Water too cold in Caribbean?
 

Is the water too cold in the Caribbean/Bahamas for swimming in Jan? We have to take our trip in Jan this year and really love the water so we don't want to be disappointed.

Thanks!

Sommer

I think it depends on what you are used to. The water in January will be cool, not the usual bath water temp that you will find in the summer. I am in the water in January, and on the beach, but I live in NYC and the water temps here is always cold.

Have a great trip.

Keep in mind that the Bahamas are north of the Caribbean with lower water temps.

Wantsomesun is correct, it depends on what you're use to. I went on a snorkel trip in the Florida Keys in January. Most of us had at least shorty wet suits. Two guys from Minnesota only had their swim trunks.

Further south in the Caribbean will be warm enough. Bahamas just might be chilly. I know that when I was there in February, it was too cold to even sit on the beach. We did manage to sit around the pool though.

The further south in the Caribbean you go the warmer the water will be. The Bahamas are not in the Atlantic not the Caribbean and are fairly far north. Water there is usually chilly but not cold in January.

Islands like the USVI's, BVI's will have comfortable water while destinations like Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Grenada will be fairly warm.

Sorry, that should read "The Bahamas are in the Atlantic, not the Caribbean..."

As others have said - it really depends on what you are used to. I have no problem with water temps in the Bahamas or T&C or northern Caribbean islands. But I regularly swim in Georgian Bay on lake Huron. I imagine if someone was only used to swimming in warm water they might find water temps a little chilly in Jan.

We always take our trips to the Caribbean in late Jan or early Feb - it's the best time of the year to go (esp to get away from the cold of winter at home). The water is refreshing and perfect.

Went to the Atlantis in the Bahamas early Feb a few years ago, the water and weather were great for sunbathing and water sports.

The southern Bahamas like Turks are fine and most of the Caribbean by late January are also comfortable to swim or snorkel in.

You'd be rolling the dice in the Bahamas, pure & simple. Look further south.

January is our favorite time to go to Grand Cayman and the water has always been warm and great for swimming and snorkeling.

The water is tolerable. It all depends on what you like, I like it very warm. The warmer the better. I was in JAX florida recently and the temps were 81-84--PERFECT. I can take 70 or high 60's but I don;t stay in as long. To me that is tolerable but not warm. I think this mostly what you will find.

I think the water in the winter is on a chilly side. Anything below 80 is chilly for me. Depends on what you like.