
Yes, if you book with free cancellation. NOAA expects a below-normal 2026 season, and the operator refunds or rebooks if the sea is unsafe.
When does the 2026 hurricane season end?
On November 30, 2026.
Do I get my money back if the tour is cancelled for weather?
Yes. The operator offers a refund or a new date, and on Viator you can cancel up to 24 hours before for a full refund.
Where can I check for storms before my trip?
The National Hurricane Center's tropical weather outlook at nhc.noaa.gov.
Ready to book
Choose your boat
Every option here can be cancelled free up to 24 hours before on Viator. Prices are per person, in USD, and move with the season.
Buck Island Turtle Cove Catamaran Sail
- Sail to Turtle Cove at Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge (you snorkel; nobody lands on the island)
- Snorkel gear: mask, snorkel, snorkel vest and fins
- Snacks and unlimited drinks; alcohol only after the in-water part
Maho Bay Turtle Snorkel Sail with Lunch
Maho Bay on St John and Honeymoon Beach, picnic lunch on board
Semi-Private Buck Island & Honeymoon Beach
- Snorkel stop at Little Buck Island, then Honeymoon Beach
- Snorkel gear, soda, bottled water and alcoholic drinks
- Group limit 12; infants ride on laps
