November marks the sweet spot for Caribbean travel. Trade winds cool the air, hurricane season ends, and rainfall drops across most islands. The best Caribbean islands to visit in November include Barbados, Aruba, and St. Lucia, each offering distinct experiences from pristine beaches to volcanic landscapes.
Keep reading as we explore the top nine Caribbean destinations where November's perfect weather meets unforgettable adventures.
List of Contents
- 1. Barbados: Where Flying Fish Meet Rum Punch
- 2. Aruba: One Happy Island, Zero Hurricanes
- 3. Curaçao: Dutch Architecture Meets Caribbean Soul
- 4. Trinidad and Tobago: Two Islands, One Unforgettable Experience
- 5. St. Lucia: Twin Peaks Rising From Emerald Waters
- 6. Grenada: The Spice Island's Perfect Season
- 7. Dominica: Where Rainforest Meets Volcanic Drama
- 8. St. Vincent: Untouched Caribbean at Its Purest
- 9. Martinique: French Caribbean Sophistication
- Your Caribbean November Awaits
1. Barbados: Where Flying Fish Meet Rum Punch
Barbados in November feels like stepping into a postcard that never fades. The island sits outside the hurricane belt, making it one of the most reliable Caribbean destinations during this transitional month.
The southeast trade winds pick up in November, creating perfect conditions for windsurfing at Silver Sands Beach. Local fishermen taught me to spot flying fish from the shore—they leap highest just before sunset when the water temperature drops.
Crop Over season has ended, leaving the island peaceful yet vibrant. The rum distilleries run at full capacity, and you can smell molasses in the air around St. Nicholas Abbey.
Quick Facts:
- Peak Season: December-April
- How to Get There: Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI)
- Entrance Fees: From free beaches to $25 for plantation tours
- Suggested Stay: 5-7 days
- Key Locations: Bridgetown, St. Lawrence Gap, Harrison's Cave, Animal Flower Cave
2. Aruba: One Happy Island, Zero Hurricanes
Aruba sits 12 degrees north of the equator, where hurricanes cannot form. November brings the island's driest months, with rainfall dropping to just two inches.
The constant trade winds keep temperatures comfortable even at midday. Eagle Beach stretches two miles of white sand, but locals prefer the quieter Boca Catalina for snorkeling.
At night, the stars appear brighter here than anywhere else in the Caribbean. The lack of light pollution from the desert landscape creates viewing conditions that rival observatories.
Quick Facts:
- Peak Season: January-March
- How to Get There: Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA)
- Entrance Fees: From free beaches to $15 for Arikok National Park
- Suggested Stay: 4-6 days
- Key Locations: Oranjestad, Palm Beach, Natural Pool, California Lighthouse
3. Curaçao: Dutch Architecture Meets Caribbean Soul
Curaçao's November weather mirrors Aruba—dry, breezy, and consistently sunny. The island's unique position creates a microclimate that receives less than 23 inches of rain annually.
Willemstad's pastel buildings line the harbor like a rainbow made of coral stone. The Dutch colonists painted them bright colors to reduce sun glare—a practical solution that became an artistic masterpiece.
The island's 38 beaches range from hidden coves to expansive stretches. Playa Knip offers the clearest water I've encountered in the Caribbean, where you can see your feet in 15 feet of water.
Quick Facts:
- Peak Season: December-April
- How to Get There: Curaçao International Airport (CUR)
- Entrance Fees: From free beaches to $12 for Christoffel National Park
- Suggested Stay: 5-7 days
- Key Locations: Willemstad, Playa Knip, Shete Boka National Park, Mambo Beach
4. Trinidad and Tobago: Two Islands, One Unforgettable Experience
November signals the start of Trinidad's cultural season. Parang music fills the streets as Christmas preparations begin, creating an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the Caribbean.
Tobago offers a different rhythm entirely. The island's Main Ridge Forest Reserve, established in 1776, houses 210 bird species. Dawn chorus here includes sounds that exist nowhere else on earth.
In November, sea turtle nesting season peaks on Tobago's beaches. Leatherback turtles, some weighing 800 pounds, emerge at night to lay eggs in the sand where they were born decades earlier.
Quick Facts:
- Peak Season: January-May
- How to Get There: Piarco International Airport (POS) or Crown Point Airport (TAB)
- Entrance Fees: From free beaches to $20 for guided nature tours
- Suggested Stay: 6-8 days
- Key Locations: Port of Spain, Scarborough, Asa Wright Nature Centre, Pigeon Point
5. St. Lucia: Twin Peaks Rising From Emerald Waters
November in St. Lucia means the Pitons emerge from their rainy season shroud, standing clear against blue skies. These twin volcanic peaks rise 2,600 feet directly from the ocean—a sight that stops conversations mid-sentence.
The island's volcanic soil creates beaches of different colors. Anse Chastanet's black sand absorbs heat, making early morning walks the most comfortable time to explore.
Local fishermen launch their boats before sunrise from Soufrière. Following them to their fishing spots reveals coral reefs that tourist boats rarely visit—places where parrotfish graze like underwater cattle.
Quick Facts:
- Peak Season: December-April
- How to Get There: Hewanorra International Airport (UVF)
- Entrance Fees: From free beaches to $30 for Piton climbing permits
- Suggested Stay: 5-7 days
- Key Locations: Castries, Soufrière, Marigot Bay, Diamond Falls, Sulphur Springs
6. Grenada: The Spice Island's Perfect Season
November marks Grenada's transition from wet to dry season. Nutmeg trees drop their fruit, filling the air with scents that earned the island its “Spice Isle” nickname.
Grand Anse Beach curves for two miles of white sand, but November's calm seas make it perfect for swimming rather than just sunbathing. The water temperature holds steady at 82°F.
At Belmont Estate, you can watch chocolate being made from tree to bar. November's harvest season means cocoa pods crack open to reveal beans that locals have been processing the same way for 300 years.
Quick Facts:
- Peak Season: December-April
- How to Get There: Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND)
- Entrance Fees: From free beaches to $25 for plantation tours
- Suggested Stay: 4-6 days
- Key Locations: St. George's, Grand Anse, Belmont Estate, Concord Falls, Underwater Sculpture Park
7. Dominica: Where Rainforest Meets Volcanic Drama
Dominica receives more rainfall than its neighbors, but November brings the island's driest weather. Waterfalls that rage during hurricane season become manageable hikes through pristine rainforest.
The island has no white sand beaches—volcanic activity created coastlines of black rocks and pebbles. What it lacks in traditional beaches, it compensates with experiences found nowhere else.
Sperm whales live year-round in Dominica's deep waters. November's calm seas create perfect conditions for whale watching, where encounters happen so close you can hear them breathe.
Quick Facts:
- Peak Season: December-April
- How to Get There: Douglas-Charles Airport (DOM)
- Entrance Fees: From $5 for national parks to $50 for whale watching tours
- Suggested Stay: 4-5 days
- Key Locations: Roseau, Morne Trois Pitons, Champagne Reef, Boiling Lake, Trafalgar Falls
8. St. Vincent: Untouched Caribbean at Its Purest
St. Vincent remains largely undiscovered by mass tourism. November's clear skies reveal La Soufrière volcano, which last erupted in 2021, reshaping parts of the island's northern landscape.
The Botanical Gardens, established in 1765, house breadfruit trees descended from those Captain Bligh brought from Tahiti. Walking these paths feels like stepping through Caribbean history.
Villa Beach offers the island's calmest waters in November. Local fishermen here still use traditional techniques, hauling nets by hand in the early morning light.
Quick Facts:
- Peak Season: December-April
- How to Get There: Argyle International Airport (SVD)
- Entrance Fees: From free beaches to $15 for botanical gardens
- Suggested Stay: 3-5 days
- Key Locations: Kingstown, Villa Beach, Montreal Gardens, Dark View Falls, La Soufrière
9. Martinique: French Caribbean Sophistication
November in Martinique brings the island's most pleasant weather. French influence appears in everything from architecture to cuisine, creating a Caribbean experience unlike its neighbors.
Mount Pelée dominates the northern landscape—a volcano that destroyed Saint-Pierre in 1902. The ruins remain, creating an open-air museum where nature reclaims colonial architecture.
Les Salines beach stretches for miles of white sand backed by coconut palms. November's trade winds make this the perfect month for kitesurfing and windsurfing in the calm, protected waters.
Quick Facts:
- Peak Season: December-April
- How to Get There: Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport (FDF)
- Entrance Fees: From free beaches to €20 for rum distillery tours
- Suggested Stay: 5-7 days
- Key Locations: Fort-de-France, Saint-Pierre, Les Salines, Jardin de Balata, La Pagerie
Your Caribbean November Awaits
November transforms the Caribbean into nature's perfect stage. Hurricane season fades into memory. Trade winds carry salt air and adventure. Nine islands wait with experiences that exist nowhere else on earth.
Each destination offers something different. Barbados brings rum and flying fish. Aruba guarantees sunshine. St. Lucia displays volcanic drama.
Pack light clothes and waterproof shoes. Bring an extra camera battery. Leave room in your luggage for memories that will last long after the tan fades.
The best Caribbean islands to visit in November are calling. The only question left is which one you'll answer first.
