Best time to cruise · Shoulder season
British Isles cruises in April
The first round-Britain sailings leave Southampton late in the month, mostly on British lines, often at good fares. Lambs fill the fields, gardens burst into blossom and Easter brings holiday crowds to castles and stately homes. Highs reach the low-to-mid 50s °F (11–13°C), with frequent showers.
- Shoulder season
- Avg high 51°F
- 14 hrs daylight
Photo: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
British Isles in April: Shoulder season
The first round-Britain sailings leave Southampton late in the month, mostly on British lines, often at good fares. Lambs fill the fields, gardens burst into blossom and Easter brings holiday crowds to castles and stately homes. Highs reach the low-to-mid 50s °F (11–13°C), with frequent showers.
Across British Isles cruise ports, April brings average highs around 51°F (11°C) and lows near 42°F, with about 2.3 inches of rain over the month and roughly 14 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Shoulder season
- Season
- May to September; a few sailings in April and October
- Average high / low
- 51°F / 42°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 2.3 in
- Daylight
- About 14 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 10 to 14 nights round trip; 7-night Scotland or Ireland sailings also run
What to pack: layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes.
How April compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: No regular sailings
- Feb: No regular sailings
- Mar: No regular sailings
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Good time to go
- Jun: Best time to go
- Jul: Best time to go
- Aug: Best time to go
- Sep: Good time to go
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: No regular sailings
- Dec: No regular sailings
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
British Isles weather in April
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 468 | 468 | 489 | 5111 | 5714 | 6116 | 6418 | 6418 | 6116 | 5613 | 5110 | 489 |
| Low °F (°C) | 404 | 404 | 405 | 426 | 478 | 5211 | 5513 | 5513 | 5312 | 4910 | 457 | 426 |
| Rain in (mm) | 4.1104 | 3.692 | 3.588 | 2.358 | 2.667 | 2.769 | 3.486 | 3.692 | 3.794 | 4.5114 | 4.3109 | 4.9125 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 7 |
April weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh (Leith & South Queensferry) | 51°F | 40°F | 2.1 in | 14 h |
| Dublin | 52°F | 43°F | 2.4 in | 14 h |
| Belfast | 51°F | 43°F | 2.3 in | 14 h |
| Greenock (for Glasgow) | 51°F | 41°F | 2.8 in | 14 h |
| Invergordon (for Inverness & Loch Ness) | 52°F | 39°F | 2.0 in | 14 h |
| Kirkwall, Orkney | 47°F | 43°F | 2.5 in | 14 h |
| Cobh (for Cork) | 54°F | 43°F | 2.8 in | 14 h |
| Liverpool | 53°F | 42°F | 2.0 in | 14 h |
| Portree, Isle of Skye | 49°F | 43°F | 2.8 in | 14 h |
| Lerwick, Shetland | 46°F | 43°F | 2.0 in | 15 h |
| St Peter Port, Guernsey | 52°F | 49°F | 1.6 in | 14 h |
| Southampton (London) | 57°F | 41°F | 1.8 in | 14 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 April
British Isles in April: FAQs
Is April a good time to cruise British Isles?
It can be, as a shoulder-season month. The first round-Britain sailings leave Southampton late in the month, mostly on British lines, often at good fares. Lambs fill the fields, gardens burst into blossom and Easter brings holiday crowds to castles and stately homes. Highs reach the low-to-mid 50s °F (11–13°C), with frequent showers.
What is the weather like on a British Isles cruise in April?
Across British Isles cruise ports, April brings average highs around 51°F (11°C) and lows near 42°F, with about 2.3 inches of rain over the month and roughly 14 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a British Isles cruise in April?
Pack layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise British Isles?
May to September; a few sailings in April and October. The best months are usually June, July, August.
Where else can I cruise in April?
April is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Bahamas.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.