The 'Warmest Place In The Caribbean' Is A White Sand Haven With Idyllic Weather Year-Round

If you're trying to plan a trip to the Caribbean outside of the hurricane belt, the "ABC" islands should be on your radar — that is, Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. They share a generally hot climate and renowned white sand beaches. Of the islands, it's Bonaire that was called "the warmest place in the Caribbean" by Caribbean Journal, but that designation doesn't mean constant, extreme heat. Rather, it highlights the consistency of Bonaire's steady, sunny conditions.

The climate of Bonaire is semi-arid, with temperatures that stay warm throughout the year and distinct wet and dry seasons (though rainfall is typically light). According to Weather Spark, Bonaire's average temperature ranges from 80 degrees Fahrenheit in January and February to 85 degrees in September — that eliminates the need to plan around dramatic seasonal shifts. Average water temperatures fall within a similar, comfortable range, between 79 and 83 degrees.

October, November, and December are considered the wet season, though even during the peak month of November, Bonaire gets 2.4 inches of rainfall on average. Compared with some other Caribbean destinations — like Dominica, which gets an average 5.8 inches of rainfall in its wettest month — travelers to Bonaire are less likely to have beach days disrupted by downpours.

Naturally, Bonaire's consistent warmth makes it especially ideal for lounging on the beach. Bachelor's Beach is the favorite of users on Tripadvisor, sitting under a 10-minute drive from the capital city of Kralendijk. It's a scenic spot known for its white sand shores backed by craggy rock formations. If you enjoy basking in the sun, you're perfectly positioned to come in September, when temperatures reach 90 degrees. However, the heat can be harsh, especially as the humidity hovers around 60% to 80% in the summer and fall. For some relief, January, February, and March tend to be less muggy.

With warm temperatures extending into the water, Bonaire is a standout Caribbean island for marine life lovers. The island has over 85 dive sites, featuring highly biodiverse reefs and hundreds of fish species. Deep Blue Adventures notes that the visibility extends 80 to 100 feet. Bonaire even has a dedicated Caribbean marine park perfect for snorkeling, and you don't need a thick wetsuit to keep warm. Usually, a light suit or rash guard will suffice. "We were there in January. Do not need a wetsuit. Simple sunblock tech shirt is fine," a Reddit user said.

A major draw of Bonaire's climate is that it stays warm through the night. In September, the temperature doesn't usually drop below 80 degrees at night, and even at its coolest, in January, you're looking at a low of 75 degrees. An evening stroll through town, outdoor drinks after sunset, or even a night-time dive can be pleasurable without bundling up.

Warm weather and sunny conditions are basically guaranteed no matter what time of year you visit Bonaire, but with that in mind, the sun is often intense. You can use a site like Weather & Radar to check the UV index before going out — if the index is extreme, you might want to avoid staying in the sun too long or wear extra protection. Make sure your sunscreen doesn't have Oxybenzone or Octinoxate, though. Bonaire voted in 2018 to ban these products because of the damage they cause to reefs. A final consideration for planning around weather is wind. Bonaire gets very windy, up to nearly 20 mph on average in June. The least windy month is October.

Travelers who fly in will most likely arrive through Flamingo International Airport, the island's only commercial airport. The airport sits under 10 minutes by car outside of Kralendijk. Note that, as of this writing, visitors must pay a $75 entry tax. January and February may be the best in terms of milder temperatures, but they're also when hotel rates are the most expensive. In January, rates are typically at least $200 per night for a 4-star hotel in Kralendijk, but you can find rooms for under that amount in off-season months like June.