Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Bahamas cruises in May
May is a sweet spot: warm water, light winds, little rain and no school crowds until Memorial Day weekend. Humidity starts to creep up by late in the month. It’s a good time to try a private island’s premium beach club or cabana, since availability is easier than during spring break and summer.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 81°F
- 13 hrs daylight
Photo: Warfieldian, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Bahamas in May: Best time to go
May is a sweet spot: warm water, light winds, little rain and no school crowds until Memorial Day weekend. Humidity starts to creep up by late in the month. It’s a good time to try a private island’s premium beach club or cabana, since availability is easier than during spring break and summer.
Across Bahamas cruise ports, May brings average highs around 81°F (27°C) and lows near 79°F, with about 4.4 inches of rain over the month and roughly 13 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Best 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
- 81°F / 79°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 4.4 in
- Daylight
- About 13 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 2 to 5 nights from Florida; 5 to 7 nights from the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast
What to pack: light, breathable clothes, swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen, plus a light layer for air-conditioned rooms. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket.
How May 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 May
| 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 |
May weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nassau | 81°F | 79°F | 4.8 in | 13 h |
| Perfect Day at CocoCay | 80°F | 78°F | 4.4 in | 13 h |
| Freeport (Grand Bahama) | 80°F | 78°F | 4.6 in | 13 h |
| Great Stirrup Cay | 80°F | 78°F | 4.4 in | 13 h |
| Castaway Cay | 80°F | 78°F | 4.5 in | 13 h |
| Celebration Key | 81°F | 78°F | 4.4 in | 13 h |
| Half Moon Cay (RelaxAway) | 80°F | 79°F | 3.8 in | 13 h |
| Bimini | 81°F | 79°F | 4.6 in | 13 h |
| Princess Cays | 80°F | 79°F | 3.8 in | 13 h |
| Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point | 80°F | 78°F | 4.1 in | 13 h |
| Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve | 81°F | 79°F | 4.6 in | 13 h |
| Key West | 82°F | 80°F | 4.3 in | 13 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 May
Bahamas in May: FAQs
Is May a good time to cruise Bahamas?
Yes, it's one of the best months. May is a sweet spot: warm water, light winds, little rain and no school crowds until Memorial Day weekend. Humidity starts to creep up by late in the month. It’s a good time to try a private island’s premium beach club or cabana, since availability is easier than during spring break and summer.
What is the weather like on a Bahamas cruise in May?
Across Bahamas cruise ports, May brings average highs around 81°F (27°C) and lows near 79°F, with about 4.4 inches of rain over the month and roughly 13 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Bahamas cruise in May?
Pack light, breathable clothes, swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen, plus a light layer for air-conditioned rooms. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket. 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 May?
May is also a top month for Bermuda, Hawaii, Pacific Coastal, Galápagos Islands, Mediterranean.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.