Best time to cruise · Good time to go
Southern Caribbean cruises in May
St. Lucia’s arts and music festival season usually lands in May, and the Windward Islands enjoy the last dry weeks before the rains. It’s hot and humid on the volcanic islands but still breezy in the ABCs. Fewer ships are based in San Juan, and fares on longer Florida sailings are noticeably lower.
- Good time to go
- Avg high 83°F
- 13 hrs daylight
Photo: UpstateNYer, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Southern Caribbean in May: Good time to go
St. Lucia’s arts and music festival season usually lands in May, and the Windward Islands enjoy the last dry weeks before the rains. It’s hot and humid on the volcanic islands but still breezy in the ABCs. Fewer ships are based in San Juan, and fares on longer Florida sailings are noticeably lower.
Across Southern Caribbean cruise ports, May brings average highs around 83°F (29°C) and lows near 81°F, with about 2.3 inches of rain over the month and roughly 13 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Good 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
- 83°F / 81°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 2.3 in
- Daylight
- About 13 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 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: 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 May
| 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 |
May weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aruba | 83°F | 81°F | 0.9 in | 13 h |
| Curaçao | 82°F | 81°F | 0.3 in | 13 h |
| Bonaire | 82°F | 81°F | 0.3 in | 13 h |
| Barbados | 83°F | 81°F | 1.4 in | 13 h |
| St. Lucia | 84°F | 81°F | 1.3 in | 13 h |
| Grenada | 83°F | 81°F | 2.7 in | 13 h |
| Dominica | 83°F | 80°F | 2.8 in | 13 h |
| Martinique | 83°F | 81°F | 1.7 in | 13 h |
| San Juan | 87°F | 79°F | 4.1 in | 13 h |
| Antigua | 82°F | 80°F | 2.6 in | 13 h |
| Guadeloupe | 83°F | 80°F | 3.1 in | 13 h |
| Cartagena | 87°F | 82°F | 6.7 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
Southern Caribbean in May: FAQs
Is May a good time to cruise Southern Caribbean?
Yes, it's a good month. St. Lucia’s arts and music festival season usually lands in May, and the Windward Islands enjoy the last dry weeks before the rains. It’s hot and humid on the volcanic islands but still breezy in the ABCs. Fewer ships are based in San Juan, and fares on longer Florida sailings are noticeably lower.
What is the weather like on a Southern Caribbean cruise in May?
Across Southern Caribbean cruise ports, May brings average highs around 83°F (29°C) and lows near 81°F, with about 2.3 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 Southern 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 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 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.