In November the first cool mornings reach the Exumas, and the light over Elizabeth Harbour turns soft and amber well before dinner. Sailboats ride at anchor off George Town, skiffs head out at dawn after crawfish, and the cays feel unhurried. It is a month for boat days, slow beach afternoons and plates of fresh seafood on a chain of islands that is settling into its winter calm.
What is the weather like in the Exumas in November?
November is warm and softer than October, with sea water still pleasant and days that are noticeably shorter.
| Month | Sea at the Exumas (°F) | Daylight on the 15th (hours and minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| October | 85.5 | 11 h 39 min |
| November | 81.4 | 11 h 02 min |
| December | 78.9 | 10 h 44 min |
November in Nassau brings average highs near 83°F, and that tells you plenty about the feel of the air across the islands: afternoons warm enough for a swim, and evenings cool enough that a light layer comes in handy on a boat deck or a restaurant terrace.
Rain arrives in short passing showers rather than gray, settled days. Nassau records about seven rainy days in the month, a clear drop from October, so most days leave plenty of room for the water. A shower often clears quickly and leaves the sky rinsed and bright, so a boat trip rarely needs to be abandoned for a few drops.
With daylight at just over eleven hours, the plan of the day shifts. Sunset comes early in the evening, so beach lunches and snorkeling stops fit best between mid-morning and mid-afternoon, with dinner under lamplight afterward. The water has cooled a few degrees from October, yet it still feels like a warm lake rather than a cold plunge, and a sun hat matters more than a sweater by day.
Can you swim in the Exumas in November?
Sure, you can take a long swim in that warm water, which has cooled slightly since early fall yet remains pleasant for most folks.
With 365 islands and cays, the shoreline changes from one stretch to the next, so a sheltered cove can feel nothing like an open ocean beach. Conditions also change from day to day, and a breezy morning may be followed by a glassy afternoon. Wind direction decides which side of a cay is gentler, and boat captains and local guides read it daily.
A boat is how you get to Stocking Island, which sits across Elizabeth Harbour from George Town and has a name for some of the Bahamas’ finest white sand beaches. Little Exuma’s Tropic of Cancer Beach, which people also call Pelican Beach, stretches farther than any other beach on the island. Bring a mask and fins if snorkeling appeals, and reef-safe sunscreen for hours in the water.
What to do in the Exumas in November
November in the Exumas is about the water and the table. There is no big festival to plan around, which is part of the charm: the chain is quiet, the boats are out, and crawfish season is in full swing.
The season for crawfish runs from August 1 to March 31, so every kitchen has it on the menu. Menus may say lobster for the same dish, and a different species would be named specifically. Seek out crawfish salad tossed with onions, sweet peppers and lime, cracked conch from a beach shack, and rum punch on a deck while the light fades.
Boat days among the cays
The Exumas are made for exploring by water, either on a chartered boat or with a local guide. November’s gentler heat means a day out is pleasant from the first run across the flats to the last swim, and the low light flatters the shallows, turning them from turquoise to jade.
At Pig Beach on Big Major Cay, the famous swimming pigs wade into shallow water to meet visiting boats. It is a cheerful, noisy stop, best treated as one chapter of a longer day. Highbourne Cay, described as a must-stop for those cruising the Exumas and points south, is a natural place to pause, with its marina and quiet shore.
Thunderball Grotto and the reefs
West of Staniel Cay, you can snorkel, dive or wade into Thunderball Grotto, a cave system. Light beams drop through roof holes onto vivid fish, including yellow-tail snappers, angelfish and sergeant majors, while colorful coral rings the entrance.
It is among the most visited snorkeling spots while island hopping, so expect other boats. Midday light tends to reach deepest into the chamber. Keep the afternoon for a beach or a long lunch rather than rushing to a second stop.
Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park
In 1958 the park was set aside, and its land and sea area adds up to 112,640 acres. Fishing of any kind is banned in this no-take reserve, which offers a peaceful contrast to the crawfish skiffs found elsewhere. Expect clear water, quiet cays and plenty of marine life to watch rather than catch.
| Site | Open |
|---|---|
| Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park office | Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 9am to 12pm |
A two-day itinerary for the Exumas in November
Day 1 starts in George Town on Great Exuma with a slow breakfast, ideally one with the local stew or a plate of johnnycake. By late morning, hop on a boat to Stocking Island, crossing Elizabeth Harbour while the sun stays warm and the sand shines bright. Swim, walk the beach and have a long beach lunch.
In the afternoon cross to Little Exuma and walk the length of Tropic of Cancer Beach while the light turns gold. Sunset comes a little after five in November, so plan to be back on shore for it, then dinner on a George Town terrace with crawfish. If rain sets in, linger over lunch at a harbor restaurant and wait out the shower.
Day 2 is for the boat. Leave early for the northern cays and stop at Pig Beach on Big Major Cay, then continue to Thunderball Grotto near Staniel Cay for snorkeling around midday.
Finish the afternoon at Highbourne Cay or a quiet sandbar, and return as the light fades. Dinner can be a casual dockside meal. On a rainy day, choose the park office and a shore-side wander instead, and save the grotto for a clearer morning.
Is the Exumas busy in November?
No, November is one of the quieter stretches on the chain, a lull between the end of summer and the winter high season.
Beaches have room, and the cays rarely feel crowded outside the best-known stops such as the grotto and Pig Beach, where boats gather around midday. Restaurant tables are generally easy in George Town, and small guesthouses and cottages tend to have more choice than at holiday time.
As a habit, book early for the Thanksgiving week, when American families travel, and later for the quiet weeks on either side. Boats and guides are worth arranging before you arrive if a particular day on the water matters to you. For the park, the office is open on Sunday mornings as well as weekdays, which helps when planning around a weekend arrival.
What to pack for the Exumas in November
Pack for warm days on the water and mild evenings ashore.
- Swimsuits, two if possible, so one can dry between boat stops.
- A light long-sleeved shirt for sun on the deck and cooler evenings.
- Mask and snorkel for the grotto and the reefs.
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat for hours on open water.
- A light rain jacket for short passing showers.
- Water shoes for sandbars and rocky landings.
Good to know before you go
The U.S. State Department rates the Bahamas Level 2, “Exercise increased caution”, and says most crime occurs in Nassau on New Providence and in Freeport on Grand Bahama.
The Atlantic hurricane season ends on November 30, making November its final month, so keeping an eye on the forecast as your trip approaches is wise. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation monitors tropical storms and posts updates on Bahamas.com. U.S. citizens need a passport for entry, and the Bahamas Department of Immigration asks that it be valid for at least six months when arriving by air.
The Exumas in November vs October and December
Going earlier, to October, means the warmest water of the three and longer days, but also more rain and the peak of hurricane season just behind it. Crawfish season is already open, and the chain is quiet, so it suits those who care most about swimming.
Going later, to December, brings cooler water and the shortest days of the three, with the Atlantic season behind you after its November 30 end. Holiday travelers start to arrive, so the cays feel livelier and rooms are in greater demand toward the end of the month. Choose October for the warmest sea, December for festive weeks and a livelier mood, and November for a balance of warm water, light crowds and easy boat days.
Is November a good time to visit the Exumas?
Yes, for travelers who want warm water, boat days and room to breathe, and less so for anyone who needs long evening light or a packed calendar of events.
It will suit snorkelers, sailors, seafood lovers and couples who like a quiet beach. Those who want nightlife or festivals may prefer another month. On arrival, get on the water first: a morning in Elizabeth Harbour sets the pace for everything else. What is special about November here is the in-between feeling: the sea still holds summer’s warmth, the crawfish boats are busy, and the first cool breeze arrives just as the cays empty out for a few easy weeks.
Sources
- Open-Meteo Marine API, average 2015-2024, checked October 10, 2026
- sunrise-sunset.org, sunrise and sunset calculated for the 15th of the month, checked October 10, 2026
- NOAA NCEI, GHCN-Daily station BF000078073 (Nassau Airport), normals 1991-2020 computed from the daily record (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=daily-summaries&stations=BF000078073), checked October 10, 2026
- Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, crawfish season (https://www.bahamas.com/blog/its-crawfish-season), checked October 10, 2026
- NOAA National Hurricane Center, Climatology (https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/climo/), checked October 10, 2026
- Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (bahamas.com), Hurricane and storm information (https://www.bahamas.com/hurricane-storm-information), checked October 10, 2026
- Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (bahamas.com), Exuma Cays Land And Sea Park (https://www.bahamas.com/natural-wonders/exuma-cays-land-and-sea-park), checked October 10, 2026
- Bahamas National Trust, Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park (https://bnt.bs/explore/exuma/exuma-cays-land-sea-park/), checked October 10, 2026
- Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (bahamas.com), Thunderball Grotto (https://www.bahamas.com/natural-wonders/thunderball-grotto), checked October 10, 2026
- Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (bahamas.com), Highbourne Cay (https://www.bahamas.com/natural-wonders/highbourne-cay), checked October 10, 2026
- Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (bahamas.com), Stocking Island (https://www.bahamas.com/natural-wonders/stocking-island), checked October 10, 2026
- Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (bahamas.com), Tropic Of Cancer Beach (https://www.bahamas.com/natural-wonders/tropic-of-cancer-beach), checked October 10, 2026
- Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (bahamas.com), travel blog, reasons to visit the Exumas (https://www.bahamas.com/blog/top-5-reasons-to-visit-the-exumas), checked October 10, 2026
- Wikipedia, Geography of the Bahamas (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_the_Bahamas), checked October 10, 2026
- Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (bahamas.com), Island FAQ (https://www.bahamas.com/plan-your-trip/island-faq), checked October 10, 2026
- Bahamas Department of Immigration, Entry requirements (https://www.immigration.gov.bs/entry-requirements/), checked October 10, 2026
- Bahamas Department of Immigration, Before your arrival (https://www.immigration.gov.bs/entry-requirements/before-your-arrival/), checked October 10, 2026
- U.S. Department of State, The Bahamas Travel Advisory, Level 2 (https://travel.state.gov/), checked October 10, 2026
To plan your stay
- Things to Do in the Exumas: Swimming Pigs, Thunderball Grotto, Beaches and Fresh Lobster
- Where to Stay in the Exumas: George Town, Little Exuma, Staniel Cay and How to Choose
- The Exumas from Miami: Flights, Connections, Boats and Making a Day of It
- Know Before You Go to the Exumas: Entry Rules, Money, Getting Around and Sun