Best time to visit Barbados

Barbados weather is hot year-round with plenty of sunshine in every month even during the summer wet season. In the winter months from December to April Barbados is a degree or two cooler and much drier, with more sunshine and less heat and humidity.

Barbados by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Recommended for Barbados

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Top Barbados destinations

Below are the temperatures expected today at popular countries, regions and places in Barbados. Select a destination to compare today's forecast with average weather conditions.

All Barbados destinations

When is the best time to visit Barbados?

The best time to visit Barbados (Bridgetown) is January based on the following average weather conditions.

Maximum daytime temperature = 22 - 30°C [remove]
Daily hours of sunshine = 10 hours or more [remove]

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Max Day Temperature (°C)

  • 28°C maximum daytime temperature in January in Barbados (Bridgetown)28
    Jan
  • 29°C maximum daytime temperature in February in Barbados (Bridgetown)29
    Feb
  • 30°C maximum daytime temperature in March in Barbados (Bridgetown)30
    Mar
  • 30°C maximum daytime temperature in April in Barbados (Bridgetown)30
    Apr
  • 31°C maximum daytime temperature in May in Barbados (Bridgetown)31
    May
  • 31°C maximum daytime temperature in June in Barbados (Bridgetown)31
    Jun
  • 30°C maximum daytime temperature in July in Barbados (Bridgetown)30
    Jul
  • 31°C maximum daytime temperature in August in Barbados (Bridgetown)31
    Aug
  • 30°C maximum daytime temperature in September in Barbados (Bridgetown)30
    Sep
  • 30°C maximum daytime temperature in October in Barbados (Bridgetown)30
    Oct
  • 29°C maximum daytime temperature in November in Barbados (Bridgetown)29
    Nov
  • 29°C maximum daytime temperature in December in Barbados (Bridgetown)29
    Dec

Hours of Sunshine (daily)

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Which is the hottest month in Barbados?

The hottest time of year in Bridgetown, Barbados is normally September. Expect maximum daytime temperatures to reach 30°C with very high heat and humidity.

Which month has the most rain in Barbados?

In terms of rainfall, October is usually the wettest month in Bridgetown, Barbados with 178mm on average. There are normally 15 days in October with some rain.

When is it sunniest in Barbados?

The sunniest time of year in Bridgetown, Barbados is normally January with bright sunshine on average for 75% of daylight hours; that's 9 hours of sunshine per day.

When is the sea warmest in Barbados?

The sea is usually at its warmest in Bridgetown, Barbados in September when the water temperature reaches 29°C.

Best time to visit

The weather guide for Barbados (Bridgetown) shows long term weather averages processed from data supplied by CRU (University of East Anglia) & today's weather forecast provided by meteoblue. Find out more about our data sources.

Metric (°C / mm)  |  Imperial (°F / inches)

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Barbados overview

Barbados is the most easterly of the Windward Islands and can find itself in the path of hurricanes between July and November. It has some rain throughout the year but not as much as neighbouring St Lucia and Martinique.

Bottom Bay, Barbados
Bottom Bay, Barbados © Simon Dannhauer - Fotolia.com

Its wettest months are from June to November. Typically for the Caribbean, the island is consistently hot all year but temperatures are never extreme and sea breezes help to counter humidity. There is a lot to recommend Barbados as a paradise holiday destination based on its weather.

It lies to the east of the Caribbean Islands and is further south than most of the other popular destinations, which serves to keep it slightly warmer during the winter and it is more likely to stay out of harms way in the hurricane season.

The name 'Barbados' means 'bearded ones'. There is debate as to whether this refers to the indigenous inhabitants' penchant for facial hair or the beard-like fronds of the ubiquitous fig trees.

The island is roughly the same size as the Isle of Wight, but with considerably more sunshine and no need for an iron will and a wetsuit to go swimming from its shores.

Barbados became a prosperous colony during the reign of James I with sugarcane production being its main industry until the increase of tourism in the 1980s.

Flight time from the UK is 8 and a half to 9 hours, with direct flights from Manchester, Birmingham and London with BA, Virgin Atlantic or TUI. It is a popular spot for holidaying Brits throughout the year.

Unlike many of the other Caribbean Islands Barbados is not volcanic. This means there is no great danger of unexpected rumbles, though the odd tremor can occur, but it does make the island rather flat, the highest point is only 340m above sea level.

The strongest winds come in from the east, so the east coast is where the best surfing is found, both of the classical variety and with the addition of a sail or a kite.

The east coast of Barbados, Caribbean
The east coast of Barbados, Caribbean © Ben Ramirez - Flickr CC BY 2.0

The west coast, being more sheltered and with bathtub calm waters, is where most of the smartest hotels are situated. Other than this slight variation, Barbados weather is uniform throughout the island.

Temperatures in Barbados stay fairly constant all year long and the seasons bring only a little variation.

Winter temperatures during January and February average between 20°C and 29°C, hardly sweater weather; and summer temperatures are a couple of degrees higher at 23°C to 31°C.

The island is spared from feeling uncomfortably hot and sticky by a refreshing Atlantic breeze that blows all year round and cuts through the humidity like a dream.

Sea temperatures are also fairly balmy, varying from 26°C in the winter to 29°C in the summer, perfect for a beach holiday in any month.

September and October can be a little cloudy compared to earlier in the year, but this is all relative as there is still likely to be an average of 7 or 8 hours of glorious, vitamin D soaked sunshine every day.

Barbados weather is not exclusively sunshine, there does tend to be a fair amount of rain between June and November, with sometimes as many as half the days having some rain.

February to April is drier, although being a tropical destination there can be spells of rain at any time of year. Luckily the warmth and the breeze means everything dries off quickly.

Tropical storm risk: Barbados hurricane season

% of month affected by tropical storms
0
0
0
0
0
0
<1%
2.4%
2.9%
1.5%
0
0
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

The Barbados tropical storm risk chart above shows the hurricane season. The chart was processed from data supplied by the US Meteorological Agency (NOAA). Find out more about our data sources.

More about tropical storms

The sogginess of Barbados can also be influenced by the proximity of hurricanes. The island is a little far south to be in regular range of these extreme storms.

Every three or four years one will roam close enough for the island to feel its wrath, but a direct hit from a hurricane happens only rarely, every twenty years or so.

The glorious Barbados weather means that it really is a lovely choice all year round, but a visit in April is likely to be especially pleasant because the sea has begun to be properly warm, and the rainy season has not yet started.

What to pack for Barbados weather

With temperatures like these light cotton clothing is in order all year round, but you would probably be thankful for an extra layer or light cover-up for chillier evenings from December to April especially if you are eating outdoors.

A rain mac might come in handy too from June to November. A note to remember is that Barbados is a fairly formal island and unlike other Caribbean destinations, it is not appropriate to sport beachwear in town, or anywhere other than the beaches really, so do bear this in mind when packing your case.

Barbados travel features

Do you want to learn more about Barbados? Read our latest features covering travel tips and insider destination guides on where to go and what to do in Barbados.

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