Best time to cruise · Good time to go
Bahamas cruises in December
Junkanoo returns on Boxing Day, December 26, when rival groups parade through downtown Nassau before dawn, a highlight if your ship overnights or arrives early. The weather is pleasant and mostly dry, with highs in the upper 70s °F. Christmas and New Year sailings are expensive and sell out far ahead.
- Good time to go
- Avg high 77°F
- 11 hrs daylight
Photo: Warfieldian, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Bahamas in December: Good time to go
Junkanoo returns on Boxing Day, December 26, when rival groups parade through downtown Nassau before dawn, a highlight if your ship overnights or arrives early. The weather is pleasant and mostly dry, with highs in the upper 70s °F. Christmas and New Year sailings are expensive and sell out far ahead.
Across Bahamas cruise ports, December brings average highs around 77°F (25°C) and lows near 75°F, with about 2.1 inches of rain over the month and roughly 11 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Good time to go
- Season
- Year-round; warmest dry weather March to May. Cooler water December to February; hurricane season June 1 to November 30.
- Average high / low
- 77°F / 75°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 2.1 in
- Daylight
- About 11 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 2 to 5 nights from Florida; 5 to 7 nights from the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast
What to pack: warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes.
How December compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Good time to go
- Feb: Good time to go
- Mar: Best time to go
- Apr: Best time to go
- May: Best time to go
- Jun: Good time to go
- Jul: Good time to go
- Aug: Shoulder season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Good time to go
- Dec: Good time to go
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Bahamas weather in December
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 7524 | 7524 | 7625 | 7826 | 8127 | 8329 | 8530 | 8630 | 8530 | 8328 | 8027 | 7725 |
| Low °F (°C) | 7222 | 7323 | 7423 | 7624 | 7926 | 8228 | 8429 | 8429 | 8329 | 8127 | 7826 | 7524 |
| Rain in (mm) | 1.949 | 1.230 | 1.537 | 2.154 | 4.4111 | 5.9149 | 3.896 | 4.3110 | 5.2131 | 4.4111 | 2.666 | 2.153 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 |
December weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nassau | 78°F | 76°F | 2.2 in | 11 h |
| Perfect Day at CocoCay | 77°F | 75°F | 2.1 in | 11 h |
| Freeport (Grand Bahama) | 76°F | 74°F | 2.3 in | 11 h |
| Great Stirrup Cay | 77°F | 75°F | 2.1 in | 11 h |
| Castaway Cay | 77°F | 75°F | 2.1 in | 11 h |
| Celebration Key | 76°F | 73°F | 2.2 in | 11 h |
| Half Moon Cay (RelaxAway) | 78°F | 77°F | 1.5 in | 11 h |
| Bimini | 77°F | 75°F | 2.2 in | 11 h |
| Princess Cays | 78°F | 77°F | 1.5 in | 11 h |
| Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point | 78°F | 76°F | 1.9 in | 11 h |
| Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve | 77°F | 75°F | 2.2 in | 11 h |
| Key West | 76°F | 74°F | 2.5 in | 11 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in December
- Caribbean in December
- Eastern Caribbean in December
- Western Caribbean in December
- Southern Caribbean in December
- Mexican Riviera & Baja in December
- Panama Canal & Central America in December
- South America in December
- Galápagos Islands in December
- Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles in December
- Antarctica in December
See every destination for December, with a port weather map →
Bahamas in December: FAQs
Is December a good time to cruise Bahamas?
Yes, it's a good month. Junkanoo returns on Boxing Day, December 26, when rival groups parade through downtown Nassau before dawn, a highlight if your ship overnights or arrives early. The weather is pleasant and mostly dry, with highs in the upper 70s °F. Christmas and New Year sailings are expensive and sell out far ahead.
What is the weather like on a Bahamas cruise in December?
Across Bahamas cruise ports, December brings average highs around 77°F (25°C) and lows near 75°F, with about 2.1 inches of rain over the month and roughly 11 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Bahamas cruise in December?
Pack warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Bahamas?
Year-round; warmest dry weather March to May. Cooler water December to February; hurricane season June 1 to November 30.. The best months are usually March, April, May.
Where else can I cruise in December?
December is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Mexican Riviera & Baja.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.