Where to Go in February for Sun: 14 Warm Destinations Compared
Afternoon highs, rainfall, sea temperature and the catch for each place, from Cancún and the Caribbean to Thailand and the Maldives, based on official climate normals.
- 14 destinations compared
- 66 to 92°F average afternoon highs
- 0 in of rain on average in Hurghada
- Feb 15 Presidents’ Day 2027
Where is it warm in February? From the US, the easiest sun is in Mexico and the Caribbean: Cancún averages 84°F and Punta Cana 82°F, in the driest part of their year. For real heat and 84°F water, Thailand, southern Vietnam, Cambodia and the Maldives are in the middle of their dry season, with highs of 87 to 92°F. Dubai and Oman are at their most pleasant (76 to 80°F), while the Canary Islands and Morocco are mild rather than hot.
February is also a trap for two islands often recommended for winter sun: Mauritius and the Seychelles are hot, but this is one of the wettest months of their year.
The figures below are climate normals published by each country’s national weather service and collected by the World Meteorological Organization. They are 20 to 40 year averages that describe a typical February, not the forecast for your trip. Each station is listed in the sources.
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- Which destination for which trip
- Mexico and the Caribbean
- Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Maldives
- Dubai, Oman and Egypt
- Morocco, Canary Islands, Madeira, Cape Town
- Comparison table
- What to keep in mind
- Dates, insurance and data
- FAQ
Which warm destination in February for which trip
- Short flight, dependable sun: Cancún and the Riviera Maya, 84°F and 1.8 in of rain for the month.
- All-inclusive beach week: Punta Cana, 82°F, at the dry end of the year and far from hurricane season.
- Bucket-list tropical island: the Maldives, 87°F, sea around 82°F, in their driest month.
- Heat on a budget: Thailand, 92°F and 84°F water in Phuket.
- Sightseeing in the sun: the temples of Luxor (77°F) or Angkor (90°F), both almost rain-free.
February rainfall at a glance:
- Hurghada 0 in
- Siem Reap 0.2 in
- Ho Chi Minh City 0.3 in
- Muscat 0.6 in
- Cape Town 0.7 in
- Las Palmas 0.9 in
- Phuket 1.0 in
- Marrakech 1.0 in
- Dubai 1.4 in
- Malé 1.5 in
- Cancún 1.8 in
- Punta Cana 2.1 in
- Guadeloupe 2.5 in
- Funchal 3.4 in
- Martinique 3.5 in
- Mauritius 6.3 in
- Seychelles 9.8 in
Average February rainfall. Yellow: under 2.4 in. Light blue: 2.4 to 6 in. Dark blue: over 6 in.
Mexico and the Caribbean: the shortest flights to dry-season sun
Four destinations a few hours from most US gateways. February sits in their dry season, well outside the June to November hurricane season, though short tropical showers remain part of the picture.
1. Mexico: Cancún and the Riviera Maya
Cancún: 84°F in the afternoon, 69°F at night, 1.8 in of rain over 5 days.
February opens the driest stretch of the year in Cancún, which runs through April. The heat is steady without being oppressive, which suits day trips to Chichén Itzá and Tulum and swims in the cenotes.
Good to know: the Cancún Hotel Zone is convenient but built for resorts. Playa del Carmen, about an hour south, is a better base for exploring the Riviera Maya. Presidents’ Day weekend is one of the busiest of the winter.
2. Dominican Republic: Punta Cana
82°F in the afternoon, 71°F at night, 2.1 in of rain over 7 days.
Late winter is the least rainy period in Punta Cana, far from the hurricane season. The all-inclusive format still dominates, so compare what each resort actually includes before booking.
Good to know: a few showers are still likely, but less than half as much rain falls as in May.
3. Martinique and Guadeloupe
Martinique (Le Lamentin): 83°F in the afternoon, 70°F at night, 3.5 in of rain over 14 days. Guadeloupe (Pointe-à-Pitre): 84°F, 68°F at night, 2.5 in.
These French islands offer a different Caribbean: French food and markets, rainforest hikes and quieter beaches than the big resort hubs. February opens the local dry season, called carême, and the south of each island, around Sainte-Anne, is the driest.
Good to know: drier does not mean dry, with a shower every other day on average in Martinique. Prices are in euros. Carnival peaks on Mardi Gras, February 9, 2027, and rooms fill quickly that week.
Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Maldives: peak dry season
The hottest places on this list, with highs of 87 to 92°F. February falls in the middle of the dry season in all four, before the intense heat of April. Expect at least one connection from the US.
4. Thailand: Phuket, Krabi and Bangkok
Phuket: 92°F in the afternoon, 76°F at night, 1.0 in of rain over 3 days, sea around 84°F. Bangkok: 91°F, 74°F at night, 1.2 in over 2 days.
The Andaman coast, home to Phuket and Krabi, is in one of its driest periods, the opposite of the May to October monsoon. For the Bangkok leg, our guide covers where to stay in Bangkok by neighborhood.
Good to know: this is high season on the beaches, so the best-located rooms in Kata or Ao Nang go early. Visit Bangkok’s temples in the morning.
5. Southern Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City
91°F in the afternoon, 74°F at night, 0.3 in of rain, one rainy day on average.
The south is fully in its dry season, ideal for the Mekong Delta. Central and northern Vietnam are much cooler at this time of year, so a north-to-south trip in February starts under often gray skies.
Good to know: Tết, the Lunar New Year, falls on February 6, 2027. Around that date, transport is heavily booked and many businesses close for several days.
District 1, Ho Chi Minh City hotels: recent prices and reviews
6. Cambodia: Siem Reap and Angkor
90°F in the afternoon, 70°F at night, 0.2 in of rain.
Siem Reap is the gateway to the temples of Angkor. Almost no rain falls in February, and the heat is still manageable compared with March and April, when afternoons pass 94°F.
Good to know: Angkor is visited mostly on foot and outdoors. Start at opening time, rest through the hottest hours and go back out late in the afternoon.
7. Maldives
Malé: 87°F in the afternoon, 79°F at night, 1.5 in of rain over 3 days, sea around 82°F.
February is the driest month of the year in Malé, with nearly six times less rain than May. Resort islands are not the only option: on inhabited islands such as Maafushi, guesthouses offer much cheaper stays, with a beach set aside for visitors.
Good to know: this is peak season. In 2027, Ramadan is expected to start around February 8: inhabited islands slow down during the day, and alcohol is not served there in any case.
The map below shows available places to stay and their rates for the dates you choose.
Dubai, Oman and Egypt: the best weather window of the year
Summer in the Gulf passes 104°F. February is the opposite: warm, mostly dry afternoons that make sightseeing on foot comfortable, with cool evenings.
8. United Arab Emirates: Dubai
76°F in the afternoon, 58°F at night, 1.4 in of rain over 4 days, sea around 72°F.
The contrast with summer is striking: the average high reaches 105°F in August, against 76°F in February. This is the right time for the desert, the old town and outdoor dining. Nonstop flights link Dubai with several major US airports.
Good to know: February is one of Dubai’s wettest months, even though the total stays small and falls on a few days. The sea is cool for the region, around 72°F.
9. Oman: Muscat
80°F in the afternoon, 64°F at night, 0.6 in of rain over 3 days, sea around 73°F.
Muscat is a little warmer than Dubai, day and night, and drier. Oman lends itself to a road trip between the capital, the Hajar Mountains and the Wahiba Sands.
Good to know: by April the average high in Muscat reaches 94°F. The comfortable season is short, which concentrates demand between December and March.
10. Egypt: Hurghada and Luxor
Hurghada: 73°F in the afternoon, 53°F at night, no rain on average, sea around 72°F. Luxor: 77°F, 46°F at night.
February is an excellent time for the Nile Valley temples: Luxor passes 96°F in the afternoon from April. A few days on the Red Sea at Hurghada make an easy add-on, with the driest weather on this page.
Good to know: the Red Sea is at its coolest of the year, and evenings drop to 53°F in Hurghada and 46°F in Luxor. Pack a warm layer for dinner and sunrise visits.
Morocco, the Canary Islands, Madeira and Cape Town
Mild rather than hot, except Cape Town in its summer. These work best combined with a trip to Europe, or for travelers who want sun without tropical heat.
11. Morocco: Marrakech and Agadir
Marrakech: 69°F in the afternoon, 46°F at night, 1.0 in of rain over 6 days. Agadir: 72°F, 50°F at night, 1.1 in, sea around 64°F.
Pleasant afternoons for the medina, the souks and day trips into the Atlas. Our guide lists things to know before visiting Morocco.
Good to know: nights are cold in Marrakech, so check that your riad is heated. Ramadan is expected to begin around February 8, 2027.
12. Canary Islands, Spain
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: 70°F in the afternoon, 59°F at night, 0.9 in of rain over 5 days, sea around 66°F.
Europe’s most reliable winter sun, with nights that stay mild. The south of the islands, around Maspalomas on Gran Canaria or Costa Adeje on Tenerife, is generally sunnier than the north.
Good to know: the Atlantic is at its coolest of the year. Swimming is possible but brisk.
13. Madeira, Portugal
Funchal: 66°F in the afternoon, 55°F at night, 3.4 in of rain over 11 days, sea around 64°F.
The coolest and wettest stop on this page. Madeira is a hiking destination in February, along the levadas, the irrigation channels that cross the island, rather than a beach one.
Good to know: Funchal gets nearly four times as much rain as Las Palmas in February. If sun is the priority, the Canaries are the safer pick.
14. South Africa: Cape Town
80°F in the afternoon, 60°F at night, 0.7 in of rain over 5 days, ocean around 64°F.
February is the height of the southern summer. Cape Town has the opposite rain pattern to most of the country: it rains mainly from May to August and hardly at all in summer. Our guide covers things to know before visiting South Africa.
Good to know: the ocean stays cold year-round and the wind often blows hard. This is a trip for the coastal drive, wine country and hiking more than for swimming.
Tours and activities to book ahead
Around Presidents’ Day and the Lunar New Year, the most popular outings sell out quickly: boat trips to the Phi Phi Islands, sunrise at Angkor, a hot-air balloon over Luxor, a desert safari from Dubai or a cenote tour near Tulum. Our partner GetYourGuide lets you book them ahead. Check the meeting point, guide language and cancellation terms before paying.
See all activities on GetYourGuide
Comparison table: February by the numbers
February averages for one reference station per destination, from driest to wettest.
| Station | High / low | Rain (days) | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurghada (Egypt) | 73 / 53°F | 0 in | 72°F |
| Siem Reap (Cambodia) | 90 / 70°F | 0.2 in | n/a |
| Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) | 91 / 74°F | 0.3 in (1) | n/a |
| Muscat (Oman) | 80 / 64°F | 0.6 in (3) | 73°F |
| Cape Town (South Africa) | 80 / 60°F | 0.7 in (5) | 64°F |
| Las Palmas (Canary Islands) | 70 / 59°F | 0.9 in (5) | 66°F |
| Phuket (Thailand) | 92 / 76°F | 1.0 in (3) | 84°F |
| Marrakech (Morocco) | 69 / 46°F | 1.0 in (6) | n/a |
| Dubai (UAE) | 76 / 58°F | 1.4 in (4) | 72°F |
| Malé (Maldives) | 87 / 79°F | 1.5 in (3) | 82°F |
| Cancún (Mexico) | 84 / 69°F | 1.8 in (5) | not listed |
| Punta Cana (Dominican Rep.) | 82 / 71°F | 2.1 in (7) | not listed |
| Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) | 84 / 68°F | 2.5 in | not listed |
| Funchal (Madeira) | 66 / 55°F | 3.4 in (11) | 64°F |
| Le Lamentin (Martinique) | 83 / 70°F | 3.5 in (14) | not listed |
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. “Not listed”: no sea temperature published for this station in the sources we used.
What to keep in mind in February
- Mauritius: 89°F in Port Louis, but February is the wettest month of the year there, with 6.3 in over 10 days, and the heart of the cyclone season. November is a much better choice.
- Seychelles: 87°F and warm water, but 9.8 in of rain over 13 days at Mahé airport. The driest period runs from June to August.
- Southern Spain and Tunisia: often suggested for winter, they stay cool. Seville averages 65°F in the afternoon and 45°F at night, Tunis 62°F with 2.2 in of rain. Good for sightseeing, not for the beach.
- Swimming: the sea is around 64 to 66°F in Morocco, Madeira and the Canaries and 72°F on the Red Sea and in Dubai. For water above 80°F, head to the Maldives or Thailand.
- Ramadan: in 2027 it is expected to run from around February 8 to around March 9. In Morocco, Egypt, the UAE, Oman and the Maldives, some restaurants and shops change their daytime hours. Ask your hotel.
Dates, insurance and staying connected
- Presidents’ Day: Monday, February 15, 2027. The long weekend, and the mid-winter school breaks many districts schedule around it, are the busiest and priciest dates of the month.
- Lunar New Year (Tết in Vietnam): February 6, 2027.
- Mardi Gras: February 9, 2027, the peak of carnival in Martinique and Guadeloupe.
- Expected start of Ramadan: around February 8, 2027, depending on the moon sighting.
Many US health plans offer limited or no coverage abroad, and a hospital stay can be expensive, in Dubai, the Maldives or Mexico alike. 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 warm in February without a long flight from the US?
Cancún and the Riviera Maya (84°F), Punta Cana (82°F) and the French Caribbean (83 to 84°F). February is in the dry season for all of them, with Cancún the driest at 1.8 in of rain for the month.
Where is the hottest place to go in February?
On this list, Southeast Asia: average highs of 92°F in Phuket, 91°F in Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, and 90°F in Siem Reap. The Maldives follow at 87°F.
Where is the sea warmest in February?
In Phuket, around 84°F, and the Maldives, around 82°F. In the Gulf the water is much cooler, around 72°F in Dubai and 73°F in Muscat.
Which destination is driest in February?
Hurghada, where the February normal is 0 in. Siem Reap (0.2 in), Ho Chi Minh City (0.3 in), Muscat (0.6 in) and Cape Town (0.7 in) follow.
Should I avoid Mauritius and the Seychelles in February?
It is not their best time. Both are around 87 to 89°F, but Port Louis gets 6.3 in of rain on average and Mahé 9.8 in. For the Indian Ocean in February, the Maldives are far drier, with 1.5 in in Malé.
Where to go for sun in other months
January, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
Sources
Pages accessed October 21, 2026. Climate normals come from the World Meteorological Organization’s World Weather Information Service, which publishes data supplied by each national weather service; the reference period is given for each station.
- Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (Mexico), via WMO: Cancún (1971-2000). Oficina Nacional de Meteorología (Dominican Republic), via WMO: Punta Cana (1961-1990).
- Météo-France, via WMO: Le Lamentin, Martinique and Le Raizet, Guadeloupe (1961-1990).
- Thai Meteorological Department, via WMO: Phuket and Bangkok (1961-1990).
- Viet Nam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration, via WMO: Ho Chi Minh City (1991-2020). Cambodia’s Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, via WMO: Siem Reap (1982-2024).
- Maldives Meteorological Service, via WMO: Malé (1981-2000).
- National Center of Meteorology (UAE), via WMO: Dubai (1974-1991). Directorate General of Meteorology (Oman), via WMO: Muscat (1986-2009).
- Egyptian Meteorological Authority, via WMO: Hurghada and Luxor (1981-2010).
- Direction de la Météorologie Nationale (Morocco), via WMO: Marrakech and Agadir (1991-2020).
- AEMET (Spain), via WMO: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Seville (1981-2010). Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera, via WMO: Funchal (1961-1990).
- South African Weather Service, via WMO: Cape Town (1961-1990).
- Mauritius Meteorological Services, via WMO: Port Louis (1971-2000), and Climate of Mauritius for the seasons. Seychelles Meteorological Authority, via WMO: Mahé (1981-2010). Institut National de la Météorologie (Tunisia), via WMO: Tunis (1961-1990).
- World Sea Temperatures: average February sea temperatures.
- NOAA, National Hurricane Center: Atlantic hurricane season dates. IslamicFinder: expected Ramadan 2027 dates.
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.