Climate and Weather of the Bahamas by Month
The Bahamian archipelago, located in the Atlantic Ocean east of Florida and Cuba and washed by the warm Gulf Stream, consists of seven hundred islands, but only thirty are inhabited. The islands are widely scattered, resulting in a small archipelago (in terms of the land area of the islands that make it up) stretching almost a thousand kilometers from north to south.
The Bahamas became independent from the United Kingdom just over forty years ago. Thanks to its excellent natural conditions and location, it has transformed into an incredibly luxurious country with a fully developed infrastructure for tourists and all possible entertainment options. Additionally, it is a well-known offshore center, ensuring the small state is far from impoverished.
With a population of 400,000, the islands annually welcome 1.7 million tourists, with tourism accounting for about half of their income. Many celebrities acquire villas in the Bahamas, and some even purchase entire small islands.
Climatic Zones of the Bahamian Islands
The Bahamas are located in two climatic zones: the northern and central islands are in the subtropics, while the southern islands are in the zone of tropical trade-wind climate. This means that the southern islands are much hotter, and despite the trade winds, it can be excessively hot in the summer. The rainy season in the Bahamas is not as pronounced as it usually is in the tropics, but the months from May to October are more rainy – yet, it’s hard to call it a real rainy season since almost all days in the Bahamas are sunny!
Tourist Seasons
Although it is possible to vacation in the Bahamian islands all year round, as the sea is always warm, there are still high and low seasons – with the high season mainly occurring in winter when it is colder in the Bahamas. The famous discovery of America by Columbus in 1492 was actually the discovery of the Bahamian islands – he landed on the island of San Salvador (formerly thought to be Watling Island) – and the day Columbus landed on this island, October 12th, is considered the official date of America’s discovery.
Interesting Places in the Bahamian Islands
Each island is notable for something and has its own “specialization.” Let’s talk about some of them:
• Great Abaco:
The second-largest island in the archipelago after the sparsely populated Andros, Great Abaco is primarily known to yachting enthusiasts due to its many convenient sheltered bays and the length of the sailing season – starting in spring and ending in autumn. The island itself also has attractions: Hope Town is a small village that has become a tourist attraction due to its observation lighthouse offering a beautiful view, and the town of Marsh Harbour is a quiet and cozy place with several restaurants and duty-free shops. The historic center of the city from the 18th century is also interesting.
• Long Island:
This sparsely populated island has beautiful nature and beaches, and from the town of Stella Maris, fishing expeditions are launched, which can be quite interesting for tourists. It is also the center of Bahamian diving: the island is home to Dean’s Blue Hole, the deepest water-filled sinkhole on Earth, used for diving.
• Exuma Cays:
This chain of islands attracts many yachtsmen with its excellent views and the opportunity to practice in challenging conditions.
• Andros:
Known for excellent fishing.
• Abaco and Eleuthera:
Best for diving among coral reefs, and Eleuthera is also worth visiting for its pink beach.
• Inagua:
The best place to get acquainted with fauna, where you can see pink flamingos or iguanas, and swim with dolphins.
The Bahamas is a destination that offers a rich variety of experiences, whether you’re interested in yachting, diving, fishing, or simply relaxing on a beautiful beach.
The Berry Islands: A Hidden Gem in the Bahamas
The Berry Islands are a cluster of over 30 islands and cays, forming one of the less explored treasures of the Bahamas. Known for their serene beauty and privacy, these islands are a haven for the wealthy, with numerous private villas dotting the landscape. The Berry Islands are often referred to as the “Fish Bowl of the Bahamas” due to their excellent fishing opportunities, especially for game fish like marlin and tuna. Great Harbour Cay, the largest of the Berry Islands, offers stunning beaches, a marina, and a golf course, making it a perfect getaway for those seeking a blend of relaxation and activity.
CocoCay: Royal Caribbean’s Private Island Paradise
CocoCay, also known as Little Stirrup Cay, is a vibrant highlight of the Berry Islands, owned and operated exclusively by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. This private island is a key stop for Royal Caribbean cruise liners, offering guests an array of beach and water activities, from snorkeling to jet-skiing, in a picture-perfect setting. The island recently underwent a significant transformation with the introduction of the “Perfect Day at CocoCay,” a $250 million investment that includes a waterpark, zip line, and overwater cabanas. CocoCay provides a unique blend of adventure and relaxation, ensuring a memorable experience for cruise passengers.
The Capital and Monthly Weather
Nassau, the capital of the state, which holds a large part of the population, also has many notable places: the historic city center, the Royal Victoria Gardens with a huge collection of plants from all over the Caribbean, the water tower offering a view of the island, and the famous Atlantis complex. Atlantis is a real entertainment city on Paradise Island, connected to Nassau by a bridge and offering a variety of entertainment options, from a casino to a water park and a Mayan maze.
Nassau is the center of business activity on the islands, and here you can also find many restaurants, shops, nightclubs – everything you might need if you want to take a break from the beaches. And speaking of beaches, Nassau has them too, and they are just as good as the beaches on other islands!
Weather by Month
December-February: Winter is the best time to relax in the Bahamas – there are no heavy rains or storms, although it can be windy, and there is no heat, the weather is warm but fresh. Trips to the Bahamian Islands for Christmas and New Year are popular – it’s very pleasant here at this time. January is the coldest month of the year, and most familiar to Europeans, although it’s worth taking some long-sleeved clothes – it can be cool in the evening.
March-April: These months are perfect for those who find the Bahamian winter a bit cool – and there are such people! – as it becomes almost hot, but just almost, and you can still sunbathe in the sun for a long time without any inconvenience. The water warms up to the most pleasant temperature, and you just won’t want to get out of it. Moreover, the largest number of interesting festivals are held in the spring months, so if you don’t have special preferences for weather, it’s worth choosing spring because of the “cultural program.”
May: A transitional month – the rainy season gradually approaches, and the northern winds give way to southeastern trade winds, causing the temperature to feel higher. Hotel prices go down, but there are still fewer tourists. You might think that means you shouldn’t go to the Bahamas in May? But no! Catching the tail end of the high season is a popular pastime for experienced tourists in the tropics, but here it can be especially pleasant – not for nothing do locals claim that the weather in May is the best of the whole year.
At the end of the month, there is a week-long Music Fest festival, where you can listen to real reggae masters and watch Caribbean dances – and besides, big stars usually come to perform at this time – who would refuse an invitation to the Bahamian Islands!
June-August: Summer is considered an unfavorable time for vacationing on the islands because of the maximum heat and high humidity. Moreover, the rainy and hurricane seasons begin, but they hardly interfere – almost every day in the Bahamas is sunny, the rains turn out to be tropical downpours that end very quickly, and hurricanes… well, they are warned about in advance, and some even find it interesting to experience a tropical hurricane – and they are not frequent.
But heat and high humidity are not the best combination, so the trip can only be recommended to those who love real heat and have high endurance – everyone else will have to spend most of the day indoors, by the air conditioners, and it’s definitely not worth going for those with heart or lung problems. Moreover, in summer, there are whole swarms of mosquitoes here.
September-October: If September is not much different from August, then by October the heat noticeably subsides – the heat is still felt, but it is no longer so strong, and although people with heart and lung diseases still should not go to the Bahamas, if you do not suffer from them and want to choose a time when it is cheaper and the weather is favorable – the second half of September and October may suit you.
In these months, festivals of culinary and winemaking are held on the islands, and the dates are usually chosen differently, so you can visit a new one almost every day.
November: The high season opens, the islands are again filled with tourists, who were much fewer in the previous months – and in the low season, some hotels even close. The hurricane season ends, humidity and temperature drop, so truly paradisiacal weather is established – a trip to the Bahamas in November can be confidently recommended to everyone, but it will not be cheap.
CocoCay – A Secluded Island in the Caribbean Sea
CocoCay is a secluded island in the Caribbean Sea, part of the Berry Islands group, a favorite wintering spot for the wealthy. When villa owners gather, the Berry Islands become the most densely populated millionaire spot in the world 🙂 The island of CocoCay is owned by the cruise company Royal Caribbean. Guests have access to various beach and water activities, live music plays, and during the day, the team sets up lunch. CocoCay, also known as Little Stirrup Cay, is one of the Berry Islands, a collection of Bahamian cays and small islands located about 55 miles north of Nassau. It is exclusively used for tourism by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Little Stirrup Cay is adjacent to Great Stirrup Cay, a private island of Norwegian cruises since 1977.
The small Bahamian island of CocoCay (1 kilometer in length and 183 meters in width) has been on a long-term lease to the cruise holding Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. since 1990. The island is included in the routes of only the liners belonging to the holding.
All conditions for comfortable beach recreation with various water entertainments have been created. An animation team entertains passengers on the beach, organizing different games. Near the beach, lunch is organized, so there’s no need to return to the ship.
In May 2019, a huge entertainment zone called Perfect Day began operating on the island, the construction of which cost the company $250 million. Now, liners dock at the pier, instead of anchoring in a tender parking area.