How warm is Jamaica in December?

Typical highs are about 83°F and the sea is about 84°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.

Is there sargassum in Jamaica in December?

In a typical year seaweed is moderate in December. It is usually lightest in February and March and heaviest in September and October. Landings vary a lot by year, wind and currents; Veabird's weekly sargassum report and each beach's page have the current forecast.

Is December hurricane season in Jamaica?

No. Storm risk is very low in December.

How crowded is Jamaica in December?

Typically very busy, around Christmas & holiday break. The quietest months are usually September and October.

Jamaica in December

December is a good month for Jamaica: a typical day grades B, the 4th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 83°F, water around 84°F and about a 51% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually moderate in December. Beaches are typically very busy (Christmas & holiday break).

Typical dayB4th of 12 months

Highs / water83°FSea 84°F

Rain chance51%on a given day

SeaweedModeratetypical year

CrowdsVery busyChristmas & holiday break

Storm riskVery lowoutside storm season

Jamaica month by month

Typical grade and high for each month. Higher is better: A+ to F.

November: B · December: B · January: B. The best months are usually January, February and March, and the weakest are August and September.

Best beaches in Jamaica in December

Resorts with the best typical December, and their grades for the next few days.

Beach	Typical Dec	Seaweed	This week
ROK Hotel Kingston, Tapestry Collection by Hilton	A-	Very low	SatCSunCMonBTueB-WedC+
Grand Port Royal Hotel Marina & Spa	A-	Very low	SatCSunCMonB-TueB-WedC+
Beach Resort	A-	Very low	SatC-SunC+MonCTueCWedC
Stones Beach House	A-	Low	SatCSunC+MonC+TueBWedC+
Sea Grapes Villa	A-	Low	SatDSunC-MonC-TueC+WedC+
Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa	A-	Low	SatC-SunCMonC+TueB-WedC+
Robin's Bay Village & Beach Hotel	B+	Low	SatD+SunD+MonCTueCWedC
Bluebird Villa	B+	Low	SatD+SunCMonCTueC+WedC+

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

Better beach options in December

Elsewhere in the Caribbean, Cuba's Cays (A-), Varadero & Havana (A-) and the Leeward Islands (A-) usually grade higher in December. Further afield: Huatulco (A), Puerto Vallarta (A) and Los Cabos (A). Every destination in December.

Questions

Is December a good time to visit Jamaica?: December is a good month for Jamaica: a typical day grades B, the 4th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 83°F, water around 84°F and about a 51% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually moderate in December. Beaches are typically very busy (Christmas & holiday break).
How warm is Jamaica in December?: Typical highs are about 83°F and the sea is about 84°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.
Is there sargassum in Jamaica in December?: In a typical year seaweed is moderate in December. It is usually lightest in February and March and heaviest in September and October. Landings vary a lot by year, wind and currents; Veabird's weekly sargassum report and each beach's page have the current forecast.
Is December hurricane season in Jamaica?: No. Storm risk is very low in December.
How crowded is Jamaica in December?: Typically very busy, around Christmas & holiday break. The quietest months are usually September and October.

Plan it

Jamaica: this week's forecast, beach by beach
Caribbean Beach Report: this week, updated every Monday
Compare dates and beaches on the map

Typical-month numbers from Veabird's year-ahead outlook for the 109 resorts here (median resort): 6 years of ERA5 climate normals, the seasonal pattern of the Atlantic sargassum belt, holiday crowd calendars and historical storm tracks. Any given year can differ; check the 16-day forecast before you go.