✈️ Where to fly in winter: 10 destinations with warm seas and no heat

The last month of winter in Europe drags on. There is little sun, fatigue builds up, and you want to spend your vacation on warmth rather than gray rain.

We have put together ten countries where in February you can both swim and walk around without a jacket. Some destinations are good for the beach, others for ruins and temples in mild weather. Below you will find air and water temperatures, the best activity of the month, and honest catches.

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What to know before choosing

💡 In short:

February works well for long flights: Southeast Asia, the Maldives, and Zanzibar are in their dry season.
In the Persian Gulf and Egypt, swimming is already chilly, but sightseeing is easy.
Average February temperatures: 02/2026, according to Weather2Travel weather tables.

Country	The main thing in February	Who it's for
UAE	Forts, mosques, and shopping mall sales	Those traveling for cities and the desert
Egypt	The Pyramids of Giza, temples, and Mount Sinai without the heat	Those traveling for history
Sri Lanka	The driest month, tea plantations, and temples	Nature lovers
Cuba	Havana, Varadero, and the cigar festival	Those who want beach and music
Dominican Republic	Punta Cana, Boca Chica, and Independence Day	Couples and families with children
Thailand	Phuket, Samui, and the islands in the dry season	Beach vacations and diving
India	Goa: the south for peace, the north for parties	Those looking for a cheaper vacation
Vietnam	Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Tet New Year	First-time visitors to Asia
Maldives	Atolls, snorkeling, and honeymoons	Couples and diving enthusiasts
Zanzibar	Safari, Kilimanjaro, and the turtle island	Fans of quiet and budget travel

1. UAE

In the Emirates in February, daytime temperatures stay around 25 °C (as of 02/2026, average February temperatures). The sea cools down over the winter, so not everyone swims. But you can comfortably walk across an entire city on foot. In summer, the heat makes walking almost impossible.

Dubai skyline with skyscrapers and Burj Khalifa

What to see: ancient forts, mosques, flower parks, date groves, and mountains. At the end of winter, big sales begin in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah shopping malls. A separate route is worth building around the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah: it has canyons and a long zipline.

Who it's for: those who want cities, the desert, and shopping.
The catch: the water is colder than the air, so the month is not ideal for everyone when it comes to the beach.

We cover travel around the Persian Gulf in our UAE and Qatar guide. Hotels in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are best booked in advance: browse UAE hotels on Trip.com.

2. Egypt

In Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh in February, it is around 25 °C, with water around 22 °C (as of 02/2026, Reise-Klima). In Marsa Alam, the air is slightly cooler, around 24 °C (as of 02/2026, Red Sea climate). There is almost no rain, sunbathing is possible, but swimming is not to everyone's taste.

Hurghada street with a mosque and minarets

History, however, comes easier. You can see the Pyramids of Giza, the Valley of the Kings, and the temples of the gods without the summer heat. Wandering through ruins among columns and statues is more pleasant in cooler weather. This month is also good for climbing Mount Sinai and walking through canyons.

Who it's for: those traveling for history and culture.
The catch: the sea is cool, so the beach will not suit everyone.

A detailed breakdown of attractions is collected in our Egypt guide. To find a hotel by the sea, use Egypt hotel search on Trip.com.

3. Sri Lanka

February is the driest month of the year here. The monsoons stop, the winds die down, and the sea becomes calm. Daytime temperatures are around 31 °C (as of 02/2026, Sri Lanka weather in February), and the water stays warm all month. After the rainy season, the island's nature is at its most vivid.

Sandy beach with palm trees, loungers, and umbrellas

You'll find waterfalls of varying heights, jungles, tea plantations, and ancient Buddhist temples. Landscapes open up from almost any point on the island. In February, tropical fruit is harvested here, so tastings are cheap.

Who it's for: nature lovers and fans of mild weather.
The catch: there are a lot of insects, so you can't do without repellent.

For more on the island's major cities, see the guide to Colombo and Kandy; for plantations, see the article on Ceylon. For oceanfront accommodation, check Sri Lanka hotels on Trip.com.

4. Cuba

In February, Cuba is around 26 °C (as of 02/2026, Cuba weather in February). There are no downpours or hurricanes, and no stifling heat either. The air is dry, so walking around Havana is pleasant all day long.

Many people rent a car and drive from Havana to Santiago de Cuba. You'll see not only tourist spots but also everyday life on the island. The white-sand beaches of Varadero and Cayo Coco are also great at this time of year. In February, Havana hosts the International Cuban Cigar Festival: for several days, collectors and sellers meet with connoisseurs of rare tobacco.

Who it's for: those who want beach, music, and cities in a single trip.

Why you should go to Cuba specifically in winter is covered in our January article, and we've put together a list of things to do on the island here. For Cuba hotels, see the selection on Trip.com.

5. Dominican Republic

February is peak season in the Dominican Republic. Daytime temperatures are around 28 °C, the sea is 26 °C (as of 02/2026, Dominican Republic climate in February). The breeze softens the heat, there is almost no rain, and the days are clear.

Punta Cana: beach, palm trees, and turquoise sea

You'll find the best beaches in Punta Cana, while Boca Chica is a more budget-friendly place to stay. Add national parks, casinos, and nightclubs to the mix. Set aside a separate day for the lighthouse and Columbus Palace, the replica Spanish village of Altos de Chavón, cathedrals, and the ruins of a Franciscan monastery. In late February the country celebrates Independence Day with a carnival and competitions.

Who it's for: couples and families with children.
The catch: high season keeps prices up, so book rooms in advance.

We cover other interesting spots in the Caribbean in this article. A convenient way to compare accommodation options is through Dominican Republic hotels on Trip.com.

6. Thailand

Thailand in February comes closest to the ideal beach vacation. Daytime air reaches 33 °C, the sea is around 28 °C (as of 02/2026, Weather2Travel). The dry season is in full swing, rain is rare, and the sea is calm.

Phuket remains the classic choice. Pattaya suits those on a budget. Koh Samui is chosen for its wild nature, Krabi for its mountains, Koh Phangan for its parties. Start with Bangkok: streets, markets, and temples, then move on to ancient ruins and shrines. In February there's a flower festival, a bike show, and carnivals, so you definitely won't be bored.

Who it's for: beach vacations and diving.

Read about Koh Samui in the island guide, and about the country's temples and cities in the Thailand overview. Look for rooms on the islands through Thailand hotels on Trip.com.

7. India

In Goa in February it's around 32 °C, the air stays fresh, and the water is warm (as of 02/2026, Goa in February). The south is chosen for its calm and long, wide beaches; the north for parties and meeting new people. The north will cost less.

The southern part suits you if you're traveling with children. In Panaji it's interesting to wander the old quarter, see the architecture of Largo da Igreja square, and visit fortresses from the colonial era.

Who it's for: those looking for a warm getaway on a budget.
The catch: service in the north is more basic than in the south.

We cover how to travel through India without stress in this article, and we've put together the must-do things in Goa here. For Goa hotels, check out this selection on Trip.com.

8. Vietnam

In Nha Trang, February falls in the dry season, which lasts until about August. In Nha Trang it's around 28 °C during the day and 22 °C at night, with rain on about five days a month (as of 02/2026, weather in Nha Trang). The good weather continues into the following months, so there's no need to rush your trip.

Nha Trang panorama: city beach, high-rises, and sea

Phan Thiet suits a family vacation, Nha Trang is for active travelers, and Phu Quoc is for wildlife. You'll see imperial citadels, French colonial quarters, and guerrilla catacombs. In February the country celebrates Tet, the New Year: parades and festivals take place in every city.

Who it's for: first-time visitors to Asia.

You'll find a guide to Dalat at this link, and you can read about bustling Nha Trang here. To pick a hotel, use the Vietnam hotel search on Trip.com.

9. Maldives

In the Maldives in February it's 30 °C or higher during the day, with water around 28 °C (as of 02/2026, Weather2Travel). It's the sunniest month of the year: dry and calm, with warm evenings.

Malé harbor panorama with boats and a street

You should book accommodation in advance: thousands of couples fly here for Valentine's Day. Choose between a resort hotel and a guesthouse; the latter is cheaper. After that, you can look forward to swimming with turtles, coral reefs, kayaking, fishing, and yoga.

Who it's for: honeymoons, diving, and a relaxing getaway.

We break down whether to choose a resort or a guesthouse in this article, and a budget option is described here. Compare island hotels using the Maldives selection on Trip.com.

10. Zanzibar

Zanzibar resembles the Maldives, but it's quieter and cheaper here. In February the air warms up to 32 °C (As of 02/2026, Weather2Travel), and the water stays warm all month. The beaches are good, but the main draw here is something else.

Stone Town harbor panorama with boats and a waterfront

It's worth taking a trip from the island to mainland Tanzania. There, on safari, you'll see wild lions and giraffes, and climbing Kilimanjaro will stay with you for a long time. Fans of marine life will enjoy Turtle Island: you can feed the turtles by hand. When diving, hundreds of species of fish and coral await you.

Who it's for: lovers of quiet and budget-friendly vacations.

A complete guide to the island is collected in this article, and we've gathered travel hacks for the trip here. Choose hotels through the Zanzibar hotel search on Trip.com.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Where can you swim in February?

Swimming is comfortable in the Maldives, Thailand, Vietnam, Goa, and the Caribbean: the water there is warm, almost like summer. In the UAE and Egypt the sea cools down over the winter, so choose those countries for excursions and cities rather than for swimming. For the beach, pick southern destinations.

Where to go in February with kids?

The easiest options are Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Goa. Punta Cana and Boca Chica have calm seas and good infrastructure, and southern Goa has wide beaches and family-friendly hotels. In Sri Lanka, kids will enjoy temples and animals, but you'll need insect repellent.

Where can you vacation cheaply in February?

Goa and Zanzibar work out cheapest: there's plenty of budget accommodation and guesthouses there. In Thailand, Pattaya is the most affordable, and in the Maldives it's cheaper to stay in a guesthouse on a local island rather than a resort. The Dominican Republic and the Maldives are the most expensive at the peak of the season.

What to do in Egypt if it's too cold to swim?

Go for the history. The Pyramids of Giza, the Valley of the Kings, the temples, and Mount Sinai are easier to handle in February than in summer. Bring a light jacket for the evening and don't plan long swims. On the plus side, lines at the ruins are shorter and the sun doesn't scorch.

When is the best time to go to the Maldives and Zanzibar?

February is one of the best months for both destinations. In the Maldives, February falls in the sunniest period of the year; in Zanzibar it's dry and warm. Keep in mind that this is high season: book accommodation in advance, otherwise your options will narrow to expensive choices.

In short: what's worth booking

February divides these destinations into two groups. Beach and warm sea await you in Thailand, Vietnam, India, the Maldives, Zanzibar, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. City and ruin excursions are better planned for the UAE and Egypt: swimming there is chilly, but walking around is comfortable.

Want beach and diving: choose the Maldives or Thailand.
Want history without the heat: choose Egypt or the UAE.
Want to spend less: choose Goa or Zanzibar.

If you need a specific hotel for your dates, start with a search on Trip.com and compare prices in advance: view hotel options on Trip.com.

10 Countries where it is warm in February and you can swim