The North Atlantic hurricane season affects the southern states of the US, most Caribbean islands and the eastern part of Mexico to varying degrees each year, with most of the storm activity concentrated between the months of June and November. The storms are unpredictable, and can vary in the path they take and their intensity each year, but the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has already predicted that the 2025 season will be ‘above-normal,’ (meaning more storms than usual) in part because of warmer ocean temperatures. While it’s still possible to travel to the affected regions during hurricane season, it pays to be prepared. Here’s what you need to know.
When is hurricane season in the Caribbean?
Officially the North Atlantic hurricane season — the one that affects the Caribbean among other places in the Americas — is between June 1 and November 30 each year, but in reality rains can come as early as May and linger later. Location matters too. The western Caribbean islands such as the Bahamas tend to feel the effects of the hurricane season first, before it spreads to the rest of the region from August. Rains usually peak around October, before subsiding in the lead-up to December.
The UK Foreign Office recommends that you keep an eye out for upcoming storms if you’re travelling during the hurricane season. You should also follow instructions from local authorities, including evacuation orders. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has detailed advice on how to prepare for a hurricane, but you should also check the local advice for the destination you’re travelling to.
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Which hurricanes should I be aware of?
Each year, the World Meteorological Organisation picks out an alphabetical list of names for the North Atlantic hurricane season, which are applied to tropical storms as they develop. The names picked for 2025 are Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dexter, Erin, Fernand, Gabrielle, Humberto, Imelda, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Nestor, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van and Wendy. Some of these storms stay as tropical storms, but some might escalate to become hurricanes.
Meanwhile, in May each year, the NOAA announces its hurricane predictions for the coming season. For the 2025 season it predicted that there will be 13 to 19 named storms. Six to ten of those could become hurricanes, of which three to five could be major hurricanes. The agency also predicted an ‘above-normal’ hurricane season, in part due to warmer than average ocean temperatures, one of the key ingredients for hurricane formation.
Wind is a big factor too. The West African monsoon, a major wind system that starts many Atlantic hurricanes, is predicted to be more active in 2025. This year there’s a northward shift that creates “tropical waves that seed some of the strongest and most long-lived Atlantic storms”, according to the NOAA. Meanwhile, trade winds are weaker, which means there are fewer disruptions to storm formation.
In 2024, it predicted there would be between 17 to 25 named storms, between eight and 13 hurricanes, and four to seven major hurricanes. By the end of 2024 season, there were 18 named storms, 11 of which were hurricanes and five were major hurricanes.
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Which Caribbean countries get hit by the most hurricanes?
The hurricane belt — the strip in the Atlantic Ocean that experiences most hurricanes and tropical storms — covers most of the Caribbean and sweeps into the United States. But weather patterns change every year, which means some regions are more heavily affected than others.
The storms typically take one of three routes: northwest up into the Gulf of Mexico, catching Guadeloupe, Montserrat, Antigua and Barbuda and Jamaica; west to Florida, passing above the British Virgin Islands and the Bahamas; or northeast along the Carolinas after passing through the northern islands of the Bahamas.
In terms of numbers of hurricanes making landfall, historically the islands most affected are:
1. The Bahamas
2. Saba and St Eustatius
3. St Kitts and Nevis
4. British Virgin Islands
5. Antigua and Barbuda
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Which Caribbean islands are safest from hurricanes?
Hurricanes are inherently unpredictable but they largely affect the northern Caribbean islands. The islands in the south are generally considered safe from hurricanes, but they can still occur there.
Some of the safest islands to visit during hurricane season are:
1. Trinidad and Tobago
2. Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao
3. St Vincent and the Grenadines
4. Barbados
5. Grenada
In addition, St Lucia tends to be affected by heavy rains rather than full-blown hurricanes. Further south, the islands just north of Venezuela such as Trinidad and Tobago are also safe from hurricanes.
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What is the best month to go to the Caribbean?
The period from December to April is considered the best time to visit the Caribbean. Temperatures are pretty consistent throughout the year in the region but you’ll avoid the rainy season. But because of this, prices tend to be much higher. If you’re looking for affordability, aim for weeks outside the main holidays of Christmas and New Year, as well as spring break in the US (around April).
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Can I get a refund if I choose not to travel because of a hurricane?
If there’s a hurricane predicted for the region you’re travelling to, it’s best to wait and see. If the situation is severe enough, flights will be cancelled and hotels will close, which should trigger a refund automatically, especially if you’ve booked a package holiday.
If you’ve booked different elements of your trip separately, you’ll need to get in touch with the operator if, say, your flights have been cancelled but the hotel is still open. It’s likely they’ll let you postpone your trip or offer a refund, but they’re not under any legal obligation to do so.
If the operator refuses to issue a refund or allow you to make alternative arrangements, you may be able to get your money back through your travel insurance, provided you purchased your cover before the storm was named.
If you just don’t fancy holidaying in a rainy destination, even though the hurricane doesn’t directly affect your travel plans, you’re unlikely to be able to secure a refund.
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What about cruising?
Cruise lines typically reposition ships to the Americas for Caribbean sailings after the hurricane season has ended, which means your journey is unlikely to be affected by poor weather. If there’s a late-season hurricane, ships can always be rerouted to an alternative destination — the possibility of this happening is outlined in the terms and conditions of the booking.
If you’re flying in for a cruise and your flight gets diverted because of bad weather, you’ll need to turn to your airline initially, which should book you onto the next available flight to your final destination. But if you miss the start of your sailing, you’ll need to make your own way to join the ship. Having travel insurance that includes cruise cover should help you to recoup any costs related to this.
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Am I covered by my travel insurance?
Most travel insurance policies will have a clause covering severe weather so it’s best to check the small print for what is or isn’t covered. You’ll generally be able to make a claim under trip interruption or cancellation clauses of the policy.
However, if the hurricane has already been named when you booked your trip, it is unlikely that you will be covered for any interruption to your journey.
