Travel with You, Me, Away

Winter sun for couples: warm places December to February

A shortlist of winter sun destinations for couples, with the official climate normals for December, January and February. Short-haul and long-haul choices are separated, and every figure names its station and period.

Reviewed

How to choose winter sun as a couple

Winter sun means different things depending on where you start. From Europe, the Canary Islands and Madeira are the usual short-haul answers, with air temperatures in the low twenties in the normals below. From North America, Florida, Hawaii and Puerto Rico play that role, and the sources below report Fahrenheit.

Long-haul is a trade-off. Singapore is warm all winter but has a wetter phase from December to January according to its weather service. Check whether the extra travel days fit your time off before you choose it over a nearer island.

Separate air temperature from sea temperature and from wind. The normals below are air temperatures at one named station, mostly at an airport. They do not show whether the sea is warm enough to swim in, so check a sea-temperature source for your exact coast.

Averages are not forecasts. Each figure is a long-term mean for a named station and period, so single days can be warmer, cooler or wetter. This page gives no flight times because we did not verify them against an official source.

Southern Tenerife

AEMET's Tenerife Sur Aeropuerto normals (1981-2010) list December with a mean daily maximum of 22.8 °C, a mean temperature of 19.7 °C, mean monthly precipitation of 30 mm and 3.5 days with at least 1 mm of rain.

AEMET's Tenerife Sur Aeropuerto normals (1981-2010) list January with a mean daily maximum of 21.7 °C, a mean temperature of 18.4 °C, mean monthly precipitation of 17 mm and 1.8 days with at least 1 mm of rain.

AEMET's Tenerife Sur Aeropuerto normals (1981-2010) list February with a mean daily maximum of 22.0 °C, a mean temperature of 18.5 °C, mean monthly precipitation of 20 mm and 2.2 days with at least 1 mm of rain.

A good fit for a week of easy coastal walks and long lunches. The southern resorts are built around the sea, so expect resort-style evenings rather than a historic old town. This is editorial judgement, not a sourced rating.

Sources: Tenerife Sur Aeropuerto climate normals, 1981-2010

Gran Canaria

AEMET's Gran Canaria Aeropuerto normals (1981-2010) list December with a mean daily maximum of 22.2 °C, a mean temperature of 19.2 °C, mean monthly precipitation of 31 mm and 4.5 days with at least 1 mm of rain.

AEMET's Gran Canaria Aeropuerto normals (1981-2010) list January with a mean daily maximum of 20.8 °C, a mean temperature of 17.9 °C, mean monthly precipitation of 25 mm and 3.1 days with at least 1 mm of rain.

AEMET's Gran Canaria Aeropuerto normals (1981-2010) list February with a mean daily maximum of 21.2 °C, a mean temperature of 18.2 °C, mean monthly precipitation of 24 mm and 3.0 days with at least 1 mm of rain.

Choose it if you want a mix of beach days and a city stay in one trip. Weigh the mean maximum against the rainfall figure, which is higher than in Tenerife South in the same normals. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Gran Canaria Aeropuerto climate normals, 1981-2010

Lanzarote

AEMET's Lanzarote Aeropuerto normals (1981-2010) list December with a mean daily maximum of 21.8 °C, a mean temperature of 18.6 °C, mean monthly precipitation of 29 mm and 3.8 days with at least 1 mm of rain.

AEMET's Lanzarote Aeropuerto normals (1981-2010) list January with a mean daily maximum of 20.7 °C, a mean temperature of 17.4 °C, mean monthly precipitation of 16 mm and 3.2 days with at least 1 mm of rain.

AEMET's Lanzarote Aeropuerto normals (1981-2010) list February with a mean daily maximum of 21.3 °C, a mean temperature of 17.9 °C, mean monthly precipitation of 18 mm and 2.7 days with at least 1 mm of rain.

Best for couples who like volcanic landscapes and quiet drives more than a packed activity list. Wind can matter more than the air temperature on the coast, so check the forecast. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Lanzarote Aeropuerto climate normals, 1981-2010

Fuerteventura

AEMET's Fuerteventura Aeropuerto normals (1981-2010) list December with a mean daily maximum of 22.0 °C, a mean temperature of 18.9 °C, mean monthly precipitation of 26 mm and 3.2 days with at least 1 mm of rain.

AEMET's Fuerteventura Aeropuerto normals (1981-2010) list January with a mean daily maximum of 20.6 °C, a mean temperature of 17.6 °C, mean monthly precipitation of 14 mm and 2.5 days with at least 1 mm of rain.

AEMET's Fuerteventura Aeropuerto normals (1981-2010) list February with a mean daily maximum of 21.0 °C, a mean temperature of 17.9 °C, mean monthly precipitation of 16 mm and 2.4 days with at least 1 mm of rain.

A simple choice for two people who mainly want long beach walks and little planning. Pack a windproof layer, because normals say nothing about wind. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Fuerteventura Aeropuerto climate normals, 1981-2010

Madeira (Funchal)

IPMA's 1991-2020 normals for Funchal list December with a mean daily maximum (TX) of 21.0 °C, a mean temperature (TT) of 18.3 °C, 94.8 mm of precipitation and 8.6 days with at least 1 mm.

IPMA's 1991-2020 normals for Funchal list January with a mean daily maximum (TX) of 20.0 °C, a mean temperature (TT) of 17.1 °C, 67.1 mm of precipitation and 6.2 days with at least 1 mm.

IPMA's 1991-2020 normals for Funchal list February with a mean daily maximum (TX) of 19.9 °C, a mean temperature (TT) of 16.8 °C, 72.4 mm of precipitation and 5.5 days with at least 1 mm.

Madeira suits couples who want hillside walks, sea views and a mild climate more than guaranteed beach swimming. The air figures below are for Funchal on the coast and do not describe the mountains. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Funchal climate normals, 1991-2020

Singapore

Meteorological Service Singapore gives, for the Changi climate station (1991-2020), a mean daily maximum of 30.5 °C and a 24-hour mean of 26.8 °C in December, with 331.9 mm of rain on 19 rain days.

Meteorological Service Singapore gives, for the Changi climate station (1991-2020), a mean daily maximum of 30.6 °C and a 24-hour mean of 26.8 °C in January, with 221.6 mm of rain on 13 rain days.

Meteorological Service Singapore gives, for the Changi climate station (1991-2020), a mean daily maximum of 31.5 °C and a 24-hour mean of 27.3 °C in February, with 105.1 mm of rain on 9 rain days.

A long-haul option for couples who want a city with food, gardens and short hops between neighbourhoods. Pack for rain, because the source describes December to January as the wetter phase and February as the drier one. Editorial judgement on the couple angle.

Sources: Climate of Singapore, Changi climate station 1991-2020

Honolulu

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Honolulu Intl AP list December with an average daily maximum of 81.8 °F (about 27.7 °C), an average temperature of 75.5 °F (about 24.2 °C) and 3.2 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Honolulu Intl AP list January with an average daily maximum of 80.5 °F (about 26.9 °C), an average temperature of 73.6 °F (about 23.1 °C) and 3.3 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Honolulu Intl AP list February with an average daily maximum of 80.5 °F (about 26.9 °C), an average temperature of 73.8 °F (about 23.2 °C) and 3.0 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

Pick it if you want one base with beach time, an easy city and the option of day trips on Oahu. The source gives air temperature only, so check sea temperature and surf conditions separately before you plan swimming. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Monthly climate normals 1991-2020, Honolulu Intl AP

San Juan, Puerto Rico

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for San Juan L M Marin AP list December with an average daily maximum of 84.2 °F (about 29.0 °C), an average temperature of 78.8 °F (about 26.0 °C) and 10.6 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for San Juan L M Marin AP list January with an average daily maximum of 83.2 °F (about 28.4 °C), an average temperature of 77.6 °F (about 25.3 °C) and 9.9 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for San Juan L M Marin AP list February with an average daily maximum of 83.8 °F (about 28.8 °C), an average temperature of 77.8 °F (about 25.4 °C) and 6.6 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

San Juan pairs an old town with beaches within a short ride, which suits couples who want both. The source shows more days with measurable rain than the other US stations here, so plan for showers. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Monthly climate normals 1991-2020, San Juan L M Marin AP

Key West

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Key West Intl AP list December with an average daily maximum of 77.7 °F (about 25.4 °C), an average temperature of 73.0 °F (about 22.8 °C) and 3.1 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Key West Intl AP list January with an average daily maximum of 75.8 °F (about 24.3 °C), an average temperature of 70.6 °F (about 21.4 °C) and 3.3 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Key West Intl AP list February with an average daily maximum of 77.4 °F (about 25.2 °C), an average temperature of 72.3 °F (about 22.4 °C) and 2.4 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

Key West is a small, walkable island town that suits couples who want evenings out and sea views without much driving. Compare the maximum with Miami: the source shows slightly lower daytime values in January. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Monthly climate normals 1991-2020, Key West Intl AP

Miami

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Miami Intl AP list December with an average daily maximum of 78.2 °F (about 25.7 °C), an average temperature of 71.2 °F (about 21.8 °C) and 3.7 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Miami Intl AP list January with an average daily maximum of 76.2 °F (about 24.6 °C), an average temperature of 68.6 °F (about 20.3 °C) and 3.8 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Miami Intl AP list February with an average daily maximum of 78.2 °F (about 25.7 °C), an average temperature of 70.7 °F (about 21.5 °C) and 3.6 days with at least 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) of precipitation. The source reports Fahrenheit; the Celsius values in brackets are our conversion.

Miami works for a few days of beach, food and design neighbourhoods, usually combined with a second stop. It is a sun-and-city trip, not a beach week for every couple. Editorial judgement.

Sources: Monthly climate normals 1991-2020, Miami Intl AP

Sources