Barbados weather by month

When to go to Barbados

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. October is the wettest month (142 mm, about 22 rainy days) and February the driest (20 mm). The sea is warmest in September at 29.0°C and coolest in February at 26.6°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI, 14 km from Bridgetown) takes roughly 9 h 12 min - long-haul (7 h+) by UK standards. Time-zone: America/Barbados.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Barbados between 1991 and 2020 reached 32.6°C on 12 September 2019; the coldest fell to 21.1°C on 12 December 2017. In September one day in ten tops 29.6°C and about 8% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 23.6°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was November 1991 with 302 mm, against a November average of 132 mm.

January to April: the best balance for outdoor days

This is the clearest choice if you want warm weather without the higher frequency of rain later in the year. January is the coolest month, but average days of 27°C and nights of 24°C still call for light clothing rather than a winter wardrobe. Its 11 rain days make it a slightly less reliable choice than February through April. February has the lowest rainfall overall, while March and April share the fewest rain days at 7. April edges warmer, though sunshine slips to 6 hours from 7 earlier in the year. The sea stays at 27°C throughout, so swimming warmth need not decide which month you choose.

May to August: steady warmth, more rain to plan around

May is a useful compromise before rain becomes much more frequent: it averages 9 rain days, compared with 16 in June and 20 in both July and August. Daytime temperatures remain at 28°C across these months, so moving into summer brings little extra daytime warmth. Nights average 26°C, making somewhere comfortable to cool down a practical priority. Pack light, breathable clothing and rain protection, and keep outdoor plans movable rather than relying on a dry day. July and August still average 6 hours of sunshine, so wetter does not mean sunshine disappears. The sea warms from 28°C to 29°C by August, suiting travellers who favour warmer water and can tolerate interruptions.

September to December: the wettest stretch, then improvement

September is the hottest month, with average days of 29°C, but its 19 rain days make it less suited to a holiday built around dependable dry weather. October brings the biggest catch: 22 rain days and just 4 hours of sunshine on average. November remains warm but still has 20 rain days, so flexible plans matter more than packing for cooler temperatures. December offers a clearer improvement, with rain days falling to 13 and sunshine rising to 6 hours. Days average 27°C and the sea stays at 28°C. It is a reasonable option for warmth late in the year, though February to April remain better choices if avoiding rain is your priority.