At the time of writing this, we have just witnessed Hurricane Beryl pass South of us from Grenada, to Jamaica, Cancun and now up towards the states. While we are so thankful to have been missed; such early and strong activity definitely does not sit well with us or our neighbors in the Caribbean. Hurricane Season officially runs from June 1st-November 30th and this year is expected to be more active than normal due to many factors and it is important to plan your vacation accordingly.
Buy Travel Insurance: Most of the time, I'm a 50/50 on whether or not this is needed; however, this year it would be a great idea! Most companies will cover flight delays, lost baggage, medical assistance and trip cancellation or interruption. One company that we would recommend is World Nomads. They are a trusted company used by many businesses down here and offer standard and deluxe plans that are reasonable for families or individuals. www.worldnomads.com
Research Your Destination and Weather: Clearly at this time, we have already seen some storms pass through and most vacation plans for the Summer are already locked in. For those that are waiting or like to plan short trips...we can usually see something coming about 5-7 days out. We always check our weather apps and see what is coming off of the Western coast of Africa for possible threats to our region. This also pertains to possible rentals here in St. Thomas. It may be a good idea to reach out to your host and see if they offer any kind of essentials when there is a loss of power, e.g. flashlights, batteries, solar chargers, etc...if not, you can always try and make room in your luggage for such things that may come in handy. Even if we do not get a hit from a storm, we often feel some effects if we are nearby.
Emergency Travel Kit: This is related to the research and planning part of your vacation but again, you most likely will not need certain items but it wouldn't hurt to have them. Items to Consider: solar charger for phone, personal hotspot (we brought our router from home during our last vacation, it was very small.), batteries, utility knife (checked bags only), zip ties, prescription meds, photocopies of credit cards, ID and passports, small flashlight, batteries or a charge pack. Again, if you're confident in the forecast, then perhaps don't worry so much but if you're planning on a longer vacation and have the space, it definitely would be helpful.
Contact Your Excursions, Restaurants and Tours Ahead of Time: Many destinations around the world will close down for inclement weather seasons and it is important to plan ahead. You don't want to have something set in your heart only to find out that they are gone for season. Many businesses on island do shut down from August through about October to plan for Hurricane and to visit family and take their own time off. We have reached out to our excursions on property and only know of a few that will be away this season; these dates are tentative so definitely reach out if you're interested.
GoMojo Tender Rentals: Closed from Aug. 1-October 31st. Call to book as they may decide to keep one boat available for rent for off season. www.gomojovi.com
Sailing the Cosmos: Aug. 15th-October: Call for availability. www.sailingthecosmos.com
Adventures of Saltwater Taffy: August 1-October: Call for availability. www.adventuresofsaltwatertaffy.com
To see a full list of the excursions offered at Sapphire, click here: www.sbrmbookings.com/excursions
Be Flexible! Your vacation should be the best time to unwind and get away from all the worries of home! If you plan accordingly and have an open mind, then the possibilities open up. As residents here, we know there are tons of ways to enjoy the island from historical tours, to endless snorkeling, laying around on beautiful beaches, hiking the trails, etc...We all will be keeping an eye on weather this year and will try our best to inform visitors of what's to come as soon as we know as well as great suggestions for exploration and relaxation!
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