When is the best time to visit the Caribbean?

Visiting the Caribbean in February

It’s peak season across the Caribbean with balmy temperatures, long hours of sunshine and only occasional, brief showers. The entire region is at its best and hotels can be booked up well in advance, so plan accordingly to get your first choice of lodgings. Look out for turtles nesting on the beaches of north Grenada toward the end of the month.

Events & Festivals

• Holetown Festival commemorates the anniversary of the first settlement of Barbados by the British, this event highlights Barbadian culture and history, as well as promoting local crafts.

Visiting the Caribbean in March

Another very popular month across the region thanks to the hot, dry, settled weather. Calm seas make it a good time for sailing and there are several regattas across the region, while underwater visibility of up to 45 m (150 ft) makes it a popular time with divers. The dry weather also makes it a good time to go hiking in the jungle-covered hills.

Events & Festivals

• The four-day Bequia Regatta hosts hundreds of entrants in a variety of sailing boats, including traditional Bequia-style dinghies.
• The British Virgin Islands Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival is a celebration of all things sailing based in Nanny Cay.

Visiting the Caribbean in April

Easter is another busy time across the Caribbean, though as April progresses the weather gets slightly wetter. Although the rain is only marginally heavier than in February or March, it’s enough to see hotels reduce rates and you can be lucky enough to find a great deal at this time of year.

Events & Festivals

• Antigua Sailing Week is the Caribbean's largest regatta, involving formal races as well as social events.
• The four-day Bequia Regatta hosts hundreds of entrants in a variety of sailing boats, including traditional Bequia-style dinghies.
• Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival brings together local and international musicians for a week of jazz, R&B and calypso.

Visiting the Caribbean in May

May is a great time to visit the Caribbean, prices are far lower than earlier in the year and yet rainfall is usually only very slightly heavier than during the peak travel season of February to March. The beaches and roads are also quieter and visitors can make the most of the relaxed island lifestyle.

Events & Festivals

• Labour Day is celebrated on Saint Kitts with parades by workers unions and political parties, and in Nevis with community barbecues and bands playing on the streets.
• Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival brings together local and international musicians for a week of jazz, R&B and calypso.

Visiting the Caribbean in June

Lower prices make this a great value time to travel to the Caribbean. Although rain increases, it is usually short, sharp showers followed by plenty of sunshine. June is the hottest month in Antigua with average highs of 30°C (86°F) and lows of 26°C (79°F), and you may be able to see turtles hatching on the beaches in Grenada.

Events & Festivals

• Vincy Mas lasts for 12 days and is Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ most important celebration, with steel pan bands, calypso music and parades.

Visiting the Caribbean in July

Prices have dropped to a fraction of those offered during the high season as the Caribbean enters its rainy season. Short, heavy tropical showers can be expected followed by sunny skies. Vegetation is lush and green, and although it is now official hurricane season, the risk is small, though you might encounter some tropical storms.

Events & Festivals

• Antigua Carnival is a ten-day event celebrating the emancipation of slavery with brass and steel bands and other festivities.
• Grenada Spicemas Festival brings soca competitions, steel pan orchestras and street parades.
• Saint Lucia Carnival takes place over several days, bringing costumed performers and calypso music to the streets, with a mardi-gras style party on Carnival Tuesday.
• Vincy Mas lasts for 12 days and is Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ most important celebration, with steel pan bands, calypso music and parades.

Visiting the Caribbean in August

Low prices and plenty of sunshine between the rains make this a good value time to visit the Caribbean. Although it is officially the wet season, the rains come as short, heavy showers that soon clear to leave blue skies and sunshine to enjoy. It’s a good time to spot turtles on the beaches in Antigua.

Events & Festivals

• Antigua Carnival is a ten-day event celebrating the emancipation of slavery with brass and steel bands and other festivities.
• British Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival is spread over a busy two weeks and is the main annual festival with parades, concerts, horse races and sailing regattas.
• Grenada Spicemas Festival brings soca competitions, steel pan orchestras and street parades.
• Saint Kitts and Nevis Emancipation Day marks the emancipation of slaves with a long weekend of festivities, including ‘street jamming’, beauty pageants and calypso parades on both islands.

Visiting the Caribbean in September

Low prices offset the increased risk of rain and tropical storms across the region, though with short, sharp showers and consistent hours of sunshine, this can still be a great time to visit the region. Vegetation is lush and green, waterfalls are fuller and hotels, beaches and attractions are quieter.

Events & Festivals

• Saint Kitts National Heroes Day is a public holiday celebrating individuals who have made significant contributions to society. It culminates in a popular concert on Saint Kitts.

Visiting the Caribbean in October

Increased rainfall and risk of storms make October one of the less-popular times to visit the Caribbean, but great-value hotel deals can make it an attractive option. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the British Virgin Islands receive their highest rainfall of the year this month, but still generally have generous hours of sunshine.

Events & Festivals

• Creole Heritage Month is when Saint Lucia celebrates its Creole heritage and language with a month-long festival of events, craft and cooking demonstrations, and live music.
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Independence Day is celebrated with parades and other festivities that create a buzzing atmosphere in the streets.

Visiting the Caribbean in November

Although rainfall can be high at this time of year, it’s generally short, heavy showers that soon clear to blue skies. Hotel deals make it a good value time to visit, the vegetation is lush and green, turtles are nesting on the beaches of Antigua and showy tropical flowers can be seen everywhere.

Events & Festivals

• Antigua and Barbuda celebrate their independence on Antigua Independence Day with flags, street parties and parades.

Visiting the Caribbean in December

The beginning of the dry season across the region, the rains ease off and the islands blossom in lush and verdant tropical growth. Christmas is a very popular time to visit, with many people booking a year or more in advance, while New Years sees celebrations across the islands with lively beach parties and local concerts.

Events & Festivals

• Nine Mornings Festival is when the communities of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines hold parties lasting from dawn until it's time to go to work, with street music, dancing and fêtes.