How warm is Jamaica in January?

Typical highs are about 82°F and the sea is about 82°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.

Is there sargassum in Jamaica in January?

In a typical year seaweed is moderate in January. 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 January hurricane season in Jamaica?

No. Storm risk is very low in January.

How crowded is Jamaica in January?

Typically very busy, around New Year holiday and MLK weekend. The quietest months are usually September and October.

Jamaica in January

January is one of the best months to visit Jamaica: a typical day grades B, the 2nd best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 82°F, water around 82°F and about a 34% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually moderate in January. Beaches are typically very busy (New Year holiday and MLK weekend).

Typical dayB2nd of 12 months

Highs / water82°FSea 82°F

Rain chance34%on a given day

SeaweedModeratetypical year

CrowdsVery busyNew Year holiday

Storm riskVery lowoutside storm season

Jamaica month by month

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

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

Best beaches in Jamaica in January

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

Beach	Typical Jan	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+
Sea Grapes Villa	A-	Low	SatDSunC-MonC-TueC+WedC+
Stones Beach House	A-	Low	SatCSunC+MonC+TueBWedC+
Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa	A-	Low	SatC-SunCMonC+TueB-WedC+
Mais Oui Tennis And Spa Villa	A-	Moderate	SatFSunD+MonD+TueCWedC
Piper's Cove Resort	A-	Low	SatC-SunBMonD+TueC-WedC+
Beach Resort	A-	Very low	SatC-SunC+MonCTueCWedC

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 January

Elsewhere in the Caribbean, Cuba's Cays (A-), Turks & Caicos (A-) and Varadero & Havana (A-) usually grade higher in January. Further afield: Huatulco (A), Puerto Vallarta (A) and the Yucatán Gulf Coast (A). Every destination in January.

Questions

Is January a good time to visit Jamaica?: January is one of the best months to visit Jamaica: a typical day grades B, the 2nd best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 82°F, water around 82°F and about a 34% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually moderate in January. Beaches are typically very busy (New Year holiday and MLK weekend).
How warm is Jamaica in January?: Typical highs are about 82°F and the sea is about 82°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.
Is there sargassum in Jamaica in January?: In a typical year seaweed is moderate in January. 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 January hurricane season in Jamaica?: No. Storm risk is very low in January.
How crowded is Jamaica in January?: Typically very busy, around New Year holiday and MLK weekend. 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.