The best and worst time to visit the Bahamas will depend on your activities list as well as your budget. During the peak season, the weather is perfect and coincides with Christmas and New Year’s Eve. However, crowds and high prices might deter some visitors. The off-season offers a quieter and cheaper Bahamas, but you risk losing a few hours in the afternoon to rain and some services may be closed or being renovated.
WHAT THE BAHAMAS ARE LIKE IN THE OFF-SEASON
The Bahamas’ official off-season is from mid-April to mid-September. You might get as much as 60% off on hotel rooms by leaving the crowds behind. You can also negotiate deals on excursions and boat charters when you are there.
With less people around you can appreciate the tranquility and hear the sounds of nature. You can also be more spontaneous, as you won’t need to book restaurants and activities in advance.
You can find a secluded beach to watch the sunset without crying kids or noisy partygoers.
The downside is hotels may schedule maintenance and construction projects during the summer, which could break your expectation of tranquility in a tropical paradise. Check before you book or else choose a private luxury villa in a more secluded area.
Many regular visitors to the Bahamas recommend May to November, which is the wet season, but the rain is mostly short or confined to overnight showers. Hurricane season in the Caribbean is between June and November. Historically speaking, the islands get a serious hit every 10 or 11 years.
If you are looking to fish, October and November are the worse times, but you could still get a decent haul during the summer months.
WHAT THE BAHAMIAN WINTER BREAKS AND PEAK SEASON ARE LIKE
When you get tired of snow, slush, sleet and freezing temperatures, it’s time to consider heading for the Bahamas. Winter is the high and dry season in the Bahamas, so blue skies will welcome you and the long perfect days are around 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (25 to 32 degrees Celsius) in temperature.
The high season is generally considered mid-December to mid-April.
Unfortunately, with the glorious weather and the festive crowds, you will have to pay top dollar for everything and you’ll need to make reservations three to six months in advance for hotels and flights to get decent but still expensive prices. A last-minute trip is possible but the prices will still be sky-high.
WHAT THE BAHAMAS ARE LIKE IN THE HIGH SEASON, NEW YEAR’S AND JUNKANOO
Perhaps you are dreaming of a different kind of white Christmas, with white sand instead of snow and palm trees instead of Christmas trees. The Bahamas is full of revelers and family gatherings at this time, plus they have their own unique celebration: Junkanoo.
Junkanoo is a style of music and dance. Locals wear colorful and elaborate customers, often made of Paper Mache, and dance down the streets to the sound of drums and cowbells.
Its history dates back to the 18th century when slaves were given free days off over Christmas and New Year’s. Today, it is a way for Bahamians to connect with their African roots.
In Nassau, Junkanoo at Christmas starts very late at night and continues into the early morning hours. In most resorts or villas you will be out of town, so you may need to set your alarm to catch the action.
At Grand Isle Resort & Spa, Junkanoo celebrations are a popular pastime on the beach. Head down to the beach after dinner and grab a seat by the bonfire.
If you are traveling during peak season, be prepared to spend time waiting in lines once you arrive, and you’ll have to think ahead if you want to book a restaurant for the evening or charter a yacht.
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