Where to go in December for sun

Kirsten Henton

Kirsten Henton

If your Christmas is more about sugary white sands and less crisp powdery snow, then a winter sun holiday in December is for you. Whether going away for the festivities or escaping either side, we can help you find your destination.

The towering Le Morne Brabant, Mauritius
The towering Le Morne Brabant, Mauritius © Bamba Sourang - Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority

While luxurious options await in the Indian Ocean and the Far East, there are beaches basking in sunshine and warm island retreats closer than you might think.

Destination Temperature Daily sunshine Flight time
Max Min
1. Goa, India 33°C 21°C 10 hours 9.5 hours
2. Mauritius 29°C 21°C 8 hours 12 hours
3. St Lucia 29°C 23°C 8 hours 9 hours
4. Red Sea, Egypt 23°C 12°C 9 hours 5.5 hours
5. Barbados 29°C 22°C 8 hours 9 hours
6. Phuket, Thailand 31°C 23°C 8 hours 15 hours
7. Gambia 32°C 16°C 8 hours 6.5 hours
8. Marrakech, Morocco 19°C 6°C 7 hours 3.5 hours
9. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands 21°C 14°C 6 hours 4.5 hours
10. Oman 26°C 18°C 9 hours 7.5 hours

Below you'll find our expertly-curated infographic, which showcases 10 of the best places to go in December for winter sun based on specific interests, types of weather and distance to help narrow down your search.

Top 10 winter sun holiday destinations in December infographic
Top 10 winter sun holiday destinations in December infographic © Weather2Travel.com

Top 10 sunny destinations in December

  1. Goa, India
  2. Mauritius
  3. St Lucia
  4. Red Sea, Egypt
  5. Barbados
  6. Phuket, Thailand
  7. Gambia
  8. Marrakech, Morocco
  9. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
  10. Oman

Download the top 10 >>

Sunny holiday destinations by month

Discover more top 10 destinations for every month of the year with our complete collection of infographics. We'll show you where to get the best weather, expected flight time and just what each destination is especially good for.

Looking for more? Don't miss our complete guide to the weather in December and see even more suggestions about where to go on holiday at this festive time of the year.

TUI sale: up to £300 off holidays in 2025/2026
Kirsten Henton

Kirsten Henton

Kirsten Henton is Weather2Travel.com's editor. Kirsten writes, commissions and edits our travel features, liaising with our contributors and ensuring copy is spick-and-span. A member of the British Guild of Travel Writers, Kirsten also freelances writing articles on travel, history and the outdoors for titles such as Scotland Magazine and BBC Travel.

Article updated on Saturday 30th December 2023 in: Africa Asia Caribbean Middle East Season Winter sun

Back to top

Explore holidays in the sun for less

More holidays

Airport parking

More parking

Airport lounges

More lounges

Related posts

Back to Travel inspiration Top ^