Weather locations in Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands are a small tropical archipelago in the western Caribbean, and their climate is set by warm water almost all year. Conditions are hot and humid with frequent showers, and the main hazard of the year is the hurricane season.

Main climate types

Classified as tropical maritime with a savanna flavour, the islands get rain in every month, heaviest in late summer. Trade winds blow from the north-east most of the year, cooling the afternoons and drying the air over the shallows. During winter, fronts passing from the north can cause a noticeable drop in temperature and a period of swell on the exposed coasts.

Temperatures

George Town averages about 26 degrees in January and 28 degrees in July, and the swing between the coldest and warmest month is only about 2 degrees. Warm sunny spells above 30 degrees occur in most months, and the sea temperature stays between about 24 and 29 degrees. The coolest weather is felt on the first days of January, and the wind makes even that feel bracing on the shore.

Rainfall

Humidity is persistently high, often 85 to 90 per cent, without being uncomfortable because there is almost always a breeze. Showers are usually short but can be heavy and accompanied by thunder, especially from May or June to October. Annual rainfall of around 1,400 millimetres is concentrated in that wet season, and hard rain can last only an hour or two before the sun returns.

When to go

Between roughly January and May the trade winds are steady, humidity is lower and the sea is calm, which is the best time for diving, snorkelling and boat trips. The late summer and autumn months are warmer and wetter and carry the highest risk of tropical storms and hurricanes, although most years pass without a direct hit. Spring breaks and the winter holiday season are the busiest periods.