Your Month-by-Month Guide to the Best Holiday Destinations for Sun-Seekers

From January in Thailand to November in Mauritius, soak up the sun no matter the season.

For beach-lovers and summer souls, waiting for warm weather can feel eternal. Thankfully, the earth keeps turning, which means there’s always a corner ready to offer travellers a warm welcome. Start your year in tropical climes, mark the midpoint with Mediterranean glamour, or close out the calendar in island bliss. With our month-by-month list of global hot spots, there’s nothing keeping you from embracing your very own endless summer.

Read on to discover the best places to travel for sunshine, year-round.

December/January

Australia

Summer starts along the vast Australian coast. Surfers can settle into boho Byron Bay, while beachgoers down south in Victoria can discover the famed Surf Coast, a section along the rugged Great Ocean Road. In Sydney, kick off the summer season with a day on the sands at Bondi or Bronte. Or head out to Broome in Western Australia, a remote destination where the outback collides with white-sand beaches for a summer you won’t soon forget.

Thailand

Open the new year in a tropical Thai paradise, ready to drop your bags at one of Phuket’s top all-inclusive resorts. Just across the Gulf of Thailand, Krabi’s chill vibes and ease of island-hopping are a nature-lover’s dream. Koh Chang’s unspoiled jungle is matched only by its idyllic beaches, and Koh Samui is Thailand’s go-to island for wellness retreats.

Mexico

Mexico’s rich heritage and spectacular landscapes offer something for everyone. Choose between Baja California cool in Cabo San Lucas on the ‘Mexican Riviera’ or the inclusive beach clubs and renowned nightlife of Puerto Vallarta. Huatulco is your southern stop for quiet beaches and superb snorkelling, and Tulum’s ancient clifftop ruins guard spectacular Caribbean cenotes – unique underground pools formed from limestone.

February/March

Dubai

Dazzling Dubai is your pick for February. Warm days and plentiful events make this the ideal time to book a trip to this glittering desert city. From world-class shopping to delectable dining, colourful kitesurfing on Kite Beach to stunning sunsets at Umm Suqeim Beach; there’s no chance you’ll run out of exciting activities to while away your time, whether you stop in at one of the city’s top beach clubs or climb atop a camel for a stroll along the sand.

Maldives

A holiday in the Maldives is all about the luxury. Check into one of the archipelago’s all-inclusive resorts for breathtaking beaches, free-flowing cocktails and, of course, the quintessential overwater villa experience. Wake to the gentle lapping of the lagoon, then grab your book and hop in a hammock, or delve into the aquatic world with unmatched diving opportunities.

April

Caribbean

Cuba is a colourful time-warp of vintage cars, powdery beaches and top-tier rum. Belize’s barrier reef and Great Blue Hole is home to some of the most vibrant snorkelling and diving alike. In the Bahamas, white sands and all-inclusive resort life is the name of the game.

Singapore

Singapore’s dry season is a great time to visit for street food and a trip to Gardens by the Bay, home to the towering indoor waterfall of the Cloud Forest. Sentosa Island is your one-stop shop for family activities and beach resorts, while Singapore River Festival offers a taste of local heritage with eye-catching lights displays.

May/June

West Coast, USA

Discover whether West Coast really is the best coast on a classic American road trip. Taste the Pacific Northwest at Olympic National Park – an easy day trip from Seattle – then wander the rugged Oregon Coast on your way to Cannon Beach. In California, San Francisco is a haven for foodies and art-lovers, while LA juxtaposes the glamour of Tinseltown with laidback surfer sensibility.

Bali

Bali has you covered no matter your travel style: luxury living in Seminyak, laidback surf vibes of Canggu or astounding temples in the jungles of Ubud. Here, you can find serenity and rejuvenate at a wellness retreat, then reinvigorate the senses at one of Bali’s many bustling street markets or fine dining establishments.

July/August

Europe

Treat yourself to a Euro summer on Spain’s sun-soaked beaches. Start with the hidden coves of Majorca, then discover the colourful architecture and eclectic atmosphere that make Barcelona a summer staple. Cruise Italy’s glittering Amalfi Coast and stop for refreshing limoncello, or drift along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast for crystalline waters and a glimpse of medieval magic.

East Coast, USA

America’s East Coast doesn’t play second fiddle to its western counterpart when it comes to beautiful beaches. In New Jersey, hit the famous Asbury Park Boardwalk or wander past elegant beachfront houses in Cape May. Striking lighthouses and pristine nature preserves lend North Carolina’s Outer Banks (the islands off the state’s coast) a windswept allure. On Miami’s pumping South Beach, tropical drinks and foodie fantasies set the scene for non-stop party times.

September

Morocco

The high drama of Morocco’s medieval old towns and unending deserts are a mainstay of Hollywood filmmaking. Between chasing the trail of Indiana Jones and stepping into the scenes of Game of Thrones, a stay under the countless desert stars at the edge of the Sahara is an unforgettable experience. Over the coastal waters of Casablanca, the eye-watering detail of Hassan II Mosque cannot be missed.

Greece

Your September sun sets over the glorious Aegean with a trip to Greece. Unearth ancient history at the Parthenon in Athens, watch golden rays sweep over Santorini’s whitewashed houses and jump on an island-hopping cruise as you set sail for the ruins of Rhodes. From captivating Crete to biblical Patmos, the Greek Islands are best experienced in the quieter shoulder season.

October/November

Mauritius

October is for white-sand beaches and waterfalls in Mauritius. The deep-hued sand dunes of Seven Coloured Earth Geopark make for a mesmerising adventure, and a rainforest trek to 100-metre-tall Chamarel Waterfall promises a refreshing dip in the pool below. With its vibrant lagoons, home to peaceful sea turtles and playful dolphins, you’ll never want to leave those warm Mauritius waters.

Seychelles

Beyond championship golf courses, the Seychelles’ signature touch is its beautiful coral reefs and supreme tranquillity. More than a hundred jaw-dropping islands make up this glittering archipelago, so it makes sense that the diving is second-to-none. Late in the year, the waters are calm and visibility is excellent for appreciating the abundant marine life, from eye-catching lionfish to graceful eagle rays.

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