Which has warmer water, Punta Cana or Jamaica?

Punta Cana averages 83°F over the year and Jamaica 84°F. In January it is 81°F vs 82°F; in July 83°F vs 85°F.

Which is less crowded?

Punta Cana is quietest in September and October; Jamaica in September and October.

Which has less sargassum?

Over a typical year, seaweed averages very high in Punta Cana and moderate in Jamaica. Punta Cana is lightest in January and February; Jamaica in February and March.

Punta Cana vs Jamaica

Jamaica usually grades better in every month; Punta Cana never beats it by a clear margin. In winter (December to February) Jamaica is the stronger pick (B vs C+). Seaweed: Punta Cana peaks very high in December, Jamaica peaks high in October.

Month by month

A typical day in each month (median resort). Bold: better by a clear margin.

Month	Punta Cana	Jamaica	Water	Rain chance	Seaweed	Crowds	Storm risk
January	B-	B	81°F / 82°F	55% / 34%	High / Moderate	Very busy / Very busy	Very low / Very low
February	C+	B	80°F / 81°F	64% / 50%	High / Moderate	Very busy / Very busy	Very low / Very low
March	C+	B	80°F / 82°F	61% / 61%	High / Moderate	Packed / Packed	Very low / Very low
April	C	B-	81°F / 82°F	64% / 76%	Very high / Moderate	Busy / Busy	Very low / Very low
May	C	B-	82°F / 84°F	67% / 69%	Very high / High	Busy / Busy	Very low / Very low
June	C	C+	83°F / 85°F	68% / 64%	Very high / High	Busy / Busy	Very low / Very low
July	C-	C+	83°F / 85°F	76% / 61%	Very high / High	Busy / Very busy	Very low / Low
August	C-	C	84°F / 86°F	79% / 64%	Very high / High	Busy / Busy	Moderate / Moderate
September	C-	C	85°F / 87°F	69% / 69%	Very high / High	Moderate / Moderate	High / High
October	C-	C+	86°F / 87°F	68% / 75%	Very high / High	Moderate / Moderate	Low / Low
November	C-	B	84°F / 85°F	74% / 55%	Very high / Moderate	Busy / Busy	Very low / Very low
December	C-	B	83°F / 84°F	61% / 51%	Very high / Moderate	Very busy / Very busy	Very low / Very low

Pairs of values read Punta Cana / Jamaica. From Veabird's year-ahead outlook: climate normals, the seasonal seaweed pattern, holiday crowds and storm history.

This week

Grades for the next few days at the resorts that usually do best this month.

Punta Cana

Majestic Colonial HotelSatC+SunCMonC+TueB-WedB
Hotel NaraguaSatDSunC-MonC+TueC+WedC+
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta CanaSatC-SunC-MonCTueCWedC
Riu Palace Bávaro (Arena Gorda)SatC-SunC-MonC-TueCWedC

Jamaica

ROK Hotel Kingston, Tapestry Collection by HiltonSatCSunCMonBTueB-WedC+
Grand Port Royal Hotel Marina & SpaSatCSunCMonB-TueB-WedC+
Stones Beach HouseSatCSunC+MonC+TueBWedC+
Breathless Montego Bay Resort & SpaSatC-SunCMonC+TueB-WedC+

Grades for the next few days from Veabird's beach forecast, updated Oct 3, 18:00 UTC. Higher is better: A+ to F.

Punta Cana & East Coast forecast · Jamaica forecast

Questions

Is Punta Cana or Jamaica better?: Jamaica usually grades better in every month; Punta Cana never beats it by a clear margin. In winter (December to February) Jamaica is the stronger pick (B vs C+). Seaweed: Punta Cana peaks very high in December, Jamaica peaks high in October.
Which has warmer water, Punta Cana or Jamaica?: Punta Cana averages 83°F over the year and Jamaica 84°F. In January it is 81°F vs 82°F; in July 83°F vs 85°F.
Which is less crowded?: Punta Cana is quietest in September and October; Jamaica in September and October.
Which has less sargassum?: Over a typical year, seaweed averages very high in Punta Cana and moderate in Jamaica. Punta Cana is lightest in January and February; Jamaica in February and March.