Castaway Cay in January?

[Fourfam]

What is the weather like at Castaway Cay in January? Will it be too cold to swim/snorkel?

 

[Shanti]

What is the weather like at Castaway Cay in January? Will it be too cold to swim/snorkel?

We've only gone there (3 times) in late December or early January. Each time, the air temps were very warm and it was very sunny. The water was chilly, but our bodies adjusted within a few seconds of fully immersing ourselves into it. Doing the Pelican Plunge slides was lots of fun- no issues getting in & out of the water as the air was so warm, it felt good to do so.

Winter is also a great season for riding bikes on CC. I just can't imagine visiting during a hot & humid summer's day...

 

[FSU Girl]

I haven't gone in January, but I've been twice in December and the first time it was really hot and it was at the very end of the year and the other time was in the middle of December and was absolutely freezing no one was going near the water. I think with winter it's harder to predict what the weather will turn out to be like.

 

[MUN]

We were there on New Year's Day and I thought the weather (mid 70's) was lovely and warm. The water was a bit chilly at first, but I got used to it quickly. However, we lucked out and had a nice day. Reports from later that week said they had rain and temps in the 60's. Yuck!

So try to pick a nice day to spend on Castaway Cay.

 

[jlynch924]

I echo what the other posters have said... the air temp is very comfortable: not too hot, not chilly. The water temp is usually a little chilly, but you will adapt quickly.

 

[DIS_MIKE]

I cruised last January and it was a bit chilly but we did get used to it. Plenty of people snorkeling..including myself.

 

[ironz]

We were there on January 20, or thereabouts. It was pleasant outside, but breezy. I thought the water there was chilly (and at our excursion in Nassau as well), and we didn't swim or snorkel. Water temps may have been in upper 60s, so it would have been possible to get acclimated in it had we gotten in, but we decided to stay dry. We just did the 5k, hung out on the beach, had lunch, and then did the Aqua Trike.
Our parasailing excursion on CC was cancelled due to winds. Though the earlier parasailers did get to go up. The excursion people said that there had been many days of the water excursions cancelled in the few weeks between New Years and our weekend.

 

[swooshbear]

We were there for the Castaway Cay Challenge in January and the weather was warm but the water was too cold to stay in. At Serenity Bay, people were only wading in up their knees. Then it started raining after lunch and the entire island cleared out pretty quickly. YMMV.

 

[moose81]

Not January, but we went in mid-February and it was lovely and warm. I remember being in shorts so it must have been in the 70s or 80s (can't remember what the water temp was like though, possibly chilly).

 

[kylaura]

Went first week of January one year, water was chilly but tolerable. The kids didn't notice, adults took a couple of minutes to get used to it.

 

[Jenlynn3]

We have been there twice in early December. Great weather but water was cool, a little too cool for my girls and I

 

[Sytrace]

What is the weather like at Castaway Cay in January? Will it be too cold to swim/snorkel?

We have sailed a few times in January and February and found the water to be very chilly. Our most recent cruises were in early January (Magic) and it was rainy, windy and cold (60's) We did not swim. We did not even leave the ship until about noon, took some photos and then had lunch and went back on the ship.
In February (Dream) the weather was warmer on air temps...but the water was still colder than we like.

Keep in mind, we are Floridians and to us anything lower than 70 is "brisk" lol If you are coming from a Northern place that has snow when you leave...the air temps and even water temps will be no big deal for you though.

We have also sailed in April, May, June, September, October, November and December...the best air and water temps were in September and October with a close runner up of November. We also like May and June a lot for the water temps on CC.
January and February seem to have some issues docking at CC if the winds and water conditions are wrong. It really all depends.

 

[Sytrace]

We were there on New Year's Day and I thought the weather (mid 70's) was lovely and warm. The water was a bit chilly at first, but I got used to it quickly. However, we lucked out and had a nice day. Reports from later that week said they had rain and temps in the 60's. Yuck!

So try to pick a nice day to spend on Castaway Cay.

Yes, later that week we were there and we had wind, rain and temps in the 60's. This Florida girl is okay with that because I know what the weather will be like for us in May to October.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

We have sailed a few times in January and February and found the water to be very chilly. Our most recent cruises were in early January (Magic) and it was rainy, windy and cold (60's) We did not swim. We did not even leave the ship until about noon, took some photos and then had lunch and went back on the ship.
In February (Dream) the weather was warmer on air temps...but the water was still colder than we like.

Keep in mind, we are Floridians and to us anything lower than 70 is "brisk" lol If you are coming from a Northern place that has snow when you leave...the air temps and even water temps will be no big deal for you though.

We have also sailed in April, May, June, September, October, November and December...the best air and water temps were in September and October with a close runner up of November. We also like May and June a lot for the water temps on CC.
January and February seem to have some issues docking at CC if the winds and water conditions are wrong. It really all depends.

We come from the "North" and have found Bahamas on the cooler side in December and January. Too cold actually. Few times now we had the air temps were low 70's at best and chilly water.
It can be hit and miss just like Florida in the winter. When we cruised in January (4x and once in December) it was only about 55 to 60 in port canaveral. Didn't really get warm until we got closer to st.thomas.
Still, CC should be pleasant with temps in the 70's. Cold water but kids don't seem to mind.
My fav weather in FL and Bahamas is May and October
However...any time is a good time to cruise