⛱️ Where to swim in May with kids: 17 destinations with warm sea and beaches

May is a compromise between price and weather. Hotels are still charging spring rates, while the sea in the south has already warmed up. Resorts are chosen based on two criteria: how far you're willing to fly and what water temperature is comfortable for a child.

Below are 17 destinations where you can actually swim with kids in May. For each one, we've listed the beaches, water entry, children's infrastructure, and logistics. We've also flagged places where it's still cool or windy in May.

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How to choose a destination for May

💡 In short:

In May, the swimming season is already open in the UAE, Egypt, Israel, and Hainan: the water there is summer-warm.
On the Mediterranean, the air is warm, but the water is brisk. Choose sheltered bays without waves if you're traveling with a toddler.
The Caribbean and Southeast Asia are cheaper in May, but it's the season of short downpours and winds.

Below, we go through the destinations: first the Mediterranean and Red Sea, then long-haul flights. Each section gives you a specific decision for your family, and the bullets help you compare beaches side by side.

1. Israel

Netanya promenade on a cliff with palm trees and paragliders

Israel is washed by three seas at once: the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, and the Dead Sea. For a family vacation in May, Netanya and Eilat are good options. Netanya is quiet, palm trees line the promenade, and umbrellas and loungers are set up on the sand.

Stone breakwaters make swimming safe for a child even when there are waves. In Eilat, the beach comes with an underwater coral world, a dolphinarium, and an oceanarium. The sea is already warm in May, so you can swim in both Netanya and Eilat.

Who it's for: families who want a mix of beach time and sightseeing.
Location: Netanya is near Tel Aviv, Eilat is at the southern tip of the country.

Check hotel prices in Israel on Trip.com

2. Jordan

Aqaba city waterfront with hotels and palm trees

Beach vacations in Jordan are centered in Aqaba, on the Red Sea coast. Most of the country is covered by sandy and rocky deserts, so the choice of resorts here is limited.

The mountains around the city create a special microclimate: it's warm here year-round. The beaches are covered with soft sand, palm trees are planted along the shore, and the entry into the bay is gentle. Hotels offer entertainment for adults and children.

Who it's for: families who want to add the desert and ancient cities to their beach time.
The catch: there are few beach towns, the whole vacation revolves around Aqaba alone.

Find hotels in Aqaba on Trip.com

3. UAE

City street with a domed building in Sharjah

The Emirates sit on the Persian Gulf coast, and in May the water here is already summer-warm. For a relaxed vacation with kids, Sharjah, the country's cultural capital, is a good fit.

Sharjah's beaches are clean, with white sand and an even seabed. They have loungers, umbrellas, changing rooms, and restrooms. Nearby you'll find museums, amusement parks, and shopping malls, and the waterfront is landscaped with lawns and fountains.

Who it's for: families with toddlers who need infrastructure steps from the hotel.
The catch: the air is hot in May, so walking with a child is more comfortable in the morning and evening.

Hotels in Sharjah on Trip.com

4. Maldives

Aerial view of a Maldives island with overwater bungalows

Hundreds of Maldivian islands are scattered across the Indian Ocean. Hotels here are either overwater bungalows or villas in the tropical forest. For children, they offer playgrounds, pools, and programs with activity leaders.

The sand on the beaches is white, the water is clear and warm. A rainy morning can easily turn into a calm, sunny day.

Who it's for: families who value privacy and are prepared for unpredictable weather.
The catch: May kicks off the season of winds, rain, and storms, so book a hotel with a good pool.

Check hotels in the Maldives on Trip.com

5. Thailand

Green islands and sea off the coast of Phuket

Thailand is washed by the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Families with kids most often head to Phuket and Koh Samui: there's a gentle entry into the sea, loungers, umbrellas, and Thai restaurants nearby.

The coastlines are framed by hills with dense vegetation, and hotel complexes sit alongside bungalows. The weather in May is hot and humid, with summer-warm air and water. Plan outings with your child for the morning, when both of you handle the heat more easily.

Who it's for: families who want the tropics, temples, and affordable food.
The catch: the heat and humidity, which toddlers are sensitive to.

Find tours to Thailand on Trip.com

6. Greece

Kavourotrypes pebble beach with turquoise water and pine trees, Halkidiki

The Halkidiki peninsula has the best sandy beaches in Greece: a long coastline, pine trees and olive groves, cliffs and coves. According to the Halkidiki tourist office, the region has 550 km of coastline with a thousand beaches.

May weather here is mild, without extreme heat. The gentle slope into the shallow waters of the Aegean Sea makes swimming safe for children. Trips to Mount Athos and Mount Olympus add variety.

Who it's for: families who value fresh air, greenery and calm seas.
The catch: the water in May is brisk and cooler than in Turkey and Egypt.

See hotels in Greece on Trip.com

7. Cuba

White sand and turquoise sea in Varadero

Cuba is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. The weather is good all year round, so you can swim in any month, including May.

The country's main resort, Varadero, is famous for its wide white-sand beaches, tall palm trees, hotels and bars along the shore. The coral reef dampens the currents, so the water near the shore is calm and clear. Kids can enjoy a glass-bottom boat, a dolphinarium and nature reserve walks.

Who it's for: families willing to take a long flight for a warm ocean.
The catch: the flight is long, so book one with a short layover.

Hotels in Cuba on Trip.com

8. Dominican Republic

Bavaro Beach with palm trees and turquoise sea

The Dominican Republic lies on the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic. Hotels sit amid tropical greenery along the coast and operate on an all-inclusive basis.

For family vacations, Punta Cana is the most popular choice. A long stretch of shallow water and a gentle entry into the sea remove the risk even for inexperienced swimmers. Lifeguards and police patrol the beaches. There's plenty to do: horseback riding, parasailing, canoeing and playgrounds, so your child won't be bored.

Who it's for: families who want all-inclusive and minimal logistics.
The catch: it's humid, so bring light clothing and repellent.

Find hotels in Punta Cana on Trip.com

9. Mexico

The resorts of Mexico will satisfy even seasoned travelers. For a relaxed vacation with kids, choose the Riviera Maya coast on the Yucatan Peninsula: a long stretch of beach along the warm Caribbean Sea.

The shores are covered with white sand and exotic plants. The seabed is even and gently sloping, storms are rare, and the beaches have loungers and umbrellas. Nearby, the jungle begins, with parks, caves, and Mayan ruins.

Who it's for: families who want to combine beach, parks, and history.
The catch: hot and humid, so plan excursions for the morning.

See Riviera Maya hotels on Trip.com

10. Turkey

Bike path in Antalya with mountains and buildings

Turkey attracts with a short flight and a scenic coastline. The main region for a family vacation is Antalya, the Turkish Riviera. It combines beaches, hotels, and architectural landmarks from different eras.

The Mediterranean coast is known for soft sand, fine pebbles, and a gentle entry into the water. Hotels offer entertainment programs for kids, playgrounds and sports areas, and shallow pools. Nearby there is a water park, a dolphinarium, and nature reserves with waterfalls, so keeping a child busy all day is easy.

Who it's for: families with young children who want to avoid tiring the child with a long flight.
The catch: some parts of the shore are pebbly, and sand is not everywhere.

Antalya hotels on Trip.com

11. Morocco

Agadir from above: bay, beach and marina

Morocco stuns with its landscapes and distinctive culture. The country's main beach resort, Agadir, welcomes visitors with green parks, gardens, hotels for every taste, and a promenade with cafes.

Agadir stretches along a long coastline with clean, fine sand. Palm trees provide shade from the sun along the waterfront. In the evening, the promenade comes alive: cafes are open and music plays.

Who it's for: families who value the city and surfing more than a warm sea.
The catch: the Atlantic water is still cold in May, and the ocean is colder than the Mediterranean.

See Agadir hotels on Trip.com

12. Egypt

Mosque with two minarets on a street in Hurghada

Egypt offers a rare combination: a comfortable beach on the Red Sea and trips to historical sites. The country's best sandy beaches are in Hurghada, which is surrounded by tropical greenery.

Hurghada's beaches are considered the gold standard for family vacations: clean fine sand, a gentle slope into the water, a long shallow area, and playgrounds with rides. Adults have plenty to do too, since coral reefs live just offshore. May weather is warm and suits even heat-loving travelers.

Who it's for: families who want a warm sea and excursions without long flights.
Location: Hurghada on the western shore of the Red Sea, with an airport nearby.

Find hotels in Hurghada on Trip.com

13. Vietnam

Nha Trang city beach with high-rise buildings and mountains

Vietnam stretches along the coast of the South China Sea, and in May it's dry and warm here. The country's famous resort, Nha Trang, has grown from a fishing village into a modern tourist hub.

The beach strip is covered with clean yellow sand, and the seabed is even, with no rocks. Kids will love swimming here. Nearby lies Vinpearl Island, connected to the mainland by the world's longest cable car. It has a water park, an aquarium, and a dolphinarium.

Who it's for: families who want an exotic destination at a lower price than Thailand.
Location: Nha Trang in the central part of the country, with a direct airport.

Hotels in Nha Trang on Trip.com

14. Cyprus

Cyprus is popular for its clear Mediterranean Sea, sandy beaches, and coves between rocks. For a relaxed family vacation, Protaras is a good fit: the town has many small coves. Fig Tree Bay beach in Protaras holds a Blue Flag, and the water entry here is gentle (as of 09/2026, Cyprus tourism office).

The beaches here are clean, with loungers, umbrellas, showers, and changing rooms. There are almost no waves in the coves, the depth increases gradually, and the bottom is even. Hotels with entertainment programs line the coast.

Who it's for: families who need safe coves and a calm sea.
The catch: the sea is still cool in May; the water gets warmer by June.

See hotels in Cyprus on Trip.com

15. Canary Islands

Las Cañadas volcanic caldera on Tenerife above the clouds

The Canary Islands lie off the coast of Africa and belong to Spain. The archipelago consists of seven inhabited islands with volcanic hills and beaches of black and golden sand. The weather here is moderate and dry, and you'll barely feel any heat.

The largest island in the archipelago, Tenerife, receives the most tourists. The south is home to resort towns with hotels and theme parks, while the north greets you with tropical forests and rocky dunes. Stone breakwaters protect the coast from Atlantic currents, and the entry into the ocean remains gentle. If your child gets cold easily, choose a hotel with a pool.

Who it's for: families who want warmth and greenery without heat and humidity.
The catch: the ocean is cool in May; not all kids will find swimming comfortable.

Find hotels in Tenerife on Trip.com

16. China, Hainan

Aerial view of Sanya beach with high-rise buildings and palm trees

Hainan remains China's only tropical island and one of the best resorts in East Asia. People come here for the azure sea, sandy beaches, blooming gardens, and protected parks.

The island's best tourist hubs are Sanya Bay and Yalong Bay. The bays are ideal for a relaxed vacation with kids, and the hotel complexes have their own well-kept grounds. The coastlines with fine white sand are surrounded by mountains, conifers, and coconut palms. The weather is hot and you can swim year-round, so May is definitely a safe bet.

Who it's for: families who want the tropics and a calm sea.

Hotels in Hainan on Trip.com

17. Indonesia

Green rice terraces of Bali among tropical palm trees

Indonesia stretches across the Indian Ocean: tropical landscapes here sit side by side with ancient temples. For a family vacation with kids, Bali is the best choice.

The Nusa Dua area is known for its wide sandy beaches with loungers and soft chairs. A chain of coral reefs protects the shore from high waves. Hotels plant lawns, lay out paths, and build playgrounds with pools. The season on the island lasts all year, and by May the downpours on the coast become shorter.

Who it's for: families who want the ocean, rice terraces, and temples in one trip.
The catch: it's humid, and downpours happen even in May.

See hotels in Bali on Trip.com

Destinations on the map

We put all 17 spots on one map so you can compare distances and nearby resorts. Open it full screen if you're planning to combine two countries in one trip.

Where to go to the seaside with a child in May

Places on the map

1Israel Netanya and Eilat, breakwaters make swimming safe
2Jordan Aqaba on the Red Sea, a mild microclimate and a gentle entry
3UAE Sharjah, warm water and beach infrastructure right by the hotel
4Maldives White sand and warm ocean, but May opens the windy and rainy season
5Thailand Phuket and Koh Samui, hot and humid weather, gentle entry into the sea
6Greece Halkidiki, mild weather, the water in May is still bracing
7Cuba Varadero, a coral reef breaks the currents near the shore
8Dominican Republic Punta Cana, a long stretch of shallow water and lifeguards on the beaches
9Mexico Riviera Maya, a flat gently sloping seabed, jungle and Maya ruins nearby
10Turkey Antalya, a short flight and a gentle entry into the water
11Morocco Agadir, clean sand, but the ocean in May is still cold
12Egypt Hurghada, gentle entry and an extensive shallow area
13Vietnam Nha Trang, dry and warm, with Vinpearl island and its water park nearby
14Cyprus Protaras, quiet bays, the sea is still cool in May
15Canary Islands Tenerife, moderate weather, the ocean is cool in May
16Hainan Sanyawan and Yalongwan bays, swimming is possible year-round
17Indonesia Bali, Nusa Dua, reefs break the waves, rains ease off by May

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Where is the warmest sea for a child in May?

The water is warm in May wherever the swimming season runs year-round. Go for the UAE, Egypt, Israel, Hainan, or the Maldives. In Sharjah and Hurghada the water entry is gentle, and the beaches have loungers and umbrellas. For toddlers, choose bays without waves and with shallow water.

Where is the cheapest place to vacation with kids in May?

May falls between school breaks and the high summer season, so hotels cost less than in July. The most budget-friendly destinations are Turkey, Egypt, Cyprus, and Greece. The flight is short, and the choice of hotels with kids' facilities is large, so you'll easily find an option that fits your budget.

Where should you not go for swimming in May?

In Morocco the Atlantic water is still cold, and the Canary Islands are also chilly. In the Mediterranean, adults and hardy kids swim in Greece and Cyprus. If your child gets cold easily, go for the Red Sea or the Persian Gulf.

Where is the shortest flight from Germany and Austria?

The shortest flights go to Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, and Israel. The farthest are Indonesia, Thailand, and the Caribbean. With a child, choose a direct flight or a connection with a short wait and no overnight layover.

Is it worth going to the Caribbean and Asia in May?

Yes, if you're prepared for short downpours. In the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Cuba, the rain doesn't last long, and hotels operate on an all-inclusive basis. In the Maldives it's windy in May, and in Bali the downpours ease off toward the end of the month.

In short: what's worth booking

If you want a warm sea and a short flight: Turkey, Egypt, Cyprus, Israel.
If you want to add sightseeing to the beach: Greece, Mexico, Jordan.
If you're willing to take a long flight for the price: Dominican Republic, Cuba, Thailand, Vietnam, Bali.
If you're traveling with a toddler: choose hotels with a gentle entry, shallow water, and a pool.
Before the trip, compare travel insurance options for trips with kids on EKTA.

Where to go to the sea with kids in May: 17 destinations, from warm to cool