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Are you feeling sick of cold and dreary winters? You’re not alone. The average Canadian or American faces cold, snow, and icy wind at least four months per year.
That’s why so many expats and immigrants arrive in The Bahamas every year. On top of the perfect weather, the Friendly Islands offer pristine beaches, an incredible culture, and enticingly low tax rates for individuals and businesses.
So you love the idea of the sun, but does that mean it’s too humid?
Don’t worry; you’re not the only aspiring expat worried about the Bahamian humidity. Many wonder: What is the average humidity in The Bahamas?
Weather and humidity are definitely things you should get familiar with before an international move! Let’s cover all the information about the humidity and weather conditions in The Bahamas that you’ll need to inform your decision.
Table of Contents
Does The Bahamas Have High Humidity?
Humidity measures how wet the air is and can even influence the perceived temperature. Do you ever experience summer days where the air feels thick? That’s moisture — the water vapor that pumps up humidity levels.
Experts measure humidity in two different ways: relative humidity and dew point. Relative humidity is the most common, and it tells us the percentage of water vapor in the air.
On the other hand, the dew point is an absolute measure of humidity. The higher the dew point, the higher the humidity.
The humidity in The Bahamas is high year-round, creating its beautiful tropical climate. Regardless of the month or time of year, the lowest humidity ranges between 75% in April to about 82% humidity in September.
How does that compare with Canada and the US? Florida is the most humid, and relative humidity can reach as high as 90%. But if you compare Bahamian humidity with Toronto? Even hot summer days don’t exceed 26% humidity in the metropolitan Canadian city.
Remember that humidity influences how hot or cold it feels. High humidity will make a hot summer day feel even warmer.
Does the Caribbean have high humidity?
So, we know The Bahamas is humid. But what about the Caribbean in general?
The answer is a resounding “Yes!” Humidity fluctuates more throughout the many islands of the Caribbean than in The Bahamas. Caribbean humidity can reach as high as 97% in places like Dominica or Turks and Caicos.
Even at its lowest, the humidity in the Caribbean is rarely below 55%.
Bahamas Humidity by Month
Are you planning to make The Bahamas your snowbird destination? Or perhaps you’re considering the best month to stay at your Bahamas rental home. Either way, it’s helpful to consider the humidity and weather in The Bahamas by month.
The Bahamas stays particularly muggy for approximately eight months of the year, from about mid-April to late December. During these months, you can expect the weather to range from a little sticky to sometimes oppressive. Some of the most comfortable months are in the winter, particularly in February — which explains the high season!
The Bahamas would make a wonderful winter getaway for you and your loved ones based on its humidity levels throughout the year. And while the summer months can get humid, The Bahamas sees thousands of immigrants every year. Clearly, they can manage the humidity!
Along with the heat, The Bahamas features cooling winds, stunning oceans, and refreshing pools in your beautiful Bahamas home.
Let’s explore more ways to manage humidity in The Bahamas.
Benefits of Living in a Humid Climate
Better Health
Humid weather is better for your health. From better sleep to fewer allergens to lower stress levels, humid air offers multiple benefits.
Breathing in dry air leaves you prone to nosebleeds, irritated airways and sinuses, catching colds and the flu, and itchy eyes. Maintaining a relative humidity of at least 30-50% is ideal for health and comfort.
A study on the role of humidity and the transmission of the influenza virus shows that having a relative humidity of 40% or higher significantly reduces infectivity levels of the virus.
Another bonus is that higher humidity levels are better for your skin. Dry air evaporates the moisture from your skin, causing itchiness and dry, scaly patches. Humidity keeps your skin supple and healthy, minimizing the spread of blemishes.
Plant Growth
Gardeners rejoice! You won’t have to ditch your garden if you move to The Bahamas. The warm, tropical climate is fantastic for growing all kinds of produce that taste delicious and are great for your health.
The top fruits and vegetables produced in The Bahamas include:
- Pumpkin
- Sweet pepper
- Sweet potato
- Tomato
- Avocado
- Cabbage
- Hot pepper
- Cassava
- Plantain
- Banana
- Coconut
- Grapefruit
- Mango
- Orange
- Pineapple
- Sour orange
Our very own MCR Bahamas team members grow coconut palms, avocado trees, mulberry trees, guinep trees, banana trees, sugar apples, seagrapes, and oranges!
Temperature Regulation
Another important benefit is outside temperature regulation. The Bahamas’ temperature is pretty consistent year-round.
Higher humidity means there is more moisture in the air. Moisture regulates the temperature, preventing extreme cold and extreme heat (which is also great for health and gardening).
This is true for all countries that sit near to the equator. The closer you are, the less the variation in temperature and seasons.
How to Manage The Bahamas Humidity
Here are some helpful tips to help you prepare for humidity in The Bahamas:
- Air conditioner: Need we say more? You want to make sure you can come home to a pleasantly cool place after spending a hot, sunny day at the beach!
- Water: Always stay hydrated. Now’s a great time to invest in a quality water bottle to carry around with you each day.
- Dehumidifier: They remove moisture from the air and are fantastic in helping prevent mold and mildew. Just make sure you don’t purchase a humidifier by mistake, which makes the atmosphere even more humid!
- Refreshing activities: The Bahamas is made up of over 700 islands and cays
- in the Atlantic Ocean–meaning there are lots of beautiful beaches to choose from!
- Loose-fitting clothing: Lightweight, loose clothing in natural fabrics will help to make you feel cooler and less restricted. You could also always opt for a bathing suit! Linen, bamboo, and cotton are all lightweight and breathable materials.
- Timed activities: If humidity gets the worst in the afternoon, save your jog or planned outing for the evening or make it early!
More About Weather in The Bahamas
While The Bahamas has near-perfect weather, Bahamian summers tend to get cloudy. In fact, the clearest day of the year is on or around February 25th! Expats should keep this in mind when considering which months of the year they want to reside in The Bahamas.
The Bahamas also experiences a yearly hurricane season, which runs from June to November. However, hurricanes can also develop outside of this official time frame. Any move to a coastal area should also include a plan for hurricanes.
Luckily, there are ways to prepare for hurricanes and damaging winds. The best places to find information are local government websites and through reaching out to experienced islanders!
Average Temperature in The Bahamas
The average temperature in The Bahamas is nice and warm! You’ll feel low 70s Fahrenheit in the winter — much warmer than New York or Chicago! And summer gets warmer without being too hot, right in the low-mid 80s.
November to April is the cooler and more comfortable part of the year. From May to October, average high temperatures are in the mid-80s to low 90s, and average low temps for those months are in the 70s.
In addition to these average high air temperatures, The Bahamas also enjoys warm year-round water temperatures from about 76 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit over the course of the year!
Average Climate in The Bahamas
The climate in The Bahamas is considered subtropical to tropical, so expect hot temperatures and a muggy climate most of the year.
While sometimes uncomfortable, the hot weather is perfect for the abundant growth of the delicious tropical fruit we think of when we go to the beach: mango, banana, papaya, coconut, avocado, and more! Make sure to pick some up at your local fruit stand in town.
Average Rainfall in The Bahamas
The Bahamas gets an average annual rainfall of about 44 inches or 11.17cm per year, which seems like a lot. But its annual average isn’t much higher (if not lower) than some American cities. For example, New Orleans sees an average of 54 inches each year!
You’ll see the most rain in the summer, between April and October. August is especially known for heavy rains and hurricane threats. However, similar to Florida, Bahamian rainstorms rarely last the whole day and often come in short bursts.
Despite the common association between The Bahamas and sunshine, it’s important to prepare for the precipitation. Invest in an umbrella and rain jacket!
The Best Time to Visit & Live in The Bahamas
Whether you’re living in Nassau or other warm destinations on the islands, you’ll want to prepare for the weather — just like every other city.
In NYC, you need to prepare for snowy, cold winters. In The Bahamas, you must adjust your lifestyle and invest in proper gear to beat the humidity. Our advice? The Friendly Islands have everything you need to ensure a comfortable life — especially if you live in a luxury real estate property.
Travelers, expats, and newcomers alike — we welcome you to The Bahamas and invite you to relish all its gifts. Ready to find the perfect, luxury home? Explore our rentals and listings today!