Best time to cruise · Good time to go
Caribbean cruises in May
May is a value month on every route. It’s hot but not yet stormy, schools are still in session, and ships feel noticeably roomier before Memorial Day. The wild card is sargassum, a floating seaweed that can pile up on some Mexican and east-facing beaches from late spring through summer; it varies enormously from year to year and from one beach to the next.
- Good time to go
- Avg high 83°F
- 13 hrs daylight
Photo: Clavius66, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Caribbean in May: Good time to go
May is a value month on every route. It’s hot but not yet stormy, schools are still in session, and ships feel noticeably roomier before Memorial Day. The wild card is sargassum, a floating seaweed that can pile up on some Mexican and east-facing beaches from late spring through summer; it varies enormously from year to year and from one beach to the next.
Across Caribbean cruise ports, May brings average highs around 83°F (29°C) and lows near 81°F, with about 2.4 inches of rain over the month and roughly 13 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Good time to go
- Season
- Year-round; driest and busiest December to April. Hurricane season June 1 to November 30, most active August to October.
- Average high / low
- 83°F / 81°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 2.4 in
- Daylight
- About 13 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 4 to 7 nights; 8 to 12 nights for most Southern Caribbean routes from Florida
What to pack: light, breathable clothes, swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen, plus a light layer for air-conditioned rooms.
How May compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Best time to go
- Feb: Best time to go
- Mar: Best time to go
- Apr: Best time to go
- May: Good 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: Best time to go
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Caribbean weather in May
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 8027 | 8027 | 8127 | 8228 | 8329 | 8429 | 8529 | 8530 | 8630 | 8529 | 8328 | 8228 |
| Low °F (°C) | 7725 | 7725 | 7825 | 7926 | 8127 | 8228 | 8228 | 8328 | 8328 | 8228 | 8127 | 7926 |
| Rain in (mm) | 2.154 | 1.334 | 1.334 | 1.435 | 2.460 | 4.0101 | 3.179 | 3.793 | 4.1104 | 5.6143 | 5.3136 | 2.769 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 |
May weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cozumel | 85°F | 80°F | 3.1 in | 13 h |
| St. Thomas | 82°F | 81°F | 2.2 in | 13 h |
| St. Maarten | 82°F | 80°F | 1.7 in | 13 h |
| Grand Cayman | 83°F | 82°F | 2.7 in | 13 h |
| Roatán | 83°F | 82°F | 3.3 in | 13 h |
| Costa Maya | 85°F | 82°F | 3.0 in | 13 h |
| San Juan | 87°F | 79°F | 4.1 in | 13 h |
| Aruba | 83°F | 81°F | 0.9 in | 13 h |
| Curaçao | 82°F | 81°F | 0.3 in | 13 h |
| Barbados | 83°F | 81°F | 1.4 in | 13 h |
| St. Lucia | 84°F | 81°F | 1.3 in | 13 h |
| Perfect Day at CocoCay | 80°F | 78°F | 4.4 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
Caribbean in May: FAQs
Is May a good time to cruise Caribbean?
Yes, it's a good month. May is a value month on every route. It’s hot but not yet stormy, schools are still in session, and ships feel noticeably roomier before Memorial Day. The wild card is sargassum, a floating seaweed that can pile up on some Mexican and east-facing beaches from late spring through summer; it varies enormously from year to year and from one beach to the next.
What is the weather like on a Caribbean cruise in May?
Across Caribbean cruise ports, May brings average highs around 83°F (29°C) and lows near 81°F, with about 2.4 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 Caribbean cruise in May?
Pack light, breathable clothes, swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen, plus a light layer for air-conditioned rooms. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Caribbean?
Year-round; driest and busiest December to April. Hurricane season June 1 to November 30, most active August to October.. The best months are usually January, February, March, April, December.
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.