An almost-constant temperature prevails throughout the Bahamas thanks to refreshing, cooling trade winds. September to May is freshest at around 21-24°C (70-75°F) with warmer weather at around 27-29°C (80-85°F) the rest of the year. The temperature drops about 5°C (41°F) after dark. June to November is the hurricane season. Pack lightweight or tropical cottons all year round. Light raincoats are useful during the wet season (May to September).
Comprising 700 low-lying islands, mostly islets (cays or keys), atolls and rocks, the Bahamas archipelago extends 970km (500 miles) southeastward from the coast of Florida. Sparkling, clear waters are home to vibrant underwater gardens on the world's third longest barrier reef, which contains about 14.5% of the coral on the planet. Fertile marine plains are split between two oceanic facets, the Little Bahama Bank and the Great Bahama Bank, where visibility of around 60m (197ft) is the norm. Exotic flowers, pine forest, rugged shoreline, barren savannahs, marshlands and sandy beaches typify the landscape, on a bed of limestone and coral rocks.
