Talk to me about Castaway & Lookout in mid Jan!

[lisset005]

Have only ever sailed during summer and fall (Sep) but my parents are willing to watch the kiddos if we do a Jan cruise (this will be 2027) so we are looking at the double dip on the Fantasy Jan 15-20 and possibly pairing with the a 4 night on the Wish or Destiny. How is the water temp? I would guess the evenings get cool/cold onboard which is fine but we really want to enjoy the sunshine and beaches. Will this be a waste? Looked at the averages and its saying water temp is 73-75. Would love to hear from those of you who sail during Jan! Thanks in advance!

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

https://seatemperature.info/castaway-cay-water-temperature.html

The above is a good reference and inline with my experience for water temps. Not cold (like Maine cold), but cool. There was that "omigod" minute when I first get in, but after acclimating, it's fine.

Weather is always a roll of the dice. We've been to CC many times in the winter months. While it's not sweltering in the sun, it's usually quite nice. I have to remind myself that CC is the same latitude as Miami/Ft Lauderdale.

 

[Mommb]

We have cruised in January or February 6 times. Only once was it so cold and rainy at Castaway Cay that water activities were cancelled, and even then, it cleared up and warmed up a bit in the afternoon.

I don't think sailing in January would be a waste, even if is a little chilly for a day or two. My family prefers the mild temperatures to the brutal heat we've had closer to summer.

 

[DCL58]

We sail every December/january. Castaway has always had warm air temps, but cool water temps. We don’t normally swim in the ocean in January, but love walking around the island and enjoying the beach.

We are going to LC and CC in a couple weeks. Hoping LC is warm enough to swim even if CC isn’t!

 

[lisset005]

We sail every December/january. Castaway has always had warm air temps, but cool water temps. We don’t normally swim in the ocean in January, but love walking around the island and enjoying the beach.

We are going to LC and CC in a couple weeks. Hoping LC is warm enough to swim even if CC isn’t!

let me know how your weather is! have a great trip!

 

[Skippyboo]

Fantasy Jan 15-20 and possibly pairing with the a 4 night on the Wish or Destiny

You know the Destiny sails out Ft Lauderdale?

 

[Chrispy97]

I thought Lookout was much better in February than in July. The heat was oppressive in July and the lack of shade yet really shows. In February I thought it was lovely and the lack of shade was a lot less of an issue.

I didnt find the water to be too cold but I am used to swimming in the Atlantic at cooler times normally.

 

[holula]

I went to both in January and then both last week (Castaway twice last week).

Castaway in January was windy, it was okay to sit out but I wouldn’t have wanted to go in the water. Castaway last week was SO windy they had a sign not to put the umbrellas on the family beach up. There were people in the water both times but neither time it was me! The second time Castaway last week was a gorgeous day with no wind and the water was cold but okay once you were in.

Lookout was hotter and humid both times and was fine in the water for me. I agree with the pp that Lookout would be too hot in the summer months.

 

[DCL58]

Lookout was hotter and humid both times and was fine in the water for me. I agree with the pp that Lookout would be too hot in the summer months.

We went to LC twice last July. Did not think it was too hot at all - we would visit in the summer again!

 

[lisset005]

You know the Destiny sails out Ft Lauderdale?

Yes, different ports. We’ve already done a side by side same day at Canaveral/Lauderdale. This would actually be a day between getting off on and on the other if we do the Destiny.

 

[Cheburashka]

I've sailed several times in December and January, and almost every time I've enjoyed the islands, beaches, and pools. Typically the sun is out and the air is warm. The ocean water is chilly at first, but you acclimate to it if you immerse yourself. I don't typically like being cold, but I've had no issue getting in and out of the water to enjoy the Pelican Plunge water slides at Castaway Cay in winter, because the air is typically warm, and you acclimate to the water upon immersion. If you only like wading without immersion, you might find the water too cold to enjoy that.

The one caveat is that the weather can be spoiled by a major cold front. This only happened to me once out of several winter trips. There was a brief cold front so strong that even the Bahamas got cold. It was too windy to dock at Castaway Cay, and too chilly to enjoy even the hot tubs on deck.

However, different times of year pose different risks in regards to weather. Fall is hurricane season. Summer is the rainy season, and hot. Spring probably offers the safest weather statistically, but you can get stuck with wet and windy weather even in spring if you have bad luck. And I've experienced many glorious days in the Bahamas in winter.

 

[ngl]

As a Florida resident for over 30 years, January seems to be the one month where all bets are off. We can have 80 degree days or 40 degree days. While that can happen in Dec and Feb as well, it seems Jan is a month that is most unpredictable. As for the water, just depends on your preference. As you mentioned, it will not be warm but some people enjoy it being cool (we are not those people so I get it!) If the goal is to enjoy the water being warmer, end of November is good and then starts to warm again end of Feb.