Castaway Cay: When is it warm enough to swim?

[Why Is The Rum Gone?]

I'm looking at planning our cruise for February/March 2017. I'm from Canada and have never even been to the States. I'm hoping to go when it's just warm enough to swim and catch some rays on the beach, but don't want to go at a time when we have to cover up with shorts and a t-shirt all day. March is a little more money so we'd like to go in Feb but aren't sure about the temps.

I'm in Ottawa so it's not like we have snow year-round. I can handle some chill but prefer air temp to be around 25C.

TIA!

 

[catshaw]

We are from Nova Scotia and were at Castaway in The month of March. It was quite windy that day and from what I have heard, that's quite common during the months of Feb-Mar. The water was ok, plenty of kids in for sure. I would say the temp was about 25 and the water temp around the same

 

[Trera]

Not sure about February but we were there in late March this year and the water was a little cool but didnt stop anyone from going in. It was windy but was definitely warm enough not to be covered up.

 

[bumbershoot]

I imagine looking at a weather website that gives average temperatures would be useful.

Our first dcl experience was in early February. Lovely day and while the water felt a little chilly, once you got in and moved around it was fine.

The. We went in october and the air was much hotter and the water felt freezing in comparison.

 

[southerngirl528]

I agree with Bumbershoot. Looking at average temps for the Abacos islands could give a general idea. But weather is fickle as we all know. I have done the 7 night Caribbean cruises several times in January. Once we got into the Caribbean and to CC as well, the weather was lovely each time. Water was a tad cool once, but we were able to get some nice sun.

I have lived in central FL for a lot of years and Jan/Feb in Florida the weather can vary enormously. Most of the time it is quite mild. But we will have a small handful of days where it can feel really cold even though the temp isn't horrible. We will get 2-4 frost warnings per winter on average I would say.

One of those January cruises, it was very cold for FL when we embarked. A day or 2 into the cruise the weather was gorgeous. But when we got back to Port Canaveral and were waiting for our shuttle, I could scarcely believe it but it was spitting snowflakes!! All the years I've lived in FL that is the ONLY time I have ever seen that. Now I tell that story not to scare you, but just to portray how the weather can vary. And that cold weather was in central FL not the Caribbean. I think you should have good if not great weather. The water could be a bit cool, but I'll bet you will get some nice sun along the way during your cruise.

 

[cantontrebor]

We have been to Castaway Cay 5 times in mid-February and have seen people swimming each time. We are from Michigan so cooler temps in the Carribean are still quite a warm up for us.

Last trip (Feb 14 thru Feb 21 2015) was cold when we left Florida but San Juan and St. Maarten were fantastic. Castaway Cay was a bit cold but people were still swimming and enjoying the beach. Most cruises go far enough South in February to catch some good weather.

Good luck with your planning.

 

[Why Is The Rum Gone?]

Thanks, everyone! I've looked up weather sites but they vary greatly. Thought I'd ask here. I'm sure I'll be happy even if it is chilly; after all, it's Disney, right?

 

[kuhltiffany]

We've been twice in March. Once it was windy, cloudy and cool, almost no one went swimming. Once it was sunny and warm and swimming was much more popular, although the water wasn't that warm so it was for short periods. You have to remember though, that the overall water temp goes down in the winter months, so if you like warm water then early spring is not the best time to go… My favourite time of year to go is Oct/Nov., water is warm and daily temps just nice

 

[jetskigrl]

Weather can change quickly there. We did B2B on the Dream in early April 2011 and had two completely difference experiences in the same week.

The first stop at CC was windy and kind of cold (all excursions were cancelled due to wind). We did snorkel but the water was choppy and it was not a very pleasant experience. The clouds rolled in and it was pouring rain by the time we left.

Returned back to CC 3 days later and it was mid-80s, sunny and beautiful. Picture perfect day at the beach. We were so happy that we were B2B and were able to have a CC do-over