Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Southern Caribbean cruises in January
January is dry across the Windward Islands, and the ABC islands are breezy, sunny and in the mid-80s °F. Curaçao opens its long Carnival season with the Tumba Festival, a music contest that crowns the year’s road march, and Aruba’s first parades follow. Barbados and San Juan departures are in full swing, and the first half of the month offers better fares than the holidays.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 82°F
- 11 hrs daylight
Photo: UpstateNYer, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Southern Caribbean in January: Best time to go
January is dry across the Windward Islands, and the ABC islands are breezy, sunny and in the mid-80s °F. Curaçao opens its long Carnival season with the Tumba Festival, a music contest that crowns the year’s road march, and Aruba’s first parades follow. Barbados and San Juan departures are in full swing, and the first half of the month offers better fares than the holidays.
Across Southern Caribbean cruise ports, January brings average highs around 82°F (28°C) and lows near 79°F, with about 1.4 inches of rain over the month and roughly 11 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Best time to go
- Season
- Year-round; best December to April. The ABC islands stay a good bet even in hurricane season (June 1 to November 30).
- Average high / low
- 82°F / 79°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 1.4 in
- Daylight
- About 11 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7 nights from San Juan; 8 to 14 nights 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 January 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: Good time to go
- 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
Southern Caribbean weather in January
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 8228 | 8228 | 8228 | 8328 | 8329 | 8429 | 8429 | 8530 | 8630 | 8530 | 8429 | 8328 |
| Low °F (°C) | 7926 | 7826 | 7826 | 7926 | 8127 | 8127 | 8228 | 8228 | 8328 | 8328 | 8228 | 8027 |
| Rain in (mm) | 1.436 | 1.026 | 1.229 | 1.538 | 2.359 | 3.077 | 3.282 | 3.794 | 3.999 | 4.8121 | 4.8121 | 2.052 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 |
January weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aruba | 82°F | 79°F | 0.9 in | 12 h |
| Curaçao | 81°F | 79°F | 1.3 in | 12 h |
| Bonaire | 81°F | 79°F | 1.2 in | 12 h |
| Barbados | 81°F | 79°F | 1.1 in | 11 h |
| St. Lucia | 82°F | 79°F | 0.9 in | 11 h |
| Grenada | 81°F | 80°F | 2.7 in | 12 h |
| Dominica | 81°F | 78°F | 1.8 in | 11 h |
| Martinique | 81°F | 79°F | 1.3 in | 11 h |
| San Juan | 83°F | 76°F | 1.8 in | 11 h |
| Antigua | 80°F | 78°F | 1.7 in | 11 h |
| Guadeloupe | 80°F | 78°F | 2.0 in | 11 h |
| Cartagena | 86°F | 79°F | 0.4 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 January
- Caribbean in January
- Eastern Caribbean in January
- Western Caribbean in January
- Hawaii in January
- Mexican Riviera & Baja in January
- Panama Canal & Central America in January
- South America in January
- Galápagos Islands in January
- Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles in January
- Antarctica in January
See every destination for January, with a port weather map →
Southern Caribbean in January: FAQs
Is January a good time to cruise Southern Caribbean?
Yes, it's one of the best months. January is dry across the Windward Islands, and the ABC islands are breezy, sunny and in the mid-80s °F. Curaçao opens its long Carnival season with the Tumba Festival, a music contest that crowns the year’s road march, and Aruba’s first parades follow. Barbados and San Juan departures are in full swing, and the first half of the month offers better fares than the holidays.
What is the weather like on a Southern Caribbean cruise in January?
Across Southern Caribbean cruise ports, January brings average highs around 82°F (28°C) and lows near 79°F, with about 1.4 inches of rain over the month and roughly 11 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Southern Caribbean cruise in January?
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 Southern Caribbean?
Year-round; best December to April. The ABC islands stay a good bet even in hurricane season (June 1 to November 30).. The best months are usually January, February, March, April, December.
Where else can I cruise in January?
January is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexican Riviera & Baja.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.