Although in our part of the world the last month of the year means damp, grey weather and above all preparations for Christmas and New Year, some people still escape in their thoughts to the summer holidays and a planned stay by the sea. But why wait for summer when you can head to the sea in winter too? Here are 7 tips on where to go in December for some warmth. You mustn’t miss these recommendations! We’ll throw in tips on special deals from various tour operators too, which can get you a holiday for next to nothing.
Whether you want to escape the winter, soak up the Christmas atmosphere or simply experience something other than carp and potato salad, we’ve got an overview of the best places to head to the sea in December.
The Maldives
Head to one of the pearls of the Indian Ocean. The Maldives is an island nation that for many people is the very symbol of an exotic holiday. Who wouldn’t want to stay in one of those iconic bungalows or swim in crystal-clear water? The only downside of the Maldives is the limited range of things to do – all the islands are small, so you’ll have explored them in no time, and you won’t find any significant cultural monuments here either. So the Maldives are recommended for travellers who want to rest on the beach, sunbathe or perhaps dive. Boat trips can provide a little distraction too.
I had a quick look through the tour operators’ offers and here are a few fairly interesting ones:
All in all: the Maldives have ideal weather (around 30 °C), peace and quiet and a turquoise sea. Prices can be higher, but the reward of total relaxation is guaranteed! For what it’s worth, other sites recommend the destination too in their pick of the best places to go.
Spain – Fuerteventura
Islands in warm latitudes are simply the ideal answer to where to go in December for some warmth. Fuerteventura is one of the Canary Islands, where you’ll forget all about winter. Besides the warm weather and some of the loveliest beaches in the Atlantic, Fuerteventura is typically peaceful too. There are only a handful of small towns on the island, dominated mainly by shops and tourist attractions, so you can enjoy a genuinely quiet atmosphere. Surfers will love a holiday here too, because the wind off the African continent brings some seriously good waves.
The island is especially suited to nomads – over the years a large community of digital nomads has created ideal conditions here for working remotely. Just watch out for long-term accommodation, which at the last minute may not be available or may be too expensive.
Have a look at platforms like Agoda, Booking.com or Airbnb.
The plus points of a Canaries holiday in December – 22–26 °C during the day and a sea around 20 °C, a safe location, a relatively short flight and great hotels for singles, couples and families alike.
The United Arab Emirates – Dubai
Our next stop is the largest city of the United Arab Emirates. Yes, we’re talking about Dubai, today’s centre of luxury. The showy skyscrapers and generally modern setting will appeal to those who don’t want to spend all their time on the beach. Head off on the famous shopping trips, explore the sights (visit the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, for instance) or simply enjoy the nightlife. Just bear in mind that alcohol outside your hotel isn’t exactly welcomed, so tread carefully 🙂
And if you do decide to swim, expansive, clean sandy beaches await. If you’re the sporty type by nature, you’ll appreciate the wide range of activities on offer – besides the usual water sports you can even go skiing here – there really is no limit to human excess.
Again, a few interesting tour operator offers:
Dubai has been booming in recent months. The country is open to tourists and shapes its tourism policy accordingly – an accessible destination for anyone.
Egypt – Marsa Alam
Everyone should visit Egypt at least once in their life – I haven’t been yet, but once there’s a family, it’s definitely coming. Not just for the swimming, but especially for its rich history. Although the resort of Marsa Alam is a long way from Cairo, you can still take a trip to the famous Luxor, which at one point was even the capital of ancient Egypt. In any case, Marsa Alam is a diving and snorkelling paradise. Beneath the surface of the Red Sea lie colourful treasures of the animal kingdom, as well as sunken shipwrecks that are worth seeing with your own eyes.
There are no clubs or bars in Marsa Alam, which makes it a resort that suits families with children. It’s odd that I’m writing this, but with this article I’m basically preparing for the day when there really is a family 😀
Again, a few interesting tour operator offers:
Egypt really is a cheap holiday – I’d almost say it’s the ideal value for money in December. Cheaper than Croatia, where I was this year, and price-wise it’s roughly the same. Just watch out for the pharaoh’s revenge.
Zanzibar
Zanzibar is a place where time slows down, along with everything that stresses you out at home. December is the start of the ideal season here – temperatures around 30 °C, the sea at a pleasant 28 °C and the rains already easing off. If you’re looking for a “cheaper” answer than the Maldives to where to go to the sea in December, Zanzibar is the ideal spot. People come here mainly for these key things:
- Steady warmth, minimal rain
- Kilometres of white beaches and palm trees straight out of a catalogue
- Excellent food (fresh fish, mango, curry, coconut)
- The locals are incredibly welcoming -> and why wouldn’t they be, when you’re bringing money in 🙂
Again, a few interesting tour operator offers:
The ideal spots are Nungwi and Kendwa or Paje and Jambiani.
Mauritius
This island east of Madagascar has won tourists’ hearts with its unique nature and peaceful setting. The local fauna and flora in particular should be one of the reasons you come to Mauritius. There are several national parks on the island, and in one of them giant tortoises even live. If you want to push yourself, take on the climb up the iconic Le Morne Brabant. For rest you can choose from one of many beaches. The shores of Mauritius are lapped by an azure sea that tempts you not only to swim but to dive, snorkel and try other water sports.
I often hear Mauritius compared to Zanzibar, with Zanzibar being more popular thanks to the overall range of things to do and the atmosphere on the island.
Thailand – Phuket
You can only talk about Phuket in superlatives – it’s the biggest, most popular and most beautiful island Thailand has to offer the world. It also has both a calm and a wild side. On the one hand there’s the untouched local nature surrounded by the Andaman Sea; on the other, busy streets and nightlife. So Phuket is able to please everyone, even the most demanding tourists. Lovers of landmarks will get their money’s worth too – you can visit the iconic Phi Phi Islands, the Big Buddha statue or the Buddhist temple Wat Chalong.
Before you go, you should read up a little in a guide to Thailand so you understand where you’re heading. We’ve visited Thailand twice and each time it was an interesting and different experience. If you’ve already been to Thailand once and you’re going back, you’ll be surprised how much the destination is changing. Either way, the deep calm of Asia awaits you.
Again, a few interesting tour operator offers:
Oman
Oman isn’t Dubai. And that’s exactly why people love it more and more. This country has a soul – deserts, mountains, the sea and its people. Arab countries in general are famous for their hospitality, which is why everyone likes it there!
December brings the best weather of the year here – around 27 °C, no humidity and a beautifully warm sea. Ideal temperatures for both sightseeing and swimming. No hurricanes and no extreme heat.
Last-minute offers from tour operators:
Mexico – Cancún
Mexico is an unfairly overlooked destination, but it unquestionably deserves its place on the list of where to go in December for some warmth. Although the journey there takes a very long time, you won’t regret it in the end. Cancún boasts stunning beaches, a clean sea and lagoons where more than one pirate hid in the past. The area also offers plenty for sportier travellers. A holiday in Cancún also lets you get to know authentic Latin American culture.
The resort sits on the Yucatán Peninsula, so alongside the Mexican way of life you can also explore the remains of the Mayan civilisation. This is already a holiday in the pricier category, though, so choose your deal or resort carefully. Of course, if you set off with a backpack you won’t go wrong! 🙂
Again, a few interesting last-minute offers from tour operators:
Why bother thinking about where to go to the sea in December
For plenty of people December is a byword for stress. Presents, work, deadlines, chaos. But that’s exactly why it’s ideal to disappear somewhere for a few days. Prices outside the holiday period are often lower, there aren’t as many tourists around and the weather in warm destinations is, unlike in Europe, absolutely top.
Want more inspiration? Take a look at our other adventures – and there are plenty of them!
