Best time to visit · Barbados
The best time to visit Barbados
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The best time to visit Barbados is December to April, the dry season, when days are sunny and breezy and the sea is calm on the west coast — though this is also the most expensive period. May and June offer good weather at lower prices, and July–August brings the Crop Over festival. September and October are the peak of the hurricane season and the wettest, quietest months.
Key facts
- Best months
- December–April
- Shoulder season
- May–July and November
- Warmest month
- May (avg high 31°C (88°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 29°C (84°F))
- Rainiest month
- July (~14 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- September
Seasons
Barbados is warm all year, with highs of about 29–31°C. The dry season runs from December to May; June to November is wetter and more humid, with short heavy showers, and the hurricane season peaks from August to October.
December–April
Dry season
Sunny and breezy, with calm west-coast seas and the highest prices; the Holetown Festival in February.
May–June
Early wet season
Warm, mostly dry in May with showers increasing in June; lower prices and fewer crowds.
July–August
Crop Over
Humid with frequent showers, but the island's biggest festival builds to Grand Kadooment in early August.
September–November
Hurricane peak
The wettest and quietest months, with lower prices and some hotel closures; storms are possible, so flexible plans and travel insurance help.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°C | 22°C | 9 | 27°C | 11.4 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| February | 29°C | 22°C | 6 | 26°C | 11.7 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| March | 30°C | 22°C | 6 | 26°C | 12 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| April | 30°C | 23°C | 6 | 27°C | 12.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| May | 31°C | 24°C | 7 | 27°C | 12.7 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 31°C | 25°C | 12 | 28°C | 12.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| July | 31°C | 24°C | 14 | 28°C | 12.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 31°C | 24°C | 14 | 28°C | 12.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 31°C | 24°C | 13 | 29°C | 12.2 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| October | 31°C | 24°C | 14 | 29°C | 11.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| November | 30°C | 23°C | 14 | 28°C | 11.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 29°C | 23°C | 11 | 27°C | 11.4 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Errol Barrow Day public holiday (21 January) |
| February | Holetown Festival — celebrating the 1627 English settlement (usually mid-February) |
| April | Oistins Fish Festival (usually Easter weekend) |
| June | Crop Over season opens (usually June) |
| July | Crop Over fetes, calypso and cultural events (July) |
| August | Grand Kadooment Day — Crop Over finale parade (usually the first Monday of August); Emancipation Day (1 August) |
| November | Independence Day — parades and celebrations (30 November); National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (through November) |
| December | Run Barbados marathon series (usually early December); Christmas Day and Boxing Day celebrations |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in September, and the sights are quietest in September. Many visitors avoid September–October.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Dry season | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Early wet season | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Crop Over | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Hurricane peak | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Barbados?
The best time to visit Barbados is December to April, the dry season, when days are sunny and breezy and the sea is calm on the west coast — though this is also the most expensive period. May and June offer good weather at lower prices, and July–August brings the Crop Over festival. September and October are the peak of the hurricane season and the wettest, quietest months.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Barbados?
Usually in September. Peak hurricane season, with high humidity, frequent showers and the lowest prices; some hotels close for refurbishment.
+What is the rainiest month in Barbados?
July, with about 14 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Barbados get?
The warmest month, May, averages highs of 31°C (88°F) and lows of 24°C (75°F).