Best Winter Sun Destinations: 20 Warm Escapes from the UK, USA and Australia
The best winter sun destinations for UK, US and Australian travellers, ranked by warmth, flight time and value, with hotel tips.
Key takeaways
- From the UK: the Canaries for short flights, Cape Verde and Egypt for heat, the Gulf and Caribbean for luxury.
- From the US: Florida, Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America.
- From Australia: northern-hemisphere winter is your summer; your winter sun season is June to August, when Bali, Fiji and Queensland shine.
- Avoid Christmas, New Year and school holidays for the best prices.
In this guide
- For UK travellers (November to March)
- For US travellers (December to March)
- For Australian travellers
- How to choose a winter sun hotel
- Avoiding peak prices
- Picking by flight time (from London)
- Winter sun on a budget
- Winter sun for luxury seekers
- Tips for choosing a winter sun hotel
- Events that affect winter sun prices
- The bottom line
Winter sun is about trading grey skies for blue ones. The best destination depends on where you live, how far you will fly, and what kind of holiday you want. Here is our guide to the best winter sun destinations for UK, US and Australian travellers.
For UK travellers (November to March)
| Destination | Typical winter high | Flight type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canary Islands | 20–23°C | Short-haul | Families, couples, value |
| Madeira | 19–20°C | Short-haul | Walking, gardens |
| Cyprus | 16–19°C | Short-haul | Mild sunny breaks |
| Morocco (Agadir/Marrakech) | 20–23°C | Short-haul | Culture, value |
| Egypt (Red Sea) | 22–25°C | Medium | Diving, all inclusive |
| Cape Verde | 25–26°C | Medium | All inclusive, beaches |
| Dubai / Abu Dhabi | 23–27°C | Medium | Luxury, city + beach |
| Oman | 25–28°C | Medium | Culture, nature |
| Caribbean | 28–30°C | Long-haul | Beaches, luxury |
| Mexico | 27–29°C | Long-haul | All inclusive, ruins |
| Florida | 24–26°C | Long-haul | Families, parks |
| Thailand | 31–32°C | Long-haul | Beaches, value |
| Sri Lanka | 30–31°C | Long-haul | Beaches, culture |
| Maldives | 30–31°C | Long-haul | Luxury, honeymoon |
| Cape Town | 25–27°C | Long-haul | Summer, wine, nature |
Our top UK picks
- Best short-haul: the Canary Islands. See where to stay in Tenerife.
- Best guaranteed heat under 6 hours: Egypt's Red Sea and Cape Verde.
- Best luxury: Dubai, the Maldives and the Caribbean.
- Best value long-haul: Thailand and Sri Lanka.
For US travellers (December to March)
| Destination | Typical winter high | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| South Florida and the Keys | 24–26°C (75–79°F) | Beaches, easy domestic trips |
| Hawaii | 26–27°C (79–81°F) | Beaches, volcanoes, hiking |
| Arizona (Phoenix/Scottsdale) | 19–23°C (66–73°F) | Golf, desert, resorts |
| Southern California deserts | 21–24°C (70–75°F) | Palm Springs resorts |
| Puerto Rico / USVI | 28–29°C (82–84°F) | No passport needed for US citizens |
| Mexico | 27–29°C (81–84°F) | All inclusive, culture |
| Caribbean | 28–30°C (82–86°F) | Beaches |
| Costa Rica | 27–31°C (81–88°F) | Nature, adventure |
For Australian travellers
Australia's seasons are reversed. Your "winter sun" season is June to August. Top picks include:
- Queensland and Far North Queensland: Cairns, Port Douglas, the Whitsundays and the Gold Coast are dry and warm.
- Northern Territory: Darwin and the Top End are in their dry season.
- Bali: dry season with sunny days. See where to stay in Bali.
- Fiji and the Pacific Islands: dry, warm and close.
- Thailand and Vietnam (some regions): check regional monsoon patterns.
During the northern winter (December to February), Australians enjoy summer at home, though many travel to Japan for snow or to Southeast Asia.
How to choose a winter sun hotel
- Check exact location: the south of many islands is sunnier.
- Look for heated pools in the Canaries and Mediterranean, where sea temperatures can be cool.
- Consider board basis: all inclusive suits isolated resorts. See board basis explained.
- Check evening temperatures: desert and island nights can be cool.
- Read recent reviews for the winter season specifically.
Avoiding peak prices
- Avoid Christmas, New Year, February half-term (UK), Presidents' Day and spring break (US).
- Travel in November or early December, or mid-January to early February.
- Book refundable rates early and watch for price drops. See best time to book a hotel.
Picking by flight time (from London)
| Approx. flight time | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Under 5 hours | Canary Islands, Madeira, Morocco, Cyprus, Malta |
| 5–7 hours | Egypt's Red Sea, Cape Verde, Jordan, Dubai, Abu Dhabi |
| 8–10 hours | Caribbean, Oman (with connections), Florida |
| 10+ hours | Mexico, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Maldives, South Africa, Mauritius |
Flight times are approximate and depend on routing.
Winter sun on a budget
- Canary Islands self-catering apartments outside school holidays.
- Egypt all inclusive, often strong value.
- Morocco riads and beach hotels in Agadir.
- Thailand and Sri Lanka where daily costs are low once you arrive. See cheapest countries to visit.
Winter sun for luxury seekers
- Maldives overwater villas.
- Dubai and Abu Dhabi beach resorts.
- Caribbean boutique hotels in St Lucia, Antigua and Barbados.
- Mauritius and the Seychelles.
Tips for choosing a winter sun hotel
- South-facing locations get more sun in the Canaries.
- Heated pools matter when sea temperatures are below 21°C.
- Sheltered sun terraces help on windy days.
- Indoor activities are useful for families if a day turns cloudy.
- Check the evening atmosphere: winter resorts can be quieter at night.
Events that affect winter sun prices
Carnival in the Canaries (February or March), Christmas and New Year, Chinese New Year in Asia, and US spring break in Florida and Mexico all push prices up. Plan around them, or book early to secure good rates.
The bottom line
From the UK, the Canaries are the easiest winter sun; Egypt and Cape Verde bring more heat; the Gulf, Caribbean and Asia offer guaranteed warmth. From the US, Florida, Hawaii and Mexico lead the way. Australians should look north to Queensland and the Pacific in June to August.
Frequently asked questions
What is the hottest place to go in winter from the UK?
Within about five hours' flight, Egypt's Red Sea and Cape Verde are among the hottest. For more heat, the Gulf, the Caribbean, Mexico, Thailand and the Maldives are reliably hot.
Where can I get winter sun in Europe?
The Canary Islands are Europe's most reliable winter sun destination. Madeira is mild, and Cyprus and Malta can have sunny days but are cooler.
When is winter sun season for Australians?
Australia's winter is June to August. Popular winter sun escapes include Queensland, the Northern Territory, Bali, Fiji, Thailand and the Pacific Islands.
Prices, fees, taxes and booking rules change often and vary by hotel, date and country. Figures in this guide are typical ranges for planning, not quotes. Always confirm the total price and cancellation terms with the hotel or booking site before you pay.
