The best time to visit The Bahamas is November or late April, when you’ll have fine weather and fewer crowds, and you’re still outside the hurricane season.
With a sheltered position in the subtropics, The Bahamas enjoys warm temperatures year-round, hovering between 75°F to 84°F, with only slight variations between seasons. Evenings and mornings can be slightly chilly between December and April, but even then, the sea is pleasant enough to swim in and the sun shines warmly. Unsurprisingly, this is a popular time for visitors from the Northern Hemisphere, especially in March and early April, when university students arrive en masse. You’ll need to plan well ahead for the best choices during this busy season.
Summer brings somewhat hotter sun and an uptick in humidity, as well as a greater chance of rain. But the islands’ pace slows down, there’s a cooling sea breeze throughout the day and the hotels empty out of visitors, making it a good time to enjoy the quiet.
Month-by-month guide for traveling in The Bahamas
Visiting The Bahamas in January
This is the busiest month on The Bahamas, boasting balmy temperatures, sunny skies and New Year’s Day Junkanoo carnivals on many islands. All of the islands will be busy, so be sure to book ahead if you’re planning to visit this month.
Events & Festivals
- Junkanoo parades (Jan 1.): Bahamians celebrate their West African heritage with parades that feature music, dance and bright costumes, as well as hotly contested competitions for best performances.
Visiting The Bahamas in February
The skies are sunny and the temperatures are mild, with cooler mornings and evenings. The water temperature is at its lowest, but still quite pleasant for swimming.
Visiting The Bahamas in March
Temperatures start to rise slightly from February, but are still comfortably mild. The crowds increase with visitors from the United States, especially university students on spring break. The ocean also gets warmer toward the end of the month.
Visiting The Bahamas in April
April is one of the best months to visit. The archipelago boasts ample sun, mild temperatures and warm ocean waters in the month of April. Crowds, especially spring break, start to thin dramatically toward the end of the month. This also marks the start of the beach picnic and outdoor fish fry season.
Events & Festivals
- Easter: Easter is an important holiday here and many shops and restaurants are closed for Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.
Visiting The Bahamas in May
As the temperatures start to rise, so does the humidity. However, there’s always a nice breeze and the risk of rainfall is still low. The crowds have mostly gone and you’ll have space to enjoy the beaches and restaurants.
Visiting The Bahamas in June
This month marks the official start of the hurricane season, though the risk is still very low this early in the year. The temperatures are warmer, with higher humidity and a greater chance of rain, but you’ll be able to enjoy late sunsets and balmy ocean. May is the best month for diving and snorkeling thanks to the plethora of marine life.
Events & Festivals
- Labor Day (first Friday): The islands cut loose with Junkanoo parades, featuring local music and costumes.
Visiting The Bahamas in July - August
The hottest months on the island, July and August are often also the wettest, with regular but scattered thunderstorms. The risk of hurricanes also increases through the summer.
Events & Festivals
- Independence Day (July 10): Celebrated across the archipelago with parades, music and festivals.
- Emancipation Day (first Monday in August): The islands erupt with Junkanoo parades, beach picnics and regattas to mark the anniversary of emancipation.
Visiting The Bahamas in September - October
The islands are hot, humid and subject to frequent rains. Additionally, it’s the height of hurricane season and many of the hotels on the Out Islands are closed for maintenance and renovation. We don’t recommend visiting during these months.
Visiting The Bahamas in November
This is one of the best months to visit The Bahamas. Temperatures moderate from hot to warm, the humidity drops and the risk of thunderstorms or hurricanes tapers down dramatically. The hotels all reopen but there aren’t many other visitors yet.
Visiting The Bahamas in December
December has warm weather and sunny skies, though it’s a bit cooler in the Northern Islands. This is one of the busiest months in The Bahamas, so plan well in advance if you want to visit, especially around the festival season.
Events & Festivals
- Christmas and Boxing Day: Islanders celebrate with carnivals, festivals, feasts and singing, as well as Junkanoo parades, particularly on Boxing Day.
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Travel advice
Practical tips for traveling to The Bahamas, from social protocols to guidance on money matters, with a link to the latest US State Department travel advice.
Trip ideas and travel guides for exploring The Bahamas
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