Searching for the top 5 places to get a tan usually means searching for something bigger: reliable sunshine, a comfortable place to put your towel, and enough nearby distraction to stop the trip becoming an all-day lounger marathon. If you are planning around the festive season, these warm places to visit in December offer a few more ideas for escaping a grey forecast.
These five destinations offer different versions of a sun holiday, from volcanic Hawaiian coastlines and Caribbean sand to polished Dubai beach clubs. The aim is not to chase the hottest possible forecast. It is to find a place where a few hours by the water can fit easily around a genuinely good trip.
One important reality check before packing the swimwear: a tan is a sign of UV exposure, not a health goal. Seek shade during the strongest sun, use sunscreen, drink water and take breaks. Lobster-red is not a holiday souvenir anyone needs.
At a glance: the best sunny escapes
| Destination | Best for | Standout setting | Useful planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maui, Hawaii | Resort comfort and ocean views | Wailea and Kapalua Bay | April to May and September to November can offer a less busy feel than peak holiday periods. |
| Upper Shoal Bay, Anguilla | Classic Caribbean beach time | Fine pale sand and clear water | December through April is the drier, popular travel period. |
| The Baths, Virgin Gorda | Beach time with a sense of adventure | Huge granite boulders and grottoes | Bring water shoes for rocky surfaces and take time to explore beyond the sand. |
| Los Cabos, Mexico | Private pool patios and resort downtime | Pacific-facing resort areas | November to April is a popular window for drier weather. |
| Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Easy-access city beaches | JBR Beach, Kite Beach and Al Mamzar Beach Park | Plan outdoor beach hours for the cooler part of the day, particularly in summer. |
1. Maui, Hawaii
Maui makes a persuasive case for combining a beach break with a little polish. The island’s resort areas around Wailea and Kapalua Bay are especially suited to travellers who want a pool lounger, ocean air and the option to disappear for lunch or a spa treatment without much logistical effort.
Wailea sits on Maui’s south coast, while Kapalua Bay is on the northwest side. Both are associated with resort stays, but they offer different moods. Wailea is a practical choice for a smooth, sun-focused holiday, while Kapalua Bay has a more tucked-away coastal feel. Resort properties such as Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort and Montage Kapalua Bay are examples of the pool-and-beach setup that makes Maui such an easy pick for downtime. The beaches themselves are public, although access and parking can be limited near popular resort areas, so arriving early is a smart move.
Why Maui earns its place
- It suits pool people and beach people. You can split the day between a shaded cabana, the shoreline and an unhurried meal.
- The scenery does some of the work. Ocean views, palm-lined resort grounds and distant slopes make even a low-energy day feel like a proper escape.
- There is variety nearby. A paddleboard session is an easy way to swap the lounger for a little movement without turning the day into an expedition.
Best time to visit: April to May and September to November are sensible planning windows for travellers hoping to avoid the busiest holiday periods. Maui can be warm and sunny at many points in the year, so packing layers for breezier evenings remains sensible. Travellers planning a summer escape can also compare these hot places to go in June before booking.
Helpful tip: Build shade into the plan from the beginning. A beach umbrella or cabana is much more useful than attempting to “tough it out” through the middle of the day. Pay attention to posted ocean warnings too: calm-looking Hawaiian water can still have strong currents, particularly outside sheltered bays.
2. Upper Shoal Bay, Anguilla
For many travellers, the Caribbean is the default answer to a beach-holiday daydream. Upper Shoal Bay on Anguilla is a strong reason why. It is known for its exceptionally pale sand, swaying palms and the kind of clear blue water that makes a quick dip become a very long swim.
This is the choice for readers who want the beach itself to be the main event. Upper Shoal Bay is less about packing a schedule with landmarks and more about enjoying the simple rhythm of sand, sea, shade and a good book. There is a lot to be said for a destination that does not ask you to perform productivity on holiday. The beach is long enough for a proper walk, and its relatively open setting means it can feel quieter once you move away from the main access points.
What makes it special
- The sand is the attraction. Upper Shoal Bay is renowned for its white shoreline, a classic Caribbean backdrop for a slow beach day.
- It feels made for switching off. The broad, open beach setting suits long walks as well as time under an umbrella.
- It rewards an unhurried itinerary. Give this beach more than an hour between other plans. It is better enjoyed at a relaxed pace.
Best time to visit: The drier months from December through April are a popular choice for Anguilla travel. This is also a period when demand can be stronger, so travellers who have fixed dates should plan accommodation and flights early. Late summer and autumn can bring wetter weather and the possibility of Caribbean storms.
Helpful tip: Carry your own water, cover-up and sun protection before settling in. A beautiful, exposed beach is not the place to discover that you underestimated the sun. Bring cash as well, as smaller beach facilities may not always offer the same payment options as a large resort.
3. The Baths, Virgin Gorda
The Baths on Virgin Gorda are for travellers who like their beach days with a little drama, and not the kind involving a lost flip-flop. This coastal area is famous for massive granite boulders that form passages, pools and grotto-like spaces beside stretches of sand.
It is a more active choice than a simple resort beach. You can still relax by the water, but the appeal lies in moving through the boulder formations and finding different viewpoints along the coast. The combination of warm-weather beach time and natural rock formations gives Virgin Gorda a distinct identity within the Caribbean. The main routes can become busy when day visitors arrive, so an early start makes the passages feel considerably less like a queue in swimwear.
How to enjoy The Baths
- Wear footwear that can handle wet rock. The boulder routes and uneven surfaces are part of the experience.
- Travel light. A small bag is easier to manage when passing through tighter spaces.
- Make room for exploration. The hidden-feeling grottos and sandy pockets are the reason to choose this destination over a standard beach resort.
Best time to visit: December through April is generally the most popular drier-season window across this part of the Caribbean. Visiting outside the busiest holiday dates can make a more relaxed pace easier to find.
Helpful tip: Do not treat The Baths as a place to lie motionless for eight hours. Plan a swim, a wander through the boulders and a shaded rest, then repeat as necessary. Check local conditions before entering the water, as waves can make the rocky sections more challenging.
4. Los Cabos, Mexico
Los Cabos offers a sun holiday with a more private, resort-oriented rhythm. It is a particularly good fit for travellers who see a pool patio as a destination in its own right, especially when it sits only a short distance from the surf.
The wider Los Cabos area is known for its resort settings and outdoor living, with pool decks providing a calm base for families, couples and groups. Punta de Mita, further along Mexico’s Pacific coast, offers a similarly relaxed pool-and-beach formula for travellers looking at Mexico beyond Los Cabos itself. In Los Cabos, the Sea of Cortez side around San José del Cabo is generally a better bet for calmer-water beach time than the open Pacific side, although conditions always vary day to day.
Why choose Los Cabos
- Privacy is part of the appeal. Resort pool patios provide room to settle in without competing for every inch of sand.
- It works for different travel styles. Couples can keep the pace quiet, while families can choose a setting where children have space to splash and play.
- You can add movement easily. A paddleboard session is a straightforward way to enjoy the water while taking a break from the lounger.
Best time to visit: November through April is a popular period for a drier-weather escape in Los Cabos. If your main priority is outdoor pool and beach time, it is worth comparing seasonal conditions before booking rather than assuming every month will feel the same. Whale-watching season usually overlaps with this period, adding a worthwhile non-lounger activity.
Helpful tip: Check beach conditions locally before swimming. A dramatic coastline can be beautiful to look at without always being suited to a casual dip. Respect beach flags and do not assume that a hotel’s oceanfront position means its beach is swimmable.
5. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai is the outlier on this list, and that is precisely why it works. It pairs beach time with a major city’s restaurants, shopping and skyline. You can spend the morning on the sand, escape the heat for lunch, then return for an evening waterfront walk.
For free public beach access, JBR Beach, Kite Beach, Jumeirah Beach and Sunset Beach are widely used options. JBR Beach is convenient for visitors who want a lively waterfront setting, while Kite Beach is a natural choice for people who prefer an active beach atmosphere, with running paths and watersports nearby. Public beaches commonly offer practical facilities such as showers, changing areas and lifeguard towers.
Al Mamzar Beach Park provides a paid alternative with a low entry fee. Published beach-fee guidance lists admission at AED 5 per person and vehicle entry around AED 30. Fees, opening times and access rules can change, so confirm details before setting out. Some park days may have access arrangements aimed at women and children, which is worth checking when planning.
Dubai beach planning essentials
- Choose your beach based on the day you want. JBR Beach suits a busier waterfront day, while Kite Beach is useful if you want space for beach activity.
- Use the city intelligently. Plan beach time early or later in the day, then use the hottest hours for indoor dining, galleries or shopping.
- Budget options exist. Free public beaches can deliver a very good beach day without committing to a hotel day pass.
Best time to visit: The cooler months are generally more comfortable for extended outdoor time. Summer sunshine is intense, so morning and late-afternoon beach sessions are the more sensible approach. For more reliably bright-weather inspiration, see these sunniest places in the world.
How to pick the right sunny destination
The best of the top 5 places to get a tan depends less on a single weather statistic and more on the type of break you want. Use this quick filter before committing.
- Choose Maui for resort comfort, Pacific scenery and an easy mix of pool and beach.
- Choose Anguilla if white sand and an unstructured Caribbean beach day are the priority.
- Choose Virgin Gorda for a beach experience with unusual geology and exploration built in.
- Choose Los Cabos for a pool-led Mexico escape with room to relax in privacy.
- Choose Dubai for a beach break that can sit alongside a city holiday and a broad range of beach-access options.
