The Best Warm-Weather Beaches to Visit in February

February may not be the first month that comes to mind for a getaway, but after weeks and weeks of chilly weather and cloudy skies, it can be perfect for a beach escape! Of course, some may revel in winter’s weather, with the season not only bringing the opportunity to enjoy sunshine in many locales, but epic storm watching in others.

No matter what type of beach vacation you have in mind, mid-winter is a great time for it. And, your break can be made even better by choosing one of the best beaches to visit in February—these are some of my all-time favorites across the globe.

Living less than a 10-minute walk from Playa La Cachora for several years, my very favorite month to visit was February. The main beach in the colonial town of Todos Santos (about an hour’s drive from Cabo) is nearly an endless stretch of soft, golden sands that are often void of people. Even during this peak tourist month, I often found myself alone with just the sounds of the surf and the gulls. With the waves powerful, only experienced surfers typically do more than just dip their toes in the water, but what makes it so great, particularly in February, is the whale watching. This is the peak month for it, with gray whales often seen just offshore, literally so close you can look them in the eye as they dig in the sandy ocean bottom for crustaceans, while humpback whales breach in the distance. 

February also follows during the season for baby sea turtle releases, which happen toward the north end of the beach from December through April, about an hour before sunset. If you continue your stroll further north—technically to Playa La Pastora (although the beach is continuous), you’ll find one of my favorite eateries in Todos Santos, The Green Room. It’s the perfect place for sunset cocktails.

If you’re looking for a luxurious stay on what’s been named the most beautiful beach in the world, Grace Bay is an ideal pick. There are numerous 5-star resorts and elegant boutique hotels that will put you just steps from the miles and miles of soft, white sand lapped by crystal-clear water in a stunning shade of electric blue. Swimming and snorkeling are popular, with a long, vibrant coral reef inhabited by all sorts of marine life, including sea turtles and colorful fish, just offshore. In between, you can dine at one of the many upscale eateries and enjoy cocktails and live music at the beach bars.

In the Southern Hemisphere, February is the heart of summer, the perfect time for a trip to the Bay of Islands. Made up of 144 small rocky outcrops and islands with sandy beaches and clear turquoise water that form a vast maritime park off the coast of the North Island, the town of Paihia offers an ideal base. It’s the lively hub of the region with plenty of restaurants and the widest range of choice for stays, from backpacker to luxury. 

Paihia also boasts a beautiful beach of the same name that has a shallow, sandy bay, perfect for kids and taking part in water sports. Plus, you can easily explore the other islands from here as this is a departure point for boat tours. Snorkeling, diving, whale and dolphin watching excursions are all possible, with February a prime month for spotting orcas.

You can enjoy summer in South Africa in February too. It’s also the perfect month for visiting the famous penguins at Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town, just a 40-minute drive from Cape Town, although there are plenty of shops, restaurants, and accommodation options right here. While the penguins can be seen year-round, this is peak breeding season, which means you can witness the highest concentration of the tuxedoed birds, and the beach will be full of activity. 

In February, males are claiming nests while females lay eggs, and you might even spot some of the new chicks. As this is one of the warmer months of the year and the water is sheltered from the boulders that surround the beach, it’s a great place to swim. You might even find yourself swimming right alongside the penguins. 

For affordability and plenty of fun in the sun, head to Boracay Island. Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 even named it the world’s best beach destination for sunbathing and surfing. While it’s hard to go wrong here, White Beach is the island’s most famous stretch as the hub, with powdery sands and turquoise water ideal for swimming, sunsets, dining, and nightlife. 

The beach stretches for approximately 2.5 miles and is divided into three areas, with each section offering something unique when it comes to activities and ambiance. The most northwestern section, known as Station 1, is the most upscale area with luxury beachfront resorts. Station 2 is in the middle and the busiest, with the most shopping areas, beach bars, and restaurants, while Station 3 offers the quietest atmosphere and the most budget-friendly accommodation.

If you’re up for an exclusive stay that includes access to what will practically be your own 1.5-mile stretch of beautiful sands, Nihiwatu is the private beach at luxurious NIHI Sumba resort. Located on remote Sumba Island at the eastern end of a chain of Indonesian island gems, it’s been named the world’s best resort twice by Travel + Leisure. The 5-star property hosts just 27 individual villas, guaranteeing no big crowds. 

In addition to the world-class surfing that put the island on the map, guests can enjoy unique experiences at Nihiwatu, like horseback riding and swimming with horses, with the animals deeply woven into the island’s culture. 

While February in Barbados is one of the more popular months for tourism, the island is rarely overcrowded. The weather will be pretty much perfect with average daytime highs around 83 degrees, while the translucent turquoise sea is just a few degrees cooler. Crane Beach on the southeast coast is often named among the island’s most beautiful beaches, with pale pink and white stretches of pristine, soft, sand that’s worth planning a trip around. There are more sheltered areas with calmer water for swimming along with sections that have stronger waves popular for bodyboarding or boogie boarding. 

You’ll have all the amenities you need right here too, including beach chair rentals, beach bars, and a variety of accommodation options, from budget-friendly apartment rentals and boutique villas to luxury resorts. 

If you aren’t looking to soak up the sun but want to enjoy a peaceful, wild stretch of rugged coastline with powerful waves and the opportunity for epic storm watching, consider Cannon Beach. It draws many romance-seekers, including honeymooners, with several high-end resorts offering ocean-view rooms. Bundle up and enjoy strolls hand-in-hand, with the main stretch of beach roughy four miles long. At low tide, you can often find sanddollars strewn across the sand while tide pools around iconic Haystack Rock are fun to search through, often inhabited by hermit crabs, anemones, and starfish. 

For those seeking remote and adventurous, Punta Norte in Argentinian Patagonia offers stunning natural beauty and abundant wildlife that makes it worthy of a high ranking on travel bucket lists. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can see lots of penguins, sea lions, and elephant seals all year-round. February is prime time for orcas, where they practice a behavior unique to this region, intentionally beaching themselves to hunt seals and sea lions. 

February in Maui is the month for humpback whales. This is when the Great Whale Count takes place, as it’s the peak season for calving and nursing, with over 800 typically spotted off the western coast of the island. When you’re snorkeling, there’s a good chance you’ll hear their songs, with the haunting melodies heard underwater up to 12 miles away. While standing onshore or out on a whale watching boat tour, there are often so many of the animals that it’s hard to know where to look. Some of the popular behaviors that can be witnessed include breaching, competition pods, and lots of tail slapping—and the calves do a lot of practicing before making their way north in the spring. 

Ka’anapali is one of the best beaches for what’s often referred to as “whale soup” views from the sand and oceanfront resort lanais. It’s a mile long and serves as a departure point for boat tours, while offering upscale shopping and a wide range of dining venues. 

Key West offers a Caribbean-like experience—and for Americans, without the need for a passport or a long-haul flight. It has a similar tropical climate with frequent bright blue skies, a laid-back vibe, and many white sandy beaches with calm blue waters for swimming. Fort Zachary Taylor State Park is one of the best places to be for a beach day, offering excellent snorkeling with rock formations just offshore that attract lots of tropical fish. The water is as clear as glass and inhabited by everything from schools of yellowtail snapper to parrotfish. While there are no hotels or other accommodation options right in the park, you’ll find a wide range of properties that are within easy reach, along with famous nightlife along Duval Street. 

Temperatures in the heart of winter on St. John average 77 degrees and the skies are almost always sunny. Plus, as a U.S. territory, Americans can visit without a passport. While there are many spectacular beaches on this island, Salt Pond Beach is a less crowded stunner on the south shore. This is a much quieter area than the beaches on the north shore, providing a more tranquil experience even during the peak of the tourist season. It also offers outstanding snorkeling, with calm waters and a variety of tropical fish, rays, and other marine life, particularly around the rocks. Sea turtles are frequently sighted in the seagrass. 

Keep in mind that the trade-off for tranquility is that facilities here are basic. There are picnic tables and porta-potties, but you’ll need to bring your own food and drink. The nearest accommodations are villas and other vacation rentals in the Coral Bay Area, while large resorts like the Westin St. John is just a 10-minute drive away.