Winter Sun Hotspots
You may dream of a winter escape as the colder months settle in. But where are the best destinations for those craving seasonal sunshine?
Whether you dream of soaking up rays on Bondi Beach in Sydney or wish to go island hopping in Phuket, we have lined up the top ten destinations to escape the winter blues.
As part of the index, the travel and luggage experts at Bounce analyzed each destination based on a series of factors, including average winter temperatures, rainfall, sea temperatures, and sunshine hours.
We have also explored nightly hotel prices and revealed the cheapest destinations for those searching for winter sun on a budget.
Darwin is the best winter sun vacation destination
1. Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Winter sun score: 6.45 out of 10
Darwin is the ideal winter break destination, scoring 6.45 out of 10.
Darwin doesn’t experience the typical four seasons of winter but instead has a wet and dry season. Located in the top end of the Northern Territory, Darwin has a tropical climate that is perfect for exploring the outdoors. Travelers can enjoy al fresco dining, strolling along the waterfront, or going on one of the many adventure tours available in the city.
The average winter rainfall is 360mm, and the wet season runs from November to April. During this time, visitors may experience monsoonal rains, tropical lightning storms, and extreme humidity. In the winter, Darwin remains at a toasty average temperature of 84°F (28.8°c), and the ocean is even warmer, at 87°F (30°c). Tourists should protect themselves with sunscreen and protective sunglasses.
To escape the heat, travelers can experience Darwin’s many museums and markets. Alternatively, experience some of the hair-raising wildlife encounters in the ‘Croc Capital of Australia’ at Crocosaurus Cove, located in the heart of Darwin city.
2. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Winter sun score: 6.45 out of 10
Sydney also ranks top with fellow Australian city Darwin, scoring 6.40 out of 10. Sydney records a significantly lower average winter temperature of 73°F (22°c) but experiences almost 250mm less rainfall. Sydney tourists will generally enjoy more sun, with an average of nine daily sunshine hours in winter.
Sydney is an excellent destination for a winter sun break due to its mild, dry weather and many outdoor activities. Some include visiting the iconic Sydney Opera House or Harbour Bridge and relaxing on Bondi Beach.
There were over 66,900 ‘winter’ searches for Sydney, compared to Darwin’s 2,210, indicating that more tourists travel to Sydney in the wintertime. This could also contribute to the significantly higher hotel price, which averages $241 per night (£185 or €222) during winter.
3. Phuket, Thailand
Winter sun score: 6.24 out of 10
Phuket, Thailand, ranks third, scoring 6.24 out of 10. In winter, Phuket experiences the dry season, running from December to February, making it the perfect time to visit. There is a daily average of eight hours of sunshine, and temperatures average 81°F (27°c). Phuket experiences notably less rainfall than Darwin and Sydney, averaging just 43mm in winter. You can also expect calm, warm waters, with ocean temperatures of 83°F (28°c), making it safe for swimming.
Staying in Phuket is a little pricier than in Australia, with an average cost of $313 per night (£241 or €289) during winter months. Phuket’s high season runs from December to April, and accommodation tends to be expensive, driven by a large influx of tourists. However, Phuket is still affordable for foreign visitors compared to US living costs.
The winter sun destination with the hottest temperatures
Broome, Australia
Average winter temperature: 85°F (29°c)
Broome, Australia, has a year-round tropical climate defined by a wet and dry season. The wet season generally lasts from November to April, while the dry season is from May to October. During the wet season, Broome experiences warm average temperatures of 85°F (29°c), even at night. November is generally the hottest month with high humidity levels.
The winter sun destination with the least rainfall
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Average winter rainfall: 14mm
Siem Reap, a tourist town in northwestern Cambodia, records the lowest average rainfall in wintertime, with just 14mm of precipitation. Rainfall in northern Cambodia drops dramatically in winter, and visitors can expect clear skies and a slightly cooler climate of 80°F (26°c). The combination of cooler weather, reduced humidity, low rainfall and high water levels make it the perfect season to visit Cambodia.
The winter sun destination with the warmest sea temperatures
Darwin, Australia
Average sea temperature: 87°F (30°c)
Darwin’s sea temperatures are even hotter than on land throughout winter, soaring to 87°F (30°c). Visitors should be aware that going for a dip in the sea is not likely to cool them down, and it may be a little too hot for any kind of activity, especially if it is sunny.
The winter sun destination with the most sunshine hours
Easter Island, Chile and San Pedro, Belize
Average sunshine hours: 10
The climate of Easter Island (Rapa Nui) is subtropical, warm and humid in summer and mild in winter. On average, there are around ten daily hours of sunshine in the winter months. According to Climates to Travel, Easter Island sees around 2,500 hours of sunshine annually.
San Pedro, Belize, experiences long, hot, wet summers with overcast skies. However, the winters are warm and mostly clear. Geographically based on an island, it experiences mild temperatures year-round, with around ten hours of sunshine daily and minimal fluctuations.
The winter sun destination with the most affordable accommodation
Darwin, Australia
Average hotel price per night in winter: $103 / £81 / €95
Darwin offers the best hotel prices per night in winter, with an average cost of $103 per night (£80 or €95). Traveling to Darwin during the wet season is usually the cheapest time to visit, and you can expect fewer crowds at some of its top attractions.
The winter sun destination with the most ‘winter’ searches
Sydney, Australia
Total “winter” searches in the last 12 months: 66,900
There were over 66,900 searches for Sydney in the winter over the last year, the highest of any other winter sun hotspot. According to Lonely Planet, December to February brings Sydney’s summer high season and the peak time for visitors. Summer in Sydney has hot, humid days and balmy evenings and is buzzing with tourists, particularly over Christmas and New Year.
The winter sun destination with the most ‘things to do’ searches in winter
Lisbon, Portugal
Total ‘things to do’ searches in winter: 48,300
Lisbon recorded 48,300 searches for ‘things to do’ in January 2024, February 2024, and December 2023. Many travelers will find that Lisbon is significantly quieter in the winter season. This means you'll avoid the tourist rush and the oppressive heat and save money on hotels and things to do.
Cody Candee, CEO and Founder of Bounce, comments on winter sun spots:
“There’s a world of winter sun destinations just waiting to be discovered, each offering its own slice of paradise. For those eager to escape the chill, countries like Australia, Thailand, and Spain are unbeatable.
“Whether you’re island-hopping, looking for bustling markets, or visiting iconic sights, there’s a winter vacation for you. For a unique cultural experience, try out Siem Reap in Cambodia during the winter months - it’s an ideal time to explore Angkor Wat without the summer heat.
“If you’re looking to head to Europe, Spanish spots like Tenerife, Fuerteventura, and Malaga bring the heat. Hike through the volcanic terrain of Teide National Park, relax on black sand beaches, or sink into history at the Alcazaba Fortress.
“When enjoying the winter sun, the last thing you want is for your luggage to hold you back. Using luggage storage solutions allows you to fully immerse yourself without the hassle of managing your belongings.”
Methodology
We compiled a list of winter sun hotspots from articles such as Kayak, Go Walkabout, Join My Trip, and European Best Destinations.
Using Holiday Weather, we took the average temperature (°F) in January, February and December before taking a winter average. This method was also used to find the average winter rainfall (mm), sea temperature (°F), and sunshine hours. This data is accurate as of 23/10/2024.
Climate.org was used to find the winter averages for some destinations, including Siem Reap, Positano, and Ubud.
The average hotel price per night was taken from Kayak for January, February and December before taking a winter average.
Google Keyword Planner was used to find the searches for CITY “winter” between October 2023 and September 2024. We also took the number of searches for CITY “things to do” across December 2023, January 2024, and February 2024 before calculating the total winter searches. This data is correct as of 24/10/2024.
Sources:
https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/easter-island
https://www.nz.kayak.com/news/winter-holidays-australia-destinations/
https://www.go-walkabout.co.uk/news/winter-sun-in-south-east-asia/
https://www.joinmytrip.com/blog/en/best-places-to-spend-winter-in-south-america/
https://www.europeanbestdestinations.com/best-of-europe/best-european-destinations-for-winter-sun/