11 of the best beach holidays in May

This article contains affiliate links that will earn us revenue

1. Turquoise Coast, Turkey

While parts of southern Europe are still seeing chilly days and patches of drizzle in May, southern Turkey is heating up. In the coastal resorts of Antalya, Bodrum, Izmir and Marmaris, you’ll find daytime temperatures of about 25C, a turquoise sea warm enough to swim in and very little rainfall. You’ll also snap up some bargains on beach hotels and villas in this already affordable country. It’s not all fly and flop either. Roman ruins are scattered all over this part of Turkey and there are great hikes further inland.

Make it happen

Caresse, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, in Bodrum has spacious and modern rooms just steps from the private beach; while separate apartments cater to those who want to stay for longer.

The eight-day Hiking Turkey’s Lycian Way tour from Explore! takes in some of the prettiest stretches of the Turkish coast from Fethiye to Dalaman. You’ll weave through farmland, stop in port towns and spend time in villages bursting with warm hospitality.

• Best places to visit in Turkey
• Best hotels in Bodrum
• Best hotels in Antalya

2. Seychelles

These idyllic, white-sand Indian Ocean isles are drenched in sunshine during May, with little rain and a comfortable breeze — meanwhile, their honeymoon-perfect rivals in the Maldives are moving into their wet season. Low winds mean snorkellers will find the seas around the Seychelles calm, with excellent visibility, while the highest temperatures are at a reliable, tropical 28-30C — the ideal escape for true paradise beaches in late spring.

Make it happen

Story Seychelles is a blissful design hotel on Mahé island’s pretty Beau Vallon beach and is close to Morne Seychelles National Park.

Silversea offers cruises of varying lengths throughout the year between Cape Town and Mahé, with stops along the coast of South Africa, Réunion and Mauritius.

• Best hotels in the Seychelles
• Best things to do in the Seychelles

3. Dominican Republic

Much of the Caribbean is warm but not yet too humid in May, while fewer tourists mean cheaper prices, making this a great time of the year to visit for bargain hunters. The Dominican Republic is especially affordable, with temperatures from the mid-20s up to 30C, few showers and warm, swimmable waters. Most package holidays from the UK go to Punta Cana, and this is where you’ll find the best deals, but look around Puerto Plata, Sosua and Cabarete for some of the most dazzling beaches.

Make it happen

Iberostar Selection Bavaro Suites is an all-inclusive property facing Punta Cana’s white-sand Bavaro beach. Rooms here are spacious and decked out in bright pastels.

Bamba Travel’s seven-day Dominican Republic Explorer tour is split between Santo Domingo and Punta Cana, giving you the opportunity to delve into the country’s history in the capital and enjoy time swimming and snorkelling in the Caribbean Sea. A tour of Uvero Alto beach on horseback is included.

bambatravel.com

• Best all-inclusive hotels in the Dominican Republic
• Best hotels in the Dominican Republic

4. Cyprus

Lying to the east of Greece, close to Turkey, Cyprus reaches a daily maximum temperature of 27C in May — and the island has plenty of resorts and villas to bask in. The south coast, around Limassol and Larnaca, sees some of the warmest days, while Paphos to the west is closest to the island’s archaeological marvels. Direct flights from the UK take about four and a half hours; budget airlines fly all year round and daily from March.

Make it happen

Mediterranean Beach Hotel is a great seafront choice near Limassol, with five restaurants on site.

If you’ve been to Cyprus before, the eight-day Walking the Akamas Peninsula tour from Exodus Adventure Travels might be a good way to revisit. Highlights include coastal walks taking in the Blue Lagoon and the Baths of Aphrodite cave, as well as the beaches of Lara and Toxeftra.

• Best beaches in Cyprus
• Best all-inclusive hotels in Cyprus

5. Andalusia, Spain

One of the earliest parts of mainland Spain to warm up in spring, southern Andalusia sees temperatures of 25C in May (dropping off to the mid-teens in the evenings, so bring a jacket). Gorgeous beaches El Palmar, Playa de los Muertos and Calahonda are still relatively uncrowded, with hotels still affordable this far ahead of peak summer. On cloudier days, take in cultural hotspots Seville, Malaga or Granada.

Make it happen

Adults-only El Oceano is a good-value beachfront hideaway close to La Cala de Mijas, between Marbella and Fuengirola.

Just You offers an eight-day tour around Andalusia and the Algarve with a base near Huelva, where your hotel sits right on the beach near a small fishing village.

• Where is hot in May?

6. Kos, Greece

In the eastern reaches of the Greek islands, close to the Turkish mainland, Kos is renowned for getting toasty by spring and staying warm into autumn. Sunny days reach highs of 24C, dropping to around 16C come evening, and a glut of stylishly designed hotels with glamorous pools have affordable rates this early in the season. Southern bays such as Kardamena and Magic Beach tend to be most sheltered.

Make it happen

Ikos Aria is an ultra-stylish spin on the family all-inclusive in Kefalos with a choice of eight restaurants, and tennis and football coaching among the activities for children.

Riviera Travel offers an 11-day Ephesus & Greek Islands cruise aboard the four-masted sailing ship Star Flyer. In Kos, you’ll visit Asklepieion, a temple dedicated to Asklepios, the Greek god of medicine.

• Best hotels in Kos
• Best villas in Kos

7. Malta

These southern Mediterranean specks are also bathed in mid-20s sunshine come May, with very low rainfall. Though the pretty, historic capital Valletta is worth a day’s visit, you’ll find Malta’s beaches around Bugibba, Qawra, Sliema and Mellieha, with plenty of boats across to smaller Gozo with its wilder beaches and turquoise lagoons. Fewer tourists in spring make it a glorious time to explore these islands.

Make it happen

On its own peninsula, the Westin Dragonara in St Julian’s has easy beach access and generous pool areas.

The 11-day Malta & Gozo tour from Ramble Worldwide takes in the gorgeous coastal walks and fascinating historical sites across the two islands at a moderate pace.

rambleworldwide.co.uk

• Best beaches in Malta and Gozo
• Best hotels in Gozo
• Best hotels in Malta

8. Bali, Indonesia

May lands in Bali’s dry season, which runs from April until October. You can lounge on beaches here all year round, but travelling in May will help dodge the peak-season crowds, which tend to arrive in June. For something secluded, avoid beach resorts very close to the international airport — southeastern Karangasem and northern Pemuteran have some of the best bays.

Make it happen

Siddhartha Oceanfront Resort & Spa is in a naturally beautiful setting at Kubu, on the unspoilt northeast coast.

To see more of the region, G Adventures offers an 11-day tour titled Bali to Lembongan: Island Hopping Bliss that’s geared towards an eighteen to thirtysomething crowd.

• Best hotels in Bali
• Best affordable hotels in Bali

9. Tenerife, Spain

The Canary Islands are warm and welcoming come May (you’ll even get some good temperatures here as early as March and April). Daytimes tend to see around 25C, cooling to the mid-teens by night, with the best heat in the southern half of the island. If you’re weighing up April versus May, it’s worth knowing that rainfall in Tenerife tends to halve in the latter.

Make it happen

The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama has distinctive Moorish-style architecture, numerous pools, a spa and access to the sheltered Abama beach.

For serious walkers, Ramble Worldwide offers a month-long tour of the Canary Islands that includes visits to Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Tenerife and La Gomera, mixing charming coastal towns with dramatic mountain trails.

rambleworldwide.co.uk

• Read our full review of the Ritz-Carlton Tenerife Abama
• Which is the best Canary Island?

10. Mauritius

May marks the start of winter in Mauritius, with fewer rains yet plenty of sunshine. While it’s cooler, it’s by no means cold — and daytime temperatures remain in the high 20s. The west coast, especially towards the south of the island, has long stretches of pristine sands where you’ll find sprawling luxury resorts. The north coast tends to be a bit busier, with more nightlife and a better selection of affordable places to stay. Look for boutique hotels in popular spots like Le Morne, Flic en Flac and Grand Baie.

Make it happen

Veranda Paul et Virginie Hotel & Spa is a gem on the north coast, with access to a small sandy beach and a free shuttle service on certain days to nearby Grand Baie.

Nature-lovers should plump for the 12-day Gardens of Mauritius tour with Brightwater Holidays. Highlights include visits to gorges, reserves and the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden at Pamplemousses. Staying at a resort hotel means time on a white-sand beach too.

brightwaterholidays.com

• Best beaches in Mauritius
• Best hotels in Mauritius
• Best things to do in Mauritius

11. Agadir, Morocco

Direct flights from London will get you to Agadir in just four hours, where the expansive coastline has made it a popular alternative to nearby Essaouira. You’ll still be able to learn to surf, with Morocco’s Atlantic coast providing beginner-friendly waves in front of resort hotels geared towards the fly-and-flop crowd. But there are also waterfront restaurants by the marina for long lunches and day trips inland for desert tours.

Make it happen

Fairmont Taghazout Bay has a prime beachfront location, though arguably its outdoor pool’s even better.

For the ultimate Moroccan beach break, sign up for the five-day Moroccan Coast Explorer tour from G Adventures. You’ll explore Agadir’s Souk el Had, tuck in to fresh fish from Essaouira’s waterfront food stalls, and have a free day to swim or kayak in the calm lagoon at Oualidia’s beach.

• Best hotels in Agadir
• Best places to visit in Morocco

We regularly reassess and refresh this list, adding the latest advice and inspiration

Have we missed any? Let us know in the comments