Best time to cruise · Shoulder season
Southern Caribbean cruises in September
September is the wettest month on many of the volcanic islands, and Dominica, Martinique and Guadeloupe sit on the path of long-track Atlantic storms. The ABC islands, by contrast, are usually calm and dry, with the warmest, clearest water of the year around Bonaire. Very few ships sail from San Juan, and fares are at their lowest.
- Shoulder season
- Avg high 86°F
- 12 hrs daylight
Photo: UpstateNYer, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Southern Caribbean in September: Shoulder season
September is the wettest month on many of the volcanic islands, and Dominica, Martinique and Guadeloupe sit on the path of long-track Atlantic storms. The ABC islands, by contrast, are usually calm and dry, with the warmest, clearest water of the year around Bonaire. Very few ships sail from San Juan, and fares are at their lowest.
Across Southern Caribbean cruise ports, September brings average highs around 86°F (30°C) and lows near 83°F, with about 3.9 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Shoulder season
- 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
- 86°F / 83°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 3.9 in
- Daylight
- About 12 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 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: 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 September
| 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 |
September weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aruba | 86°F | 83°F | 1.3 in | 12 h |
| Curaçao | 85°F | 83°F | 1.1 in | 12 h |
| Bonaire | 85°F | 83°F | 1.1 in | 12 h |
| Barbados | 85°F | 83°F | 3.2 in | 12 h |
| St. Lucia | 86°F | 83°F | 2.9 in | 12 h |
| Grenada | 85°F | 84°F | 4.8 in | 12 h |
| Dominica | 85°F | 83°F | 5.8 in | 12 h |
| Martinique | 86°F | 83°F | 3.9 in | 12 h |
| San Juan | 88°F | 81°F | 6.3 in | 12 h |
| Antigua | 85°F | 83°F | 4.6 in | 12 h |
| Guadeloupe | 85°F | 83°F | 5.7 in | 12 h |
| Cartagena | 86°F | 82°F | 6.1 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 →
Southern Caribbean in September: FAQs
Is September a good time to cruise Southern Caribbean?
It can be, as a shoulder-season month. September is the wettest month on many of the volcanic islands, and Dominica, Martinique and Guadeloupe sit on the path of long-track Atlantic storms. The ABC islands, by contrast, are usually calm and dry, with the warmest, clearest water of the year around Bonaire. Very few ships sail from San Juan, and fares are at their lowest.
What is the weather like on a Southern Caribbean cruise in September?
Across Southern Caribbean cruise ports, September brings average highs around 86°F (30°C) and lows near 83°F, with about 3.9 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 Southern 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. 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 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.