The beach season runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, when the island is busiest and most rentals are fully booked weeks in advance. July and August are the peak months; families dominate and the beach is lively without being crowded.
Shoulder seasons — late April through May and September through October — offer the best combination of warm water, mild weather, and thinner crowds. The water stays warm enough to swim through October. Hurricane season (June through November) brings occasional threats; late August and September are the riskiest months.
Winter is quiet. Most seasonal restaurants close, and the island retreats to its year-round residents. It is a pleasant time for birdwatching and solitary walks but not for beach holidays.