Major Events In The Bahamas
Now that youre well versed with Bahamian weather, now comes the fun part. Bahamians love to share their very mixed culture, and for this reason, there are a wide range of activities happening in the islands throughout the year. Here are some of the most popular events which may help you decide on the best time to visit:
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Which Cruise Lines Go To The Bahamas
A huge variety of cruise lines visit The Bahamas for short weekend cruises or as part of longer, warm-weather itineraries. Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and Bahamas Paradise are just a few of the cruise lines who routinely stop in Nassau or Freeport. Most of cruise lines’ private islands are located within The Bahamas.
Should I Cruise In The Caribbean During Hurricane Season
Cruising during hurricane season may sound scary, but it is not as crazy as it may seem.
Hurricane season runs between June 1 and November 30, and it is the time of year when we typically see tropical storms form in the Caribbean. The most common months to see hurricanes are in August and September. Of course, that does not mean there is a hurricane every day, nor does it mean when there is one, the entire Caribbean is affected.
First and foremost, Royal Caribbean employs a Chief Meteorologist to track every disturbance and storm out there, and provide guidance to each cruise ship on how to best avoid the storm.
Royal Caribbean will absolutely, positively, avoid the path of any hurricane. Itineraries will be flipped, swapped or completely changed to avoid going anywhere near the storm. The cruise line has said time and time again that the safety of its guests, crew and ships are vital, and they will not send their vessels near any hurricane.
In rare situations, entire sailings have been cancelled if the path of the storm rules out any possibility of a ship making it in or out of its homeport.
The top reason to cruise during hurricane season is it will cost you a lot less to cruise during this time of year, and the likelihood of a storm directly impacting your cruise is low. Moreover, your ship will not go in or near any storm.
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Best Budget: Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line
- Sails from: Port of Palm Beach
- Duration: 2 nights
- Itinerary: Grand Bahama Island, Port of Palm Beach
If youre looking for a short getaway to blow off steam and let your hair down, then Grand Celebration might be for you. The cruise line operates a regular schedule of short overnight cruises to Grand Bahama Island , but with many attractions found on a cruise ship, including live nightly entertainment in the theater, sail away shows and parties, a steel-drum band, spa, and casino. Most cabins are standard interior or oceanview categories with a handful of suites, and pricing is very budget-minded. While these ships lack the bells and whistles of some of the other cruise ships, theres fun to be had onboard during quick getaways from the Port of Palm Beach.
When Is The Best Time To Sail The Caribbean
Read our expert advice on the best time of year to visit the Caribbean in a luxury yacht. Abundant sunshine, turquoise waters, year-round warm temperatures, and ideal sailing conditions make the Caribbean a top choice for a sailing holiday. From the southern tip of Florida to South America, the Caribbeans thousands of islands provide a surplus of destinations each with unique culture, experiences, and appeals.
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Best And Worst Times To Visit The Bahamas
The best time to visit the Bahamas is usually April to early May. But it depends on whether visitors want to stay mostly on land or mostly in the water.
The Bahamas islands are part of the Caribbean in one way and not in another. They are the most popular place to visit on Caribbean cruises, but they are not actually in the Caribbean Sea.
Their location to the north of the Caribbean and to the east of Florida makes their weather cooler than most other Caribbean islands.
What they do share in common is the Caribbean hurricane season from June 1 to Nov. 30 every year. They also share the heavy rains, high winds and damaging weather that comes with hurricanes and tropical storms.
| The best time to visit the Bahamas is May because of warm temperatures and lower risk of rain. |
Historically, May is the best month to visit the Bahamas for warmer temperatures and low risk of rain, according to data from the Bahamas Department of Meteorology.
That said, we took a cruise to the Bahamas in May of one year and had clouds and rain all week. The rainfall and temperature charts below show the levels of risk for each month.
Ride A Bahama Jet Boat
Another activity for thrill-seekers, a ride on a Bahama Jet Boat is an incredibly fun experience. You will see Nassaus coastline in an ultra-fast ride full of twists and turns. The 24-passenger boat will provide an hour of safe, fun, and exciting site seeing while zipping through the pristine waters of the Bahamas. These things are fast, but the captains are well trained. Get your heart racing, and try it out if you want an excursion in Nassau that will get your adrenaline pumping.
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Climb The Queens Staircase
Carved out of solid limestone by slaves in the late 1700s, the Queens Staircase consists of 66 steps that lead to the highest point of the island, Fort Fincastle. The stairs were named after Queen Victoria for her part in abolishing slavery in the Bahamas.
Fort Fincastle overlooks the city of Nassau and the front of it is shaped like the bow of a ship. Its a great historical tour that allows you to see the cannons and fortifications of a different era.
Some of the Nassau tours will take you to this iconic location on the island . I have actually walked there from the port as well, although its a fairly long walk.
What Is The Bahamas Famous For
Now that you have learned a thing or two about the Bahamas, its time to dive deep into the Bahamian culture.
Festivals and lots of other fun-filled activities actually happen in the Bahamas all year long.
If you have ever wondered why people love going to the Bahamas, weve got the answer for you. Heres why the Bahamas is very popular among tourists:
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Eight Rookie Mistakes To Avoid In The Bahamas
The Bahamas offers an idyllic getaway with beautiful beaches, crystal clear water and a slew of relaxing activities. Its no surprise, then, that this is one of the Caribbeans most popular vacation destinations.
However, just like any other country, there is a list of first-timer mistakes you should avoid while visiting.
Here are eight tips on how to stay safe and make the most of your time in the Bahamas.
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1. TRAVELLING DURING HURRICANE SEASON IN THE BAHAMAS
This is a tough one because there can be some great prices, low crowds and potentially fantastic weather in the off-season. That being said, June through November is the official hurricane season in the Bahamas, so youll likely want to avoid this time of year, if possible.
If youre going to take your chances and visit during the storm season, monitor local reports and check with your airline to ensure your travel plans wont experience any delays. Travellers should also get insurance during these months to protect their trip investment. Travel insurance provides reimbursement for pre-paid, non-refundable expenses, if you need to cancel a trip for a covered reason, such as damage to your resort from a recent hurricane.
2. RIDING IN UNMARKED TAXIS IN THE BAHAMAS
3. TAKING A CRUISE TO THE BAHAMAS
4. STICKING TO THE ATLANTIS IN THE BAHAMAS
5. EXPECTING PUNCTUALITY ON THE ISLAND
6. TRANSACTING WITH BEACH VENDORS IN THE BAHAMAS
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What To Pack For A Bahamas Cruise In July
With added humidity, it is likely to feel like it is in the 90s to low 100s, so summer attire will be your daily staples. Since it will be exceedingly warm, packing more than 2 swimsuits is suggested. Pack the staples mentioned above and at least one pair of casual pants and one long-sleeved shirt or lightweight cover-uppashmina, sweatshirt, light jacket.
Dont forget to pack excursion-specific attire and attire for the dining room dress code. Feel free to repeat your dining attire. Make sure you have an outfit that can be worn to the semi-formal onboard activities. For example, if you want to go to the art exhibit or English Tea time, a sundress would be okbut not your swimsuit and shorts.
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Taking A Cruise In July
Pros: Like June, youll find warm and sunny days filling July. And with the kids out of classes, youll have the opportunity to sail without missing school, making it an ideal time to cruise if you are traveling with kids. And while it is warm in the Caribbean, regular afternoon pop-up showers can help cool things off during the heat of the afternoon. This also represents the height of the Alaskan cruise season, offering the most options of the year.
Cons: The biggest negative will sailing in July is weather. On sunny days, it can get downright hot in many Caribbean ports. If you arent used to the heat and humidity, it can be draining. As well, you should start to look out for hurricanes and tropical storms during July especially if traveling later in the month. While cruise ships will usually avoid any storms, they can be unpredictable and cause changes to your itinerary.
The Bahamas In A Nutshell
Located to the East of Florida, the islands of the Bahamas have always been promoted as the ultimate vacation destination. This tropical archipelago is blessed with a natural beauty that is almost beyond belief, and coupled with its melting pot of people, features sights and sounds that are packed with a unique history and culture.
Also read:The most beautiful beaches in the Bahamas.
Many of the islands of the Bahamas remain uninhabited. That in no way slows the flowing traffic of curious tourists because of its proximity to the United States, the islands have a constant flow of arrivals from the US. Most visitors arrive via the Lynden Pindling International Airport by plane.
Popular island destinations in the Bahamas include New Providence Island , Grand Bahama Island, The Exumas, The Abacos, Eleuthera, Long Island, Harbor Island, and San Salvador Island.
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Best Months To Go To The Bahamas
People who enjoy beaches and the ocean will find that the rainy season months have the best temperatures for swimming.
The average high temperature in Nassau reaches nearly 90 degrees Fahrenheit or 32 Celsius from July through September.
Visitors who are daring enough to visit during those months will find that temperatures are comfortable enough for sunning and swimming. But they also risk higher than average rainfall.
The best month for a combination of higher temperatures and lower risk of rain is May. The average high temperature is 85 degrees Fahrenheit or 30 Celsius. Average rainfall is four inches.
People who prefer land activities such as golf and dont want to spend as much time at the beach will find that November through April are the best months to visit.
Average high temperatures hover in the upper 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit or mid 20s Celsius. Seawater is almost always too cool for swimming because of nighttime temperatures in the low 60s Fahrenheit or mid teens Celsius.
Sun And Fun: Water Sports
Nassau offers a multitude of activities focused around the archipelagos beautiful blue waters and magnificent natural environment. Just about every conceivable water sport is available to Nassau visitors via cruise ship excursion. This includes sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing and encounters with sea lions, dolphins, stingrays and pigs .
Other cruise ship tours feature glass-bottom and jet boat excursions, catamaran sailings paired with reef snorkeling, deep-sea fishing and exclusive beach days with private cabanas.
While the luxurious Baha Mar resort on Nassaus Cable Beach does not offer day passes, savvy and sybaritic cruisers will reserve a room for the day for access to the propertys premium facilities and amenities, including a private beach and beach club, motorized and nonmotorized watersports, a series of pools with shaded lounge chairs, cabanas and waterfall features. You can use 20,000 World of Hyatt points to book a day at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar. Or, spend 10,000 points plus $140. You can start earning points for your next vacation with the World of Hyatt Credit Card.
You can also look for a resort offering day passes.
Balmoral Island, Pearl Island and Sandy Toes also offer private-island experiences near Nassau.
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What To Pack For A Bahamas Cruise In November
With added humidity, it is likely to feel like it is in the 80s and 90s. Summer attire will be your daily staplesshorts, tanks, and swimwear. Since it will be exceedingly warm, packing more than 2 swimsuits is suggested. It is always a good idea to pack at least one pair of casual pants and one super lightweight cover-upa long sleeved shirt or pashmina will do.
Dont forget to pack excursion-specific attire and attire for the dining room dress code. Feel free to repeat your dining attire. Make sure you have an outfit that can be worn to the semi-formal onboard activities. For example, if you want to go to the art exhibit or English Tea time, a sundress would be okbut not your swimsuit and shorts.
One Day Trip From Florida To The Bahamas
From Fort Lauderdale to Grand Bahama, take a one-day Bahamas cruise.
The ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Bahama is one of the most popular options. When determining the distance, Grand Bahama is around 84 miles from Florida.
There are two ways to get to Grand Bahama via cruise ship. You can either take the ferry directly to Grand Bahama, which is the quickest but most expensive option, or you can stop in Bimini first.
Your day cruise to the Bahamas will leave Fort Lauderdales ferry port at 9 a.m. and land in Grand Bahamas city of Freeport at about 1:30 p.m. if you stop in Bimini in between. Due to the nature of the travel, it is frequently delayed. It takes about an hour to drop off all of the passengers who are day-tripping to Bimini during the layover in Bimini. The return voyage, which departs Freeport for Bimini at 5 p.m., is the same.
If you choose to travel directly to Freeport, you will depart at 9 a.m. and arrive around noon. The return ferry departs from Freeport at 6:30 p.m. and arrives in Florida at approximately 9:30 p.m.
The ferry operator recommends arriving two to three hours early at the ferry terminal for check-in and security lines, which is especially important to remember when returning to the US.
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The Best Weather In Bahamas
When you plan a Bahamas vacation, it is likely because you want to enjoy some fun in the sun. With an average of 300 days of sun each year, odds are in your favor that even if you travel during the off-season, most, if not all, of your days will be hot and sunny. If you dont enjoy high humidity, visit during the off-season, but if you enjoy the heat, travel June thru September.
One thing you must remember when looking at the average daily or monthly temperatures in the Bahamas is the peak daytime humidity can make the weather feel 10 or 20 degrees warmer than the actual temperature.
While everyone who travels to the Bahamas is in search of tropical weather, you want to plan your vacation during the time of year that offers the temperatures you find most appealing.
Top Bahamas Cruise Destinations And Shore Excursions
With so many cruise lines heading on a Bahamas cruise, youre bound to find your perfect ship and itinerary. Taking you to ports of call which allow you to explore the Bahamian way of life, as well as private islands depending on the cruise line you choose, get ready for the ultimate in sun, sea and relaxation.
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What About The Summer
In the summer, expect higher humidity, hotter temperatures, and more chances of rainfall. Beach days will be welcomed as the temperature and humidity levels can be quite high, and the pool deck will be a very popular spot on the ship.
Looking at a weather forecast in the summer can initially be a bit disappointing, as you will often see that the forecast shows rain every day. However, usually the rain does not last the entire day, and often lasts only an hour or so.
With kids out of school in the summer, you should expect to see more families onboard. Summer can be a great time for families to cruise because they do not have to rely on a school schedule, giving them more flexibility in cruise itinerary and length.
One advantage of cruising in the summer is that the ocean temperatures tend to be warmer than in the winter. While the water in the Caribbean usually stays quite comfortable, the water temperature can get chilly in more northerly Caribbean destinations during the winter. This is something that you will not have to worry about by selecting a cruise in the summer.
Another advantage of cruising in the summer months is that daylight hours are longer. Whereas in the winter it may get dark around 5:30PM, in the summertime, sunset may not be until 7 or 8PM, depending on where in the Caribbean you are sailing.