Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Eastern Caribbean cruises in March
Early March brings the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, when well over a hundred yachts race around the island and Philipsburg parties for days. The weather stays reliably dry, the last humpbacks linger off Samaná, and spring break fills sailings from Florida. Magens Bay and Orient Bay get busy, so head out on the first tender or taxi.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 81°F
- 12 hrs daylight
Photo: Fred Hsu ( Wikipedia:User:Fred Hsu on en.wikipedia ), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Eastern Caribbean in March: Best time to go
Early March brings the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, when well over a hundred yachts race around the island and Philipsburg parties for days. The weather stays reliably dry, the last humpbacks linger off Samaná, and spring break fills sailings from Florida. Magens Bay and Orient Bay get busy, so head out on the first tender or taxi.
Across Eastern Caribbean cruise ports, March brings average highs around 81°F (27°C) and lows near 76°F, with about 1.4 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 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
- 81°F / 76°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 1.4 in
- Daylight
- About 12 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 March 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 March
| 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 |
March weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Thomas | 80°F | 78°F | 1.0 in | 12 h |
| St. Maarten | 80°F | 78°F | 0.5 in | 12 h |
| San Juan | 84°F | 75°F | 2.2 in | 12 h |
| Puerto Plata (Amber Cove & Taíno Bay) | 82°F | 75°F | 2.2 in | 12 h |
| Tortola | 80°F | 78°F | 0.8 in | 12 h |
| St. Kitts | 80°F | 78°F | 0.7 in | 12 h |
| Antigua | 80°F | 78°F | 1.1 in | 12 h |
| Grand Turk | 78°F | 77°F | 1.1 in | 12 h |
| St. Croix | 80°F | 78°F | 0.8 in | 12 h |
| Virgin Gorda | 80°F | 78°F | 0.8 in | 12 h |
| Samaná | 87°F | 73°F | 2.3 in | 12 h |
| La Romana & Catalina Island | 87°F | 74°F | 2.5 in | 12 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 March
Eastern Caribbean in March: FAQs
Is March a good time to cruise Eastern Caribbean?
Yes, it's one of the best months. Early March brings the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, when well over a hundred yachts race around the island and Philipsburg parties for days. The weather stays reliably dry, the last humpbacks linger off Samaná, and spring break fills sailings from Florida. Magens Bay and Orient Bay get busy, so head out on the first tender or taxi.
What is the weather like on a Eastern Caribbean cruise in March?
Across Eastern Caribbean cruise ports, March brings average highs around 81°F (27°C) and lows near 76°F, with about 1.4 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Eastern Caribbean cruise in March?
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 March?
March is also a top month for Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Bahamas, Hawaii.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.