Winter Sun Holidays
Ideas to escape the cold, dark nights!

Here at Bushbaby, as well as year-round adventures, we often get asked for help choosing ideal Winter Sun holidays that will suit our clients’ bespoke preferences.  We can help with inspiration for destinations where you can simply lie on a tropical beach or twin your R&R with a cultural or wildlife experience. 

So where is best for Winter Sun?  That depends on a range of factors including when you can travel, how far you’re prepared to fly and who’s travelling! The best Winter Sun holiday destination will vary if you’re planning to take a trip in October or November when the nights begin to draw in, or later after the New Year, when we’re likely to see our coldest temperatures. 

Where to go for Winter Sun in October and November

You might be keen to extend your Summer so where are the best winter sun destinations in October and November?  Mauritius, Seychelles, Cyprus, Tenerife and the Middle East offer the best winter sun holidays if you’re looking to travel before Christmas. 

These months are hurricane season in the Caribbean and can see a lot of rainfall in the Maldives so we generally don’t recommend these beautiful destinations at this time of year.

Where to go for Winter Sun in December, January and February

During this period the Indian Ocean on the Africa side can become very wet and there is a cyclone risk in Mauritius, whilst European temperatures will of course dip quite low.  Whilst Winter sun destinations such as Dubai and Oman will stay warm, you’ll just need to be aware that days are quite short if you’re seeking the maximum holiday winter sun.

So for the best chance of high temperatures and sunshine hours, we recommend the Caribbean, Maldives and Thailand (West side) for winter in the sun holidays at this time of year.  Islands such as Antigua and Barbados have the shortest flight time and regular direct flights offered by both BA and Virgin.  However, it’s hard to beat the relaxing appeal of winter sun all inclusive holidays in the Maldives where you can simply relax on a white sand beach and not have to worry about the cost of an extra sundowner! 

Winter Sun under 6 hours from the UK

If you’d prefer to avoid a long-haul flight and are looking at winter sun breaks closer to home, we’d recommend Cyprus, France and Tenerife, and perhaps Turkey, at the far edges of Europe, or fly a little further to Egypt and you can also explore the ancient sites as well as the undersea world of the Red Sea.  Oman and the UAE are also only a little further, at 7 – 8 hours, and it’s possible to fly daytime in both directions to Dubai, so whilst they’re not the closest winter sun to the UK, the journey is quite manageable.

All Inclusive Winter Sun

We quite understand your dream family is unlikely to include a surprisingly large bill at check out, so the best winter sun family holidays are often those which can be booked on an All-Inclusive basis.  Some hotels in Mauritius and the Caribbean for example allow you to choose your board basis, whereas other properties only operate on an All-Inclusive only basis, and these can be the most relaxed / offer the best value for luxury winter sun holidays.  There is also the new concept of All Inclusive excluding alcohol for those not typically wishing to sip on a glass or two of wine or beer at lunchtime.  Whilst it might suit winter sun holidays for couples, those travelling with young children may find this a useful new board basis.

All Inclusive only islands include OBLU Nature Helengeli (great for marine life) and Constance Moofushi (perfect for couples) in the Maldives whilst Curtain Bluff in Antigua includes everything for all guests too, so definitely worth considering for a winter sun holiday that’s all inclusive.

Winter Sun Villa Holidays

Whilst we don’t offer villas per-se, many of the wonderful resorts we feature do have 2- or 3-bedroom villas which can be ideal if you’re seeking a home from home for your family winter sun holiday but with hotel facilities on tap.    Examples include the new beachfront villas at LUX* Grand Baie in Mauritius, whilst Blue Waters in Antigua offers cottages or penthouse apartments!

So, if you’re seeking the best winter sun holidays for 2024 or 2025 please do browse our website or ask if we can help. We’d be delighted to assist in finding your ideal option from the plethora available. We can usually find some great winter sun holiday deals too!  Last minute winter sun holidays are typically more plentiful outside of the key school holiday period if you’re travelling with pre-schoolers or as a couple.  For example, we find January winter sun holidays booked close to travel can often be booked at a discounted rate.

Finally, do remember we can book winter sun package holidays too, including your flights (deposit only usually required), transfers and tours, as well as your accommodation.  Our aim is to make the whole booking process as stress-free as your holiday!

About the author

Abi Shaw - Founder