Bastille Day, the Fourth, and the Quiet Side of the Island
Find out why The Hideaway is a favorite destination for every type of stay.
July in St. Thomas
July is one of the most underrated times to be in St. Thomas. The big winter crowds have thinned, the water is warm enough to stay in for hours, and the island settles into a slower, more local rhythm. It is also one of the busiest months on the Northside calendar, because two very different celebrations land within days of each other: the Fourth of July and the Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament right here at Hull Bay.
If you are deciding whether July is worth the trip, here is the honest version of what to expect.
The Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament: Sunday, July 12, 2026
Every July, Hull Bay shifts gears. The beach that is usually quiet and local becomes the center of one of St. Thomas' most beloved summer traditions: the Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament, hosted by the Northside Sportfishing Club at The Hideaway's beachside restaurant and bar, The Shack.
A few facts worth knowing if you are planning around it:
It returns on Sunday, July 12, 2026, now in its 35th year.
It is the longest-running and biggest fishing tournament in the USVI.
In 2019, National Geographic named it one of the world's top nine Bastille Day celebrations. In 2012, Hotwire listed St. Thomas among the top ten places globally to mark the holiday.
One point that trips up a lot of visitors: Bastille Day itself falls on July 14, but the tournament at Hull Bay is scheduled for Sunday, July 12, 2026. If you are timing a trip specifically for the event on the water, plan around the 12th.
You do not have to fish to enjoy it. Whether you are an angler heading out at first light or a spectator on the sand, tournament day at The Shack means live music, cold drinks, fresh food, and a crowd that knows how to make a day on the water last into the evening. It is Hull Bay at its most alive.
For the full story and history of the tournament, read One of the World's Best Bastille Day Celebrations Is Right at Our Doorstep. You can also see more on the event itself on our Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament press page.
The Fourth of July on St. Thomas
As a U.S. territory, the U.S. Virgin Islands marks the Fourth of July as an official holiday, and the island celebrates it in its own Caribbean way. It tends to be beach-centric and community-led rather than one large official event, so how you spend it depends on the kind of day you want.
Here is what you can expect across the island.
Beach gatherings across St. Thomas
Local beaches fill up with families barbecuing, playing music, and spending the whole day in the water. It is relaxed, social, and easy to join. Some of the larger resorts on the East End run their own private beachside programming and fireworks for guests, which suits travelers who want a bigger, more organized resort scene.
The St. John Celebration finale (the island-wide highlight)
The biggest Fourth of July moment in the area technically happens just off St. Thomas. The 2026 St. John Celebration, the island's month-long carnival, runs June 14 through July 4 and builds to its grand finale on the Fourth: a colorful all-day parade through Cruz Bay starting around 11 a.m., followed by a fireworks display over Cruz Bay Harbor at nightfall.
It is an easy day trip. Cruz Bay is a short, scenic ferry ride from Red Hook on the East End of St. Thomas, and many visitors head over for the parade and fireworks, then ferry back. If you want to go, check the ferry schedule in advance, since hours often extend during the festival and Cruz Bay fills up fast on parade day.
A note on the Northside in early July
If you are staying on the quiet Northside at Hull Bay, the Fourth has its own easy version: the beach outside the gate, slow mornings, and The Shack running its usual summer rhythm of live music, happy hours, and family movie nights on the sand. And because the Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament lands just over a week later, the property is already carrying that pre-tournament energy by early July.
What July actually feels like in St. Thomas
July is high summer in the Caribbean, so it helps to know what you are walking into.
Heat and humidity. Daytime highs generally sit around 88 to 90°F, with overnight lows in the high 70s. It is warm and humid, so reliable air conditioning in your lodging matters.
Warm water. The sea reaches roughly 80 to 83°F, which makes for long, comfortable swims and snorkeling sessions.
Quick passing rain. Brief tropical downpours are common and tend to clear within minutes back into sunshine. Early July is technically the start of hurricane season, but major storms are rare this early.
Fewer crowds, lower rates. July is the start of the off-season. That usually means smaller crowds at popular beaches and noticeably better rates on flights and lodging compared to the winter peak. The island feels more local and unhurried.
A couple of practical notes: U.S. carriers work without international roaming, though near St. John your phone can occasionally pick up a British Virgin Islands tower, so keep an eye on that. And some beaches may see seasonal sargassum seaweed depending on currents, which is worth a quick check when you choose where to swim.
Where The Hideaway fits for a July trip
July is a strong month to be on the Northside, away from the busier resort corridor. The Hideaway at Hull Bay is a private beachfront estate with villas and cottages that together hold up to 36 guests, which makes it a natural fit for families, friend groups, and reunions traveling together rather than scattering across hotels.
A few reasons it works well in July specifically:
The beach is right outside the gate. On a hot July day, that matters. There is no drive to the water and no resort crowd between you and the sand.
The Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament is at your doorstep. The Shack sits right at the heart of the event, so you can be in the middle of it or watch from the quiet of the estate.
Farm-to-table dining keeps the day simple. The on-site Hideaway Farm helps shape what is served, so meals can come together without turning the day into a project. You can spend the morning on the beach, the afternoon in the water, and the evening at The Shack.
It is built for staying together. With the whole estate as your own private setting, groups can gather, eat, and celebrate in one place, then wake up still inside the trip the next morning.
The Hideaway is also a Certified Eco-Business, locally owned and operated, and bookable with points through Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy.
If you want a bigger, more programmed resort experience for the Fourth, the larger East End resorts are a genuine alternative for a different kind of trip. If you want quieter, more private, and closer to the real Northside summer, Hull Bay is the side of the island built for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament in 2026?
The 35th Annual Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament returns on Sunday, July 12, 2026, hosted by the Northside Sportfishing Club at The Shack at The Hideaway at Hull Bay. Note that Bastille Day itself is July 14, but the tournament is held on the 12th.
What happens for the Fourth of July on St. Thomas?
Expect beach barbecues and gatherings across the island, some resort-hosted fireworks on the East End, and the St. John Celebration finale on July 4: a parade through Cruz Bay around 11 a.m. and fireworks over the harbor that evening, reached by ferry from Red Hook.
Is July a good time to visit St. Thomas?
For many travelers, yes. The water is warm, the island is quieter and more local, and rates are lower than peak season. The trade-off is heat, humidity, and brief passing rain, so plan for air conditioning and flexible beach days.
Do you have to fish to enjoy the Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament?
No. Plenty of people come to The Shack just for the live music, food, drinks, and the energy on the shore. The tournament is as much a beach day as it is a fishing event.
Where should large groups stay in St. Thomas in July?
A private estate like The Hideaway at Hull Bay works well for groups, with villas and cottages that hold up to 36 guests, direct beach access, and on-site dining, so everyone can stay together in one place rather than splitting across hotels.
Plan your July at Hull Bay
July moves fast on the Northside. If you are thinking about being here for it, our team can help with the details and the timing.