Best Destinations for Guaranteed Winter Sun

The Best Destinations for Guaranteed Winter Sun

It’s not too late to book your escape to find some winter sun!

Finding destinations with winter sun may sound like a walk in the park, but the reality is that changing climates have drastically restricted the options available without heading significantly south of the equator with long travel times and sometimes places that you think would offer guaranteed sun actually don’t. We have graded a selection of winter sun options by a set of criteria including average sea and air temperatures, available amenities, rainfall and distance from Western Europe. We have listed our Top 5 plus you can check our comparison table for other destinations to draw your own conclusions!

Don’t forget, these average temperatures are the average for these months and the highs and lows are usually between 3°C and 4°C of these statistics. Also, the weather can do weird and wonderful things, so despite these climate trends there is, sadly never a 100% guarantee of good weather.

1. Red Sea Riviera

Rating: 

Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera has a consistent year round climate which is both dry and warm.  Temperatures do drop at night, so you will still need to pack a cardigan. For golfers who prefer winter play in the sun than in the rain, there are some fantastic golf courses along this stretch of coast including two in El Gouna, an 18-hole and a 9-hole and an 18-hole course at Soma Bay. The destination also offers diving, kite surfing and an abundance of other water based activity.

Average Temperature (Nov – March): 22.2°C

Average Sea Temperature (Nov – March): 26.8°C

Average Rainy Days (Nov – March): 0 days

Approx Flight Time from Western Europe: 5h 10m (direct) 7h 30 m (indirect)

 

2. Havana

Rating:    

Havana has long been a popular choice for winter sun seekers. You might face a little rainfall, but in typical tropical style, it will dry right up leaving that fresh rainforest scent in the air. So, if you want a winter beach experience, the beaches just outside Havana will be perfect for you, or instead just soak up the Cuban atmosphere and lifestyle in its stunning capital city, Havana.

Average Temperature (Nov – March): 22.6°C

Average Sea Temperature (Nov – March): 26.6°C

Average Rainy Days (Nov – March): 6.4 days per month

Approx Flight Time from Western Europe: 13h 30m (indirect)

 

3. Dubai

Rating:    

Winter is the best time to visit Dubai. The humidity is down and so are the temperatures with averages in the range of 21.6°C as opposed to the 41°C often reached in the height of summer where it is simply unbearable to be outside. Dubai offers everything from beach lifestyles to international shopping and even, if you miss winter back home, you can head to its internationally renowned ski dome for some time on the slopes before heading back outside into the sunshine!

Average Temperature (Nov – March): 21.6°C

Average Sea Temperature (Nov – March): 22.8°C

Average Rainy Days (Nov – March): 4.2 days per month

Approx Flight Time from Western Europe: 6h 45m (direct)

 

4. Cape Town

Rating:  

Winter is rainy season in South Africa, but this doesn’t compare to rainy season in Europe. Rather it simply serves to create a stunning lush environment with temperatures at a very comfortable level.

Average Temperature (Nov – March): 14°C

Average Sea Temperature (Nov – March): 18°C

Average Rainy Days (Nov – March): 9 days

Approx Flight Time from Western Europe: 11h 30m (direct)

 

5. Marbella

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Although the Costa del Sol has weather that can be somewhat temperamental, Marbella is fortunate to have a small microclimate as a result of it being cloistered by the Sierra Blanca mountain range. This means it has calm seas and steady temperatures. As an established resort town it is set up for year round clientele meaning that the facilities work just as well in the winter as they do in the summer. Marbella gets extra points for its short haul flight.

 

Average Temperature (Nov – March): 12.8°C

Average Sea Temperature (Nov – March) 15.2°C

Average Rainy Days (Nov – March) 7 days

Approx Flight Time from Western Europe: 2h 50m (direct)

 

 

Popular Winter Sun Destinations Compared

(ordered by Average Temperature)

 

 

Average Temperature

(Nov – March)

°C

Average Sea Temperature (Nov – March)

°C

Average Rainy Days per month (Nov – March)

 

Flight Time from Western Europe

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

25°C

24.8°C

12.8 days

11h 35m

Bridgetown, Barbados

24.4°C

27.2°C

11.8 days

8h 55m

Castries, St Lucia

24.0°C

-

16.2 days

8h 55m

Praia, Cape Verde

23.2°C

24°C

-

6h 0m

Salalah, Oman

23°C

25.6°C

4.2 days

10h 0m

Havana, Cuba

22.6°C

26.6°C

6.4 days

13h 30m

Red Sea

22.2°C

26.8°C

0 days

5h 10m

Sydney, Australia

22.2°C

20.2°C

13 days

21h 35m

Miami, Florida

21.8°C

24.6

7.2 days

9h 50m

Dubai, UAE

21.6°C

22.8°C

4.2 days

6h 45m

Tenerife, Canary Islands

18.2°C

19.8°C

5.8 days

4h 30

Lanzarote, Canary Islands

17.8°C

-

2.4 days

4h 15m

Cape Town, South Africa

14°C

18°C

9 days

11 h 30m

Marbella, Spain

12.8°C

15.2°C

7 days

2h 50m

 

Notes:

  1. London airports have been used as the base hub for measuring flight times.

  2. Source of Climate Data is: https://weather-and-climate.com and http://www.holiday-weather.com

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