Thinking about a trip to The Bahamas in November and need some help? You’re in the right place!
In brief, November is the last month of slow season in the Bahamas with low crowds and low cost of travel. November is also the last month of hurricane season, but the super storms are highly unlikely to hit this late in the year. The weather is pretty comfortable and humidity percentages decrease throughout the month. All activities like swimming, diving, boating and sunbathing are possible this month and more enjoyable when fewer people are crowding the beaches.
If you’re trying to figure out what will make a great vacation even better this month, this guide has everything you need to put yourself on the right track.
Bahamas Weather in November
November weather in the Bahamas is generally very nice and breezy. Each day has an average temperature of around 82°F for the high and 71°F for the low. November is the end of hurricane season, so the superstorms are usually scarce this month but not impossible.
Despite the fact November is part of hurricane season, daily rain is not often an issue like it is in the earlier months of hurricane season. Rain chances drop to about 15% each day this month and the skies are less overcast. Heat and humidity also drop, making the daytime much more comfortable on average.
Days begin to feel much shorter in November, especially with the change in time when Daylight Savings Time hits. November is also the beginning of the windy season in the Bahamas and water temperatures begin to drop to 79°F later in the month. The wind can make diving a bit more challenging, but certainly still doable and pleasant.
Bahamas November Weather Cheat Sheet
| Average Low Temperature | 71°F (21.6°C) |
| Average High Temperature | 82°F (27.8°C) |
| Average Sea Water Temperature | 81°F (27°C) |
| Humidity | 73% |
| Average Rainfall | 2.5 inches (63.5 mm) |
| Average Days with Rain | 8 days |
| UV Index | 7 (High) |
| Day Length | ~11 hours 30 minutes |
| Sea Conditions | Moderately choppy |
| Visibility | Good, 8-10 miles |
| Dew Point | ~69°F (20.6°C) |
| Air Quality Index | Good |
| Likelihood of Hurricanes | Low to Moderate |
Bahamas Affordability & Crowds in November
November in the Bahamas is significantly less busy than other times of year, though you might see an uptick in visitors throughout the month. November is the last month of the low season before high season swings into full gear in the month of December. If you were looking for a last minute vacation before the end of the year, November may be a nice time to plan one spontaneously.
Fewer visitors in November means that rates will be more favorable across the board. You might be able to score decent rates on accommodations and tours, and it’ll be a lot easier to get deals on airline tickets or cruise vacations.
Daylight Savings Time in the Bahamas in November
Daylight Savings Time is not honored by many countries around the world, but the Bahamas along with the neighboring United States still adheres to this bi-annual rule. November marks the “Fall Back”, where the clocks change one hour backward. The only thing this will really affect is the sunrise and sunset times.
If you’re traveling to the Bahamas in the first week of November, you won’t be affected by Daylight Savings Time. The sun will rise around 7:30am and the sun will set at about 6pm.
But if you come after the first week of November, expect for sunrise to occur at about 6:30am. The sun will then set around 5:30pm or sooner. Daylight hours will continue to decrease throughout the Winter.
Traveling to the Bahamas in November
There are many different ways to get to the Bahamas, including flying, cruising or boating. Flights are one of the easiest ways to get to the Bahamas from anywhere and they tend to be cheaper this time of year. Poor weather doesn’t affect flights as much as it could other forms of transportation, so if you have a fear of cancellations or rescheduling, booking a flight might be your best bet for getting to the islands.
We suggest booking a flight to a busy airport like Nassau in order to get the cheapest rates possible. But you can still receive decent pricing for flights to smaller airports or on island hopping jets in November before the Winter crowds flood the islands. However, short flights from island to island will usually be more expensive than boat tours.
Cruises are another great option for getting to the Bahamas, especially in you live on the East Coast of the United States. Hurricanes and tropical storms will inevitably dock cruise ships, but the offerings on a cruise are hard to beat. Prices will be favorable in October and include great excursions, a full itinerary and all food and beverage on the ship.
There’s also a ferryboat that goes from Fort Lauderdale or Miami to different ports in the Bahamas, including Bimini, Nassau and Freeport. These are good for those who prefer to do shorter trips, but they post the most risk during inclement weather. Trips usually take 3-4 hours from point A to point B and give you more of a scenic experience on the water.
Best Bahamas Islands in November
In November, which is still slow season for the Bahamas, you can still save a decent bit of money on a cruise. Most cruises have their own private islands where they dock and a lot of them are located in the Berry Islands. These islands can get pretty busy in the Winter, so November is a great time to experience them before the crowds roll in.
The Berry Islands
The Berry Islands are lovingly referred to as the “Fish Bowl of the Bahamas” due to the excellent fishing you’ll find on the flats and off the coast here. Bonefish and billfish are among the top catches, but that’s not all this small chain of 30 cays is known for. This area happens to be one of the busiest destinations for cruise stops and boat tours from Nassau.
If you plan on cruising in November, you’ve got a great chance of scoring a good deal, but also have the benefit of fewer people during your experience. Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas not only have great offerings on their cruises, they also dock in the Berry Islands for great beach days in the middle of your cruise.
Royal Caribbean docks at their private island, Coco Cay, which resembles a fun water park on the beach. While here, visitors can lay on the beach, snorkel in the ocean, swim in the lagoon and order drinks and food from several island restaurants. Kids will love the giant water slides, the zip line and the tethered helium balloon that launches spectators into the sky for a beautiful view.
Great Stirrup Cay is the tender port for Norwegian Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas. This island is a little less theme park and a little more Bahamian vacation. From here you can book boat tours of the Out Islands, rent jet skis, snorkel the coastline or relax in a private cabana. There are zip lines and restaurants here, too, but overall this island is much more natural than Coco Cay. We’d say Great Stirrup Cay better suited for adults.
If you’re not cruising to the Bahamas but still want the ultimate fishing experience in the Berry Islands, we suggest flying directly to Great Harbour Cay Airport or taking a boat from Nassau. Great Harbour Cay is where the majority of Berry Islands residents live and it’s a good main base for your adventures. It’s home to the big marina where you can dock your private boat, and it has a golf course in the middle of the private residences.
Best Things to Do in the Bahamas in November
The Bahamas has so much to offer every month of the year and November is no different. The weather is usually beautiful all month long, so many of the beachy activities you came to do will be available on a daily basis. We’ve listed our top picks to make your vacation even better in November.
Boat or Walk the Islands
The Bahamas have lots of interesting tours to choose from, it can be difficult to pick one or multiple to fit in your vacation. The best strategy is to determine what your group wants to see and what level of activity or adventure they want to have. Some of the best tours in November include thrilling boat rides and beautiful walking tours.
For those looking for a bit of thrill, book an exuma powerboat tour to see unique sites and go on exciting excursions. Exuma powerboat tours set sail from Nassau and make up to 7 different stops depending on the tour you select. This is a full day experience where you’ll encounter sharks, stingrays, and iguanas, plus you’ll get a chance to swim with the famous pigs of Exuma.
You can also go island hopping via speed boat, which is often cheaper than the powerboat tours, depending on which tour you select. The speed boat tours can range in price from below $200 to under $1000. You can select many different destinations from private beaches to snorkeling holes to sand bars, so we suggest looking into the perfect tour to fit your budget and bucket list.
If you’d prefer a food and culture experience, try the nassau food tour. You’ll get to taste some of the best restaurants on the island, and get a tour of the famous John Watling’s Distillery. Rum shots may also be served to end the tour at the distillery. Nassau food tours are great walking tours and November has beautiful weather for walking the islands.
See Famous Movie Sets
The Bahamas are home to lots of different movie sets and locations that visitors will recognize immediately. There are several ways to go about seeing some of these awesome locations and the best way is to take a boat tour or go your own pace finding these sets.
Popular movies from Pirates of the Caribbean to 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea have been filmed at different places in the Bahamas and it can be fun to find them. The easiest ones to find are Silence of the Lambs scene on South Bimini, SPLASH locations on Castaway Cay, Casino Royale scenes in Nassau and Jaws Beach.
For even more action movie fun. Take a scuba diving adventure for undersea movie sets. Thunderball Grotto of the famous 1965 James Bond movie is the most popular dive, featuring reef fish and cave diving. You can also see the Nautilus from 20,000 Leagues submerged at Castaway Cay.
Other scuba diving excursions will take you to Into the Blue’s shark diving locale, or Cocoon’s famous scene of Bimini Road. This interesting underwater walkway is the storied entrance to the Lost City of Atlantis or thought to be Ponce de Leon’s road to the Fountain of Youth.
Go Fly Fishing
The Bahamas is a great destination for fly fishing, especially when you’re after the elusive bonefish the islands are so well-known for. In November, offshore fishing is a little risky, so inshore fishing is one of the best investments of your time and money. You can still book a captain to get you to the best places this month, but residents often suggest you get a fly fishing pole and wade in the flats.
Bonefish are one of the top catches in the Bahamas and they’re available to fish year round. The flats and mangroves are filled with bonefish at certain points in the day, especially near the Abaco Islands, Andros and New Providence. If you plan to troll the flats by boat or head a little farther offshore, you can also catch the in-season Barracuda, and Mackerel, Snapper, Grouper and Permit can be good this month.
As mentioned above, the Berry Islands are another great location for excellent fishing. Bonefish are in abundance here and locals and visitors alike enjoy the hunt.
Once you’ve landed a catch, consider having it cooked by a local chef at a Bahamian restaurant. Senor Frog’s in Nassau or Blue Marlin Cove on Grand Bahama are great choices for dinner after a day on the water, plus you can bring your catch for them to cook fresh for you.
Swim with the Dolphins
Swimming with dolphins is one of the most incredible experiences and we highly recommend this in November when the demand is lower. November water is also warm and inviting for the dolphins, plus sessions are a little easier to book. The other good thing is that you can choose from multiple different venues including Dolphin Encounter, Blue Lagoon, Dolphin Cay and Balmoral Islands.
The dolphins have really great personalities and love visitors. Some of the experiences will even include trick shows from the dolphins and trainers or will allow guests to feed the dolphins fishy treats.
For those who want to stay on land, horseback riding on the island beaches is a beautiful experience any time of day. Happy Trails on Paradise Island offers spectacular sunrise trail rides, while Freeport has two hour long horseback tours through Grand Bahama. Lastly, Half Moon Cay has the most intriguing horseback experience, which takes you on a ride and swim through the waves on your horse.
Another fun way to experience the Bahamas’ natural wildlife in November is to find island iguanas. Allen Cay, otherwise known as Iguana Island, is one of the preferred places to spot these large reptiles. You’ll need to book a tour or have your own private boat to visit this island on the Northern end of the Exumas, but it’s well worth it for a trip when fewer people will be visiting the cay.
Get on the Water
If you plan to spend the day at the beach, consider renting a water vehicle for an hour or two. This is a great way to explore the coastline without venturing too far offshore or spending a fortune on private or group tours. Banana boats in particular are really fun to rent out with groups of 2 to 5.
Personal underwater submarines make other really fun rentals with big groups. These unique vehicles take you completely underwater to see shallow reefs and colorful fish along the coastline. No prior diving experience is required and a short-term tour guide will get you to all the cool spots on your journey.
Snorkeling gear is also available for rent at several places around the Bahamas and you can see some incredible things under the water. Shallow reefs, ship wrecks and plane wrecks are among some of the interesting finds around the islands.
You can also book a short tour via glass bottom boats where you can see everything that you’re riding over in the water. These cool tours are designed to hold around 10-15 people and travel over busy reefs and fish schools so passengers can see marine life through the glass bottom.
Buy Local Crafts and Goods
The Bahamas is known for many local artisans, craftsmen and wood carvers. If you find yourself with a little spare time during your trip, check out some of the local shops on your island. There are lots of local markets around and fewer tourists in November, so you’ll be able to go to these busy areas without the hassle of wading through seas of people.
One of the top recommended places to go is the Nassau Straw Market. It’s a popular market that’s been operating since the 1940’s and sells many locally carved and woven goods. Island residents make the goods you’ll find in these stalls and welcome visitors on a daily basis.
You’ll also find Bay Street shopping district in Nassau, which offers lots of different shops and experiences. Everything from locally made souvenirs to luxury jewelry is on Bay Street. You’ll also find Festival Place on New Providence Island which is known for artisanal creations, delicious edible treats and small keepsakes.
If you’re spending more time on Grand Bahama, check out Port Lucaya Marketplace when you have some free time. This huge marketplace has local souvenirs both handmade and mass produced alongside plenty of food and drink spots where you can wind down after shopping.
November Events in Bahamas
Annual One Bahamas Music & Heritage Festival
The Bahamas Music & Heritage Festival is a fun family-friendly event that highlights just about every aspect of Bahamian culture. Loads of food stalls, activity workshops, sloop exhibits, historical artifacts and live entertainment is showcased around this long weekend. The festival is best known for it’s local artist features.
Guy Fawkes Day
This is an interesting event where the small country recognizes Guy Fawkes of England for attempting to ignite the Houses of Parliament before getting caught. The Bahamas was once a English territory, so it makes sense that they’ve adopted even some of the more obscure holidays. But regardless of the tradition, this night (also known as “Bonfire Night”) is a great excuse to set off fireworks and build large bonfires on the beach.
Conclusion
November in the Bahamas is pretty chill and slow, making it a great time to book a relaxing trip to the islands. The weather begins to cool off this month, hurricanes are not likely to hit and tourists won’t be coming in droves till the Winter season. All this adds up to a heap of savings for your getaway. November is a great month for adults to visit, but there’s also plenty for kids to enjoy especially when taking a cruise to the Bahamas.
Overall, you can expect decent weather with a small possibility or rain or storms. You should be able to save some money on travel and accommodations, and possibly on excursions and tours. All activities are available this month since the temperatures are comfortable – including fishing, diving, boating and walking tours.
If you want a great adventure that’s not too far away, consider seeing the Berry Islands. You can get there by cruise line to a private island, or you can take a boat trip from Nassau. Either way, the fishing is superb here, plus your kids can enjoy fun water parks, zip lines and slides.
Love the idea of saving money while visiting the Bahamas during slow season? November is the last month of the year where this is possible, plus you should get some nice weather this month.
This article is part of Roundtript’s series of expert Bahamas travel guides for every month of the year.
 Spring in The Bahamas |  Summer in The Bahamas |  Fall in The Bahamas |  Winter in The Bahamas |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | June | September | December |
| April | July | October | January |
| May | August | November | February |
For a summary of each Switzerland month & season all in one place, check out our big guide to the Best Times of the Year to Visit The Bahamas.
