Tucked away among the many islands located in the Exuma Cays, you’ll find the island oasis of Staniel Cay. Surrounded by sapphire blue waters and white sandy beaches, Staniel Cay is the perfect destination for travelers in search of the “island life” experience.
The weather in Staniel Cay is nearly perfect year round, with plenty of things to do no matter the season. To help you narrow down your timeline, we’ve crafted this helpful travel guide looking at each season in the Exumas and why it may be the perfect time of year to plan your stay with Lazy Bay Villas.
Spring in Staniel Cay
Not quite considered peak season in the Exuma Cays, Staniel Cay typically sees fewer tourists this time of year. Warmer weather offers great opportunities for outdoor activities and marine adventures.
Spring Weather
Spring in Staniel Cay brings warmer temperatures and gentle breezes after the cooler temps of winter. Temperatures range 75°F to 85°F creating optimal conditions for outdoor excursions involving water. With many flowers starting to bloom, there can be a slight increase in precipitation, but usually only quick spring showers with minimal rainfall.
Activities in Spring
Warmer spring weather means more active wildlife and beautiful springtime blooms. This time of year is great for exploring the island or venturing out to other islands with a boat rental.
Watch the Island Bloom Before Your Eyes
With the arrival of fresh new flora and fauna, spring is perhaps the most scenic time of year on this small island oasis. One of the best activities to do in spring is to explore the island by golf cart and witness the island’s floral transformation firsthand. We recommend doing it island style by golf cart – our villa offers rentals!
Go Cave Diving at Thunderball Grotto
Just off the coast of Staniel Cave lies a system of underwater caves that were once the site of the famous James Bond movie, “Thunderball Grotto.” Visitors to the grotto can explore this network of limestone caverns while encountering the colorful tropical fish and coral reefs that call this spot home.
The grotto is just a short 5 minute boat ride from Staniel Cay. Generally, your boat captain will time your visit with low tide. This is the safest time to visit as the current tends to pick up during high tide.
Sample Bahamian Food and Drinks at a Local Restaurant
You won’t find a lot of grocery stores on Staniel Cay, but you will find a few great restaurants. You can get a taste of the Caribbean dining at the Flying Pig Cafe, indulging in dishes like their savory conch fritters. Or grab a beer with the natives at Big Dogs and learn what it means to live like a local.
Staniel Cay Yacht Club also offers three different restaurants and a setting perfect for watching an incredible sunset. The Yacht Club offers everything from fine dining to a casual meal on the outdoor deck, where you can watch the native marine life swim in the marina below.
Be sure to bring your credit card or cash with you when dining. There are no ATMs on Staniel Cay.
Spending Summer in Staniel Cay
Summer days generally make the best beach days and Staniel Cay is no exception. Lots of sunshine and daylight mean this time of year is a great time to visit this tropical oasis.
Summer Weather
Summer in Staniel Cay brings the abundant sunshine and warm temperatures that you’d expect from a tropical island. Temperatures average between 85°F to the low 90s°F. Higher humidity levels can generate occasional, brief tropical showers and thunderstorms. Typically, showers quickly pass and simply refresh the landscape, cooling it from the day’s heat.
Summer Activities
The heat of summer and longer daylight hours are perfect for water activities and long beach days.
Swimming with Pigs
There may be no more quintessential Exumas activity than becoming one with the beloved population of swimming pigs. Located just a 10-15 boat ride from Staniel Cay, Pig Beach is the perfect day trip excursion. There are plenty of tour operators that offer half and full day trips that often combine other activities.
Located in Big Major Cay, is a secluded island whose sole inhabitants are a few dozen pigs. The swimming pigs are one of the most popular attractions in the Exuma Cays and understandably so. The warm waters of summer make these friendly bovines even more active, proving to be an ideal time of year to visit.
Swim with the Nurse Sharks
North of Pig Beach, you’ll find another excursion where you can swim with a different type of animal. Compass Cay offers a unique experience where you can swim with nurse sharks. No need to be afraid though, these marine predators are well accustomed to hanging out with humans!
Celebrate Bahamian Independence Day
July 10th is a holiday unique to the Bahamas. This date commemorates the day that the Bahamas gained independence from British colonial rule. The holiday is celebrated throughout the Bahamas including the island of Staniel Cay. While you’re likely to find festivities on the island, this can also be a great time to spend the day in Nassau. Flights depart and arrive daily with the local airlines Staniel Air and Flamingo Air.
Fall in Staniel Cay
This time of year typically boasts reduced crowds and may even offer some discounts. Fall can be the perfect time for a peaceful, quiet trip.
Fall Weather
While temperatures gradually decrease in fall, you’ll still find that warmer weather characteristic of a tropical paradise. Temperatures typically range from 80°F to 85°F but occasionally dip lower.
Humidity tends to decrease at this time of the year, however, fall typically brings the wettest months for Staniel Cay. Though this is typically the peak of hurricane season, rest assured knowing that Staniel Cay has never been hit by a major hurricane.
Fall Activities
From vibrant skies to quiet beaches, fall is a great time of year to experience Staniel Cay at a leisurely island pace.
Beach hopping
Naturally, beach hopping is a year round activity on Staniel Cay, but with quieter crowds comes the advantage of quieter beaches.
Fall is the perfect time for you to take advantage of the deserted shores and peaceful ambiance of the Cays. You can stroll along the powdery white sands and get a glimpse of the natural raw beauty of the Staniel Cay that is even better when the shores are quieter. Two of the more popular beaches, Town Beach and Pirate Trap Beach are often deserted this time of year.
Make Time for Sunrise and Sunset
The cooler temperatures and reduced humidity create ideal conditions for vibrant skies and dramatic sunsets. The angle of the sun in the fall months produces vibrant displays in the early or dwindling hours of daylight. From fiery oranges to soft pinks and purples, the sky becomes a kaleidoscope of color with the changing of the sun.
Explore Pablo Escobar’s Sunken Plane Wreck
Visitors in search of a little more of the dramatic history of the Exumas will enjoy a visit to Pablo Escobar’s sunken plane off the coast of Norman Cay. Escobar was a notorious drug lord in the 1970s.
This is the site of the ruins of a plane wreck that crashed into a sandbar while en route on a drug run. The plane’s skeleton has evolved into a reef for tropical fish and is now a popular snorkeling site in the Bahamas.
Visiting Staniel Cay in Winter Months
Winter is actually considered part of the high season in the Cays. Tourists hoping to escape the winter blues flock to the warmer climate during the winter months. Holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years tend to book quickly.
Winter Weather
Winter offers a reprieve from the heat of the fall and summer months. Temperatures are much milder this time of year and average 70°F to 75°F. While Staniel Cay doesn’t see the extreme cold or snow that other areas experience, evenings can be cooler so when visiting during these months, be sure to dress in layers. Winter in the Cays is typically a dryer season with minimal rainfall.
Winter Activities
The dryer weather and mild temperatures make winter in Staniel Cay the perfect time to experience lots of different outdoor activities.
Explore by Boat
Winter offers the ideal weather for a boat ride. Cooler temperatures prevent you from overheating in the sun, and also make for calmer seas. Whether you’re kayaking off the shores of a beautiful beach or cruising the coastline in search of secluded coves to snorkel in, you’re sure to have the perfect boating excursion this time of year.
Visit the Bahamian Rock Iguanas
Along the banks of Bitter Guana Cay’s Iguana Beach you’ll find prehistoric predators roaming the shores. This small island is home to about 5,000 Bahamian Rock Iguanas. Visitors to the island can walk along the beaches and hike through the rocks encountering these reptilian creatures all around.
Go Snorkeling and Diving
Cooler temperatures bring calmer waters in the winters in the Cays. This combination creates excellent visibility making it the perfect time to take a deep dive into the aquatic wonderland off the coast of Staniel Cay. You’ll encounter schools of tropical fish and beautiful coral reefs and perhaps even encounter some majestic sea creatures along your adventure.
Experience all the Seasons in Staniel Cay
One thing is for sure, there are no bad seasons to visit Staniel Cay. When it comes time to pick the perfect home away from home for your stay, look no further than Lazy Bay Villas. We offer the perfect luxury accommodations for your trip. From cozy lagoon side bungalows to four bedroom villas, our vacation rentals are perfect any time of year!
So book your flight (check out Maker’s Air departing from Fort Lauderdale) and pack your bags. Your year-round paradise awaits!