Central America & Caribbean
The Bahamas in May
Warm water, long days, softening rates. The last clean window before the rainy season.
The straight answer
May is one of the best months of the year to visit The Bahamas. Warm water, long days, softening rates. The last clean window before the rainy season.
- Weather
- Warm and mostly dry, highs near 85F (29C), water near 79F (26C)
- Crowds
- 3 of 5
- Prices
- 3 of 5
What May is like in The Bahamas
May is warm and mostly dry, with highs near 85F (29C) and water near 79F (26C). Days are long and rates start to soften after the winter peak. It is the last clean window before the rainy season and hurricane season begin in June. Seas are calm, and snorkeling is excellent.
This month suits nearly everyone: families, couples, divers, and island-hoppers. It is a great time for an Eleuthera road trip, which is at its quietest in late spring. If you want a quieter alternative at similar prices, November works once storm season fades, but May is the more reliable pick.
Make the most of May
What is especially good about The Bahamas this month.
Warm, calm snorkeling
The water is warm and clear. Reef trips in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park are excellent.
Quiet Eleuthera
Late spring is the quietest time on the long island. Empty beaches and the Glass Window Bridge are yours.
Softening rates
After the winter peak, resort prices begin to dip. It is good value for the weather.
What to pack for May
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat
- A rash guard for long snorkel sessions
- Water shoes
- A dry bag for boat trips
Our timing tip
Book boat tours for the morning, when the seas are usually calmest and the light is best for snorkeling.
Book The Bahamas for May.
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- Hotels for May
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in The BahamasOpens a hotel search for The Bahamas in May, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in The BahamasWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in The BahamasTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in The Bahamas for May. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Things to do in The Bahamas
Exuma Cays by boat
A day through the cays: Thunderball Grotto, the swimming pigs of Big Major Cay, iguanas on the cays, and sandbars at low tide. Calm-sea days in spring and early summer are the best.
Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park
A no-take marine reserve run by the Bahamas National Trust, reached by boat. Some of the healthiest reefs in the country.
Harbour Island's pink sand
Three miles of pink-tinged sand on the Atlantic side of Eleuthera, reached by a short water taxi from North Eleuthera airport.
Atlantis, Paradise Island
The mega-resort's water park, aquariums, and marine habitat. Day passes are available but limited; check before planning a visit.
Nassau on foot
Queen's Staircase, Fort Fincastle, and Arawak Cay's fish fry stalls for conch salad. Cruise-ship days make downtown crowded.
Andros blue holes
The largest Bahamian island is mostly wild, with inland and ocean blue holes, a huge barrier reef, and world-class bonefishing.
Beat the crowds
- Skip Nassau and Paradise Island in March if you are not there for spring break; go to Eleuthera, the Exumas, or Andros instead.
- Check the Nassau cruise schedule: downtown and Paradise Island beaches are packed on multi-ship days and noticeably quieter on light days.
- Book Exuma boat tours for the first departure of the day; the pig beach and grotto get crowded as the day tours stack up.
- Target the two value windows: late April to May, and early November to mid December outside Thanksgiving week.
Know before you go
- September and early October: some Out Island resorts, restaurants, and dive shops close for several weeks. Nassau's big resorts stay open year-round.
- Winter cold fronts can cancel boat tours and ferries for a day or two; build slack into an Exumas itinerary between December and March.
- The Abacos and parts of Grand Bahama were heavily damaged by Hurricane Dorian in 2019. Much has been rebuilt, but some properties never reopened; confirm current status before booking.
- Junkanoo nights (Boxing Day and New Year's Day) close roads in downtown Nassau and shift business hours around the parades.
The Bahamas in May, quick answers
Is May a good time to visit The Bahamas?
May is one of the best months of the year to visit The Bahamas. Warm water, long days, softening rates. The last clean window before the rainy season.
What is the weather like in The Bahamas in May?
Warm and mostly dry, highs near 85F (29C), water near 79F (26C).
Is The Bahamas crowded in May?
Crowds in The Bahamas are moderate in May; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.
Keep planning The Bahamas.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in May
Before you book.
Sort these two things first.
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Travel insurance.
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