TRAVEL TIPS & GUIDES

Bahamas in May: Your guide to weather, events & travel

Circular profile image container for visual representation.
Written by

Matt Byrd

Last updated

July 15, 2025

Advisors on TravelJoy have planned over 1 million trips

Find a travel advisor
Unlock the kind of trip you can't find on Google
Plan with a travel advisor to access insider spots and perks.
Find a travel advisor

Royal Poinciana trees burst into flamboyant bloom across the Bahamas in May — their bright red-orange flowers spilling over village roads and beach paths. Mangoes, pineapples, and red dragon fruit start to ripen, goats nap in the shade, and locals spend time outdoors on their porches, with music playing low in the background. Everything feels like it’s stretching into summer — slowly and steadily, without rushing to get there.

Wherever you look, May in the Bahamas is shoulder season, so it’s soft-edged and full of promise. It’s the kind of month where you can kayak through the mangroves, spot baby rays flitting beneath the water’s surface, or drop in for a casual dinner that turns into dancing and drinks under the stars. An advisor on TravelJoy can help you set aside the time to visit the quieter islands, blooming trails, and small-town events that tend to fly under the radar.

Is May a good time to visit Bahamas?

Yes, May is one of the best times to visit the Bahamas if you want to travel at a leisurely pace. The days are not too hot, with the highs hovering in the mid-80s, the water is warm enough for swimming all day, and the winds are calmer than in earlier spring. It’s late enough to feel like summer without the extremes of the high season heat. The Bahamas also experiences light showers during this time, but they’re short, and the skies usually clear fast.

The crowds are lighter, and prices at hotels are still in that sweet spot between spring break spikes and summer peak. You’ll have more flexibility to book your choice of hotels and choose the ferry routes that you fancy the most. What’s more, many excursions are also easier to book at the last minute in May. From Nassau to the Out Islands, there’s still a relaxed pace to daily life that makes it fun to just walk around.

Sure, you may not get the cool breezes of winter or the packed festival calendar of summer, but what you do get is an opportunity to experience the carefree island life authentically. If you're planning a trip to the Bahamas in May, an advisor on TravelJoy can help you attend the best seasonal events, time your inter-island hops smoothly, and lean into the quiet before summer’s full rush begins.

High temperature
84°F / 29°C
Low temperature
73°F / 23°C
Rainfall
3.1 in / 80 mm
Sun & daylight
9.5 hours / 13.5 hours
Seasonal tips

- Hot and sunny

- Chance of brief rain

- Mosquito repellent advised

- Ideal for beach weddings

- Peak for festivals

Where to go in Bahamas in May

Andros
This is the start of crab season in Andros, when land crabs begin to emerge after the spring rains. It’s no surprise, then, that the island’s cookouts feature crab-and-rice, crab soup, and plenty of stories about catching them in the bush. It’s also the last good month for inland hiking before it gets too humid to enjoy the trails around Blue Holes National Park.
Nassau
If you’re in this part of the Bahamas in May, there’s a lot you can do to make your vacation fun and memorable. The family-friendly ideas include a trip to Cabbage Beach or Cable Beach, both of which are famous for their sandy white shores and clear blue waters. For the history-lovers who fancy a more active itinerary, Queen’s Staircase, Fort Fincastle, and the local markets are excellent places to check out.
The Exumas
The water around the Exumas is clearest in May, making it an ideal month for boating to the cays, snorkelling along shallow reefs, or swimming at the sandbars. The afternoon showers are rare, so the seas aren’t usually murky. You can make the most of the clear waters by opting for a boat tour to the different islands in the Exumas, or spotting the stingrays that are active near the shore this time of year.
Harbour Island
Harbour Island’s gardens and narrow streets are at their most colourful in May. Yellow Elders, lilacs, and hibiscus bloom across fences and balconies, and the sun isn’t yet too harsh, so you can admire the local flora on a midday walk. This is also a great time to relax on the miles of pink sands by the beach, take boat tours to hidden reefs and coves, or have fun with water activities like jet skiing, paddleboarding, or deep-sea fishing.

Plan your perfect trip to Bahamas with the help of an expert

Find a travel advisor

Things to do in Bahamas in May

Event
Location
Timing
Bahamas Carnival
Road march and concerts during Bahamas Carnival
Nassau
First weekend of May
Eleuthera Pineapple Fest Preview
Pineapple tastings at Eleuthera Pineapple Fest Preview
Eleuthera
Late May
Andros Blue Hole Festival
Nature and music celebrations at Andros Blue Hole Festival
Andros
Mid-May
Family Island Regattas
Traditional sailing and celebrations at Family Island Regattas
Exuma
May (varies)
Junkanoo Mini Fest
Island previews of Junkanoo at Mini Fest
Nassau
May weekends
Nassau Summer Night Markets
Evening food and craft markets in Nassau
Nassau
Friday evenings
EcoKayak Days
Mangrove paddling during EcoKayak Days in Bimini
Bimini
All May

Related travel guides

Plan the perfect trip to Bahamas with a pro

A trip that reflects you
Instead of following a stranger's top 10 list, let a travel advisor design a one-of-a-kind trip around your unique style.

Effortless planning
Your advisor takes care of the research, logistics, and bookings so you can focus on enjoying the trip.

VIP access and upgrades
From suite upgrades to once-in-a-lifetime experiences, your advisor can open doors that aren’t available online.

Find a travel advisor