Barbados weather

Because of its tropical climate however, the island also experiences heavy rainfall and the occasional hurricane during the wet season. Heavy downfalls are usually closely followed by bright sunshine again and hurricanes are unlikely, though they can happen.

Barbados weather averages and climate

Average daily max (°C)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
29.1	29.2	29.7	30.2	30.7	30.7	30.7	30.9	30.9	30.8	30.3	29.6	30.2

Average relative humidity (%)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
77	76	75	76	77	79	81	81	81	82	82	79	79

Average rainfall (mm)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
82	42	44	62	111	119	169	160	182	216	166	112	1465

Average daily sunshine (hrs)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
9	8	9	8	9	8	8	9	7	7	8	8	8

Average wind speed (mph)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
11.8	12.4	11.9	11.8	12.1	13.5	12.2	10.1	8.8	9.7	10.2	11.3	11.3

When is the best time to visit Barbados?

The best time to visit Barbados is between January and April when rainfall is at its lowest and there is plenty of sunshine with temperatures around 29 °C.

While Barbados offers year-round sunshine and warm weather, it's important to be aware of its wet season which brings very heavy rainfall and the possibility of hurricanes between July and November.

Spring

If you are visiting Barbados in the spring, you can expect less rainfall than the rest of the year, with March seeing an average of 44 mm and April 62 mm.

Humidity is also at its lowest this time of year and temperatures are at around 29 - 30 °C.

By May the amount of rain jumps to 111 mm on average and wind speed picks up to around 12 mph. Expect between 8 - 9 hours of daily sunshine from March through to May.

Summer

As Barbados enters the wet season, visitors to the island in June and July can expect stronger winds of around 13 mph and the amount of rainfall to gradually rise to around 169 mm by July.

Humidity will be at its highest at around 81% in August and temperatures will remain around 30 °C. The likelihood of a hurricane is low, but it is advisable to check before you travel as this is the season it would be most probable.

Autumn

The levels of rainfall continue to rise into the autumn in Barbados, with the average reaching 216 mm by October.

September and October see the least amount of sunshine each day with around 7 hours, but this rises to 8 hours again by November as Barbados emerges from its wet season.

The temperature in Barbados from September through to November remains a consistent 30 °C.

Winter

If you are seeking winter sun, then Barbados is the ideal destination in late winter thanks to its 9 daily hours of glorious sunshine, temperatures around 29 °C and the least rainfall of the whole year, with as little as 42 mm expected in February.

The humidity in Barbados during the winter months tends to be at its lowest, at an average of 75%.

When is rainy season in Barbados?

The wet season lasts from July to November in Barbados, with rain falling for at least an hour every day. After a storm however, rain is usually instantly followed by hot and sunny weather, drying everything very quickly. Hurricanes can also have an impact between June and November; they are unlikely, but worth keeping track of.

Barbados tourist information

Each year, Barbados provides an exotic escape for thousands of tourists in search of white sandy beaches, luxury resorts, and all kinds of water sports including scuba diving, sailing and snorkelling.

The island of Barbados is an independent territory, discovered by the Spanish and ending up as a British colony until 1966. The Queen is head of state here and the country exhibits a functioning parliamentary democracy.

Barbados lies to the east of the Lesser Antilles and reaches out a fair way into the Atlantic, with the Caribbean due west. The capital of Barbados is the famous city of Bridgetown and it is around this area where you will find many of the most prominent resorts. Christ Church Parish, St Phillip Parish, St James Parish and St Lawrence Gap are all popular destinations. Barbados is divided into eleven Parishes and because the country is only 14 miles wide, only two of these parishes are landlocked.

Beaches on the east coast tend to be more rugged with Atlantic characteristics, while beaches on the west coast are more exotic and Caribbean in nature.

The famous Bathsheba Beach is on the east coast in the parish of St Joseph, and it is on this side of the country where you will find a treasure trove of craggy coves. Surfing is popular here and Bathsheba's shoreline is also known as the 'soup bowl' for its crashing waves which draw numerous major surfing meets throughout the year.

Beaches like Bottom Bay are similarly rugged, and blessed with beautiful white sands. Swimmers should take caution, and sunbathers who are not inclined to surf may be better off on the west coast of the island where the sea is more tranquil. If you are in St Joseph's or exploring the east coast, Hunte's Gardens are well worth a look.

Dover Beach, Rockley Beach, and Miami Beach are on the south west coast, where the sea begins to become less choppy. Hastings is filled with beaches, and many tourists looking for a relaxing beach holiday will target this area of the island.

Harrison's Cave in Saint Thomas Parish is a wonderful geological attraction; it constitutes a network of underground chambers and canals in one of the landlocked Parishes discussed earlier.

Barbados is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the West Indies, and it is easy to see why with idyllic picture-postcard beaches and an annual average maximum temperature of 30 °C.