Best time to cruise · Good time to go
Eastern Caribbean cruises in May
May is quieter and warmer, with the rainy season a few weeks away and calm water ideal for snorkeling Trunk Bay or the reefs off Tortola. Ships carry fewer families until Memorial Day, and fares slide after Easter. The main nuisance is the occasional raft of sargassum washing onto windward, Atlantic-facing beaches.
- Good time to go
- Avg high 84°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 May: Good time to go
May is quieter and warmer, with the rainy season a few weeks away and calm water ideal for snorkeling Trunk Bay or the reefs off Tortola. Ships carry fewer families until Memorial Day, and fares slide after Easter. The main nuisance is the occasional raft of sargassum washing onto windward, Atlantic-facing beaches.
Across Eastern Caribbean cruise ports, May brings average highs around 84°F (29°C) and lows near 80°F, with about 2.8 inches of rain over the month and roughly 13 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Good 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
- 84°F / 80°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 2.8 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 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
Eastern Caribbean weather in May
| 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 |
May weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Thomas | 82°F | 81°F | 2.2 in | 13 h |
| St. Maarten | 82°F | 80°F | 1.7 in | 13 h |
| San Juan | 87°F | 79°F | 4.1 in | 13 h |
| Puerto Plata (Amber Cove & Taíno Bay) | 85°F | 78°F | 3.8 in | 13 h |
| Tortola | 82°F | 80°F | 1.8 in | 13 h |
| St. Kitts | 82°F | 80°F | 2.0 in | 13 h |
| Antigua | 82°F | 80°F | 2.6 in | 13 h |
| Grand Turk | 81°F | 80°F | 2.4 in | 13 h |
| St. Croix | 83°F | 81°F | 1.9 in | 13 h |
| Virgin Gorda | 82°F | 80°F | 1.8 in | 13 h |
| Samaná | 90°F | 76°F | 4.0 in | 13 h |
| La Romana & Catalina Island | 89°F | 78°F | 4.9 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
Eastern Caribbean in May: FAQs
Is May a good time to cruise Eastern Caribbean?
Yes, it's a good month. May is quieter and warmer, with the rainy season a few weeks away and calm water ideal for snorkeling Trunk Bay or the reefs off Tortola. Ships carry fewer families until Memorial Day, and fares slide after Easter. The main nuisance is the occasional raft of sargassum washing onto windward, Atlantic-facing beaches.
What is the weather like on a Eastern Caribbean cruise in May?
Across Eastern Caribbean cruise ports, May brings average highs around 84°F (29°C) and lows near 80°F, with about 2.8 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 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 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 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.