Grand Bahama Weather & Climate
Freeport on Grand Bahama Island usually sustains superlative beach weather through the year. The Gulf Stream carries warm water from the Equator to the Bahamas. The islands enjoy pleasing temperatures even in the dead of wintertime. The water from the Gulf Stream not only minimizes radical temperature swings, but also keeps annual temperatures stable. Nocturnal winter low temperatures average the mid-sixties (Fahrenheit). The water temps in the surrounding Caribbean Sea remain pleasant for watersports throughout the year. Stable water temps is a key condition for coral to flourish. During the winter and early spring months, scuba divers should wear wetsuits that are at least five millimeters thick.
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While most of the United States and Canada feel the bitter cold of winter weather, the Grand Bahama Island enjoys idyllic resort weather, with high air temperature averages in the high seventies (Fahrenheit) during the chilliest months. The Bahamas never experiences the bite of chilling frost (low temperatures in the coldest month average in the mid-sixties). Divers should utilize divesuits that are a minimum thickness of 5 millimeters, since the water temperatures remain in the seventies this time of year. When the wind settles, visibility is exceptional, surpassing one hundred feet. If you are interested in angling, Wahoo season crests during the winter. North Americans anxious to catch some rays on their vacation will be pleased to know that very little rain falls on Grand Bahama Islandís pristine beaches in winter.
Every spring the temperatures on Grand Bahama Island begin to rise; median high air temperatures climb from the low to the mid eighties (Fahrenheit) as the season progresses. Early spring, like the winter, sees very little rainfall. Thunderstorms quickly blow through sporadically beginning in May. By April, scuba divers can abandon their thick, full wetsuits for light suits or shorties as water temps rise into the high seventies. As the winds begin to slow, undersea visibility improves. In June, divers can manage with Lycra skins or a swimsuit. Deep Sea anglers can hunt for White Marlin and Blue Marlin. The brilliantly-hued Mahi Mahi (Dolphin) really pick up during this season.
Although summertime and early fall are the wettest seasons in Freeport, most of the precipitation arrives in the form of periodic late daytime thunder-bursts (monthly accumulation typically averages around a measly seven inches during summer). Although air temps rise to the high eighties (Fahrenheit), the sea breezes keep vacationers comfortable. Summertime water temps also rise to the mid-eighties -- excellent for water-sport participation such as diving, snorkeling, and sailing. Diving doesnít even require any wetsuit protection. If the weather is placid, visibility is very good in summertime. Anglers can chase Blue Marlin through the season. Tuna season reaches its summit. Although the Bahamas can be hit by the Atlantic hurricane season, lasting through October, most tropical storms skirt the islands to the south.
Although autumn is the apex of the annual Atlantic storm period, Freeport remains an excellent vacation destination with average high temperatures staying in the eighties (Fahrenheit). The waters temps also remain in the eighties until November. Divers enjoy very good visibility when thunderstorms arenít passing through.