August has historically been the rainiest month in the Bahamas. It is also the time of the year when the Bahamas is likely to experience the most thunderstorms, according to Bahamas-Guide.info. Unfortunately, on many August days the rain is likely to begin at about 1 p.m. -- a time when many tourists are finishing up with lunch and getting ready to explore the area by foot. While rain and thunderstorms are fairly common throughout the year in the Bahamas, August really does put tourists at a disadvantage. Bahamas-Guide.info states there is a 17.6 percent chance that it will begin raining during the 1 o'clock hour in August, with an added 10.2 percent chance of thunderstorms.
While August is the single worst month to travel to the Bahamas in terms of rain, June through November is generally an ill-advised time period as well because this is hurricane season. Being an island in the Caribbean, the Bahamas is extremely vulnerable to high winds, thunderstorms and other inclement weather, including hurricanes. The National Hurricane Center does its best to provide up-to-date information on current and potential hurricanes, but travelers must also know that they can strike at any time with little warning. When a significant hurricane does hit, it can cause flooding, mudslides and widespread injuries. Travelers still planning to vacation in the Bahamas during this time should consider traveler's insurance with hurricane coverage. Be aware, too, that although some of the large hotel chains, such as Sandals, will credit travelers with a comparable, complimentary stay if a hurricane hits during their vacation, many will not. Always check the reservation and refund policies before booking a hotel, whether it's hurricane season or not.
The peak season in the Bahamas begins during the holidays and lasts through the college spring break weeks, in other words from late December through late April. This period is typically the most popular time to visit the Bahamas because the risk of hurricanes is low and the weather is colder in many other parts of the United States. While this may be the most convenient time for some to travel to the Bahamas, it can be inconvenient once you're there, as the prices for everything from rooms to equipment rentals are higher, and the beaches are crowded.
