Travel Tips

Why travelers are flocking to the Bahamas in winter (and what to do there)

Why is everyone escaping to the Bahamas in winter? From sun-drenched beaches and clear waters to vibrant festivals and boat trips, here’s why the Bahamas is the perfect winter getaway.

This winter, while the northern hemisphere is waking up to gray skies and icy winds, the Bahamas is basking in golden sunshine and 77°F (25°C) days.

In this slice of Caribbean heaven, winter is about powdery white beaches, turquoise seas, and long sunny days that dissolve every trace of the seasonal blues.

But it’s not just the warm weather and beautiful landscapes that make winter in the Bahamas so inviting. From swimming with turtles (or pigs) to boat trips and sunset beach dinners, the Bahamas in winter offers an idyllic blend of adventure and relaxation.

In this guide, we’ll dive into everything you need to know before you book, including the weather, the best things to do, and how to get there.

In this article

What winter in the Bahamas really feels like

So, when is winter in the Bahamas?

While winter is technically from November to April, it doesn’t feel like winter at all. During these months, the Bahamas enjoys average daytime temps of 73-80°F (23–27°C).

Even in January, the coldest month of the year, it rarely drops below 70°F (21°C). Plus, the days are filled with sunshine and cool breezes, perfect for boat trips and evening cocktails by the beach!

Winter is also the best time to visit the Bahamas, as it’s the dry season, with fewer tropical storms and lower humidity. And don’t worry, the sea stays warm and swimmable year-round, with water temperatures averaging around 75°F (23°C) in the winter.

Considering this, your Bahamas packing list for winter should be full of all your summer favorites, including swimwear, thin clothing, and sun lotion!

Best things to do in the Bahamas in winter

Winter may be a time of slowing down for the rest of the world, but the Bahamas in winter is buzzing. From world-class dives to carnival-style street parades, here are the top things to do on one of the best Caribbean islands!

Snorkeling and diving

Source: Shutterstock

The Bahamas in December and January bring some of the clearest water visibility of the year (often 30–40 meters) thanks to calmer seas. That means you’ll see the stunning coral reefs and tropical fish in full, vivid color.

While you can snorkel directly off any of the beaches, the best snorkeling spots, like Red Shoal, Trumpet Reef, Central Park, and Liben’s Point, are only reachable by boat.

For diving, the most popular spots include the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park and Thunderball Grotto, made famous by James Bond.

Snorkeling/diving day tours typically cost between $80 and $150 per person.

Boat trips to Exuma Cays or Pig Beach

Source: Shutterstock

No trip to the Bahamas is complete without meeting the famous swimming pigs of Big Major Cay (Pig Island).

Aside from swimming with pigs, Big Major Cay is a magical island to visit, as it’s uninhabited and totally undeveloped. How the pigs got there remains a mystery!

Big Major Cay is part of the Exuma islands (a chain of 365 islands!) Great Exuma is the largest and most visited island here, and there are even resorts for those who want to spend the night on a remote island.

Various day trips from Nassau take you around the Exuma islands, costing between $100 and $400, depending on the number of islands you visit.

Winter is the perfect time to explore these islands as the sea is calm. Plus, in January, after the Christmas crowds have gone, you’ll also get the bonus of smaller crowds.

Pro trip: Many day trips combine a trip to Pig Island with snorkeling and cost between $100 and $150 per person.

Nassau Junkanoo festival

If you’re visiting the Bahamas in December or early January, don’t miss Junkanoo, a vibrant celebration of music, costumes, and Caribbean culture.

Junkanoo festival takes place on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, when the streets of Nassau get taken over with energetic parades, elaborate costumes, and lots of music and dancing! It’s a fantastic way to experience local culture, including traditional Bahamian music.

Whale watching

From December to March, humpback whales migrate through the calm, clear Bahamian waters, and you can head out on a boat to see them.

The best places to see them are:

Andros (the largest island in The Bahamas)
Bimini district (the closest point to the U.S.)

Whale watching tours typically cost between $120 and $200 per person.

Sunset beach dinners

Bahama sunsets are incredible, and the best place to see them is by the beach, where the vibrant pink and purple colors reflect on the sea. With the sun setting between 5 and 6 pm during the winter in the Bahamas, it’s the perfect opportunity to unwind with sunset drinks or an early dinner.

Book a table at Pink Sands Resort on Harbour Island for a fine-dining take on island classics
Head to Arawak Cay (Fish Fry) in Nassau for a more rustic experience. Order conch fritters or grilled lobster and watch the sunset with the locals!

Quick travel tips for visiting the Bahamas in winter

Planning a trip to the Bahamas in winter is straightforward, as visitors from the UK, U.S., EU, and Canada can enter visa-free for up to 90 days.

What’s more, the Bahamian Dollar is equivalent in value to the U.S. Dollar. You can pay in either currency across the islands, so there’s no need to exchange cash if you’re coming from the States.

How to get to the Bahamas

Nassau International Airport serves as the central hub connecting the Islands, with flights to and from 52 destinations in 10 countries, including the USA, Canada, the UK, and other European countries.

Exuma International Airport (GGT) also flies to multiple cities in the USA and Canada, including Toronto, Atlanta, and Miami.

For US travelers in particular, the Bahamas is a short, affordable flight (around $250-$450). For example, you can fly:

Miami to Nassau in 1 hour
New York to Nassau in 3 hours
Atlanta to Exuma in 2 hours

Getting around the Bahamas

The Bahamas Ferries service connects Nassau with islands like Eleuthera, Harbour Island, and Andros. While you can also fly to several of the islands, the ferry is a cheaper and more scenic alternative.

For nearby islands or within harbors, water taxis are a quick and cheap way to get around. For example, a water taxi from Nassau to Paradise Island takes just 10 minutes and costs $7 per person.

Caribbean travel tip: Bahamas Ferries only services islands within the Bahamas. If you’re planning to visit other Caribbean islands, you’ll need to fly there. Grab a Holafly eSIM for the Caribbean before you go to stay connected seamlessly throughout your tropical adventure!

Stay connected while exploring the Bahamas with Holafly

Whether you’re booking boat tours, checking ferry schedules, or sharing your sunset pics on social media, having reliable mobile data in the Bahamas is essential.

Purchase a Holafly eSIM before you travel and connect instantly the moment you land; no need to hunt down an airport kiosk to buy a physical Bahamas SIM card.

With an eSIM for the Bahamas, you’ll get unlimited data and strong coverage across the islands, no roaming surprises or time wasted searching for WiFi!

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