The words “hurricane season” can drive fear into the heart of travelers, whose ideal Caribbean vacation is full of sunny skies, light breezes, and calm water. But before you shy away from traveling to the Caribbean from June through November, consider the positives. The region spans approximately 1 million square miles of the Caribbean Sea, and when major hurricanes do occur, they usually affect only a small part of the islands at a time. And by vacationing in the Caribbean during off-season, you’ll find lower prices and far fewer crowds.
“Even if a hurricane is impacting the southern Bahamas, most of the region would likely have ideal tropical weather,” says Frank J. Comito, the now-retired CEO and director general of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association.
Still, it’s important to be prepared for a chance of serious storms and severe weather. Here’s what you need to know about traveling to the Caribbean during hurricane season.
When is hurricane season in the Caribbean?
According to the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS), hurricane season in the Caribbean runs from June 1 through November 30 and normally peaks in August and September. The Caribbean region is within the Atlantic hurricane basin, whose storms also affect Florida and other parts of the coastal southern United States (and a bit higher north in the past few years). In 2023, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) counted 20 named storms that passed through the Caribbean, and in 2024, there were 8 tropical storms and 11 hurricanes. This year, the National Weather Service predicts 13 to 19 named storms (meaning they have winds of 39 mph or higher).
To be better prepared, check for updates from the National Hurricane Center before your trip. This NWS division tracks and predicts weather in the tropics and issues hurricane warnings and updates on weather conditions across the Atlantic Ocean up to 48 hours in advance.
Even if there are no reports of hurricanes in the weather forecast, you may experience some rain and tough weather patterns at your destination. Be prepared and take your most waterproof luggage, pack a rain jacket, and consider bringing a dry bag, like those by Sea to Summit, to keep important items like your camera and phone dry while out and about.
The Caribbean’s unique geography makes it vulnerable to storms.
Photo by dibrova/Shutterstock
How different are tropical storms and hurricanes?
The difference between a tropical storm and a hurricane comes down to wind speed, the most important factor in determining the severity of a storm and its classification. According to the U.S. National Weather Service, a weather system is considered a tropical storm when wind speeds reach 39 miles per hour. Once it increases above 74 miles per hour, it enters hurricane, typhoon, or tropical cyclone territory. Hurricanes, typhoons, and tropical cyclones are all names for the same weather phenomenon—the only difference among them is where in the world the storm is happening.
Hurricanes occur in the North Atlantic, central North Pacific, and eastern North Pacific regions, while the same weather pattern is called a typhoon in the northwest Pacific. In the warm waters of the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific, the more generic “tropical cyclone” term is used to describe severe storms, no matter how strong the winds are.
Why is the Caribbean prone to hurricanes?
The Caribbean region’s warm water and high humidity result in wet summer months. As this warm air evaporates and rises, it irritates the ocean’s surface and quickly results in tropical storms and thunderstorms. Warm water keeps hurricanes active—something you can certainly find a lot of in this region.
Think of a hurricane as a massive group of thunderstorms concentrated in a single area. When a huge amount of rain meets with strong winds, an influx of water can be kicked inland. But as soon as tumultuous weather systems hit land and begin to cool off, you often see storms start to slow.
The best places in the Caribbean during hurricane season
If you want to take your chances and travel to the Caribbean during June through November, there are some islands that are less prone to hurricanes. These destinations will usually offer lower prices and fewer crowds. Head for the southern Caribbean islands closest to South America, which typically see fewer storms. They include:
- Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, world-class scuba diving destinations collectively known as the ABC Islands
- Barbados, whose capital, Bridgetown, is a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Trinidad and Tobago, popular for music and culture
- Grenada, known for its beaches and rum distilleries, and located off the coast of Venezuela, outside of the Caribbean hurricane belt
And although not an island, the Central American country of Belize has a beautiful Caribbean coastline, and its location keeps it relatively protected from the worst hurricane activity.
It’s more affordable to visit the Caribbean from June to November
Hurricane season is certainly the least expensive time to travel to the Caribbean. Airlines and hotels don’t explicitly market “hurricane rates,” but you can expect lower hotel fares, cheaper flights, and smaller crowds. (Some islanders even take advantage of deals themselves to travel within the Caribbean.)
Keep an eye on flight deals by setting up an alert in Google Flights or signing up for a deal newsletter such as Going, which regularly shares affordable flights to the Caribbean and other destinations.
Do note that many hotels close for annual maintenance for a few weeks or even a couple of months, so look up options before you commit.
To remain prepared, check for updates from the National Hurricane Center before your trip.
Photo by Drew McArthur/Shutterstock
Buy travel insurance before you go
Travel insurance is always a good idea. Be sure your policy includes NOAA warnings and alerts for tropical storms as being covered. Most travel insurance also covers cancellations if a destination is deemed uninhabitable—as long as the policy was purchased before a hurricane or tropical storm was named. Sites like InsureMyTrip.com, which casts a wide net, and TravelInsurance.com, which offers tighter, more curated lists, let you shop for and compare the best travel insurance policies. Trip cancellation or interruption due to inclement weather and natural disasters, whether you’re now unable to reach your cruise port or a storm has hit your island hotel, is covered under World Nomads’ standard and more premium “explorer” plans.
According to Stan Sandberg, cofounder of TravelInsurance.com, purchasing a travel insurance plan is a necessary precaution to take, and it’s more affordable than most think. “You can get high-quality coverage for what amounts to the cost of a nice dinner out on vacation,” Sandberg says.
While prices vary depending on destination, trip cost, desired benefits, and even travelers’ ages and residences, travel insurance costs between 3 and 10 percent of the trip being covered—around $100 or $200 for two people planning a $2,000 vacation.
Consider booking a cruise
Cruise ships will reroute when they receive storm warnings, meaning that your vacation will be less affected by unexpected storms. Caribbean cruise line options range from the high-luxury small ships of Silversea, Seabourn, and Azamara to the big vessels of Celebrity, Carnival, and NCL.
What to do if a hurricane strikes
If you booked a trip—and didn’t buy travel insurance—don’t panic if a hurricane hits. “In the Caribbean, we’ve become experienced at dealing with the impact of storms. We know as soon as any system forms and have pretty accurate predictions as to ETAs,” says Johnson JohnRose, former communications specialist for the Dutch island of Sint Eustatius and the Caribbean Tourism Organization. Local governments and hotels keep a close eye on storms’ development and have detailed activation plans in place for evacuating or sheltering guests.
If an impending storm looks serious, hotels and airlines often let guests cancel or reschedule without penalties. Ask about policies when you book, and if trouble seems to be looming, ask again about your options. “We are regularly made aware of instances where guest satisfaction levels increase during a storm,” says Comito of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association. “They are well taken care of by the resort and staff.”
Related: The 25 Best Luxury Resorts and Hotels in the Caribbean You Should Book Right Now
This article was originally published in 2015 and most recently updated on May 26, 2025, with current information. Jessie Beck, Erika Owen, and Sophie Friedman contributed to the reporting of this story.
