Best Time to Visit George Town

Dry season: December to April

This is the best stretch, and it's also the busiest. Days are warm but not heavy, with highs of 26 to 28°C and plenty of sun. March and April are the sunniest, with the least rain of the year. January is a little wetter than February to April, with showers on about eight days, but they usually pass quickly.

It suits almost every trip. Seven Mile Beach is at its best, the sea is calm for snorkelling at Stingray City, and diving is good. If you want to eat out in Camana Bay or walk around the waterfront, the evenings are easy and comfortable. Winter is high season, so flights and hotels fill up, especially around Christmas and New Year. Pirates Week, the island's big festival, is held in November. Parades, street parties and a mock pirate landing on the waterfront are the main draws.

May and November: the shoulder months

Both months are rated Good. May has 66 mm of rain on 14 days, so you'll get some wet afternoons, but you'll also get sunny gaps. It's hotter and stickier than April, and the crowds have thinned. November is a bit wetter, with 96 mm, but you get quieter beaches and Pirates Week at the start of the high season. If you like lower prices and don't mind a shower, these are smart picks.

Do you want a beach trip with a few free afternoons for the Cayman Turtle Centre or the Mastic Trail? Both months work well for that.

June to October: wet and quiet

This is the rainy season, and it's honest to say it's the weakest time to visit. October is the wettest month, with 158 mm on 25 days. June is next at 117 mm on 22 days, though it's drier than September and August on the number of rainy days. Sun drops to around four or five hours a day. It's also the hottest period, with highs of 30°C and warm nights of 29°C.

July is rated Fair, so it's the best of the bunch. The crowds are small, and some families come for the summer school holidays. Also, this is hurricane season, so check the forecast and get travel insurance that covers storms. If you're a diver who hates queues, you may like the calmer feel. If you want a classic beach week, aim for the dry season instead.