Weather in Barbados in May

How May compares

May is the 2nd warmest month of the year in Barbados and ranks 30th of 134 destinations we compare for May - see where else is hot in May. Against London's average high of 16.6°C in May, Barbados is 11.9°C warmer by day and 17.5°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in May

The typical May day in Barbados peaks at 28.5°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 29.5°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and 1 in 17 pass 30°C. Nights average 25.8°C; one night in ten drops to 24.9°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest May day here reached 31.4°C (2017-05-25) and the coldest night 23.4°C (2000-05-01).

Rain in May

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 9 days with 1 mm or more, 41 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest May was 2012 with 128 mm, the driest 2014 with 8 mm. Humidity averages 76%, which makes the heat feel heavier than the thermometer suggests.

Sea temperature in May

The sea averages 27.7°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 27.2°C to 28.2°C. For the warmest sea here, come in September (29.0°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.4 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 12.6 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 05:33 and sets about 18:17 local time in mid-May. Average cloud cover is 57%.

Is May 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.

Hot days, with little relief at night

The main consideration is sustained warmth rather than extreme daytime temperatures. Only 6% of May days reach 30°C, but humidity averages 76%, so the air can feel close even below that mark. Plan more active outings for the cooler parts of the day and leave room for shade and slower afternoons. Pack loose, breathable clothes; a warm layer is unlikely to be useful outdoors in the evening. With nights remaining warm, accommodation with air conditioning is a sensible priority if heat affects your sleep. May suits travellers who enjoy warmth throughout the day, rather than those who rely on cool evenings to recover.

Allow for rain and cloud, not just sunshine

May is rated wet, with about 9 rainy days, so it is not the strongest choice if dry weather is your main requirement. That does not mean every affected day is a write-off, but the monthly figures cannot tell you when rain will arrive or how long it will last. Keep outdoor plans movable and carry a light waterproof that will not feel too heavy in humid conditions. Sunshine averages about 5.4 hours within 12.6 hours of daylight: there is plenty of daylight for getting out, but clear skies are not a constant. February, March and April are the better-rated months overall if your travel dates are flexible.