When to Go on Your Honeymoon
Whatever your wedding date, somewhere is at its very best
Your wedding date often decides your honeymoon before you do. A destination that's sublime in February can be steamy, stormy or shuttered in August. The reverse is just as true. The good news is that every month of the year has wonderful options, as long as you match the place to the season.
Our twelve month-by-month guides look at which of our destinations are typically at their best, what the weather and crowds tend to be like and which places to approach with caution. They also cover the festivals and natural moments worth planning around. Pick your travel month below, or read on for a quick tour of the honeymoon year.
Honeymoon in January
Trade the post-holiday chill for dry-season lagoons, newborn herds and aurora skies.
Honeymoon in February
Valentine's month done right: ice suites, newborn herds and the Pitons at sunset.
Honeymoon in March
Cherry blossoms, equinox auroras and red rock in bloom: the month the seasons cross.
Honeymoon in April
The great shoulder month: calm seas, blooming gardens and the Mediterranean waking up.
Honeymoon in May
The South Pacific dries out, the Greek islands open and Tuscany turns red with poppies.
Honeymoon in June
Endless daylight, migrating herds and Aegean evenings for classic June newlyweds.
Honeymoon in July
Humpbacks in Polynesia, Heiva drums in Tahiti and the driest days on Zanzibar.
Honeymoon in August
River crossings, leopard country and the first dark skies of aurora season.
Honeymoon in September
Harvest, golden larches and auroras over unfrozen lakes: the connoisseur's month.
Honeymoon in October
Fall color, clear coastal skies and the Seychelles' calmest seas.
Honeymoon in November
Crimson maples, floating lanterns and the first breath of Cape summer.
Honeymoon in December
Snow globe or sandbank: the holiday honeymoon, planned with care.
The honeymoon calendar
Winter: December to February
Winter is high season for warm-weather escapes. The Maldives are typically at their driest and calmest. The Caribbean comes into its own, from Negril and Montego Bay to Soufrière, Grace Bay and Antigua's Southwest Coast. Mexico's Riviera Maya, Tulum, Los Cabos and Punta Mita are reliably sunny, as are Costa Rica's Arenal and Guanacaste. In Thailand, Phuket and Krabi & Railay enjoy their dry season.
Winter is also prime time for the aurora. Finnish Lapland, Swedish Lapland, Iceland and Fairbanks offer long, dark nights for northern-lights hunting. Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere summer makes the Cape Winelands glorious. In many years the Serengeti's green season brings dramatic wildlife moments. Expect higher prices around the holidays and book early.
Spring: March to May
Spring is one of the most versatile honeymoon windows. Kyoto and Hakone are celebrated for cherry blossom season, usually in late March to early April. Sedona and Southern Utah enjoy mild days before summer heat. Hawaii's Maui, Lānaʻi and Kauaʻi often hit a sweet spot between winter swells and summer crowds.
By late April and May, Europe wakes up: the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, Tuscany and Venice are in bloom, while Santorini and Mykonos reopen for the season. The Seychelles typically see calm seas between the trade winds, while Bali's Ubud, Uluwatu and Sumba move into their drier months. Caribbean and Mexican resorts remain lovely through April, often with lower rates once spring break passes.
Summer: June to August
Summer weddings line up beautifully with the South Pacific's dry season. Bora Bora, Moorea and Tetiaroa in French Polynesia are usually at their best, as are Fiji's Mamanuca Islands, Yasawa Islands and Northern Fiji. In East Africa, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Zanzibar enter their main dry season. Sabi Sand offers clear winter game viewing.
Closer to home, Banff & Lake Louise, Vancouver Island, Newfoundland, the Pacific Northwest, the Great Smoky Mountains and the Poconos shine. Iceland's long days are made for road trips. Thailand's Koh Samui has a different weather pattern from the Andaman coast and is often a good choice in July and August. Mediterranean hot spots can be crowded and hot in midsummer, so June is often the better bet there.
Fall: September to November
Fall is a favorite with seasoned travelers. September and October bring warm seas, softer light and thinner crowds to Santorini, Mykonos, the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, Tuscany and Venice, plus harvest season in Napa Valley. Big Sur often enjoys some of its clearest weather. Sedona and Southern Utah are glorious. The South Pacific and African safari destinations generally remain excellent through October.
The aurora season returns to Lapland and Fairbanks from roughly September. Kyoto and Hakone turn crimson with fall foliage, typically peaking in November. The Seychelles see another calm spell while the Cape Winelands warm into spring. Note that the Atlantic hurricane season continues through November, so Caribbean and Mexican Caribbean-coast trips are better saved for later in the year.
How to Use Our Month Guides
Each month guide highlights the destinations we consider at their peak and explains typical weather and crowd levels. It also suggests where to go anyway if your heart is set on somewhere in its off-season. Shoulder months can be a smart compromise, with lower prices and fewer visitors in exchange for a bit more weather risk.
Remember that seasons describe averages, not guarantees. A rainy-season day may bring only a brief afternoon shower, while a peak-season week can still see a storm. Build flexibility into your plans and consider travel insurance that suits your trip, reading the policy terms carefully.
FAQ
What is the single best month for a honeymoon?
There isn't one. Many destinations peak in different months, so it depends on where you want to go. That said, May, June, September and October are especially flexible, with excellent options in Europe, Hawaii, the South Pacific and safari country.
Is it a bad idea to honeymoon in hurricane season?
Not necessarily, but it calls for care. The Atlantic hurricane season runs June through November, with activity typically peaking from August to October. If you travel then, consider Hawaii, the South Pacific or safari country instead, or choose flexible bookings and read insurance terms closely.
When should we go to see the northern lights?
In Lapland, Iceland and Alaska, the aurora season runs roughly from late August or September to early April, when nights are long and dark. Clear skies matter as much as the calendar, so plan at least three or four nights to give yourselves a good chance.
Are off-season honeymoons worth it?
They can be. Rates are often lower and resorts quieter. Some green seasons, such as in Costa Rica or Bali, bring lush scenery with showers that pass quickly. The trade-off is more weather risk and occasional closures, so check what will be open before you book.