Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Caribbean Islands
Reload this Page >

Grand Cayman: Warm Enough End of December/Early January?

Search

Grand Cayman: Warm Enough End of December/Early January?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 24th, 2012, 10:08 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,559
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Grand Cayman: Warm Enough End of December/Early January?

Hello,
We are considering a last minute trip ( "last minute" for us who usually plan way ahead) to Grand Cayman: December 29, 2012- January 5, 2013.

We have never been to GC. After years of freezing in South Florida between Christmas /New Years, we want to go somwhere where it is "guaranteed warm".

So, do you think GC is far enough South? Or, should we be considering places farther South and if so, where for this trip? Flying from Toronto direct/non-stop.

Thanks,

OB1
OceanBreeze1 is offline  
Old Nov 24th, 2012, 12:03 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Weather should be fine, ocean water about 77-79 deg.
To have water temps over 80, go to the far eastern and southern Caribbean, say Martinique and south. Air Canada has non-stops to Barbados, a wonderful island, lots of Brits and Canadians, perpetual summer. You'll have water 81-83 and air temps not likely to go below 70 at nite.
xkenx is offline  
Old Nov 24th, 2012, 01:29 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've been told to guarantee warm weather in the Caribbean in the winter months you need to get south of 17 degrees latitude.

I think Jamaica is about 17.5.

We've been to Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis in January. All were warm. Also, to Panama, Costa Rica and Cartagena Colombia.

The further south the better in terms of warmth.
JeanH is offline  
Old Nov 24th, 2012, 04:52 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 14,010
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
We have been to Grand Cayman during Christmas time and it was warm and beautiful.
schmerl is offline  
Old Nov 25th, 2012, 01:37 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We have been to Jamaica during early March and the sea was rather cold for swimming, the air temperature was not that hot either. Very pleasant though, but not hot, about 73F-7F max, bonus was no or little humidity. As others have said, further south is warmer, have been to Martinique and Guadeloupe during Christmas and it was very hot.
Odin is offline  
Old Nov 25th, 2012, 11:26 AM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,559
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for your comments & suggestions.

So, maybe Grenada, St Kitts, Nevis or Barbados. GC may not be far enough South for us for this trip. Of those 4, I have to check & see which ones have Air Canada direct non-stop.( other than Barbados which xkenx has says has AC nonstop)

OB1
OceanBreeze1 is offline  
Old Nov 25th, 2012, 04:43 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have always had great weather during the winter. In Grand Cayman, the average high is 83 degrees and the average low is about 75 degrees in December. This is warm enough for me.

This link should help:
http://caymanislands-guide.info/weather/temperature/

However, at this late date you will probably not be able to book a good accommodation on Grand Cayman for the Christmas/ New Years week.
GeorgeR is offline  
Old Nov 25th, 2012, 08:30 PM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,559
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks, George!

Do you know anything about The Reef? It is available.
Could The Reef be classified as "good accomodation"?

Looking forward to hearing your comments. ( & anybody else who has anything...good or bad...to say about The Reef)

OB1
OceanBreeze1 is offline  
Old Nov 25th, 2012, 08:36 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Personally, I wouldn't chance going to the northern Caribbean in late December, January, February or even March. Like Odin, we were in Jamaica in mid-March a couple of years ago and it could have been a couple of degrees warmer for my tastes. It was too cool to get in the water a couple of days we were there. And we live in Boston so it's not like I have thin blood.

We just returned from Grenada last weekend. Lovely. And hot!

You should add St. Lucia and the ABC islands: Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao to your list of possibilities. All should be nice and warm enough during your time frame. You may be able to get to Aruba and St. Lucia non-stop from Toronto.
sharona is offline  
Old Nov 25th, 2012, 10:07 PM
  #10  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,559
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks, sharona!
OceanBreeze1 is offline  
Old Nov 26th, 2012, 04:30 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
OceanBreeze1,
The Reef is on the on the North side of the island, which is less crowded than the other parts of the island. Most people who go to the resort are happy with the accommodations.There are many places near the Reef to snorkel. The downside is that in winter, that side of the island can be windy. Also, the beach is not sandy like Seven Mile Beach and there is a limited amount of restaurants.
GeorgeR is offline  
Old Nov 26th, 2012, 05:23 PM
  #12  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,559
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
George,
Thank you for your comments.
The Reef sounds as if it may be too remote for us.
Also if we eneded up on the first floor, I don't know that I would feel secure...first floor in a remote location.

Still looking & considering our options. Flights are very expensive from Toronto. No surprise given the late date!

OB1
OceanBreeze1 is offline  
Old Nov 29th, 2012, 04:36 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Reef is pretty rugged and suits those wanting to get away from it all. My parents have been at Christmas time and they said the weather was warm and came home with a tan!
Counde is offline  
Old Nov 29th, 2012, 08:43 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Help me, OB1! You're my only hope.

Sorry.
Jimmie is offline  
Old Nov 29th, 2012, 06:56 PM
  #15  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,559
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Counde: What do you mean by "rugged"? Remote? Not good?

Jimmie:
I would be happy to help you but I need to know: What's the problem?

OB1
OceanBreeze1 is offline  
Old Nov 30th, 2012, 05:30 AM
  #16  
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just a bad Star Wars reference.
Jimmie is offline  
Old Nov 30th, 2012, 09:28 AM
  #17  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,559
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Jimmie,
Actually, that's a good one! Not a bad one.

Obi-Wan Kenobi. Thankfully, I do not look, or sound, like Alec Guinness!!!! (just FYI....ha, ha, ha)
OceanBreeze1 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
EJC
Caribbean Islands
4
Jun 7th, 2009 01:00 PM
wiscrph
Caribbean Islands
4
Jan 9th, 2007 02:40 PM
gofishtlp
Caribbean Islands
4
Nov 4th, 2006 08:21 AM
chesnutjj
Caribbean Islands
7
Dec 12th, 2005 08:11 AM
pyramidias
Cruises
5
Oct 10th, 2002 06:40 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -