In short: the best honeymoon destination depends first on the month you travel. From December to April, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Costa Rica are in their dry season. From May to October, it's the turn of French Polynesia, Bali and a Kenyan safari. April–May and October–November are the calmest windows in the Seychelles, while the Mediterranean and Japan shine in spring and early autumn.
The best honeymoon destinations, month by month
| Travel month | Destinations in season | Why |
|---|---|---|
| January – March | Maldives, Sri Lanka (south coast), Costa Rica | Dry season, calm sea and clear skies |
| April – May | Seychelles, Japan, Maldives (until April) | Windless shoulder season in the Seychelles, Japanese spring |
| June | French Polynesia, Bali, Italy and Greece | Start of the Pacific dry season, Mediterranean before the crowds |
| July – August | Kenya (safari and beach), French Polynesia, Bali | Great Migration in the Masai Mara, dry and mild austral winter |
| September – October | Greece, Italy, Kenya, Seychelles (from October) | Sea still warm, autumn light, end of the migration |
| November – December | Japan (autumn leaves), Mauritius, Maldives (from December) | Autumn colour in Japan, start of the austral summer |
December to April: the Indian Ocean islands and the tropics
The north-east monsoon gives the Maldives their dry season from December to April: glassy sea, ideal visibility for snorkelling, and evenings on the deck of an overwater villa, as on our Maldives stay. Over the same period, Sri Lanka's south coast suits a trip that mixes temples and beaches, like our Kandy to Mirissa itinerary. On the other side of the world, December to April is also the dry season in Costa Rica, between volcano and rainforest.
April–May and October–November: the Seychelles
The Seychelles can be visited all year round, but the two shoulder seasons between the monsoons bring the calmest, clearest sea. It's the ideal time to link Mahé, Praslin and La Digue with its granite boulders, as on our Mahé to La Digue journey. See also our ideas for an April honeymoon or an October honeymoon.
May to October: Polynesia, Bali and safari
The austral winter is the dry season in French Polynesia: trade winds, turquoise lagoons and temperatures around 25 °C, ideal for our Tahiti to Bora Bora journey. In Bali, the dry season runs from April to October, perfect for pairing rice terraces with the cliffs of Uluwatu, as on our Ubud to Uluwatu itinerary. And from July to October, the Great Migration crosses the Masai Mara: a Kenyan safari followed by a few days on the beach remains one of the most memorable honeymoons. Discover our Great Migration journey and our ideas for an August honeymoon.
Spring and early autumn: the Mediterranean and Japan
For a more cultural honeymoon, May–June and September are the best months in the Mediterranean: the sea is already or still warm, without the July–August crowds. Our Rome to the Amalfi Coast itinerary is a good example, as are the Greek islands (see our ideas for a September honeymoon). Japan, for its part, is at its most beautiful in spring, with the cherry blossom, and in November, with the autumn leaves.
December: Mauritius and the return of the Maldives
At the end of the year, Mauritius enjoys the start of the austral summer, warm and still relatively dry before cyclone season, which usually peaks from January to March. December is also when the Maldives return to their dry season. Our Mauritius journeys and our ideas for a December honeymoon give a taste of it.
Building your honeymoon
Destinations can be combined — a Kenyan safari extended in the Seychelles, Tokyo then the Maldives — as long as the seasons line up. Browse all our honeymoon ideas, or send us your dates: within 24 hours we'll suggest an itinerary built around the right season.