Comparison
Where can you find a warm beach from December to February? 10 beaches compared month by month
Ten beaches side by side for December, January and February: average highs, lows and rainfall from climate normals, plus each guide's best time to go.
Published
Why compare three months side by side
If you want a warm beach between December and February, when you go matters as much as where. Some islands stay in their dry season for all three months, while others are still wet in December and only improve in January or February. This article lines up ten beach destinations for December, January and February, using each guide's 'best time to go' and the climate normals stored in our guides.
Figures are average high/low temperature (°C) and rainfall (mm), rounded to whole numbers. Normals are long-term averages, not a forecast for this winter, and the source and period differ by city. Bali's normals cover an older period, 1961–1990, so treat them as a rough guide. Check the forecast before you go.
- Phuket and Koh Samui — Thai Meteorological Department submission · WMO normals collection (NOAA NCEI), 1991–2020 (Phuket station, Ko Samui station)
- Penang — Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) submission · WMO normals collection (NOAA NCEI), 1991–2020 (Penang Bayan Lepas (airport) station)
- Guam and Honolulu (Hawaii) — NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 (Guam International Airport station, Honolulu International Airport station)
- Maldives — Maldives Meteorological Service submission · WMO normals collection (NOAA NCEI), 1991–2020 (Malé Hulhulé (airport) station)
- Cebu — Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) submission · WMO normals collection (NOAA NCEI), 1991–2020 (Mactan-Cebu International Airport station)
- Da Nang — WMO World Weather Information Service — Viet Nam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration, 1991–2020 (Da Nang (WMO city data))
- Bali — WMO World Weather Information Service — Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG), 1961–1990 (Denpasar (WMO city data))
- Gold Coast — Australian Bureau of Meteorology submission · WMO normals collection (NOAA NCEI), 1991–2020 (Gold Coast Seaway station)
Dry in all three months — Phuket, Penang, Guam
Phuket's dry season runs from November to April, with calm, clear seas for beaches and island trips. Phuket normals: December 32/25°C and 82 mm, January 33/25°C and 50 mm, February 34/25°C and 24 mm. December–January is Phuket's peak season, with the highest room prices, so look early. On the beach, a red flag means no swimming.
Penang is relatively dry from December to March and good for travel. Penang normals: December 31/25°C and 117 mm, January 32/25°C and 80 mm, February 32/25°C and 86 mm. It's hot and humid all year, so plan indoor sights for midday and carry water, sunscreen and insect repellent.
Guam's dry season runs from about December to May and is sunny and comfortable. Guam normals: December 30/25°C and 135 mm, January 30/24°C and 136 mm, February 30/24°C and 105 mm. The sun is intense, so bring sunscreen, a hat and a rash guard; coral and rocks are common, so water shoes help. As a US territory, Guam has its own entry requirements, so check official information before you go.
Krabi and Langkawi have no climate normals in our guides, so here are just the guide notes. Krabi's dry season runs from November to April, with calmer seas for island trips. Langkawi's dry season also runs from November to April, sunny with calm seas.
Better from January — Koh Samui, Cebu, Maldives
Koh Samui is on the Gulf of Thailand side and gets a lot of rain from October to December, when boats can be cancelled. Koh Samui normals: December 29/24°C and 263 mm, January 29/24°C and 127 mm, February 29/25°C and 64 mm. January–August is generally sunnier on Koh Samui, so January or February suits a beach trip better than December. Boat trips can be cancelled on the day due to weather, so avoid booking one on your last day.
Cebu is best from January to May, when there is less rain, especially January–April with clear skies and calm seas. In Cebu, December is rainier, with frequent showers. Cebu normals: December 30/25°C and 172 mm, January 30/24°C and 135 mm, February 30/24°C and 89 mm. Resort prices rise sharply in peak holiday seasons.
In the Maldives, November–April is the northeast monsoon season. The Maldives gets little rain from January to March. In the Maldives, November and December can still be rainy. Maldives normals: December 30/26°C and 212 mm, January 31/26°C and 87 mm, February 31/26°C and 38 mm. Entry requirements can change, so check official Maldives government or embassy information before you travel.
Boracay has no climate normals in our guides. Its guide says November–May is drier, with calm water off White Beach in this season.
Think twice in December–February — Da Nang and Bali
Da Nang's rainy season runs from September to December. Da Nang's dry season from February to May is the most comfortable time. Da Nang normals: December 25/21°C and 272 mm, January 25/20°C and 83 mm, February 26/20°C and 22 mm. Highs of 25–26°C are lower than at the other beaches here, so consider pairing the beach with a day trip to Hoi An's old town.
Bali's wet season runs from November to March. Bali gets a lot of rain from December to February. Bali (Denpasar) normals: December 33/24°C and 276 mm, January 33/24°C and 345 mm, February 33/24°C and 274 mm. For a beach-first trip, Bali's dry season from April to October, with the most sunny days, is a better fit. Boats to Nusa Penida get rough on high-wave days, so check the weather first.
Outside Asia — Honolulu (Hawaii) and the Gold Coast
Honolulu (Hawaii) is warm all year, so any time works. From November to March, Honolulu (Hawaii) gets a little more rain and big waves hit the North Shore. Honolulu (Hawaii) normals: December 28/21°C and 55 mm, January 27/19°C and 47 mm, February 27/20°C and 49 mm. Rip currents can occur, so swim at lifeguarded beaches, check flags and signs, and stay out when waves are high. Year-end pushes up flight and hotel prices.
The Gold Coast is in the southern hemisphere, so December–February is summer there. On the Gold Coast, December–February is hot with frequent showers and busy school holidays. Gold Coast normals: December 28/21°C and 135 mm, January 29/22°C and 137 mm, February 29/22°C and 183 mm. Only swim between the red-and-yellow lifeguard flags, and pack a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen for the very strong UV.
At a glance — December, January and February rainfall by beach
Figures are December/January/February rainfall in mm; temperatures and sources are in the sections above.
- Phuket 82/50/24 — November–April dry season
- Penang 117/80/86 — December–March relatively dry
- Guam 135/136/105 — about December–May dry season
- Koh Samui 263/127/64 — October–December a lot of rain; generally sunnier from January
- Cebu 172/135/89 — December frequent showers; January–May less rain
- Maldives 212/87/38 — January–March little rain
- Da Nang 272/83/22 — September–December rainy season; February–May dry season
- Bali 276/345/274 — November–March wet season
- Honolulu (Hawaii) 55/47/49 — warm all year; big North Shore waves November–March
- Gold Coast 135/137/183 — December–February hot with frequent showers
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FAQ
Which beaches are sunny and settled through December to February?
Phuket, Penang and Guam fit best. Phuket's dry season runs from November to April, and its February rainfall normal is 24 mm (TMD via WMO normals, 1991–2020).
Is December a good month for Koh Samui or the Maldives?
Koh Samui gets a lot of rain from October to December, and its December rainfall normal is 263 mm. In the Maldives, December can still be rainy, while January–March has little rain.
Is Bali good for a beach trip in December–February?
Bali's wet season runs from November to March. Rainfall normals in Denpasar are 276, 345 and 274 mm for December, January and February (WMO/BMKG, 1961–1990).
Why go to the Gold Coast in December–February?
It is summer in the southern hemisphere, with average highs of 28–29°C. On the Gold Coast, December–February also brings frequent showers and busy school holidays, so swim only between the lifeguard flags.
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