Best time to cruise · Shoulder season
Eastern Caribbean cruises in September
September is the riskiest month here: St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Tortola and Puerto Rico were all struck by Hurricane Irma or Maria in September 2017, and have long since rebuilt. It’s also the emptiest month, with quiet beaches and the lowest fares. Many St. Barts restaurants and shops close for their annual break, and some tour operators cut back.
- Shoulder season
- Avg high 86°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 September: Shoulder season
September is the riskiest month here: St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Tortola and Puerto Rico were all struck by Hurricane Irma or Maria in September 2017, and have long since rebuilt. It’s also the emptiest month, with quiet beaches and the lowest fares. Many St. Barts restaurants and shops close for their annual break, and some tour operators cut back.
Across Eastern Caribbean cruise ports, September brings average highs around 86°F (30°C) and lows near 82°F, with about 4.5 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Shoulder season
- Season
- Year-round; best December to April. This route is the most exposed to Atlantic hurricanes, especially August to October.
- Average high / low
- 86°F / 82°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 4.5 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. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket.
How September 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 September
| 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 |
September weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Thomas | 85°F | 83°F | 4.2 in | 12 h |
| St. Maarten | 85°F | 83°F | 2.8 in | 12 h |
| San Juan | 88°F | 81°F | 6.3 in | 12 h |
| Puerto Plata (Amber Cove & Taíno Bay) | 87°F | 82°F | 4.2 in | 12 h |
| Tortola | 85°F | 83°F | 3.1 in | 12 h |
| St. Kitts | 85°F | 83°F | 3.1 in | 12 h |
| Antigua | 85°F | 83°F | 4.6 in | 12 h |
| Grand Turk | 85°F | 83°F | 2.6 in | 12 h |
| St. Croix | 85°F | 84°F | 4.1 in | 12 h |
| Virgin Gorda | 85°F | 83°F | 3.1 in | 12 h |
| Samaná | 90°F | 79°F | 7.1 in | 12 h |
| La Romana & Catalina Island | 89°F | 79°F | 8.6 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 September
- Hawaii in September
- Canada & New England in September
- Pacific Coastal in September
- Mediterranean in September
- Western Mediterranean in September
- Eastern Mediterranean & Adriatic in September
- Greek Isles in September
- Western Europe in September
- Tahiti & the South Pacific in September
- Danube River in September
See every destination for September, with a port weather map →
Eastern Caribbean in September: FAQs
Is September a good time to cruise Eastern Caribbean?
It can be, as a shoulder-season month. September is the riskiest month here: St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Tortola and Puerto Rico were all struck by Hurricane Irma or Maria in September 2017, and have long since rebuilt. It’s also the emptiest month, with quiet beaches and the lowest fares. Many St. Barts restaurants and shops close for their annual break, and some tour operators cut back.
What is the weather like on a Eastern Caribbean cruise in September?
Across Eastern Caribbean cruise ports, September brings average highs around 86°F (30°C) and lows near 82°F, with about 4.5 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 September?
Pack light, breathable clothes, swimwear, a sun hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen, plus a light layer for air-conditioned rooms. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket. 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 September?
September is also a top month for Hawaii, Canada & New England, Pacific Coastal, Mediterranean, Western Mediterranean.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.