Paradise Island in February: Weather, Cabbage Beach, Atlantis and Crawfish Season

In February, mornings on Paradise Island start with a soft, clear light over the harbor and the smell of coffee drifting from resort terraces. By midday the sand at Cabbage Beach is warm enough for bare feet, and lunch tables are heavy with lime-bright crawfish salad.

Winter is the gentle season here, with sun-filled days, cool evenings and lobster still in season. This is a month for beach walks, water slides, marine habitats and long dinners outdoors.

A beach on Paradise Island in winter · Illustration

What is the weather like in Paradise Island in February?

February weather on Paradise Island is warm and mostly dry, with sunny afternoons that suit the beach and evenings cool enough for a light layer. The days are a touch longer than in January, and the sea warms very slowly.

Month	Average high (°F)	Average low (°F)	Rain days	Sea (°F)
January	79.4	65.1	4.3	77.0
February	80.0	65.0	4.3	76.0
March	81.3	66.0	4.5	77.5

Early hours feel crisp and sunny, ideal for strolling beside the water before the heat rises. By early afternoon it feels properly warm, and you can sit in a swimsuit without hurrying for shade. After sunset the air cools enough that a thin sweater or a wrap feels right on a terrace, especially with a breeze coming off the water.

Rain in February comes as short showers that pass over quickly and leave the sky washed and blue. Only a handful of days see any at all, so a shower is more a reason to linger over lunch than a ruined day. Now and then a cold front from the mainland brings a breezy, cooler day, and that is when you will want long sleeves.

Daylight lasts about 11 hours 22 minutes in the middle of the month, which gives you a full day outside but means the light fades by early evening. The sea feels refreshing rather than bathwater-warm. Pack sunscreen all the same, because the winter sun here is stronger than most visitors from the north expect.

Can you swim in Paradise Island in February?

Yes, for most people the sea is warm enough for a proper swim in February, though it feels cooler than in summer and some swimmers will prefer a quick dip over a long soak. The water sits in the mid-70s, which is pleasant once you are in and the sun is out.

Cabbage Beach is the beach most visitors think of here. People call it one of the prettier stretches of sand on Nassau and Paradise Island, perfect for a stroll, a swim or a nap in the sun, and you can also go water-skiing, snorkeling or parasailing there. Day to day and from one section of shoreline to the next, things shift, and after a front passes through, winter winds may kick up waves, so check the water before entering.

Bring a light cover-up for when you come out of the water, since the breeze can feel cool on wet skin. If the sea feels too fresh for your taste, the resort’s water park gives you another way to get wet on a warm afternoon.

What to do in Paradise Island in February

The big event of the month is a seasonal one. In the Bahamas, crawfish season lasts from August 1 through March 31, which makes February a fine time to enjoy some. The spiny lobster appears on menus as crawfish, and on many menus the two words are used interchangeably. Order it in a salad, a stew or a sandwich and you are tasting the island’s most local flavor.

February days here are for the beach, the water park and the marine habitat, with relaxed evenings in between. Everything is outdoors, which is the point of coming in winter. The mood on the island is easy and lively, with visitors from colder places in sandals and sunglasses and the resort paths busy from late morning.

Cabbage Beach

Cabbage Beach is the long, open beach of Paradise Island, and it is the natural first stop. In February the early hours suit a slow walk along the waterline, when the sand is cool and the light is soft. You can sunbathe, wade or swim, and the beach also offers water-skiing, snorkeling and parasailing for those who want more action.

It suits couples after a quiet stroll as much as families who want a day of sand and water. Come in the late morning for the brightest color in the water, and stay through the afternoon, when the sun is warm and the breeze is lightest. Bring a hat, because the sun is strong even when the air feels mild.

Dolphin Cay and the marine habitat

Dolphin Cay, a 14-acre marine habitat at Atlantis, is home to manta rays, sea lions and rescued Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. It is described as one of the largest and most sophisticated marine habitats and dolphin rescue-rehabilitation facilities in the world, and a dolphin swim experience is offered there. Watching the animals is a good plan for a cooler winter morning, when walking around is comfortable.

Atlantis also features the world’s largest open-air marine habitat. It is a place to wander slowly, looking at rays and fish, and it works for all ages and all moods. If a shower passes, you can wait it out nearby and carry on once the sky clears.

Aquaventure

Aquaventure is a large water park built around theming and attractions you rarely find at local parks. Its main features are The Current, a lazy river that is half raft ride, and a temple-themed slide tower that includes the Leap of Faith slider. February’s warm days make it a fine place to spend an afternoon, since the sun does the work of drying you off.

It suits families with children and thrill-seekers alike. The lazy river is the gentler option for anyone who wants to float, while the slide tower is for those who like to drop. Bring a light towel wrap for the walk back, because the breeze can make wet skin feel cool.

Eating crawfish

Onions, sweet peppers, lime juice and diced lobster combine in Bahamian crawfish salad, which comes on a bed of greens, by itself, or in a sandwich. It makes a good lunch after a morning on the beach, tangy and cool. In Nassau, Gone Fishing at Arawak Cay serves stew lobster, big chunks of fresh crawfish in a rich brown gravy, on its breakfast menu.

With the season running through March, February is a good month to try both the salad and the stew. Look for the words crawfish and lobster on the same menu, since they are often used interchangeably, and a different lobster variety will be named specifically.

Five hotels also make up the resort, The Cove, The Royal, The Coral, The Reef and Harborside Resort, and any of them is open to all guests. The Cove is built around luxury and white-glove Bahamian service, while The Royal is the iconic hotel that stands as the beacon of Atlantis. Staying in one is a way to be close to everything above, with the beach, the habitat and the water park all on the same island.

A two-day itinerary for Paradise Island in February

Day 1 is for the beach and the animals. Start early at Cabbage Beach, when the air is fresh and the sand is nearly empty, and walk the length of the shore before the sun gets strong. Swim or snorkel if the water looks inviting, then stay on the sand through the late morning.

Around midday, head to lunch at a casual spot for crawfish salad, which is light and cool for the warmest hours. In the afternoon, wander through Dolphin Cay and the open-air marine habitat, when the light is soft and the sun has lost its edge. For dinner, choose a terrace so you can sit outside, with a sweater ready for after dark.

Day 2 is for Aquaventure. Go in the morning, ride the slides and float the lazy river as the day warms, and keep the afternoon loose. If a shower comes through, stay under cover with a long lunch, then go back out when the sky clears.

Spend the late afternoon on a final walk by the water, since the day is just over eleven hours long and the light fades early. Finish with stew lobster or another crawfish dish if you have not yet tried it, and take dinner slowly. The evening is cool enough to sit outside, and a short stroll afterward ends the stay well.

Is Paradise Island busy in February?

Yes, February is a lively month on Paradise Island, because winter pulls visitors from colder places and the weather is most comfortable. The resort paths, the beach and the water park all have a holiday buzz, especially around long U.S. weekends and school winter breaks.

Midweek feels more relaxed than weekends, and early mornings on the beach stay quiet whatever the day. Atlantis is the center of activity, with its five hotels and its attractions, so the busiest corners are the water park and the main resort areas. A walk along the far end of Cabbage Beach, away from those paths, is often quieter.

For rooms and restaurant tables, think about it as a habit. Plan early for the holiday weeks when families travel, and be a little more relaxed about the ordinary weeks. Resort stays of four nights or more come with an offer of up to 35% off, a $250 resort credit and complimentary breakfast for two, which is worth a look when you choose your dates.

What to pack for Paradise Island in February

Pack for warm afternoons and cooler evenings, with the beach and the water park as the main plans.

Swimsuits, two if you can, since the sea is refreshing and you will be in and out of the water.
A light sweater or wrap for evenings on a terrace, when the air cools after sunset.
A hat and sunscreen, because winter sun is strong on the beach.
A light rain jacket, for the short showers that sometimes pass through.
Sandals and a pair of closed shoes for walking the resort paths.
A snorkel mask if you like to bring your own, for the water off Cabbage Beach.

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.

February falls outside the official Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. U.S. citizens need a passport, and the Bahamas Department of Immigration says it must be valid for at least six months and that passport cards are not accepted. No Bahamian visa is required for U.S. citizens whose stay is eight months or less, yet every visitor needs a return or onward ticket and could be asked to show proof of sufficient funds.

Atlantis Paradise Island is on Paradise Island, which is technically part of Nassau. The Bahamas Health Visa and pre-arrival COVID-19 testing requirement have been eliminated for all visitors.

Paradise Island in February vs January and March

Moving the trip to January gives you a slightly shorter day and a sea a touch warmer than in February, with a similar amount of sun and a similar chance of showers. The mood is a little more tied to the holiday weeks just past, and crawfish season is in full swing, as it is in February.

Moving to March brings longer days, warmer afternoons and a sea that feels a little more inviting. Crawfish season runs only until the end of that month, so March is the last chance to eat it in season. Spring break travelers also start to arrive, so the beach and the water park have a different, younger energy.

Choose January if you want the quieter, cooler feel of deep winter. Choose March if you want the warmest water and the longest days. February sits in between, with the comfort of both and the season of crawfish on the menu.

Is February a good time to visit Paradise Island?

Yes, February is a very good time to visit Paradise Island, especially for anyone escaping cold weather who wants sun without the heat of summer. The days are warm, the showers are short and the season for crawfish is on.

It will suit families who want a water park and a marine habitat, couples who want long beach walks and slow dinners, and anyone who likes to eat outside at night. If you want a sea that feels like a bath, summer is a better choice, since the water in February is refreshing rather than hot.

On arrival, head for Cabbage Beach first, to feel the sand and the light and to see how the water looks that day. Then plan a crawfish lunch, because the season ends in March. What is special about February here is the balance, with bright warm days, cool evenings and a plate of lime-sharp crawfish salad on a table by the sea.

Sources

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
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
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, crawfish season (https://www.bahamas.com/blog/its-crawfish-season), checked October 10, 2026
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (bahamas.com), Cabbage Beach (https://www.bahamas.com/natural-wonders/cabbage-beach), checked October 10, 2026
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (bahamas.com), Dolphin Cay (https://www.bahamas.com/natural-wonders/dolphin-cay), checked October 10, 2026
Wikipedia, Aquaventure (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaventure), checked October 10, 2026
Atlantis Paradise Island, accommodations (https://www.atlantisbahamas.com/accommodations), checked October 10, 2026
Royal Caribbean, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island (https://www.royalbeachclub.com/), checked October 10, 2026
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (bahamas.com), Atlantis hotel (https://www.bahamas.com/hotels/atlantis), 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
U.S. Department of State, The Bahamas Travel Information, Safety and security (https://travel.state.gov/), 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
NOAA National Hurricane Center, Climatology (https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/climo/), checked October 10, 2026