Where to go on Holiday for December Sun

There’s no denying, temperatures in the UK have started dropping, and the nights are drawing in earlier. It’s time to wrap up warm when you venture out, and get cosy and snug when you’re at home. This is the perfect time to book a last minute holiday for some sun.

Most of the hottest destinations for December sun are long haul so you’d need 10 days or a couple of weeks. Very popular at this time of year are Mexico, the Caribbean, Thailand and Australia. But we’ve managed to find a few with under 6 hours’ average flight time from the UK, suitable if you only have a week to spare. Where will you go on holiday in December?

Cape Verde

Average daily high: 26°C

Hours of sunshine: 6 hours

Average flight time from the UK: 5.5 hours

Time difference: -1 hour

Just off the west coast of North Africa, Cape Verde is a group of 10 volcanic islands. The weather is hot here, all year round. There is little rainfall, but the islands are windy, which keeps humidity down, and is great if you like water sports! You can go whale watching, turtle spotting, or even experience a shark cage dive. Or, for the less adventurous, take advantage of the golden, sandy beaches which stretch 11 kilometres.

Lanzarote

Average daily high: 22°C

Hours of sunshine: 6 hours

Average flight time from the UK: 4.5 hours

Time difference: 0 hours

Lanzarote is warm throughout December, and the island usually experiences less rainfall than the other Canary Islands. There are plenty of beaches, and the sea is still warm enough to take a dip in December. Get out and about on foot or by bike, to take in the spectacular volcanic landscape. And no holiday to Lanzarote is complete without a visit to the Museo Atlantico. This underwater museum, accessed by scuba divers or viewed from a glass-bottomed boat, features more than 300 sculptural works.

The Gambia

Average daily high: 31°C

Hours of sunshine: 10 hours

Average flight time from the UK: 5.5 hours

Time difference: 0 hours

With its tropical savannah climate, and 10 hours of daily sunshine, The Gambia is the perfect destination if you are in need of your sun fix. The sea temperature stands at 26°C in December, ideal for a leisurely swim. There is no big game here, but The Gambia has built itself a fantastic reputation for its variety of bird species, over 550 in total, and also its crocodile pools.

Tunisia

Average daily high: 18°C

Hours of sunshine: 7 hours

Average flight time from the UK: 3.5 hours

Time difference: +1 hour

Not quite so hot as our other destinations in December, but still pleasantly warm and dry. Steeped in history and bursting with culture, from spices to souks, Tunisia is a fantastic location to relax and explore. With its Mediterranean shoreline, Port El Kantaoui is popular with tourists. From the sandy beaches and quays, to the cobbled streets housing boutiques and restaurants, this picturesque resort is an ideal spot to get away from the cold, damp UK weather in December.