Caribbean Cruise Weather in November
November can begin with cool or mild conditions in Galveston before the cruise reaches warmer Mexico, Bahamas, and Caribbean ports. Rain remains substantial on several routes even as Atlantic tropical-weather risk declines.
Compare the November temperature change from Galveston to the destinations, along with water temperatures and port-level rainfall, before packing. Schedule links are limited to years with actual November departures recorded in the routes table.
November Caribbean Weather by Cruise Region
Conditions in November are not identical across the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, the Bahamas, and the wider Caribbean. The four charts and table compare long-term regional climate ranges rather than forecasting conditions for a particular sailing.
Ranges show differences among the included ports. A dot shows a single value. These are long-term climate values, not a forecast.
November Daytime Temperatures
Average daily highs (°F)
- ABC Islands
- 89.1°F
- Eastern Caribbean
- 84.9–88°F
- Gulf of Mexico
- 71.6–84°F
- Mexico
- 84–89.1°F
- Panama Canal
- 87.1°F
- Southern Caribbean
- 86–89.1°F
- The Bahamas
- 81–84°F
- Western Caribbean
- 84.2–89.1°F
November Nighttime Temperatures
Average daily lows (°F)
- ABC Islands
- 78.1–79°F
- Eastern Caribbean
- 70–76.1°F
- Gulf of Mexico
- 59–72.1°F
- Mexico
- 66.2–72°F
- Panama Canal
- 75°F
- Southern Caribbean
- 71.6–79°F
- The Bahamas
- 68–71.1°F
- Western Caribbean
- 66.2–75.2°F
November Sea Temperatures
Typical sea temperatures (°F)
- ABC Islands
- 82.4°F
- Eastern Caribbean
- 82–83.8°F
- Gulf of Mexico
- 70–79°F
- Mexico
- 79–82.4°F
- Panama Canal
- 82.9°F
- Southern Caribbean
- 81.1–82.4°F
- The Bahamas
- 77–78.8°F
- Western Caribbean
- 82.4–84.2°F
November Monthly Rainfall
Average monthly totals (inches)
- ABC Islands
- 3.1–5.4 in
- Eastern Caribbean
- 3.5–8.9 in
- Gulf of Mexico
- 1.3–3.3 in
- Mexico
- 1.3–5.1 in
- Panama Canal
- 13.6 in
- Southern Caribbean
- 3.1–12.7 in
- The Bahamas
- 2.5–3.5 in
- Western Caribbean
- 3.7–8.2 in
Monthly totals do not indicate how many days it rains.
| Port or region | Average high | Average low | Precipitation | Water temperature | Humidity | Tropical-weather level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC Islands | 89.1°F | 78.1–79.0°F | 3.1–5.4 in | 82.4°F | High | Very low |
| Eastern Caribbean | 84.9–88.0°F | 70.0–76.1°F | 3.5–8.9 in | 82.0–83.8°F | High | Declining |
| Gulf of Mexico | 71.6–84.0°F | 59.0–72.1°F | 1.3–3.3 in | 70.0–79.0°F | Moderate to high | Declining |
| Mexico | 84.0–89.1°F | 66.2–72.0°F | 1.3–5.1 in | 79.0–82.4°F | High | Declining |
| Panama Canal | 87.1°F | 75.0°F | 13.6 in | 82.9°F | High | Declining |
| Southern Caribbean | 86.0–89.1°F | 71.6–79.0°F | 3.1–12.7 in | 81.1–82.4°F | High | Declining |
| The Bahamas | 81.0–84.0°F | 68.0–71.1°F | 2.5–3.5 in | 77.0–78.8°F | Moderate to high | Declining |
| Western Caribbean | 84.2–89.1°F | 66.2–75.2°F | 3.7–8.2 in | 82.4–84.2°F | High | Declining |
Regional values are climate ranges assembled from representative cruise ports. They do not predict weather or sea conditions for a specific itinerary.
November Creates a Wider Temperature Change from Galveston
November departure weather in Galveston is considerably cooler than it is in October. Typical conditions include a high near 72°F, a low near 59°F, and coastal water around 70°F. Mild days are common, but a front can bring cooler air, stronger wind, or a noticeable change between embarkation morning and sailaway.
Tropical ports remain much warmer, so one packing plan must cover two climates. A light jacket or warm layer is useful in Galveston, while lighter clothing still fits most destination days. The Galveston cruise weather guide explains how fronts and coastal conditions affect the beginning and end of the trip.
Caribbean Ports Stay Warm in November
Mexico and Western Caribbean ports generally reach the low-to-upper 80s in November, with sea temperatures around 79–84°F. The Bahamas is cooler than the Caribbean, typically reaching the low 80s with water near 77–79°F. That water may feel less consistently warm than it did in early fall, especially on breezy or cloudy days.
Eastern and Southern Caribbean destinations remain warmer, with typical highs from the mid-80s to upper 80s and water around 81–84°F. Travelers prioritizing swimming should compare the itinerary rather than assume that the Bahamas and all Caribbean islands have the same November conditions.
November Rain Remains Heavy in Several Regions
Rainfall drops noticeably in the Bahamas and parts of Mexico, but November is not a dry month across every route. Belize, Roatan, and several other Western Caribbean ports remain wet. Eastern and Southern Caribbean rainfall also varies widely, with heavy totals around Amber Cove and Puerto Limón.
The Panama Canal area stands out most strongly. Its November record is the wettest monthly value in the regional dataset, with very high humidity and frequent rain. By contrast, Progreso is substantially drier, illustrating why the itinerary remains more useful than a basin-wide average.
Planning a November Cruise from Cool Fronts to Tropical Rain
November planning centers on the temperature gap between Galveston and the destinations, uneven rainfall, and tropical risk that declines but does not disappear immediately.
Bring One Useful Warm Layer
A compact jacket or sweater can cover a cooler Galveston morning, a windy outdoor deck, and air-conditioned ship spaces without taking over the suitcase. The forecast shortly before departure is more useful than the monthly average for deciding whether a heavier layer is necessary.
Do Not Treat Lower Hurricane Risk as Dry Weather
Tropical-weather exposure declines during November, but ordinary wet-season rain remains substantial in several destinations. The Caribbean rainy season guide helps separate rainfall patterns from named-storm risk and explains why port-level forecasts still matter.
Atlantic Hurricane Season Runs Through November 30
The official season is still active for the entire month, even though the climate tables show a declining tropical-risk category. Travelers should continue checking forecasts and cruise-line communications. The hurricane season cruise guide covers possible itinerary responses, while the calm seas and rough weather guide addresses wind and wave conditions.
Thanksgiving Is a Separate November Travel Window
Departures around the holiday can serve a different planning intent from a general November weather search. The Thanksgiving cruises from Galveston page covers matching sailings and holiday timing. Selected late-November Disney departures may also use the Very Merrytime program, but availability depends on the current schedule. The fall cruises from Galveston page provides the broader seasonal view, and this page shows dated November links only when departures exist in the routes table.
November Cruise Weather FAQ
Typical conditions include a high near 72°F and a low near 59°F, with coastal water around 70°F. Cold fronts can make individual departure days cooler or windier.
Bring a light jacket or sweater for Galveston and exposed decks, plus lighter clothing for warm destination days. Check the departure forecast before adding heavier layers.
Water averages roughly 79–84°F around Mexico and the Caribbean, while the Bahamas is closer to 77–79°F. Comfort varies with wind, clouds, and the specific beach.
The Panama Canal area has the strongest wet-season signal, while Belize, Roatan, Puerto Limón, and several Eastern Caribbean ports also receive substantial November rain.
Yes. Atlantic hurricane season continues through November 30, although seasonal risk declines during the month. Current forecasts are necessary for any individual sailing.
November Cruises from Galveston by Year
Climate data describes typical November conditions. Use the year-specific pages below to see the cruises currently scheduled from Galveston, including departure dates, ships, durations, and itineraries.