First, the bad news: November in mainland Europe sees daylight hours fast diminishing, darkness by late afternoon and days of cold winds, coats and inside-out umbrellas. On the plus side, this is almost always a month free of school holidays, meaning that planes, hotels and holidays in general tend to be quieter and more affordable than in peak times. Better still, there are plenty of good options for some warm-weather days on a dreamy beach — the ultimate antidote to your end-of-year blues. From Florida, India and east Asia (where the monsoon season is wrapping up) to Australia and the southern hemisphere’s summer, here are the best options for a much-deserved beach break in November.
1. Cambodia
Hugely overshadowed by this southeast Asian country’s major attraction, the temples of Angkor, Cambodia’s coastline is an under-the-radar wonder. The best beaches are on its islands and almost all are reached on boat rides from the gateway town of Sihanoukville. Most easily reached by ferry are bigger Koh Rong and quieter Koh Rong Sanloem, each offering several budget hotels, bars and beaches. Much more undiscovered are Koh Ta Kiev, where there are no roads or shops, and the more backpackery Koh Sdach. Then there are the private, swanky options: Alila Hotels’ all-villa, eco-conscious Koh Russey, the sumptuous Six Senses Krabey Island and the two-island Song Saa, where billionaires go to recharge. Mid-November sees the wet season end, yet prices don’t rise until December.
Read our full review of Six Senses Krabey Island
2. Florida, US
As much of the US starts shivering, the Sunshine State simply gets a bit less balmy. There might, in truth, be the odd shower, but November nonetheless reliably delivers 25C days and ample rays in Florida. Instead of Orlando’s theme parks and Miami’s glamour, consider exploring unsung Martin County’s white-sand shores on the Atlantic seaboard — with one of the northern hemisphere’s most biodiverse estuaries, the Indian River Lagoon, offering additional delight for kayakers or paddleboarders. Or consider the panhandle city of Pensacola — partly for its own sugar-white shores and partly due to early November’s acclaimed Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival, when painters, potters, woodcarvers and weavers converge. Light-coloured and luxurious, downtown’s nicely designed Oyster Bay Boutique Hotel is where to stay.
3. Dubai, UAE
This innovative beacon for architecture, fringed by family-friendly beaches, is best visited in November when the furnace-like temperatures of summer in Dubai have calmed to a pleasant 20–30C. Swap the ever-busy Jumeirah beach for the Al Mamzar Beach Park, where the sands are framed by grassy playgrounds and barbecue spots. Switch seamlessly from shopping to sunbathing at La Mer beach; for secret skyline views of the Burj Al Arab locate Black Palace beach in the Al Sufouh district. As for where to day, well, they flew in Beyoncé for the January 2023 opening of Atlantis The Royal, the 795-room sister to Atlantis The Palm, and if it’s good enough for her …
• Read our full review of Atlantis The Palm
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4. Bali, Indonesia
This Eat Pray Love superstar can get very busy, but November is the start of the rainy season in Bali and, consequently, it’s quieter and rooms rates are at their lowest. Fear not, there’s plenty of time to schedule sunbathing around the short afternoon downpours. Avoid the crowded beaches around Nusa Dua and Kuta completely, and swerve the black-sand beaches around Seminyak, Amed and Lovina in favour of the golden sands of the Uluwatu peninsula. And don’t forget to explore the dreamy offshore islands of Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida. Luxury hotel Jumeirah Bali floats like a Hindu-Javanese water temple above Dreamland beach.
5. Mauritius
Marooned off the coast of Madagascar, Mauritius serves up spicy creole stews, hip-wiggling sega music and swoon-worthy beaches thanks to the coral reefs ringing the island, which protect its shores from strong currents and waves. Families should gravitate to the long wide sweeps of sand at Belle Mare, Mont Choisy and La Cuvette, while water sports enthusiasts will find action at Flic en Flac and Le Morne. If it’s secluded perfection you seek, try Gris Gris or hop on a boat to the idyllic islands of Île aux Cerfs and Ilot Gabriel. On the less-developed east coast you’ll find the eye-catching, adults-only, five-star SALT of Palmar.
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Times Holidays
6. Seychelles
This archipelago off East Africa lays claim to some of the best and most photographed shorelines on the planet thanks to its otherworldly, sea-smoothed granite boulders fringed by dense palm trees, pearlescent sand and translucent shallows teeming with fish. The Seychelles cover girl is Anse Source d’Argent, but avoid the entrance fee and Instagrammers and seek out Anse Georgette, a wide smile of sand accessed via the five-star Constance Lemuria, or Anse Lazio for top-notch snorkelling and the best sunset spot on Praslin. Stay at Canopy by Hilton Seychelles on Anse à la Mouche beach.
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7. Hawaii, US
Mark Twain described Hawaii as “the loveliest fleet of islands that lies anchored in any ocean”. It can be an expensive getaway but, during shoulder season, crowds and prices have shrunk, temperatures remain warm with less rainfall and low humidity and it coincides with the start of humpback whale season. Iconic Waikiki Beach is worth a drive by, but adventurous travellers will love Papakolea on Big Island, a green-sand beach accessible only by hiking or 4×4, or the red sand Kaihalulu on Maui’s east coast. The oceanfront 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay on Kauai is a carbon-neutral five-star stay geared entirely toward wellness.
8. Gold Coast, Australia
Stretching for 25 miles along southeastern Queensland, from Paradise Point to Coolangatta, this laid-back region is known for its world-class surf breaks, such as the skyscraper-backed Surfers Paradise, and immaculate sandy beaches. November marks the start of summer and the sweet spot before the crowds descend. Festival season also kicks off with music concerts and wine and food festivals, and it’s the start of turtle nesting season. Families are well catered for at Coolangatta beach and Broadbeach. Opt to stay at the four-star Sebel Twin Towns, just 200m from Coolangatta beach.
• Best places to visit in Australia
9. Costa Rica
Travellers seeking a more rugged and wildlife-rich beach experience will find it on Costa Rica’s coral reef-fringed beaches, which attract several species of sea turtle to its shores — including the arribadas (mass nestings) of olive ridley sea turtles on Ostional beach and green turtles at Tortuguero. November falls between the start of the dry season and the tail end of green season, so the landscape remains lush, and you’ll benefit from the perks of off-peak prices. Soak up a slice of the “Pura Vida” on the black sands characteristic of Guanacaste and Puntarenas, or the white sands of the Nicoya peninsula. The boutique Sendero Hotel & Villas in Nosara sits inside a nature reserve steps away from the surfing waves of Playa Guiones.
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10. Maldives
The supermodel of the travel world is the epitome of holiday postcard perfection, with palm tree-studded islands haloed by white-sand beaches and warm azure waters — but it’s not just a holiday destination reserved for honeymooners. There are Maldives resorts for everyone and November falls outside the peak season of December to April, so you’ll get more bang for your buck. Oaga Art Resort is a fun five-star with local art, villas with waterslides and a spa using traditional Maldivian healing.
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11. Gran Canaria, Spain
Fancy a dose of sunshine without having to spend serious money? Gran Canaria has the best beaches of the Canary Islands off the coast of northwest Africa, with more than 80 stretches of sand to choose from. Most of the action centres around the sunnier south and the beaches in the east, and our picks are Maspalomas and Playa de Amadores. Luxurious Hotel Riu Palace Meloneras is a 15-minute walk from Maspalomas beach.
• Best all-inclusive hotels in Gran Canaria
12. Barbados
Peak season starts in mid-December, but locals know that Barbados is best in November, when the mercury averages around 28C and the rainfall, humidity and prices have dropped. By all means, snap photos of pink-sand Crane beach and lounge on the popular Miami beach, but also take time to explore the less-visited, cliff-concealed Bottom Bay on the southeast coast or the rugged and remote Cattlewash beach in the east. The all-inclusive O2 Beach Club & Spa resort on Dover beach has a brilliant rooftop pool.
• Best all-inclusive hotels in Barbados
13. Masirah Island, Oman
Oman has 1,960 miles of coastline offering a mix of rocky and sandy beaches, but our pick for those searching for a sprinkle of adventure is under the radar bird-rich Masirah Island, 12 miles off the coast. In temperatures hovering around 25-28C, you can still camp on the beach and enjoy prime snorkelling. Best of all, its pristine sandy beaches are visited by sea turtles, so if you visit between September and December you could witness a hatching. The windy west coast is ideal for kitesurfers — Sur Masirah is one of the best spots. Stay at the welcoming Masira Island Resort.
14. Kerala, India
By November, monsoon season in southern India has rained itself out and peak season — when temperatures range between 25C and 31C — is kicking off. Goa is still the go-to for many beach lovers, but you can get more beach for your buck without the crowds along the laid-back Keralan coast. We recommend the ayurvedic-focussed five-star Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra, which is down the road from the historic port town of Vizhinjam and near one of the coast’s top-rated beaches: Kovalam.
Additional reporting by Emma Thomson
What’s your favourite spot for November sun? Please share in the comments below