The Best Beaches to Visit in March for Warm Weather and Fewer Crowds

While I’m lucky enough to live in a place where rain is rare and temperatures are always warm, I understand the feeling that often comes by early March having lived in the Pacific Northwest for many years. A longing for a beach escape, with the opportunity to warm up, enjoy spectacular scenery, and enjoy all the usual outdoor fun on the sand and in the surf, is something that really must be indulged.

If you’re seeking tranquility in your beach getaway, you might want to plan your trip earlier in the month to enjoy beautiful sands under sunny skies without the peak-season crowds, before spring breakers descend in some spots. On the other hand, if lively action and a little partying fun is what you’re craving, that typically peaks during the latter half of the month. Either way, there are a wide range of quality beach experiences to be found whether you’re looking for a destination thousands of miles away or a bit closer to home. 

March is ideal for spending time at Medano Beach (Playa Medano). Located right in downtown Cabo San Lucas, it’s one of the few swimmable stretches in the area, offering soft, white sands, plenty of umbrellas and loungers for relaxation, and opportunities for watersports. It’s also a popular departure point for tours, including boat rides to Lovers Beach and the famous Arch, El Arco.

If you visit in early March, you’ll miss the big spring break crowds, although those looking for the liveliest scene might want to come during the second half of the month when it will be jam-packed with partiers. Some of the most famous Cabo bars are right along the beachfront here, including The Office and Mango Deck. 

The weather is just about perfect now, with daytime highs around 80 degrees and the clear turquoise waters pleasantly warm for everything from swimming to stand-up paddleboarding, jet skiing, kayaking, parasailing, and flyboarding. 

Similar to Cabo’s Medano Beach, you’ll enjoy a more tranquil experience at North Beach (Playa Norte) on Isla Mujeres if you visit earlier in March, avoiding spring break and particularly the week around Easter. Just a short ferry ride from Cancun, it’s more peaceful than its famous neighbor and renowned for its chalk-white sands lapped by shallow, crystal-clear aquamarine water.

This month is one of the best in terms of weather here too, with sunny days and warm but not too hot temperatures in the low 80s. You’ll also find umbrellas and loungers for rent and complimentary options at some bars and eateries if you spend a little. Or toss down your own towels and enjoy the shade of the palm trees. In addition to simply admiring the view, paddleboarding, kayaking, swimming, and snorkeling the nearby reefs are all popular activities. 

While Kaanapali offers a long stretch of soft golden sands fronting several resorts, it tends to be busy all year-round, including March. But if you head just north to Honokowai, you can enjoy a more tranquil experience without the thick crowds. It’s much more enjoyable to relax, soak up the sun, and enjoy the view of Lanai across the water.

Families with children can take advantage of the calm pool protected by a barrier reef, making it ideal for safely splashing around. March sees daytime high temperatures in the low 80s, and while rain is possible, it typically comes in short bursts. This month is also part of the peak whale watching season, which means humpbacks can often be spotted right from the shore. 

March is the last rainy month of the wet season in Bali, which means there are typically fewer tourists, but you’ll still enjoy plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures in the 80s in between the occasional showers. If you’re looking for one of the most peaceful beaches to spend time on, consider Green Bowl in Ungasan. It’s tucked within a secluded cove framed by limestone cliffs, offering white sand and brilliant turquoise water.

That said, one of the reasons it’s a more tranquil gem is that it requires descending over 300 steps to reach, deterring many visitors. If you’d like to spend time on a beach with a bit more action occasionally, Pandawa is less than 15 minutes away, offering beachside eateries, loungers, and rentals for a variety of watersports, from snorkeling gear to kayaks and surfboards.

March often brings mild weather to Santa Cruz, with temperatures in the mid-60s. While it’s generally not the optimal time for swimming, many still enjoy wading, boogie boarding, SUP, kayaking, and surfing (best in a wetsuit with the ocean a bit chilly at around 60 degrees). The big plus when it comes to a visit now is that you can avoid the massive summer rush, which makes it a great month for enjoying the rides and games at the Boardwalk that backs the Main Beach. March is also part of the season for watching the huge colony of elephant seals just north at Ano Nuevo State Park for an unforgettable day trip, less than a 30-minute drive away. 

Coronado Beach is a wide, beautiful stretch with gentle surf and soft sands that sparkle under the frequent sunshine thanks to its mica content. You’ll likely need a wetsuit for swimming in March, as the ocean is only a degree or two warmer than it is further north in Santa Cruz. Still, with sunny skies and high temperatures in the upper 60s, it’s the perfect time for many other activities without the big crowds, from sunbathing, sandcastle building, and beachcombing to kayaking. Plus, many of San Diego‘s top attractions are within a 15-minute drive, including the world-famous zoo and downtown with its wide range of shops, bars, and restaurants.

While many of Florida’s beaches are popular with the spring break crowds, you can avoid them and enjoy a Caribbean-like escape in Bahia Honda State Park on Big Pine Key. Sandspur Beach is a favorite, with a wide expanse of white sands edged by shallow blue waters with coral reefs, ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Colorful reef fish, stingrays, and small coral formations await just offshore.

There are also boat tours that can bring you out to Looe Key Reef for even more outstanding snorkeling opportunities. Plus, you can stay right in the park as it hosts campsites for tents and RVs as well as glamping cabins that are set on stilts overlooking the water. 

March is part of the dry season along Costa Rica‘s Pacific Coast, making it ideal for visiting Manuel Antonio Beach in Manuel Antonio National Park. While there are many picturesque stretches here, it offers the calmest conditions for swimming thanks to the rocks offshore that provide protection, creating swimming pool-like water. The clear cobalt waters are also ideal for snorkeling, SUP, kayaking, and other watersports.

March is part of the whale watching season too—while you relax on the sand, keep an eye out for the humpbacks that pass by. You can also hike scenic trails that wind through the rainforest to spot abundant wildlife like monkeys and sloths. As the weather is typically sunny and warm, with daytime highs in the low 80s, March is ideal for all your outdoor adventures.

In the Southern Hemisphere, March marks the end of summer and the beginning of fall, providing an idyllic time to visit Kangaroo Island and its beautiful beaches. Stokes Bay on the north coast is a top pick—it was even named the best beach in Australia in 2023. To access it, you’ll make your way through a maze of caves before suddenly, the whitest sands and some of the clearest waters you’ve ever seen come into view. The translucent turquoise water looks like a big natural pool, ideal for swimming or the kids to splash around, while the sand is white and powdery soft.

Of course, another highlight of visiting the island itself is the wildlife. Kangaroo Island is not only a top spot for watching kangaroos, but also echidnas, koalas, sea lions, and dolphins.

Bocas del Toro is an archipelago made up of nine islands off Panama’s Caribbean coast, home to some of the prettiest beaches you’ll find in the region, like Playa Larga on the east side of Isla Bastimentos in Isla Bastimentos National Park. A nearly 3.75-mile stretch of unspoiled sands, it’s often nearly empty and there’s a good chance you’ll spot Hawskbill, green, and leatherback sea turtles as they nest here between March and September. Swimming, snorkeling, and hikes through the jungle are all popular. Keep an eye out for crocodiles that occasionally bask in the sun along the mangrove-lined sections of the river estuary at the edge of the jungle

Uncrowded and breathtakingly beautiful, Flamenco Beach lies on Culebra Island, less than 20 miles from the Puerto Rico mainland. March is the “sweet spot” for enjoying it, with warm, dry weather and calm seas while the crowds start to thin as spring approaches. Often listed among the world’s most beautiful with powder sugar-like white sands and brilliant turquoise water, Flamenco is not the place to go for a luxury beach club or nightlife, but you can immerse yourself in peaceful nature while relax on the shores that span the entire bay. 

With the water clear and calm, it’s ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Development is limited here, but history enthusiasts and photographers are likely to find interest in the artfully decorated abandoned tanks left behind by the U.S. military.

March is one of the best months to visit Bequia with sunny skies and pleasant temperatures right around 80 degrees. There are no sprawling resorts but you will find plenty of authentic Caribbean charm and tranquil beaches like Princess Margaret. Tucked between Admiralty Bay and the Belmont Walkway, it’s easily accessed on foot from Port Elizabeth. The water is calm and comfortably warm for swimming and snorkeling among a wealth of colorful fish like parrotfish, angelfish, trumpetfish, and blue creole wrasse, along with octopus, sea turtles, and rays. 

In between activities, take advantage of the beach bars and seafood shacks for sipping rum punch and enjoying a fresh-caught meal to the backdrop of reggae tunes.