Start of peak tourist season with dry weather, comfortable temperatures, and lively holiday celebrations. Expect higher accommodation prices and busy ferries and flights.
Bryce Edwards from San Jose, CA, USA derivative work: Jjtkk CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons
Average daily low and high (°C) and monthly rainfall. The badge shows how it feels, allowing for humidity.
Average temperature across The Bahamas in December.
Grand Bahama & Abacos
December feels crisp compared with summer: clear, sunny days with a steady breeze and comfortable evenings; the islands begin filling with holiday travelers. Marsh Harbour and Freeport become lively with cruises and parties, and Nassau-bound traffic affects inter-island ferry capacity, so book ahead. Boxing Day brings Junkanoo celebrations further south, and the cool, breezy weather makes sightseeing and bonefishing very pleasant.
Nassau
December is lively and cool compared with summer, with steady trade winds and a festive atmosphere-Nassau fills for the holidays and Junkanoo activity spikes around Boxing Day and New Year’s. Daytime temperatures are comfortable for exploring downtown museums and the Queen’s Staircase, while evenings by the bay can be breezy. Expect higher prices and book restaurants and inter-island transfers well in advance.
December returns to the clear, dry high season-sunny days, cooler breezes, and busy harbors as holidaymakers reclaim favorite anchorages. Staniel Cay and the Land and Sea Park are lively and visibility is usually at its best for dives and freediving. Expect busy moorings and higher rates; reserve charters and island cottages months in advance if traveling for the holidays.
December feels pleasantly cool and windy-ideal for flats fishing and day boating without the heavy humidity of summer; Bimini and Andros are lively with holiday visitors. The sea is generally calmer and visibility improves for diving Tongue of the Ocean and blue hole excursions. Expect higher prices and book key activities well in advance, especially over Christmas and New Year.
Long Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, Great Inagua
December cools slightly and the trade winds make for comfortable days and breezy evenings; holiday travel picks up but the southern islands retain a quieter feel than Nassau or the Exumas. Inagua’s flamingo viewing is straightforward and Long Island remains a favorite for freedivers and beachcombers. Reserve accommodations early for the holidays and pack a light jacket for windy evenings.
Major Junkanoo parades and street celebrations take place on December 26 with music, costumes, and dancing.
See how December compares with the rest of the year, then read the full guide.