General Weather Conditions
The Cayman Islands is in the northeast trade wind belt of the Caribbean and enjoys a stable climate. Cool winter nights and hot summer days are the year-round norm, influenced only occasionally by winter storms known as Nor'westers, or, a tropical storm or hurricane threat every few years. Summer humidity can be uncomfortable, but the cool sea breezes at night usually bring relief.

The Cayman Islands bask in tropical warmth year-round.  While much of the Western Hemisphere is blanketed by snow, dark clouds or persistent rain, the islands are bathed in warm sunshine and cooling breeze.  There are two seasons; the ‘wet’ (June-November) and the ‘dry’ (December – May).  Luckily for the flora and fauna on the island, it does rain occasionally, especially in May and October, the first and last months of the “rainy” season, otherwise these islands would be a barren waste. However, showers are usually brief, and the sky remains gloriously blue for most of the time.

What about hurricanes?
Tropical storms and hurricanes are a fact of life in the Caribbean, but large storms are infrequent and the weather is constantly monitored. So, don’t let the remote chance of a hurricane stop you from coming, but be wise and purchase travel insurance just in case. This will ensure that, if the worst comes to worst, you don’t lose the money for the whole trip and it will also cover you if you are forced to evacuate. Bear in mind that you won't be able to make a claim if you purchased travel insurance after a hurricane was already forecasted and named, so get it when you make your travel plans. If you want to keep informed on possible storms approaching, visit CaymanPrepared.ky or check the local online news.

When to travel?
The simple answer to this is - anytime!
There are two principal seasons; the ‘rainy’ season, or summer (June – November) and the ‘dry’ season, or winter (December - May).  There isn't a bad time to come to the Cayman Islands, unless you happen to encounter a hurricane. However, you can minimize the chance of that happening by visiting outside hurricane season, which runs 1 June to 30 November. Visitors are willing to pay premium prices to flee the cold back home in the winter months, and a nice warm Christmas and New Year are always popular, and therefore more expensive. During the summer months you’ll find bargain airfare and cheaper accommodation, and the Islands are only slightly hotter. September and October are the slowest months of the year for tourism – and some people like to travel then precisely because everything is less crowded. The weather is generally very humid in the rainy season, and can at times be quite muggy. Expect to sweat a lot, especially in Little Cayman.  The rainy season also encompasses the months when hurricanes and tropical storms have a greater chance of forming and possibly hitting the islands.  Do not be fooled in to thinking that the dry season will be completely rain-free!  There is always a chance of rain, but it seldom lasts more than an hour.  Water temperatures are also slightly cooler in the dry season.  In terms of the tourism trade - the dry season is the high season. 

Caribbean Sunshine
The temperature here varies little throughout the year, averaging 75 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and 85 degrees in the summer, and generally stays within the range of 70-90 degrees. Most visitors remember to wear sunscreen when the sun is out or if they’re spending time on the beach, but the time most people get burned is when there a little cloud cover, or when they’re out and about shopping or sightseeing. To avoid painful sunburn, always wear a high factor sunblock and keep reapplying throughout the day. Wear a hat and make sure your kids wear one too! Heatstroke is no fun, so avoid going out at the hottest part of the day if you can, and always remember to drink plenty of water (not soft drinks) all day long to keep hydrated.

Click for 10-day weather Forecast for the Cayman Islands

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (1)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Name

Email

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment Preview