Best time to cruise · Good time to go
British Isles cruises in May
Bluebells carpet the woodlands and gardens in Cornwall, Ireland and western Scotland look their best. Puffins return to the sea cliffs of Orkney and Shetland. Days are long and often drier than midsummer, with highs around 57–61°F (14–16°C), and ships are less crowded before the school holidays.
- Good time to go
- Avg high 57°F
- 16 hrs daylight
Photo: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
British Isles in May: Good time to go
Bluebells carpet the woodlands and gardens in Cornwall, Ireland and western Scotland look their best. Puffins return to the sea cliffs of Orkney and Shetland. Days are long and often drier than midsummer, with highs around 57–61°F (14–16°C), and ships are less crowded before the school holidays.
Across British Isles cruise ports, May brings average highs around 57°F (14°C) and lows near 47°F, with about 2.6 inches of rain over the month and roughly 16 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Good time to go
- Season
- May to September; a few sailings in April and October
- Average high / low
- 57°F / 47°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 2.6 in
- Daylight
- About 16 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 May 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 May
| 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 |
May weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh (Leith & South Queensferry) | 58°F | 46°F | 2.6 in | 16 h |
| Dublin | 58°F | 48°F | 2.4 in | 16 h |
| Belfast | 56°F | 47°F | 2.5 in | 16 h |
| Greenock (for Glasgow) | 57°F | 46°F | 3.5 in | 16 h |
| Invergordon (for Inverness & Loch Ness) | 58°F | 45°F | 2.6 in | 17 h |
| Kirkwall, Orkney | 51°F | 47°F | 2.8 in | 17 h |
| Cobh (for Cork) | 60°F | 48°F | 3.1 in | 16 h |
| Liverpool | 59°F | 47°F | 2.4 in | 16 h |
| Portree, Isle of Skye | 54°F | 47°F | 3.6 in | 17 h |
| Lerwick, Shetland | 49°F | 46°F | 2.4 in | 17 h |
| St Peter Port, Guernsey | 56°F | 53°F | 1.8 in | 15 h |
| Southampton (London) | 63°F | 47°F | 2.0 in | 16 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
British Isles in May: FAQs
Is May a good time to cruise British Isles?
Yes, it's a good month. Bluebells carpet the woodlands and gardens in Cornwall, Ireland and western Scotland look their best. Puffins return to the sea cliffs of Orkney and Shetland. Days are long and often drier than midsummer, with highs around 57–61°F (14–16°C), and ships are less crowded before the school holidays.
What is the weather like on a British Isles cruise in May?
Across British Isles cruise ports, May brings average highs around 57°F (14°C) and lows near 47°F, with about 2.6 inches of rain over the month and roughly 16 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a British Isles cruise in May?
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 May?
May is also a top month for Bahamas, Bermuda, Hawaii, Pacific Coastal, Galápagos Islands.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.