Rain, Wind, or Waves: Enjoy a Comfortable Boat Ride in any Weather!

Okay, imagine this: You're out on a boat, cruising along, maybe soaking in the sunshine, and then, out of nowhere, the weather starts to turn. Suddenly, it's raining, the wind picks up, and those waves you thought were small start getting a little... more intense. Not exactly the perfect day you planned, right?

But hey, it doesn't have to be a disaster! The truth is, with the right gear and a little know-how, you can still have a great time on the water, even when the weather’s throwing you a curveball. Some of the best boating memories can be made in the rain, or when you’re battling those waves!

So, whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a first-time charter guest, I’m here to share some tips on how to stay comfy, dry, and safe when the weather’s less than ideal. Trust me, it’s totally possible to still enjoy your boat ride, rain, wind, or waves included!

1. Dress for the Weather

Okay, so first thing's first – in the islands we have rainy season (June-Nov) and dry season (Dec-May). If you’re travelling in the rainy season, it’s a good idea to pack a lightweight rain jacket. It doesn’t tend to rain for too long, but those showers can be chilly.

If you’re on the boat without a rain jacket and a rain shower springs up, pick a person to be a “towel buddy”. The two of you can hide from the rain under one towel (which will get soaked), but then you can share the other dry towel for drying off after a swim/snorkel.

And here’s a pro tip – always pack an extra dry shirt in your bag. You never know when things might get wetter or chillier than you expected. Staying dry and warm makes all the difference in your comfort level on the boat!

2. Check the forecast

Whether you’re heading out on a boat or to the beach, check the weather forecast. There are a lot of apps that can help you with this and a good resource down here is the Facebook page "St John VI Weather".

For additional layer of protection, plan your boat trip earlier in your vacation, this way if the weather gets wild, you have backup days to potentially reschedule your charter. Personally, I prefer to be on a boat during those days the forecast calls for “isolated showers”. Captains are pretty good about driving around those smaller showers whereas if you’re on a beach and it rains, you just have to ride it out.

Your captain can easily navigate around smaller, isolated showers

3. Handling waves

The number to remember is 15; at 15 mph windspeed whitecaps start to form. Whitecaps will make for a rougher, choppier ride, but fear not, the boat captains down here will inform you before you get to a rough section of water and can help you plan the day to avoid these rougher patches. (Remember, the Baths at Virgin Gorda BVI are not always accessible due to sea conditions.)

Keep in mind that the front of every boat is the wet and wild seating. Any waves that you bounce over, you will bounce harder in the front. Imagine a teeter totter, you don’t bounce as high or land as hard when you sit closer to the mid-point (the person in gray in the picture). Therefore, if you sit in the middle or back of the boat, you will have a much smoother ride.

Where you sit matters, choose a seat towards the middle for the most comfortable ride

So, here’s the thing: bad weather doesn’t have to ruin your boat day, you can enjoy a comfortable boat ride in any weather. With the right gear and a little preparation, you can totally roll with whatever rain, wind, or waves come your way. Honestly, some of the most memorable moments on the water happen when you’re dealing with the elements – just think of how awesome it feels to power through a storm and still have fun!

Remember to pack an extra dry shirt, stay safe, and keep your spirits up, no matter what the weather's doing. Oh, and don’t forget to pack those little extras that’ll keep you comfy, like an extra shirt or towel. It’s all about being prepared, so you can make the most of your time on the water, whether the sun’s out or not!

So, next time you're out there and the weather turns, just take a deep breath, embrace the adventure, and enjoy the ride. You’ve got this!