Weather in Barbados in August

How August compares

August is the 4th warmest month of the year in Barbados and ranks 74th of 134 destinations we compare for August - see where else is hot in August. Against London's average high of 21.4°C in August, Barbados is 7.0°C warmer by day and 12.4°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in August

The typical August day in Barbados peaks at 28.4°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 29.4°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and 1 in 20 pass 30°C. Nights average 25.9°C; one night in ten drops to 25.1°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest August day here reached 31.5°C (2019-08-25) and the coldest night 23.9°C (2018-08-04).

Rain in August

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 20 days with 1 mm or more, 132 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest August was 2007 with 249 mm, the driest 2018 with 66 mm. Humidity averages 81%, which makes the heat feel heavier than the thermometer suggests.

Sea temperature in August

The sea averages 28.6°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 28.1°C to 29.2°C. For the warmest sea here, come in September (29.0°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.9 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 12.4 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 05:46 and sets about 18:20 local time in mid-August. Average cloud cover is 53%.

Is August a good time to visit Barbados?

It is a reasonable choice: hot days but expect showers. The best months for Barbados on our scoring are February, March, April; months averaging 25°C or more: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Expect heat that stays with you after dark

The main challenge is persistent warmth, not exceptionally high daytime temperatures. Only 5% of days reach 30°C, but humidity averages 81%, so even ordinary afternoons can feel sticky. Nights average 25.9°C, leaving little cooling after sunset. Pack loose, lightweight clothing and choose accommodation with cooling in mind, especially if warm bedrooms affect your sleep. Keep strenuous activity away from midday and leave room for shaded breaks rather than filling every daylight hour. This suits travellers who enjoy sustained heat; it is less appealing if you rely on cool evenings to recover from a hot day.

Plan around rain, not guaranteed sunshine

August is a wet month, with about 20 rainy days, so rain needs to be part of the plan rather than treated as an unlikely interruption. That does not mean every affected day is a washout, but you should not count on long, uninterrupted spells outdoors. Average sunshine is about 5.9 hours a day, leaving scope for time outside without promising clear skies throughout. Keep weather-dependent plans flexible and bring lightweight rain protection that will not feel too heavy in the warmth. If your holiday depends on consistently dry conditions, August is a compromise rather than the safest choice.

Warm water is the strongest reason to go

At 28.6°C, the sea is comfortably warm for swimming, making August a good fit if water temperature matters more to you than clear skies. Do not expect the water to feel cold enough to provide much relief from the heat, though. Warmth alone also does not tell you what swimming conditions will be like on a particular day, so follow local advice before entering. For a UK traveller, the balance is straightforward: this is a long-haul trip for dependable warmth, not dependable dryness. It makes most sense if you can enjoy swimming opportunities while accepting that rain may reshape your plans.