The Southern Caribbean covers the islands farthest from Florida: the Dutch ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao off the coast of Venezuela, and the southern Windward Islands such as Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada and Martinique. Because of the distance, cruises here either start in San Juan or Barbados, or run 10 nights or longer from Florida.
The ABC islands are dry, sunny and breezy, with cactus landscapes, reef snorkeling and Curacao's colorful Willemstad waterfront. The Windward Islands are the opposite: green, mountainous and volcanic, with St. Lucia's twin Pitons, Grenada's spice plantations and rainforest waterfalls.
Itineraries here tend to be port-intensive and attract premium and luxury lines as well as the big brands. The far southern islands also sit at the edge of the main hurricane belt, which makes them a popular choice for summer and fall Caribbean trips, though no island is completely risk-free.
- January: Best time, average high 87 degrees F
- February: Best time, average high 87 degrees F
- March: Best time, average high 88 degrees F
- April: Best time, average high 89 degrees F
- May: Shoulder season, average high 90 degrees F
- June: Shoulder season, average high 91 degrees F
- July: Cruises run, average high 90 degrees F
- August: Cruises run, average high 92 degrees F
- September: Cruises run, average high 92 degrees F
- October: Shoulder season, average high 90 degrees F
- November: Shoulder season, average high 89 degrees F
- December: Best time, average high 87 degrees F
- Best time
- Shoulder season
- Cruises run
- Few or none
Temperatures in Fahrenheit, long-term averages. Climate source.
Sailings run year-round, with the most choice from November through April. Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao sit south of the main hurricane track, so they see fewer storms than islands farther north, but itineraries that include the Windward Islands are still exposed from June through November.
Weather to plan around: Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao are rarely hit directly, but the Windward Islands (Grenada, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Barbados) can be, and routes from Florida pass through more exposed waters. The ABC islands are hot and dry year-round, while the Windward Islands get frequent passing showers, especially from June to November.
Ports you'll likely visit
- Oranjestad, Aruba
Eagle Beach and Palm Beach, dependable sunshine and an easy, walkable downtown next to the pier. - Willemstad, Curacao
A UNESCO-listed historic waterfront with pastel Dutch colonial buildings and a floating bridge, plus reef snorkeling. - Kralendijk, Bonaire
Shore diving and snorkeling in a protected marine park, right from town. - Bridgetown, Barbados
Calm west-coast beaches, rum heritage and a UNESCO-listed historic center; a common start and end port. - Castries, St. Lucia
Tours to the Pitons, sulfur springs, rainforest and Marigot Bay. - St. George's, Grenada
Grand Anse beach, spice estates, waterfalls and the underwater sculpture park. - Fort-de-France, Martinique (France)
French Caribbean culture, rum distilleries and volcanic mountain scenery.
Highlights
The ABC islands
Dry, sunny Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao have some of the most reliable weather in the Caribbean.
Willemstad
Curacao's colorful waterfront is a UNESCO World Heritage Site you can walk from the ship.
Volcanic scenery
St. Lucia's Pitons and Grenada's rainforest make dramatic shore days.
More islands, fewer repeats
Southern itineraries visit islands that shorter cruises from Florida cannot reach.
How long, and what documents
7 nights from San Juan or Barbados; 10-12 nights round trip from Florida.
Cruises that begin and end at the same US port are "closed-loop" sailings. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says US citizens on a closed-loop cruise can re-enter the United States with a birth certificate plus a government-issued photo ID, and children under 16 need only proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate (most lines want an original or certified copy, not a photocopy). CBP also warns that the countries your ship visits may still ask for a passport, and cruise lines can set stricter rules than the government does. We recommend a passport book anyway: if you miss the ship or have to fly home early from a foreign port, you cannot board an international flight without one, and a passport card works only for land and sea crossings. Non-US citizens, including green card holders, have different rules. Check current requirements with your cruise line and the State Department before you sail. Cruises that start in Barbados or end at a different port from where they began are not closed-loop, and you will need a passport book to fly to and from the islands.
Specialist tips
- Starting in San Juan saves two or three sea days each way compared with sailing from Florida.
- Bonaire is best for snorkelers; bring your own mask so you can swim right off the town waterfront.
- The ABC islands are windy and sunny; a hat with a strap and strong sunscreen help.
- If your cruise starts in Barbados, plan a pre-cruise night so a late flight does not cost you the ship.
