Avoid the chill of fall, at least for a bit, by visiting one of these warm places in October. While the changing of the leaves and the sweater weather might appeal to some, for others, the first gusts of cold weather are the perfect time to relax under the sun before the winter settles in.
From the clear warm waters of Grand Cayman, the Mayan marvels of Cozumel, and the breathtaking beaches of Bonaire, here are some of the best hot destinations in October.
St. Lucia
Pitons, St. Lucia
Lush St. Lucia is beautiful at any time of year, its distinctive skyline dominated by the twin peaks of the Pitons, two ancient volcanic plugs, draped in verdant rainforest.
The island is fringed with gorgeous beaches; those around the wide sweep of Rodney Bay are some of the finest. Geothermal activity is still apparent, too, around Soufriere. Here, you can bathe in natural hot springs and slather yourself with black volcanic mud, which has health benefits.
St. Lucia
There’s a lot to do in St. Lucia. Shop for spices and gifts in the bustling market in Castries. Join a chocolate-making workshop and learn about cocoa farming on the island. Sail along the coast in a catamaran, rum punch in hand, while admiring the views and looking out for dolphins.
If you’re feeling really energetic, lace up your hiking boots and tackle the trail up Grand Piton, where you’ll be rewarded with jaw-dropping views.
Antigua
Beach in Antigua
Antigua’s claim to fame is that it has a beach for every day of the year. You can also go sea kayaking, hike through the rainforest, go swimming with stingrays, and ride a horse along the sand.
To combine beach time with shopping and dining in St. Johns, the bustling little capital, head to Dickenson Bay, with soft sand, clear water, and several beach bars.
Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua
One of the best day trips from St. Johns is south to English Harbour, the location of the UNESCO-protected Nelson’s Dockyard. Here, the Georgian buildings used by the British Navy in the 18th century have been beautifully restored.
There’s a museum and a traditional pub, as well as restaurants and shops. Gaze at the superyachts docked in English Harbour, then head up to Shirley Heights lookout point for endless views over Antigua.
St. Kitts
St. Kitts
Mountainous St. Kitts is delightfully warm in October, with beaches galore, as well as a rich culture and history.
Wander around Basseterre, the capital, where jaunty Caribbean architecture sits alongside grand Georgian buildings. Explore the 17th-century Brimstone Hill Fortress, clinging to the side of a hill some 800 feet above sea level.
St. Kitts Scenic Railway
Ride the narrow gauge St. Kitts Scenic Railway, which trundles on a scenic, 30-mile loop. This is one of the best things to do in St. Kitts for wonderful views of the undulating countryside, coastline, and sugar cane fields.
Take a day trip by catamaran across The Narrows to Nevis, the tiny sister island of St. Kitts, where you can see the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the United States. After your visit, relax on the soft sands of Pinney’s Beach and sip a rum punch under the palm trees.
Barbados
Barbados
There’s a distinctly English feel about Barbados, especially in Bridgetown, its bustling capital. Here, you’ll find The Oval, the island’s main cricket ground, and the impressive St. Michael’s Cathedral, built in the 18th century.
Take a tour through the gently rolling countryside and see old plantation houses, parish churches, tropical gardens, and brightly colored chattel houses.
Of course, beach life is an essential element of any visit to Barbados. Along the west coast, known as the Platinum Coast, you’ll find soft, sandy beaches where you can swim just offshore with sea turtles.
Barbados’ east coast, on the other hand, is pounded by Atlantic breakers. It’s the perfect place for surfing, beachcombing, and breathing the salty air.
The Bahamas
Atlantis, Bahamas
The low-lying islands of the Bahamas are scattered across the ocean to the south and east of Florida, fringed by white sand beaches and coral reefs.
Every island has its own personality, whether you opt for the thrill-inducing water parks of New Providence and its colorful capital, Nassau, or somewhere like sleepy Bimini. Here, fishing, snorkeling over the shallow S.S. Sapona wreck, spotting dolphins in the wild, and feasting on cracked conch under the shade of the casuarina trees is the order of the day.
Grand Bahama is a wonderful island to visit if you enjoy nature. The hiking trails and mangroves in the Lucayan National Park are a joy to explore, and there’s even an underwater cave system here that adventurous snorkelers can tackle.
CocoCay, Bahamas
In contrast, the award-winning CocoCay is a paradise of waterslides, a vast lagoon pool, sandy beaches, a zipline, and the exclusive CocoCay Beach Club, where you can enjoy your own overwater villa for the day.
Bermuda
Jobson’s Cove, Bermuda
With influences from British, Portuguese, West Indian, and African cultures, Bermuda is a subtropical island rich in history, culture, and verdant countryside.
Snorkel over teeming coral reefs or explore some of the many wrecks that lie in the shallow waters around the island. The crystal-clear water means spectacular visibility, and many of the old ships have now been colonized by marine life, from colorful corals to shimmering angelfish, spiny lobster, and turquoise parrotfish.
Bermuda’s beaches are pink, thanks to the presence of tiny, finely crushed shells. Head to Horseshoe Bay Beach for some of the loveliest coastal scenery.
Railway Trail, Bermuda
Otherwise, explore the galleries and fortifications around the historic Royal Naval Dockyard and learn about 400 years of history in the fine National Museum of Bermuda. Cycle the Railway Trail, a disused railroad that’s been converted to a scenic cycling and hiking trail, or play a round on one of the velvety-green golf courses.
Santorini, Greece
Fira in Santorini, Greece
Santorini, which is actually the rim of a vast, collapsed volcano, is one of the most spectacular of the Greek Islands.
Vertical cliffs of black and red rock plunge into the deep sapphire sea, while towns and villages in the brilliant white that’s typical of the Cyclades island chain spill over the rim like frosting. Wander the narrow lanes of Fira, the capital, crammed with jewelry shops, bars, and restaurants with jaw-dropping views across the caldera.
Oia in Santorini, Greece
Explore Oia, perched at the northern tip of the island, with stylish shops, restaurants serving organic island specialties, and those iconic, blue-domed churches that dominate many a postcard or photograph.
Or visit Akrotiri, an archaeological site dating back to the Bronze Age, which provides a fascinating glimpse into the highly cultured life of the Minoans. There are beaches, too, and in the gentle warmth of October, you should be able to walk on the sun-warmed black volcanic sand without beach shoes.
Airlie Beach, Australia
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Laid-back Airlie Beach is the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef, a technicolor underwater world of corals, dazzling tropical fish, rays, sea turtles, and eels. Jump on a catamaran and head out to a floating platform from which you can launch yourself into this mesmerizing world.
Take a sightseeing flight over the famous Heart Reef, a near-perfect heart-shaped coral formation in the Whitsunday Islands that can only truly be appreciated from the air. Or take a boat ride to Whitehaven Beach, a vision of bottle green trees and brilliant aquamarine water marbled with swirls of white sand.
Airlie Beach, Australia
For a mellow experience of Airlie Beach, which enjoys warm, tropical weather year-round, explore the craft markets in town, feast on fresh fish and fine Aussie wines at one of the many al-fresco restaurants, and splash around in the manmade lagoon.
Grand Cayman
Stingray City, Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman is the largest and most popular island in the Caymans and a major destination for leisure travel, luxury shopping, and marine sports. The island’s main port is in George Town, where there are lots of great dining options, shopping, walking tours, and local attractions. You can easily explore the island from there via a guided tour, taxi, or shuttle bus.
While in Grand Cayman, take a trip to Stingray City, where you can get up close to these beautiful, gentle sea creatures for a unique educational experience. Then, take an underwater tour of the USS Kittiwake shipwreck and artificial reef, where you’ll have a chance to swim beside sea turtles, giant grouper, and barracuda.
Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
For a more laid-back day in the sun, stroll barefoot along Seven Mile Beach. Just off the beach, stop into one of the many restaurants for a signature local rum drink and an island food favorite like curried goat or salt-crusted red snapper. If craft beer is on your agenda, you don’t want to miss the classic Caybrew, CayLight, and Ironshore Bock at the Cayman Islands Brewery just east of George Town.
Georgetown, Grand Cayman
Be sure to explore the many shops and sights of Georgetown. This modern port area is perfect for souvenirs, drinks and snacks, and is the starting point for many of the island’s tours and unique excursions.
This is a tender port, with ferries, charters, tours, and ships coming in and out of the bay to service its many visitors. It’s easy to walk around, and you’ll find that a stroll through town makes for a great starting and ending point to your stay in Grand Cayman.
Cozumel
Cozumel
There are few places in Mexico that rival Cozumel when it comes to ancient Mayan history, easy access to exhilarating activities, and beautiful Caribbean beaches. This island is a popular destination for sun and culture lovers and is the perfect warm place to visit in October.
Cozumel is an island that is abundant with unspoiled nature, exciting dining, sandy beaches, and fun-filled activities for the whole family. You can do a lot in just one day here, and you’ll find the island both charming and accommodating during your stay.
Tulum in Cozumel, Mexico
Mayan culture and ancient history are two of the biggest draws of Cozumel, and you will get unprecedented access to both, first-hand, on a Mayan village tour. Taste locally-distilled tequilas as you explore the island’s interior, and visit both rustic villages and prehistoric ruins all in the same day.
Other things to do in Cozumel include taking an ATV tour through the jungle for an off-road adventure, or riding a dune buggy for some thrills through the white sands on the coast.
If you’re a foodie, get ready to feast your senses on some of Mexico’s best tacos, ceviche, or a classic Cochinita Pibil, made with seasoned slow-roasted pork. You can also indulge in some of the famous local chocolates, made with many of the ancient recipes that originated from Mayan cacao.
Before heading out, make sure to pay a visit to the Museo de Cozumel, where you will find incredibly preserved artifacts that showcase the island’s deep cultural history and connection to nature in the Caribbean Sea.
Bonaire
Bonaire
The island of Bonaire is best known for its diving, sailing, beaches, and colonial Dutch architecture. Bonaire has a small population and offers some of the most incredible natural preserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and aquatic activities anywhere in the Caribbean.
You’ll find unspoiled nature in every corner of Bonaire, with a friendly, small-town feel and a uniquely Dutch touch to the island’s culture.
While visiting Bonaire, take a tour of some of the island’s 400 or so caves, many with crystal clear water through which you can snorkel with a guide. Next, take a quick water taxi to Klein Island, where you can relax on a pristine white sand beach and dip your toes into the turquoise water.
Klein is also a popular starting spot for diving excursions, due to its thriving reefs and abundance of marine life. This island is famous for being one of the best diving spots in the world.
Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire
Visit the Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire. This is a beautiful wildlife sanctuary made specifically to protect over 500 native donkeys and has had a huge impact on the conservation community in Bonaire.
You can get up close and pet these lovable animals as you learn about their connection to history on the island while you tour the sprawling safari park. Before you go, shop for some sustainable souvenirs and pose for some pictures with the four-legged residents of the sanctuary.
Aruba
Aruba
Find out why Aruba’s national motto is “one happy island” after visiting this sun-filled destination. The allure of a vacation in Aruba is that life here is easy; you don’t have to do much more than lounge on one of its famous white sand beaches, such as Palm Beach or Eagle Beach, and take an occasional refreshing dip in its cool, turquoise waters.
S.S. Antilla shipwreck, Aruba
If you’re an adventure seeker, experience Aruba’s best snorkeling around one of the island’s protected coral reefs teeming with marine wildlife including sea turtles, stingrays, and colorful schools of tropical fish. For even more spectacular sightseeing, head out to the Antilla shipwreck, which is considered one of the world’s best scuba diving and snorkeling sites.
Though it’s still Caribbean hurricane season in October, Aruba falls outside of the hurricane belt, making it the perfect time to visit this Southern Caribbean island paradise.
Curaçao
Curacao
Escape the autumn chill and head to the warm waters of Curacao, a charming island that mixes Dutch history with a laid-back tropical atmosphere.
Dip your toes in one of the Caribbean’s best beaches and enjoy cocktails made from the island’s famous liquor, blue Curaçao, while you admire the spectacular shades of blue and green in the ocean in front of you.
Willemstad, Curacao
Stroll through iconic Willemstad, where the island’s Dutch influence is in vivid display on the facade of the pastel-colored buildings that line the harbor. Stop by one of its many cafes, shops, and museums filled with Caribbean history and culture.
Go swimming with dolphins, meet sea lions, and spot stingrays, eels, and colorful angelfish while snorkeling around Curacao’s coral reefs. One of the most thrilling things to do in Curacao for the truly adventurous is to go on a shark-feeding expedition, where you can get up close to the lemon sharks that live in the island’s waters.
Like most of the Caribbean, Curacao enjoys warm weather all year long. It’s one of the best islands to visit in October since it’s right before high season, so you’ll enjoy less-crowded beaches and attractions.
Galapagos Islands
Galapagos
Explore one of the world’s most fascinating places when you visit the Galapagos Islands, an untouched volcanic archipelago where you’ll encounter animals and plants found nowhere else in the world.
Sitting near the equator, the Galapagos Islands enjoy warm weather throughout the year, making October an ideal time to visit this eco-friendly destination and dive into its teeming waters.
Galapagos tortoise
Follow in the footsteps of Darwin, who came up with his theory of evolution after visiting the Galapagos. Experience some of the endemic animals of the region including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, lava lizards, and sea lions.
Start off at Baltra Island, the gateway to the islands. Later, visit San Cristobal, where there are several sea lion colonies; this is one of the largest islands in the region that was formed after three or four volcanoes fused together.
Pinnacle Rock in Bartolomé Island, Galapagos
Stop by Bartolomé Island, a tiny, uninhabited island and one of the most popular destinations in the Galapagos. Take a photo in front of Pinnacle Rock, a pointy formation that adorns one of Bartolomé’s stunning beaches, where you can find green sea turtles, sea lions, Sally Lightfoot crabs, and black- and white-tipped sharks in the water.
Puerto Egas in Santiago Island, Galapagos
In Santiago Island, visit Puerto Egas, home to playful sea lions, or go to Espumilla Beach, an abundant sea turtle nesting site. While in Santa Cruz, the second largest of the Galapagos Islands, you’ll see prickly pear cacti, an impressive population of land iguanas, and The Twins, a pair of geological holes that were formed after the collapse of a magma chamber.
Read: Unique Things to Do in the Galapagos Islands
The Retreat
Ready to visit one of these warm places in October? Book a cruise with Celebrity and enjoy world-class dining, stylish accommodations, and endless entertainment aboard one of our ships. Browse through our October cruise itineraries and get ready to have an unforgettable vacation at sea.
