Weather in Bahamas in December

How December compares

December is the 9th warmest month of the year in Bahamas and ranks 39th of 134 destinations we compare for December - see where else is hot in December. Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, Bahamas is 16.8°C warmer by day and 19.5°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in December

The typical December day in Bahamas peaks at 24.5°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 26.3°C or more. Roughly 1 in 2 days top 25°C. Nights average 22.2°C; one night in ten drops to 19.4°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest December day here reached 28.6°C (2019-12-02) and the coldest night 14.0°C (2010-12-27).

Rain in December

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 7 days with 1 mm or more, 40 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 2008 with 98 mm, the driest 2014 with 3 mm. Humidity averages 72%.

Sea temperature in December

The sea averages 25.2°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 24.5°C to 25.9°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (29.7°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.5 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 10.4 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:47 and sets about 17:22 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 47%.

Is December a good time to visit Bahamas?

Yes - it is one of the better months: warm days, manageable rain. The best months for Bahamas on our scoring are April, March, December; months averaging 25°C or more: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov.

Warm enough for light clothes, without fierce heat

December suits travellers who prefer comfortable warmth to very hot afternoons. Days reach 25°C around 45% of the time, so do not assume every afternoon will feel hot enough for prolonged lounging in swimwear. Light clothes are a sensible starting point, though humidity of 72% can make the air feel muggy. Average night-time lows are 22.2°C, keeping evenings warm, but pack a light layer: the coldest 10% of nights fall to 19.4°C or below. You need not organise the whole day around avoiding extreme heat, although shade and sun protection still belong in your plans when spending time outdoors.

Expect sunshine, but leave room for rain

There is enough sunshine to make outdoor plans worthwhile, but December is not a promise of clear skies throughout your stay. Average sunshine is about 5.5 hours within 10.4 hours of daylight, so a fair part of the day may lack direct sun. About 7 rainy days means rain is a realistic interruption rather than something to ignore. Keep swimming and other outdoor plans movable, and bring a light waterproof rather than relying entirely on fair weather. Use brighter spells when they arrive, and avoid making every day depend on sunshine. The monthly averages cannot tell you how rain will fall during your particular visit.

The sea is a stronger draw than the heat

Swimming is a good reason to choose December. The sea averages 25.2°C, with a year-to-year range of 24°C to 26°C, putting it comfortably in the swimmable category. That suits a holiday built around dips and relaxed time by the water, even when the air does not feel especially hot. Personal tolerance still matters, so do not read the average as a guarantee that everyone will want a long swim. Bring something dry to put on afterwards, particularly on cloudier days or towards evening. Sea temperature alone also says nothing about conditions in the water; follow local advice before going in.