Beach Calendar 2026: The most beautiful beaches for every month

A picture-perfect setting: turquoise water, fine sand underfoot, and palm trees – somewhere in the world, it's always beach time. Whether tropical islands, picture perfect Mediterranean bays, or rugged coastlines, this selection reveals the world’s most beautiful beaches, curated for the best time to travel.

January

January is the perfect time to escape to paradise—and few destinations compare to the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. Among its most beloved beaches is Anse Lazio on Praslin, a stunning bay offering warm air temperatures of 28°C and inviting waters at 27°C.

February

A tranquil Caribbean beauty par excellence in February: crystal-clear water shimmers in brilliant turquoise under the sun, soft sand caresses bare feet, and majestic royal palms offer welcome shade. The two-kilometer-long, picture-perfect Pigeon Point bay on the southwest tip of the Caribbean island of Tobago is a true dream beach—where tropical temperatures of around 28°C make February simply perfect.

March

Beach fun with animal companions in March: Costa Rica is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty—from rainforests, waterfalls, and volcanoes to countless stunning beaches. Some of the most beautiful lie within the protected bays of Manuel Antonio National Park. One highlight is Playa Manuel Antonio, an idyllic stretch of sand just a short walk from the park entrance. Here, fine white sand meets turquoise water, capuchin monkeys leap through palm trees, and sloths and toucans can be spotted in the treetops. With balmy air temperatures around 26°C and water temperatures nearing 30°C, it’s a beach paradise in March.

April

Aloha and E Komo Mai on Oahu in April: powder-fine white sand meets an impressive mountain backdrop, while palm trees rise almost kitsch-perfect above the shore. Colorful windsurfing sails add vibrant splashes to the turquoise water. A constant, gentle 24-degree breeze feels pleasant on the skin and invites a refreshing swim in the 22-degree sea. The dream beach in April is Kailua Beach in Hawaii.

May

A picturesque dream beach duo for sunseekers in May: three densely wooded headlands extend into the sea, and tucked between them lie two white-golden sandy coves. A narrow footpath connects one to the other, while deep-green Aleppo pines mirror themselves in the sea’s many shades of blue. The dream beach of May is Cala Mondragó, a postcard-perfect double cove on the southeast coast of Mallorca, with average daytime temperatures of around 22°C and refreshingly cool water at about 17°C.

June

Greek natural beauty for sun worshippers in June: crystal-clear waters shimmer in mesmerizing shades of turquoise and pale blue. Smooth, flat pebbles give way to pockets of soft sand, while towering cliffs rise behind the beach, crowned by deep-green pine forests. This is love at first sight made tangible. The choice is effortless: Apella Beach on Karpathos is June’s dream destination, blessed with a glorious air temperature of 28°C and inviting waters warmed to 22°C.

July

A spectacular beach in the Algarve in July: Praia Dona Ana, southeast of Lagos, delights even the most seasoned beachgoers. Mighty rock formations protect the bay, the Atlantic shimmers in shades of turquoise to deep blue, and the sand shimmers in luminous tones of white and sun-kissed beige. This is arguably Europe's most spectacular beach – with temperatures reaching 28 degrees Celsius in July, while the Atlantic Ocean provides a refreshing 19 degrees.

August

August at Plage de Palombaggia – it doesn't get much better than this: The sea shimmers in every shade of blue, the fine sandy beach slopes gently into the water. Red rocks, ochre-colored dunes, the pine forest behind them, and the rolling landscape create a unique atmosphere. This dream beach for August is located in Corsica and is called Plage de Palombaggia, ten kilometers south of Porto Vecchio. At that time of year, air temperatures of 27 degrees Celsius and warm bathing waters of 23 degrees Celsius await.

September

Cliff-topped beaches beckon in September: Calabria's dream coves lie at Capo Vaticano, south of Tropea. The crystal-clear water shimmers in the most beautiful shades of blue and turquoise. The radiant white of the fine sand forms a stunning contrast to the towering cliffs. On a clear day, the view stretches across to the Aeolian Islands, the Strait of Messina, and even as far as Sicily. In September, the air temperature reaches a balmy 29 degrees Celsius, and the water a balmy 24 degrees.

October

October beach beauty on Koh Phangan: colorful fishing boats gently bob in crystal-clear waters. Fishermen rest in the shade of swaying palm trees, patiently mending their nets, while coconut farmers peel the white flesh from freshly harvested fruit. The sea glows in an ever-changing palette, from deep inky blue to luminous turquoise green. On the Thai island of Koh Phangan in the Gulf of Thailand, such vacation dreams come effortlessly true. The idyllic October retreat is the peaceful twin beach of Tong Nai Pan, where daytime temperatures hover around 30°C and the sea is just one degree cooler—perfectly warm and endlessly inviting.

November

Bacardi vibes in November on Cayo Levantado: The water is turquoise green, almost unrealistically transparent even at a depth of ten meters, the sand so dazzlingly white that its sight is only bearable through the dark lenses of sunglasses. Even if self-proclaimed experts argue whether Bacardi really filmed one of its legendary commercials in this idyllic beach and palm-fringed setting off the north coast of the Dominican Republic, the backdrop is certainly unique. The temperatures in November are equally remarkable: 28 degrees Celsius in the air and 27 degrees Celsius in the water.

December

Heavenly beach bliss at Whitehaven Beach in December—does that sound like temptation, paradise, even heaven on earth? The name is no coincidence, and words almost fail when you first set eyes on this breathtaking place. Whether sailing, snorkeling, diving, or simply soaking up the sun, visitors agree: the dream beach of the month lies Down Under—more precisely on Whitsunday Island, a small jewel in the Whitsunday archipelago on the southern edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Here, the year comes to a close with balmy air temperatures of around 26 °C and crystal-clear waters hovering at a delightful 27 °C.