Traditionally summer in the Bahamas has always been eerily quiet. Starting at the end of May, seasonal boaters got out of dodge in the event of impending hurricanes. Residents grabbed the kids and headed north on vacations to beat the heat. In September and October restaurants, hotels and shops close completely for repair and maintenance because there isn’t enough traffic worth keeping the lights on for. But now we’re seeing an increase of visitors throughout the early summer months, and there doesn’t even seem to be much of a change in some places between what was typically “high season” and “low season”.
On most islands throughout the Bahamas, peak-peak season is Christmastime through New Years, and Spring Break (March & April and Easter Weekend). But if you talk to rental home owners or resort managers throughout the islands, you’ll hear that May and June are starting to warrant high season rates. While I was researching for my Out Island Retreat, I was surprised to hear from folks in both Abaco and Eleuthera that May was considered high season. I still wouldn’t bet on taking your vacation in late summer during peak hurricane season from the end of August until the end of October, but you may be pleasantly surprised for what you find in May, June and July.
What to expect?
Those of us that live here probably won’t be seen baring our skin and getting into the water until about June because obviously, the water is just too cold. I relished in having my first swim of the season the other day with a wonderfully refreshing lack of goosebumps. In the summer, the water temperatures rise into the 80’s with air temperatures in the 90’s. Despite the oppressive heat and humidity, I probably spend more time outside throughout the summer months. It depends greatly where you are coming from, but the weather here seems to be no less oppressive than parts of the Southern United States, and at least we have the gentle breezes from the ocean.
With the advent of summer, we enter “wet season,” which doesn’t mean monsoon season, it just means that the heat of the day causes evaporation and we often get afternoon showers and thunderstorms that pass as quickly as they begin. I love the dynamic clouds, the ominous thunderheads that loom and threaten, and the light sparkling off the water. The striking brick-red poincianas begin to bloom with the appearance of the rain, bougainvillaea spills over sun-bleached walls, and all of the plants seems to explode with vibrancy.
Reasons to Visit
If you’re worried about the heat, just remember that we have this amazing invention called air conditioning. I can’t imagine living in the islands 100 years ago without it, but in our modern, civilized society, we can migrate from air-conditioned living space to air-conditioned vehicle, to air-conditioned restaurant with ease. One of the most intoxicating sensations is feeling the sun-kissed afterglow of the skin after a day at the beach, and then returning home, cranking down the AC, drawing the shades and taking a cool shower to wash the sun and sea away.
The reverse in the wintertime: teeth chattering after a day of kiteboarding with a full wetsuit, cranking the hot water up and revitalizing my senses with a steamy shower.
Get Wet
Summer is the best time of the year to get in and on the water. Visitors bare the elements boating from Nassau to the Exumas to see those swimming pigs all throughout the winter months when there’s a reasonably high likelihood there may be a cold front blowing through bringing gale-force winds and brisk temperatures. In the summer local residents hop on their boats at every opportunity to head to the Out Islands for the day or the weekend. Boaters from Florida head over to the closer islands to mainland United States such as Bimini, the Abacos and Grand Bahama. The wind will die off to a gentle breeze, and you’ll easily find that your favorite leisure activity is floating in the water within a few feet of a sandy beach.
Beaching in Solitude
Picture the South of France in July – colorful umbrellas jammed together so tightly you can hardly walk between them, and finding a square foot of sand is precious real estate. Now picture the most beautiful white sandy beach you’ve ever seen, with crystal clear, flat-calm water beckoning you for a swim. On a “busy beach” here in the Bahamas in July, you’ll spot a few other umbrellas. Do I even bother asking which one sounds more inviting?
In the summertime, most residents are out on their boats, so the beaches are fairly vacant. There are a select few beaches that locals congregate at, setting up elaborate BBQ’s with tents and music, but that’s generally reserved for holiday weekends (we have on average one per month, so just keep your eye out!) Most other times, you’ll have the beach to yourself, especially in the Out Islands.
The Med vs The Bahamas in July. Which beach would you prefer?
Best Hotel Rates
As mentioned, May still warrants higher rates, and you’ll probably still get shoulder season rates throughout June and July, but for the best rates check August through November. Be sure to do your research on whatever island you’re looking at visiting because often times local restaurants and shops close Sept-Oct. Grocery stores will stay open, so an Airbandb might be a good option if you are fine with cooking for yourself and want to enjoy some peace and quiet.
You’ll also want to keep an eye out for tropical storms and hurricanes during that time, so you may want to consider travel insurance in case a storm disrupts your travel. Even if we don’t see a direct hit from a hurricane, a lot of hotels cancel guest reservations as a precautionary as they board up and prepare for the worst. Oftentimes flights will stop importing passengers too. But if you’re willing to take the gamble, you’ll enjoy the best bargain rates of the year.
Fewer Crowds
Even though the Bahamas is being discovered as a summertime destination, you’re still going to have fewer crowds wherever you go. Making last-minute reservations at your favorite restaurant won’t be a problem. If you’ve visited Harbour Island during a busy holiday time frame, you’ll notice it’s almost cutthroat finding a golf cart to rent or making dinner reservations. If you don’t need to rub shoulders other tourists and you’d rather enjoy peace and quiet, the summer months are definitely the way to go.
For more information on traveling to and within the Bahamas, be sure to check out Moon Bahamas travel guide.
You forgot us Mariah, Great Harbour Cay and the Berry Islands are really close to Florida too, and even more unspoilt !!!