As nights draw in and temperatures drop, you might be thinking about escaping to sunnier climes. And while some might fancy a fly-and-flop holiday, others might not like the idea of a week by the pool. If you find yourself in the latter camp, a winter sun cruise could be your perfect getaway.
Whether you’re dreaming of fascinating cultural experiences, unforgettable wildlife encounters, or lazy strolls along tropical beaches, winter sun cruises offer the flexibility to visit multiple places and get stuck into various activities. Plus, while you travel between ports, you can kick back on your ship’s deck and enjoy every last ounce of sun.
If this sounds enticing, you might be wondering where to set sail. Below, we’ve pulled together 12 of the best winter cruise destinations.
1. Belize
Tucked between Mexico and Guatemala, Belize is the second smallest country in Central America – but it packs a big punch. Not only do average temperatures sit at around 24°C from December to February, but this pint-sized paradise is crammed with outstanding natural beauty and opportunities for cultural discovery. Plus, its location makes it a perfect pit stop on a Caribbean cruise.
When you aren’t lounging on picturesque beaches or indulging in the bold flavours of Belizean cuisine, there’s plenty to see and do. Home to the second-largest coral reef in the world, Belize is world famous for its scuba diving and snorkelling. Under the crystalline waves, you’ll not only spot wildlife but also unique natural phenomena like the Great Blue Hole: a haunting underwater abyss. Or why not head to Altun Ha, an ancient Mayan city, where millennia-old temples lie?
2. The Canary Islands
With temperatures pushing into the 20°Cs from November to February, the Canary Islands have become one of the most coveted destinations for winter sun seekers. This is doubly true for cruisers since this dreamy archipelago is just a few days’ sail away from the UK, and its astounding diversity can make you feel as if you’ve explored a whole continent.
La Gomera is home to striking black-sand beaches and a rugged hinterland, where precarious peaks and plunging valleys are cloaked in enchanting laurel forests. Visitors can hike through otherworldly volcanic landscapes in Tenerife and explore spellbinding sand dunes in Fuerteventura. Drop anchor at Lanzarote to discover the one-of-a-kind arts scene, or stop in at Gran Canaria for buzzing beach resorts. The Canaries truly have something for everyone.
3. Australia
With over 40,000 miles of captivating coastline and many of its most stunning sights just a stone’s throw from (if not on) the shore, Australia feels as if it’s made to be explored by ship. And since its most gloriously warm months align with our coldest, it’s ideal for a winter sun escape. You may have heard of bucket-list destinations like Bondi Beach and the Great Barrier Reef, but there’s plenty more to discover down under.
Cities in the southeast offer cornucopias of cultural delights – why not climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge for unparalleled views or discover Aboriginal Art in one of Melbourne’s galleries? Nature lovers will delight in discovering the region’s unique wildlife – from grinning Quokkas to bumbling Echidnas – as well as the diverse landscapes. Expect everything from verdant vineyards and lofty mountains to pink lakes and soaring sea stacks.
4. Namibia
Namibia is a place like no other where surreal landscapes abound. Here, the Atlantic Ocean collides with seas of mesmerising sand dunes; heatwaves ripple over vast white clay pans punctuated by solitary camel thorn trees; and dust kicked up by herds of springbok turns golden in the light of the setting sun.
But there’s much more to Namibia than scenery. As well as the so-called Big Five (elephants, rhinos, leopards, lions, and buffalo), it’s home to the largest population of cheetahs in the world. Those searching for culture can stop in the capital, Windhoek, to learn about the country’s complicated colonial past or head to Twyfelfontein to admire art made by our ancient ancestors. Plus, amateur astronomers can delight in some of the world’s clearest night skies.
5. The Caribbean Islands
For many, the Caribbean is the quintessential destination for a welcome dose of winter sun. With tropical paradises ringed with sugar sand beaches and gin-clear seas, this sun-drenched archipelago boasts average temperatures of just under 30°C from December to February. Plus, with over 700 islands to explore – each with its own distinct vibe – there’s no better way to visit than by cruise.
Drop anchor at Aruba for carnival season during January and February, when the streets erupt in a kaleidoscopic show of music, floats, and costumed locals. Head to Barbados to swim with the famous residents of Pig Beach or search for hidden hot springs in the steamy rainforests of Dominica. Wherever you go, you’ll find exquisite natural scenery, friendly locals, and more miles of beach than you know what to do with.
6. Vietnam
A cruise is one of the best ways to explore Vietnam. Its long, curving coast is embellished with everything from gleaming beach resorts and gorgeous natural wonders like Ha Long Bay to glittering metropolises like Ho Chi Minh City. Plus, with the mercury hovering between 25°C and 30°C from December to February, visitors can expect plenty of vitamin D – whether setting off on cultural excursions or sipping sugar cane juice on an ivory-sand beach.
However, cruisers don’t need to stay by the coast to explore Vietnam by boat. The mighty Mekong – which flows through the country’s south into Cambodia – is ideal for a river cruise. Explore the floating markets of the Mekong Delta, where hundreds of boats gather to flog local produce, or discover riverside settlements like the Sa Dec Flower Village where fields of vibrant blooms await.
7. Morocco
For an intoxicating mix of cultural delights and ever-shining sun, why not stop at Moroccan ports like Tangier or Casablanca? Here, visitors can lose themselves down leather-scented alleyways; admire breathtaking Islamic and Art Deco architecture; and shop at souks filled with intricate ceramics, glittering lamps, and baskets bursting with spices. Once you’re done exploring, why not head beachside to cool down or to a hole-in-the-wall cafe for a mint tea?
From Morocco’s popular cruise ports, you can also plan excursions to other enchanting cities like Rabat and Marrakesh or further into the country’s heartland, where the looming figures of the Atlas Mountains and the copper expanse of the Sahara await. Visiting Morocco in winter means temperatures are warm but comfortable. Plus, it’s conveniently located to match cruise itineraries with other winter sun destinations like Namibia, Cape Verde, and the Canaries.
8. Brazil
As winter grips the UK, why not cruise down to the samba-infused, sun-burnished shoreline of Brazil, where summer is just beginning? With over 7,000 km of coast, endless ribbons of pearl-white beaches, and vibrant metropolises within a stone’s throw of major cruise ports, this culturally rich, fun-loving country is ideal for sun-seeking cruisers looking to escape the cold.
Witness world-famous wonders like Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro; wander between glass skyscrapers and neo-Gothic churches in São Paulo; and learn about Afro-Brazilian culture in Salvador. For something entirely different, why not set sail on a cruise down the Amazon, where you can spot lurking caimans, fish for fearsome piranhas, hike tangled jungle paths, and visit Indigenous villages?
9. Southern Spain
The Canaries may be many people’s go-to destination for short-haul winter sun, but Spain’s mainland (especially the south) isn’t to be overlooked. It might not boast temperatures as balmy as others on the list, so you probably won’t want to spend much time in the sea, but you can expect highs of around 20°C in some spots. If you ask us, that’s perfect for exploring the outstanding towns and cities in regions like Murcia and Andalusia without summer crowds.
In the south, Seville beckons culture lovers with arresting architecture and fiery flamenco shows. So too does Malaga, the birthplace of Picasso and home of the Alcazaba, a breathtaking Moorish castle to rival the Alhambra. For maximum winter sun, choose a cruise itinerary that also includes Morocco and the Canaries.
10. India
With something for every taste and temperatures sitting around 30°C, India is a must-visit Asian destination for winter sun cruisers. Mumbai offers the ultimate urban experience; a fantastic maelstrom of culture and chaos with endless mouthwatering eateries and grand buildings. Further south, the quieter but no less fascinating port of Kochi is a convergence of worldwide traditions, where vestiges from colonial times can be found around every corner.
To escape the hubbub, drop anchor on the golden coast of Goa. Here, you’ll be tempted to remain on the palm-fringed beaches for your whole stay, where laidback activities like yoga and surfing abound. However, you’d be remiss not to venture inland too, to explore ornate shrines, rugged hiking trails, and wildlife sanctuaries with leopards, crocodiles, and Malayan giant squirrels.
11. Hawaii
Hawaii is a land of staggering contrasts. One moment, you can be hiking up the ominous cone of a volcano and, the next, stretched out in a sandy cove with a Mai Tai in hand. Or you might find yourself watching 100 ft waves crash into the shore before strolling through a serene bamboo forest. This isolated archipelago serves up equal helpings of adventure and relaxation – plus, thanks to its locations near the equator, year-round warm weather.
Call in at O’ahu to explore the skyscrapers of Honolulu, learn about the devastating events that occurred at Pearl Harbour, and visit the ʻIolani Palace, where Hawaiian monarchs lived. On Maui, you’ll find lush lavender fields and snorkelling adventures with green turtles, or stop by the Big Island to traverse volcanic landscapes and walk along black sand beaches. Wherever you go, you’ll be greeted by friendly locals eager to share their culture and values of harmony and compassion.
12. Mauritius
Cast adrift in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is often called a ‘tiny slice of heaven’ – and it’s easy to see why. Rings of rainbow reefs, shimmering shallows, and snow-white beaches give way to lush forests peppered with precarious peaks. Amongst it all are staggering natural wonders – such as the so-called ‘underwater waterfall’ and the Seven-Coloured Earth at Chamarel, where sandy dunes display every shade of the rainbow – from blue to pink.
But picturesque scenery isn’t all you’ll find in Mauritius. Here, Asian, African, and European influences mingle to create a unique culture – including mouthwatering cuisine. Dhal puri (Indian-style flatbreads) and rougaille (a tomato-based Creole dish) are popular choices. In Port Louis, the capital, you can also admire French colonial-inspired architecture or enjoy a local vanilla tea in a perpetually sun-kissed waterfront cafe.
Final thoughts…
From the isolated isles of the Caribbean to sun-kissed cities of Southern Spain, the best winter sun cruise destinations aren’t just warm from December to February but offer a spectrum of experiences for all travellers. With a little research, you can also find cruise itineraries that combine many of these locations – such as this Australia and African Exploration voyage from Fred. Olsen.
For more destination ideas, check out our articles: Inspiring winter sun destinations and 9 winter sun holidays six hours or less from the UK. Or, if you know where you want to go, you can browse cruise deals below.
Have you cruised to any of these destinations? Or do you have any other winter sun spots to suggest? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.