Where to Go in October for Sun: 15 Destinations, Where You Can Still Swim and Where the Rain Is Back
The Red Sea, Cyprus, the Canary Islands, Morocco, Mauritius: highs, rainfall and sea temperature for fall trips, based on official climate normals.
- 15 destinations compared
- 81°F Red Sea in Hurghada
- 0.6 in of rain in Mauritius
- Oct. 11 Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2027
Where is it warm in October? On the Red Sea, in Cyprus and in the Canary Islands: the sea is still 73 to 81°F and it rains less than 0.8 in for the month. Morocco and Dubai become pleasant again after the summer heat. In the Mediterranean, Crete, Rhodes and Antalya are still swimmable, but the rain returns, around 2.6 to 2.8 in. Farther away, Mauritius is the driest at 0.6 in. Closer to home, the Caribbean and Mexico are still in hurricane and rainy season.
The figures below are climate normals published by each country’s national weather service and collected by the World Meteorological Organization, except Antalya, which comes directly from the Turkish State Meteorological Service. They describe a typical October, not the forecast for your trip. Each station is listed in the sources.
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- Which destination for which trip
- Warm sea, almost no rain
- Morocco and Andalusia: sightseeing season
- The Mediterranean and Madeira: rain returns
- Farther away
- Comparison table
- Where not to go in October
- Dates, insurance and data
- FAQ
Which sunny destination in October for which trip
- Guaranteed beach weather: the Red Sea at Hurghada (81°F water), Cyprus (77°F) or the Canary Islands (73°F).
- Culture and sightseeing: Marrakech (83°F), Petra, Luxor or Seville, finally comfortable.
- Bucket-list trip: Mauritius, with just 0.6 in of rain, or Dubai.
- Last swims in Greece: Rhodes or Crete, ideally early in the month.
October rainfall at a glance:
- Dubai 0 in
- Hurghada 0 in
- Aqaba 0.1 in
- Larnaca 0.5 in
- Mauritius 0.6 in
- Las Palmas 0.6 in
- Marrakech 0.8 in
- Agadir 0.8 in
- Málaga 2.2 in
- Bali 2.5 in
- Heraklion 2.6 in
- Rhodes 2.6 in
- Seville 2.7 in
- Antalya 2.8 in
- Funchal 3.0 in
- Tahiti 3.6 in
- Cancún 8.7 in
Average October rainfall. Yellow: under 2.4 in. Light blue: 2.4 to 6 in. Dark blue: over 6 in.
Warm sea, almost no rain: the Red Sea, Dubai, Cyprus and the Canaries
October’s safe bets: under 0.8 in of rain and water between 73 and 88°F.
1. Egypt: Hurghada and the Nile Valley
Hurghada: 88°F in the afternoon, 71°F at night, no rain, sea around 81°F. Luxor: 96°F, 65°F at night.
The most complete combination of the month: a week of beach and diving on the Red Sea, plus the temples of Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, visitable again after the summer furnace.
Good to know: Luxor is still hot in the afternoon. See the sites at opening time and keep the afternoon for a break.
2. Jordan: Aqaba, Petra and Wadi Rum
Aqaba: 91°F in the afternoon, 68°F at night, 0.1 in of rain, sea around 81°F.
October is one of the best months for Jordan: Petra is walkable without punishing heat, nights in the Wadi Rum desert are mild and the Red Sea stays warm at Aqaba. Read our tips on things to know before visiting Jordan.
Good to know: allow at least one full day at Petra, two to climb to the Monastery without rushing.
3. United Arab Emirates: Dubai
95°F in the afternoon, 73°F at night, no rain, sea around 88°F.
The extreme summer heat eases and the tourist season restarts. The warmest water on this page, and Dubai pairs easily with Abu Dhabi.
Good to know: 95°F is still hot for walking during the day. Real comfort starts in November.
4. Cyprus
Larnaca: 83°F in the afternoon, 63°F at night, 0.5 in of rain, sea around 77°F.
Europe’s safest bet in October: five to six times less rain than Crete or Rhodes, and the sea stays at 77°F. Paphos, Ayia Napa and Cape Greco still feel like summer.
Good to know: they drive on the left in Cyprus, and English is widely spoken.
5. Spain: the Canary Islands
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: 79°F in the afternoon, 68°F at night, 0.6 in of rain over 4 days, sea around 73°F.
Off the coast of Africa, the Canaries keep a mild summer climate all through the fall, with beaches, volcanic landscapes and plenty of hotels.
Good to know: the south of Tenerife and Gran Canaria is the sunniest and driest.
Morocco and Andalusia: sightseeing season
After summers above 95°F, Marrakech and Seville get pleasant afternoons again.
6. Morocco: Marrakech and Agadir
Marrakech: 83°F in the afternoon, 60°F at night, 0.8 in of rain. Agadir: 79°F, 62°F at night, 0.8 in over 3 days, sea around 70°F.
October opens the best season for Marrakech, the Ourika Valley or a night in the Agafay desert. Agadir and Taghazout add beaches and surf. See our guide to things to know before visiting Morocco.
Good to know: the Atlantic stays cool at Agadir, around 70°F. For warm water, choose the Red Sea.
7. Spain: Seville and Málaga
Seville: 79°F in the afternoon, 58°F at night, 2.7 in of rain. Málaga: 75°F, 59°F at night, 2.2 in, sea around 68°F.
The right time for Seville, Córdoba and Granada, finally comfortable. When rain falls, it comes as a few days of showers, often late in the month.
Good to know: book Alhambra tickets in Granada several weeks ahead.
Hotels in Seville’s Santa Cruz quarter: recent prices and reviews
The Mediterranean and Madeira: still swimmable, but the rain is back
The sea is still 73 to 77°F and afternoons 74 to 80°F, but it rains five to nine days in the month. The first half of October is the safer bet.
8. Turkey: Antalya
80°F in the afternoon, 60°F at night, 2.8 in of rain over 5 days, sea around 77°F.
The warmest water in this section, with rates dropping at the end of the season. Ancient sites and the old town of Kaleiçi are pleasant to explore.
Good to know: some large resorts close from late October. Check opening dates.
9. Greece: Rhodes
76°F in the afternoon, 62°F at night, 2.6 in of rain over 7 days, sea around 75°F.
A gentle late season with water still pleasant for swimming. The medieval old town and Lindos without the crowds.
Good to know: rain builds through the month. Early October is much safer than late October.
10. Greece: Crete
Heraklion: 74°F in the afternoon, 62°F at night, 2.6 in of rain over 8 days, sea around 73°F.
Ideal weather for hiking and Minoan sites, with a few swims still possible. The south coast, facing Africa, stays the warmest.
Good to know: the Samaria Gorge usually closes at the end of October. Check dates before you go.
11. Portugal: Madeira
Funchal: 76°F in the afternoon, 64°F at night, 3.0 in of rain over 9 days, sea around 73°F.
Mild year-round, Madeira remains a reliable fall hiking destination. The water is still 73°F.
Good to know: the rain falls mostly on the heights and the north coast. Funchal, on the south side, is the sunniest part.
The map below shows available places to stay and their rates for the dates you choose.
Farther away: Mauritius leads, Bali and Tahiti with caveats
South of the equator, October is a transition month: Mauritius stays very dry, while rain returns to Bali and Tahiti.
12. Mauritius
Port Louis: 84°F in the afternoon, 69°F at night, 0.6 in of rain over 3 days, sea around 75°F.
The driest month of the year in Port Louis, at the start of the southern spring. The west-coast beaches, from Le Morne to Flic-en-Flac, are the most sheltered.
Good to know: the sea is still cool for the tropics, around 75°F. It warms up noticeably in November and December.
13. Tanzania: Zanzibar
88°F in the afternoon, 69°F at night, 7 rainy days on average, sea around 81°F.
Still a good window before the short rains of November. The sea warms up and safari plus beach remains an easy combination.
Good to know: the north of the island, at Nungwi and Kendwa, is the least affected by tides.
14. Indonesia: Bali
Denpasar: 92°F in the afternoon, 75°F at night, 2.5 in of rain over 12 days, sea around 82°F.
The end of the dry season: hotter and more humid, but rain stays moderate, mostly as late-day showers.
Good to know: the rainy season sets in from November. October is the last reasonable window until April.
15. French Polynesia: Tahiti
Tahiti-Faa’a: 84°F in the afternoon, 71°F at night, 3.6 in of rain, sea around 81°F.
Rain doubles from September, but October is the end of humpback whale season and still pleasant on Moorea and Bora Bora, with nonstop flights from the West Coast.
Good to know: the rainy season runs from November to March, peaking in December and January.
Tours and activities to book ahead
A Nile cruise, a night in Wadi Rum, a day in the Agafay desert or Red Sea diving: our partner GetYourGuide lets you book these ahead. Check the meeting point, guide language and cancellation terms before paying.
See all activities on GetYourGuide
Comparison table: October by the numbers
October averages for one reference station per destination, from driest to wettest.
| Station | High / low | Rain (days) | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai (UAE) | 95 / 73°F | 0 in | 88°F |
| Hurghada (Egypt) | 88 / 71°F | 0 in | 81°F |
| Aqaba (Jordan) | 91 / 68°F | 0.1 in | 81°F |
| Larnaca (Cyprus) | 83 / 63°F | 0.5 in | 77°F |
| Port Louis (Mauritius) | 84 / 69°F | 0.6 in (3) | 75°F |
| Las Palmas (Canary Islands) | 79 / 68°F | 0.6 in (4) | 73°F |
| Marrakech (Morocco) | 83 / 60°F | 0.8 in | n/a |
| Agadir (Morocco) | 79 / 62°F | 0.8 in (3) | 70°F |
| Zanzibar (Tanzania) | 88 / 69°F | (7) | 81°F |
| Málaga (Andalusia) | 75 / 59°F | 2.2 in | 68°F |
| Denpasar (Bali) | 92 / 75°F | 2.5 in (12) | 82°F |
| Heraklion (Crete) | 74 / 62°F | 2.6 in (8) | 73°F |
| Rhodes (Greece) | 76 / 62°F | 2.6 in (7) | 75°F |
| Seville (Andalusia) | 79 / 58°F | 2.7 in | n/a |
| Antalya (Turkey) | 80 / 60°F | 2.8 in (5) | 77°F |
| Funchal (Madeira) | 76 / 64°F | 3.0 in (9) | 73°F |
| Tahiti-Faa’a | 84 / 71°F | 3.6 in | 81°F |
Temperatures rounded to the nearest degree. Rainy days are days with at least 0.04 in (1 mm) of rain, where the station publishes them. For Zanzibar, only the number of rainy days is shown because the published monthly total is not consistent.
Where not to go in October
- Mexico, the Caribbean and Florida: hurricane season runs until November 30, and October is still wet: 8.7 in over 16 days in Cancún, 10.6 in in Martinique, 6.0 in in Punta Cana, 4.6 in in Miami. Wait until December or book refundable rates.
- Thailand and the Maldives: 11.6 in over 22 days in Phuket and 7.6 in in Malé. The dry season starts in December.
- Seychelles: 7.0 in over 16 days in Victoria, despite 82°F water.
- Malta: rain returns clearly, with 3.5 in over 10 days. The sea is still 73°F.
Dates, insurance and staying connected
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day / Columbus Day: Monday, October 11, 2027, a federal holiday and a long weekend for many.
- Clock changes: Europe falls back on Sunday, October 31, 2027, and the US on Sunday, November 7. For that week, the time difference with Europe is one hour shorter than usual.
- Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 25, 2027. Book now if you are thinking about a warm escape that week.
- Atlantic hurricane season: ends November 30.
Many US health plans offer limited or no coverage abroad, and a hospital stay or medical evacuation from an island can be very expensive. Check your health plan and credit card benefits first. For medical expenses and medical evacuation, our partner Chapka offers Cap Assistance 24/7: coverage and limits are listed on the policy page.
To have mobile data as soon as you land without hunting for a local SIM card, a Yesim e-SIM, our partner, installs before you leave. Check on its page that your destination is covered and at what rate.
FAQ
Where is it warm and sunny in October?
The Red Sea (Hurghada, 81°F water), Dubai, Cyprus and the Canary Islands, all with less than 0.8 in of rain. Farther away, Mauritius gets only 0.6 in.
Where can I swim in Europe in October?
Cyprus and Antalya (77°F), Rhodes (75°F), Crete, Madeira and the Canaries (73°F). Cyprus and the Canaries are the driest.
Is October a good time to visit Greece?
For mild weather and fewer crowds, yes: 74 to 76°F in Crete and Rhodes, with water at 73 to 75°F. But it rains seven to eight days in the month, mostly in the second half.
Is October a good time for Mexico or the Caribbean?
It is still the rainy and hurricane season: 8.7 in in Cancún and 10.6 in in Martinique. December to April is far drier.
Where to go for sun in other months
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, November, December.
Sources
Pages accessed October 21, 2026. Unless noted, climate normals come from the World Meteorological Organization’s World Weather Information Service, which publishes data supplied by each national weather service.
- Egyptian Meteorological Authority, via WMO: Hurghada and Luxor. Jordan Meteorological Department, via WMO: Aqaba. UAE National Center of Meteorology, via WMO: Dubai.
- Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM): Antalya climate statistics (1930-2025). Cyprus Department of Meteorology, via WMO: Larnaca (2002-2011). Hellenic National Meteorological Service, via WMO: Rhodes and Heraklion.
- AEMET (Spain), via WMO: Las Palmas, Málaga and Seville (1981-2010). IPMA (Portugal), via WMO: Funchal (1961-1990). Morocco’s General Directorate of Meteorology, via WMO: Marrakech and Agadir (1991-2020).
- Mauritius Meteorological Services, via WMO: Port Louis (1971-2000), and Climate of Mauritius. BMKG (Indonesia), via WMO: Denpasar (1961-1990). Tanzania Meteorological Authority, via WMO: Zanzibar (1971-2000). Météo-France, via WMO: Tahiti-Faa’a (1961-1990).
- For the caveats, via WMO: Cancún, Le Lamentin, Punta Cana, Miami Beach, Phuket, Malé, Victoria (Seychelles) and Luqa (Malta).
- World Sea Temperatures: average October sea temperatures. NOAA, National Hurricane Center: hurricane season. US Office of Personnel Management: federal holidays.
Maintained by the Advised Traveler team. Climate averages do not predict the weather during your trip: check the forecast before you go. Spotted an error? Let us know.