Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Eastern Caribbean cruises in April
Carnival season arrives. St. Maarten’s Dutch-side Carnival usually runs through the second half of April, and St. Thomas celebrates Virgin Islands Carnival around late April or early May with parades through Charlotte Amalie. Antigua Sailing Week fills English Harbour at the turn of the month. Sea temperatures climb toward 80 °F, and rain is still rare.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 83°F
- 13 hrs daylight
Photo: Fred Hsu ( Wikipedia:User:Fred Hsu on en.wikipedia ), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Eastern Caribbean in April: Best time to go
Carnival season arrives. St. Maarten’s Dutch-side Carnival usually runs through the second half of April, and St. Thomas celebrates Virgin Islands Carnival around late April or early May with parades through Charlotte Amalie. Antigua Sailing Week fills English Harbour at the turn of the month. Sea temperatures climb toward 80 °F, and rain is still rare.
Across Eastern Caribbean cruise ports, April brings average highs around 83°F (28°C) and lows near 78°F, with about 1.9 inches of rain over the month and roughly 13 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Best time to go
- Season
- Year-round; best December to April. This route is the most exposed to Atlantic hurricanes, especially August to October.
- Average high / low
- 83°F / 78°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 1.9 in
- Daylight
- About 13 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7 nights from Florida or San Juan; 8 to 12 nights from the Northeast
What to pack: light, breathable clothes, swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen, plus a light layer for air-conditioned rooms.
How April 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
Eastern Caribbean weather in April
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 8127 | 8127 | 8127 | 8328 | 8429 | 8529 | 8530 | 8630 | 8630 | 8630 | 8429 | 8228 |
| Low °F (°C) | 7725 | 7625 | 7625 | 7825 | 8026 | 8127 | 8228 | 8228 | 8228 | 8228 | 8027 | 7826 |
| Rain in (mm) | 1.539 | 1.539 | 1.434 | 1.948 | 2.870 | 2.255 | 2.870 | 3.486 | 4.5114 | 4.3109 | 5.0127 | 1.949 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 |
April weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Thomas | 81°F | 79°F | 1.5 in | 13 h |
| St. Maarten | 81°F | 79°F | 1.2 in | 13 h |
| San Juan | 86°F | 77°F | 3.2 in | 13 h |
| Puerto Plata (Amber Cove & Taíno Bay) | 83°F | 76°F | 2.4 in | 13 h |
| Tortola | 81°F | 79°F | 1.3 in | 13 h |
| St. Kitts | 81°F | 79°F | 1.5 in | 13 h |
| Antigua | 81°F | 79°F | 2.0 in | 13 h |
| Grand Turk | 79°F | 78°F | 1.1 in | 13 h |
| St. Croix | 81°F | 79°F | 1.3 in | 13 h |
| Virgin Gorda | 81°F | 79°F | 1.3 in | 13 h |
| Samaná | 89°F | 74°F | 2.8 in | 13 h |
| La Romana & Catalina Island | 89°F | 76°F | 3.0 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 April
Eastern Caribbean in April: FAQs
Is April a good time to cruise Eastern Caribbean?
Yes, it's one of the best months. Carnival season arrives. St. Maarten’s Dutch-side Carnival usually runs through the second half of April, and St. Thomas celebrates Virgin Islands Carnival around late April or early May with parades through Charlotte Amalie. Antigua Sailing Week fills English Harbour at the turn of the month. Sea temperatures climb toward 80 °F, and rain is still rare.
What is the weather like on a Eastern Caribbean cruise in April?
Across Eastern Caribbean cruise ports, April brings average highs around 83°F (28°C) and lows near 78°F, with about 1.9 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 Eastern Caribbean cruise in April?
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 Eastern Caribbean?
Year-round; best December to April. This route is the most exposed to Atlantic hurricanes, especially August to October.. The best months are usually January, February, March, April, December.
Where else can I cruise in April?
April is also a top month for Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Bahamas, Pacific Coastal.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.