Written by: Robert Farmer.
You're doing fine in Minnesota or northern Maine, but approaching December, you might seek a sunny vacation before winter time slows things down for you and yours. After considering your options, you decide to fly to the Bahamas while passing up the geese. You’re looking very forward to thawing out on one of the many great Bahama beaches.
Congratulations! You’ve finally arrived. Right this way to that beach from the fabulous photos. You’ve found the best, most remote beach on the island. Nice! No clouds, no people, warm sun – Well? Why not hit the water? Let’s take it slow. Just dip your foot in and “Hey, that’s cold! I’m not swimming here!”
Oops. Few travelers are aware that, even in the Caribbean, the water can get too cold. Particularly in the northern half of the Caribbean islands chain, the winter-time water temperature can be uncomfortably low.
This is especially true in the morning generally, though there are other factors. Winter trade winds around the islands become strongest from December to January. In the Yucatán, for example, this can make the water even colder after the morning. Thus, your window for comfortable swimming is significantly reduced.
Below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, most people would find it too uncomfortable to be in the water. From there to 78F is the most comfortable range for most. Above that, it can still feel pretty nice in places such as Aruba’s waters.
Cuba, Turks & Caicos, Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica can have the coldest winter-time water. It’s adequate to excellent from Puerto Rico to the coast of Venezuela. The Dutch islands of Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire are perfect if you want to enjoy warm waters all year around. And so are the Lesser Antilles in general, with warm waters when is the Winter in both the Northern and the Southern Hemisphere. Outside of those places, we recommend looking into things ahead of time.