Cayman Weather

Yes, it’s true, everybody talks about it, but no one actually does anything. Not much needs to be done, however, in this case, blessed as the islands are with a subtropical climate, plentiful sunshine, cool nights in both summer and winter, a steady breeze and unparalleled opportunities for stargazing.

10 Interesting Facts about Cayman Weather

Cool nights

Cool nights

Even in the blazing heat of a Caribbean summer, nighttime temperatures drop, offering relief all around from the 95-degree midday sun. It does not get much hotter than that, however, and the humidity can take a toll only if you’re unprepared for it. Winter nights are the best, however, cool enough to sleep without an air conditioner.

Sunny days

Sunny days

One of the reasons the Cayman Islands is informally referred to as “paradise” is the overwhelming preponderance of sunny days. Even during the 1 June-1 November hurricane season, the rare cloudy morning generally turns sunny before noon. The bright white sand of the beaches and the low vegetation helps reflect the light so that even cloudy days appear bright.

A congenial climate

A congenial climate

Temperatures are lowest in January and February, ranging between 70F and 86F. The humidity hovers at 70 percent in the winter, but can touch a sweltering 95 percent in the summer. Forecasts are widely available in the daily newspaper, and on all TV and radio stations. The lowest temperature on record was 55F.

Hurricane season

Hurricane season

Even the hurricanes can be interesting, except when they turn nasty, like 2004’s category 5 Hurricane Ivan, which damaged 80 percent of all buildings in Grand Cayman or 2008’s Hurricane Paloma, which devastated Cayman Brac. A kind of dark, troubled beauty, however, informs the sea and sky during more routine ill weather.

Thunder storms

Thunder storms

A full-on Caribbean lightning storm is among nature’s wonders. The sheer volume of water released by towering columns of cumulonimbus thunderheads and the distant trail of three-armed lightning bolts over the horizon creates a spectacle of unharnessed power. At night, lighting storms can be powerful enough to light up the water like an aquarium.

Moonlight and meteors

Moonlight and meteors

Particularly during the long winter nights, the skies leap into life. A waxing-towards-full moon hijacks the darkness, burning furiously like a cosmic streetlamp. Similarly, with little urban light pollution washing out the shimmering starshine, visitors can see with stunning clarity all their favourite northern-hemisphere constellations.

Wardrobe

Wardrobe

You could describe Cayman's weather as needing a wardrobe for one and a half seasons. A light sweater may be needed in the winter. For all other times, you will find short sleeves, light dresses and shorts sufficient. At all times we recommend a hat, sneakers or sandals, and sunglasses. Outdoor restaurants are popular and the dress code is casual to smart casual.

Cloudbursts

Cloudbursts

You are likely to get caught by summertime rains at least once, but they do not normally last long, moving out to sea within 15 minutes. Watching the squalls on the horizon is a wondrous sight as menacing rainclouds harmlessly unload over the open ocean. Puddles can form quickly, though, so be cautious when you are driving in the rain.

Calm waters

Calm waters

It is a cliché to say that Cayman waters are tranquil, but it's hard to get around it. They ARE tranquil, and thus the proliferation of water sports, diving operations, and all day activity on the water. Light winds most of the year yield calm waters -- dependable, predictable, safe, reliable -- which enchant the eye at every turn in the road.

Rainy Season

Rainy Season

The rainy season, starting in early summer and persisting for several months, is, frankly, something of a relief. Sharp, heavy showers in the afternoons wash out the humidity, generating a familiar musty odour as the heat rises off the roads and earth. Nighttime showers provide a soothing and gentle backdrop to easy slumber after a day's activities.

This article has been collaboratively crafted with the assistance of AI-driven insights and meticulously curated by Fevi Yu, our  SEO Content Manager and Web Administrator. It has undergone rigorous editing and fact-checking by a Destination Editor-At-Large, who is also a resident of the Cayman Islands. Should you have any inquiries, require clarifications, or seek additional information, we invite you to contact us at [email protected]