When to Visit Cayman Islands

Jump to: Best Prices • Beat the Crowds • Other Factorss • Seasons**

The Cayman Islands are a classy destination, perfect for enjoying an endless white-sand coastline and wildlife-rich ocean. With some of the best beaches in the Caribbean, the three islands of the Caymans - Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman - also offer amazing luxury resorts, quality cuisine, and hard-to-beat snorkeling and diving.

So, whether you plan to spend your days sunbathing on world-leading Seven Mile Beach, feeding the rays at Stingray City, or joining a deep-sea fishing expedition, the Caymans won’t disappoint.

When planning your trip, of course you’ll want to know when to visit Cayman Islands for their trademark hot and sunny weather. But, in this guide, we’ll also share when to experience the unique festivals that take place throughout the year. We’ll let you know the best months to score a bargain Caymans vacation, and also when to visit to avoid the crowds.

When Is the Most Popular Time to Visit Cayman Islands?

Generally, the most popular time for tourists in the Cayman Islands is December to February, which is the height of the dry season. These months see almost wall-to-wall sunshine, with high temperatures and low rainfall. And while the northerly parts of Europe and the US are dominated by snow, rainstorms, and grey skies, it’s no wonder a vacation to Cayman Islands in winter is so enticing.

 

However, because the weather is so favorable, this is when most visitors arrive, meaning prices in the Cayman Islands from December to February are at their peak. Resorts are crowded, which does create a lovely buzz, but isn’t ideal if you’re looking for deserted beaches.

If you’re planning a trip to Caymans, here’s an expert Cayman Islands guide packed with useful information about this outstanding Caribbean destination.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Cayman Islands for Cheap Prices?

The Cayman Islands could never be labeled a budget destination - in fact, the islands are considered one of the world’s most expensive places to visit. However, certain times of the year are cheaper to vacation in the Caymans than others.

The lowest prices are usually found during the fall, particularly in September and October, when visitor numbers have dropped due to the hurricane season. There’s usually a decrease in prices in March and April too, so these months could be a good compromise between value and weather, as you can still expect long hours of sunshine each day.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Cayman Islands to Beat the Crowds?

 

The quietest months on the Cayman Islands are September and October. This is because the weather conditions are less settled, with storms and potentially hurricanes becoming an issue.

 

However, if you prefer your beaches quiet, and want to experience Grand Cayman’s best restaurants - and there are plenty of them! - without booking ahead, the autumn season can be a great time to visit.

Because the Cayman Islands don’t really experience the extremes in the dry and rainy seasons that other Caribbean destinations do, you’re taking less of a risk visiting the Caymans out of season.

Festivals, Weather and Other Factors to Consider

 

Of course, for most people, chasing the sunshine is one of the most important elements of planning when to visit Cayman Islands. But there are other things to consider that will also impact on your vacation.

 

Hurricane Season in Cayman Islands

Hurricane season in the Cayman Islands is quite long, running - officially, at least - from June to November. However, due to the location of this trio of islands, they’re protected from the worst of the Caribbean’s hurricane activity. This means you could book your visit for any month in summer or fall and experience wonderfully warm and sunny days. But, equally, you could see unsettled and stormy weather throughout hurricane season.

If beach time is a priority for you, it could be worth avoiding hurricane season altogether. But if you’re less bothered by an hour or two of rain each day, then booking out of peak season can be a great way to save some dollars.

Major Festivals in Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands host a busy program of festivals throughout the year that will help you learn about the unique culture and heritage of this gorgeous British Overseas Territory. Some of the best-loved and most unique festivals include:

Batabano

The word Batabano describes the footprints turtles make on the beach as they come ashore to nest. Batabano festival, which has been running each May for 40 years, celebrates in style with a vibrant and colorful carnival filled with parades, parties, music, and food.

Cayman Arts Festival

The Cayman Arts Festival showcases wide-ranging music and dance - from jazz to opera to ballet - in a 2-week festival that’s perfect for the culture vultures among you.

Pirates Week

Every November sees the distinctive Pirates Week, a special event commemorating the Caymans’ pirate-filled past. With Little Cayman hosting parties and fireworks, a reenactment of a pirate invasion in Grand Cayman, and family fun to enjoy in Cayman Brac, this festival really is an all-island celebration.

Diving and snorkeling

Many visitors are drawn to the Cayman Islands to take advantage of the fantastic diving and snorkeling opportunities the islands offer - find out everything you need to know about the best Caymans snorkeling spots.

With a huge variety of dive sites to visit - from fascinating wreck dives like the USS Kittiwake to some of the world’s deepest sea walls - you’ll want to make sure conditions are optimal for enjoying your underwater time.

There really isn’t a bad time to dive in the Caymans - the water is a steady 79-82 degrees throughout the year and most divers will experience impressive visibility, usually of 20 meters or more.

However, some times of year are better than others for viewing wildlife, so here’s the lowdown if a particular animal tops your must-see list:

Abundant marine life

If you want to dive with a large number of fish and sea creatures, your best bet is to visit from April to June, when there is a huge amount of activity under the water’s surface. Alternatively, if you’d like to focus on coral spawning, then September is the best month of the year to dive.

Turtles

There’s something magical about turtles, and they are particularly important in the Caymans where they’re the island emblem. You can view sea turtles in the ocean during the mating season which lasts through spring and summer. Female turtles come ashore multiple times between May and October to lay eggs in their nest, and tiny hatchlings will make their long dash to the water from July to November.

Although witnessing any part of a turtle’s life is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it goes without saying that you shouldn’t approach turtles while they’re mating, laying eggs, or hatching, as these delicate processes can easily be disturbed.

Stingrays

You can expect to see stingrays at Grand Cayman’s famous Stingray City all year round. The friendly rays frequent the shallow waters of Stingray City’s sandbar hoping for their daily free feed from willing volunteers. It’s great fun, and will make lifelong memories whenever you choose to visit Grand Cayman. Here are all the details you need on the best Stingray Alley tours and excursions.

Taking Tours and Visiting Attractions

Something to consider when planning your Cayman Islands trip is that tours may not operate all year round. The months of September and October are the least popular with tourists, so some resorts will close, and tour operators may cease operating until visitor numbers increase into November and December.

If taking tours is a priority for you, we’d recommend you check that your preferred excursions are running before booking your trip.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Visiting Cayman Islands in Each Season

 

While you might find winter the most appealing time to visit the Cayman Islands, each season does have advantages and disadvantages for travelers. Here are the main reasons why you might - or might not - want to visit the Cayman Islands during winter, spring, summer, and fall.

 

Visiting Cayman Islands in Winter: December - February

Winter is viewed as the best time to visit the Cayman Islands. Not only is sunshine practically guaranteed, but there is little in the way of rain. December’s festive season is a lovely time of year to visit, with magic and sparkle adding that extra special touch to your trip.

However, because the weather is so good, prices are driven up, which makes winter one of the most expensive - and crowded - times to visit the Cayman Islands. Winter can also bring stronger than usual winds, which makes the usually calm waters slightly more choppy - worth considering if you’re planning to snorkel while on vacation.

Visiting Cayman Islands in Spring: March - May

After March, the Cayman Islands begin to see a decrease in tourist numbers, as the peak season comes to an end. This is happy news for visitors who want to balance value for money with great weather.

Spring is the prime time to see all kinds of marine life in the clear, turquoise waters of the Caymans. May also hosts the Batabano Cayman Carnival, a festival that’s certainly worth experiencing if you can.

Spring brings more rainfall, with a particularly sharp increase seen in May, when almost 6 inches of rain is expected. The levels of humidity also climb steadily throughout spring, with levels becoming quite uncomfortable by May.

Visiting Cayman Islands in Summer: June - August

Summer is the warmest time of year in the Cayman Islands, with average high temperatures around the 88-90 degree mark throughout. So, if you’re looking for summer warmth, you’ll definitely find it here.

Happily, outside the main weeks of the European and US summer breaks, summer is less popular for visitors than winter. This means that hotel prices are lower, making a significant difference if you’re working to a budget.

If you’re keen to get into the ocean to dive or snorkel, the chances of seeing sea turtles in the wild are higher in the summer than at other times of the year. But July and August can also have lower visibility levels in the ocean, which is important to note if you’re visiting to dive.

Although it’s undeniably warm in the Caymans during summer, there are also much higher levels of rain, plus the hurricane season is in full swing. Humidity levels are also at their peak, which can make active vacations less enjoyable.

Visiting Cayman Islands in Fall: September - November

Probably the least popular season in the Cayman Islands, a visit in fall does have its advantages. You can find some of the cheapest hotel prices in September and October and the crowds have left the island, at least temporarily.

If it does rain during your visit, there are plenty of activities you can enjoy, like shopping or exploring the island’s museums or rum distillery. And, don’t forget the Pirates Week celebrations in November, which are great fun.

But, you have to balance the positives with the reality that fall has the highest annual levels of rain, with September and October each seeing between 8 and 9 inches. The Caymans also see most hurricane activity during the fall. Stormy weather can cause tours to be canceled, and some tours don’t run at all during fall.

In a nutshell…

Whether you want to experience some of the Caribbean’s best diving, you’re tempted by the outstanding festivals, or you’re excited to relax on the unforgettable Seven Mile Beach, we hope this article has helped you figure out the best time to plan your next Cayman Islands trip.

If you’re looking for activities to enjoy during your visit, check out our varied and exciting Cayman Islands tour and excursions, guaranteed to be the cherry on top of your next paradise vacation.