With weather that anyone would die for, beaches that are some of the most pristine on the planet, and a population that is unbelievably friendly, the Bahamas will always be a surreal vacation destination. If one factors in the distance (the Bahamas is less than an hour from Miami, Florida), the many unspoiled islands that make island-hopping not only possible but incredibly enjoyable, and the impressive range of accommodation options that feature affordable all-inclusive resorts as well as luxury beach hotels, then visiting the Bahamas obviously becomes an easy bargain.
And while the best time to visit the more than 700 islands that make up the Bahamas will depend on several factors including a vacationer’s financial budget, in this article, we show why December is surprisingly a good time to lace up for the Bahamas and enjoy its many exciting, if unusual activities.
Why December Is A Good Time To Visit The Bahamas
For starters, December is a holiday season. The spirit of Santa is in almost every beating heart inspiring everyone to adventure and travel the world. Few experiences will equal island hopping in the Bahamas during the Christmas season.
And so, December will always be a pretty fine time to visit the Bahamas. But aside from being the festive season, December also often comes with surprisingly warm, pleasant weather.
The summer months can be warm, even oppressively hot; hot enough to put a damper on any activity.
It doesn’t help matters that the warm temperature levels in the Bahamas are often accompanied by rain as well as high levels of humidity. But when December arrives, the temperatures start to gradually reduce, eventually averaging a pleasant 76 degrees Fahrenheit, or 24.4 degrees Celsius.
As most beach bums will agree, this is just the perfect weather to take a plunge in one of the most beautiful beaches in Nassau or anywhere else in the country.
Yet here’s the fact. Even though December generally comes with pleasant weather, the weather can be insanely unpredictable. There are days that going out without a jumper or some warm clothing will be out of the question.
There are also December days when wearing a bikini on a boat will be super fun and physiologically manageable, even sizzlingly enjoyable. The truth is that the weather in the Bahamas, be it in December or any other month, can still change at any time.
But that said, December is generally warm and pleasant in the Bahamas. In December, the southern areas such as Long Island tend to be warmer than the northern regions such as Freeport and Nassau. So this will be something to keep in mind.
Other Reasons Why December Is Ideal For A Bahamas Vacation
Aside from the warm, pleasant weather that December comes with and the lively, upbeat spirit of the festive season, a December vacation to the Bahamas is ideal for other reasons as well.
For starters, December will be the time to enjoy the wildly popular Junkanoo Festival, one of the Caribbean's most celebrated and spirited carnivals. This grand parade, meant to celebrate Bahamian culture, is usually accompanied with a steady beat of whistles, horns, cowbells, and goatskin drums, in a highly rhythmic Bahamian style of music inspired by different themes.
This popular festival starts well before sunrise and oftentimes just after midnight. According to tradition, the festival ends at around 3.00 PM.
While the largest celebration of the Junkanoo Festival takes place on Nassau’s Bay Street, Bahamians usually celebrate this festival on the other islands in the country.
- When Is Junkanoo Celebrated? The climax of the Junkanoo Festival is on Boxing Day as well as the morning of the New Year.
And yes, visitors to the Bahamas can participate in the Junkanoo Festival as long as they abide by the rules of the National Junkanoo Association. All they’ll need to do is make arrangements through their hotels.
Another reason why December is an ideal time to visit the Bahamas is that it is when the hurricane season, with all its disruptive anxiety, has just ended. In the Bahamas, the hurricane season runs from early June to late November. And while a hurricane can strike the Bahamas in June or even July, traditionally, the months of highest risk are August, September, and early October. But December will often be relatively safe.
Finally, since the Bahamas is known as among the shark capitals of the world, a trip there should involve some encounters with these awesome creatures, perhaps, even diving with them.
Excitingly, vacationers to the Bahamas will be excited to learn that December is a pretty fine time for shark diving.
Vacationers who want to see tiger sharks, for instance, will have the best chance between October and January.