Best Beaches in October for Fall Travel—From Mexico to the Mediterranean

When you first start planning an October vacation, your mind might not automatically go to “beach vacay,” but there are quite a few good reasons to plan a beach trip for October.

While beaches may be cooling down in parts of the United States, around the world, other beaches are just starting to heat up for summer below the equator. Additionally, beaches that are typically packed between Memorial Day and Labor Day are significantly less crowded. The lessened demand results in shoulder season prices that stretch your travel dollars further. 

Yes, technically this is still the Atlantic hurricane season, so you might not want to book a Caribbean beach trip unless you’re willing to gamble, but that hardly rules out a beach trip altogether. Plus, if you’re not committed to sunbathing, you can find a few beach destinations that offer up some fall foliage goodness, too. 

So where should you go, whether you’re looking for great weather, low crowds, cheap prices or a mixture of all of the above? Here are a few of the best beaches to visit in October.

Head south for great weather in Australia come October. The temps at Whitehaven Beach average out at a high of about 82 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of about 71 degrees Fahrenheit, with relatively little rain throughout the month. Plus, this beach sits on the Great Barrier Reef, and October provides calmer seas suitable for diving excursions, while also positioning you well to potentially catch some whale migrations and/or sea turtle nesting and hatching. Meanwhile, you avoid the wet season, which starts in November, though you’re still close enough to the end of the dry season that you could snag a budget-friendly rate on your travel.

As for the beach itself, the bright white sand stretches for approximately 4 miles and the sand is nearly entirely silica, so it’s baby-soft. You’ll quickly see why this beach has literally won awards.

But maybe you really don’t care about the weather. Maybe you even like a little fall moodiness. 

Well, break out your sweater before you head to this beach, and make sure that you snap plenty of photos, because Cannon Beach is a stunner in October. In fact, the area locals refer to October through May as the “Magic Season,” as it truly is magical, thanks to the low crowds, low travel rates and potential for whale watching.

If you’re not familiar with Cannon Beach, it’s probably because you just don’t know the name. The frequently photographed beach is famous for its massive rock formations, including Haystack Rock. Take in a vibrant orange sunset or stroll the beach as you watch the fog roll off the water and across the vast expanse of sand. You’ll be treated to some picture-perfect scenery.

As for the temps, you can expect them to remain in the 50s.

Okay, maybe when we mentioned above that a Caribbean beach trip might not be the safest, most reliable option for October, you scoffed. You aren’t afraid of a little hurricane. Besides, the Caribbean is simply easier and cheaper for you to get to, out of all the various beach destinations you could pick.

If that’s the case, do yourself a favor and pick a beach destination within the ABC Islands — Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. These islands sit outside of the Atlantic’s hurricane belt, which means they’re rarely, rarely impacted by hurricanes or tropical storms.

Aruba is an easy choice for many travelers, as there are plenty of flight options going into and out of the island; there are lots of all-inclusive resorts to choose from; and the beaches are world-renowned. Try Eagle Beach, with its gorgeous fofoti trees, white sands, blazingly blue waters and ample space.

If your ears perked up at the mention of a beach that also offers fall foliage, you’ll want to make tracks for Maine’s Acadia National Park. Sure, leaf-peeping season in Maine draws out the travelers and that means prices are higher than they might be in some other months of the year — but, if you’re looking for a worthy splurge, you’ve found it.

It’s not easy to locate a truly sandy (versus rocky) beach in Bar Harbor, but the national park’s Sand Beach delivers with a stretch of golden shoreline framed by cliffside and forest. The beach is located right off the national park’s main scenic loop road, making it easy to get to and allowing you to take in the fall foliage along the way.

Just keep in mind that, given Maine’s location, leaf-peeping season might end earlier there than it does for you at home. Peak foliage typically is over by mid-October, so an early October trip is necessary. Additionally, note that some of the park’s facilities close in mid-October.

October is an excellent time to visit the Canary Islands, as it’s the shoulder season, allowing you to avoid the hordes of travelers that flock here in the winter and summer. Plus, the temperatures still remain relatively hot, in the lower 70s, accompanied by little rain and relatively calm ocean waters.

Playa de Maspalomas is a favorite beach on Gran Canaria, with its historic lighthouse, sand dunes and vicinity to hotels and dining. (Before heading out, keep in mind that a section of this beach is set aside for nude sunbathing.)

While you’re on Gran Canaria, take advantage of the less-oppressive temps and go for a hike, too; the Canary Islands are known for their excellent, scenic hiking options. If you’re visiting during the latter half of the month, you can additionally catch Noche de Los Finaos, a Halloween-adjacent celebration.

Dubrovnik, Croatia, is an excellent October trip option on the Adriatic. The summer crowds have fled the city. Travel rates are down. The temperatures are still pretty good, in the 70s, and rain is minimal. The Adriatic Sea retains some of its summer warmth into the first bit of October, too, so you should be good to swim, even if you might get chilly at night.

Banje Beach is a favorited beach in Croatia, in large part due to the beach’s location. It sits right next to the ancient Old Town fortifications, making for a view that’s all the more interesting.

When October arrives in Cabo San Lucas, the humidity leaves and the temperatures even out to a comfortable (at least on the beach) 80 degrees. The water is warm and the crowds are small. Plus, gentler ocean conditions make for excellent diving, which is great news if you plan on making a trek to the nearby Cabo Pulmo National Park, renowned for its marine life.

Medano Beach is a favorite with travelers (and it even received a 2025 Travelers’ Choice award from TripAdvisor), thanks to a variety of factors, including the hoppin’ downtown location, easy swimming, vendors that will equip you for your water sports adventures, and nearby dining. Visiting this beach in October comes with the plus side of avoiding the spring break crowds.

If you’ve yet to really consider Zanzibar as a travel destination, it’s high time that you do so. The island off the coast of Tanzania blends history, culture and beaches beautifully, and for those who like it hot, October temps are quite frequently in the mid to high 80s. You’re just edging up on the rainy season here, though, so check the weather before you head out for the day. If you don’t mind that potential inconvenience, you’ll be rewarded with cheap travel prices.

Nungwi Beach offers white sands, baby-blue waters, ample space to spread out and nearby restaurants.

When planning a fall trip, you’re probably comparing and contrasting potential destinations, worried that some of them might be too cold by the time you get there. That’s not at all the case with Dubai, where October’s temps do dip — but blessedly so. The destination’s searing weather still might creep into the mid-90s during the autumn months, but they fall into the 70s, too, particularly at night, making for more enjoyable sightseeing after you spend a day at the beach.

Kite Beach is a very popular option, surrounded by things to do if you’re not interested in the various water sports on offer (including kite surfing).

Just be sure to check your local travel advisories before booking an October trip to Dubai, as recommendations for this region of the world tend to fluctuate.

Iceland? For a beach trip? Absolutely.

While you’re not going to be hauling out your beach blanket for this trip, visiting Iceland in October is an unforgettable experience. The summer crowds are gone and prices are cheaper, but you’re yet to get into the really extreme winter weather and extended darkness that descends upon the island country in November.

Iceland’s most famous and beautiful beach is Reynisfjara, with its otherworldly black sand and soaring sea stacks (though its rough and unpredictable waves do come with some safety hazards, so caution and paying attention to your surroundings are key).

The best way to see the beach (and others like it) is to take a road trip around the island, following along the South Coast, where you’ll have plenty of opportunity to stop over and take in the views. Just be sure to pack sturdy hiking boots (no flip-flops here!) and a warm jacket, as the October low temps can fall to near-freezing at night.