Where is hot in March: best warm escapes for UK travellers

For UK travellers craving reliable sunshine before the British spring arrives, the Met Office climate guidance points to the Canary Islands as the strongest short-haul bet and the Caribbean as the gold standard for guaranteed tropical heat. Whether you have four hours or eleven to spare on a plane, March delivers genuinely warm weather across a wide spread of destinations, from the sun-baked beaches of Tenerife to the turquoise shallows of Barbados.

Here is a quick shortlist to get you started:

• 🌞 Tenerife / Gran Canaria — generally warm daytime temperatures; ideal for families and beach lovers on a budget
• 🌿 Madeira — typically mild daytime temperatures; best for walkers, couples and nature seekers
• 🏜️ Agadir, Morocco — usually warm daytime temperatures; great value for sun-seekers and first-time long-weekenders
• 🌊 Sharm el Sheikh / Hurghada, Egypt — generally warm during the day; superb for divers and all-inclusive fans
• 🏙️ Dubai, UAE — typically hot daytime temperatures; perfect for city breaks and luxury travellers
• 🐠 Maldives — usually very warm daytime temperatures; the ultimate choice for honeymooners and luxury beach holidays
• 🌴 Phuket, Thailand — characteristically hot daytime temperatures; brilliant for couples, foodies and island-hoppers
• 🎉 Cancún, Mexico — generally warm daytime temperatures; top pick for spring break and beach-club lovers
• 🌺 Barbados — typically hot and dry; suits all traveller types
• 🦁 Cape Town, South Africa — generally warm daytime temperatures; outstanding for culture, wine and adventure

Key takeaways

The Canary Islands are the strongest short-haul March sun pick for UK travellers, while the Caribbean and Southeast Asia deliver the warmest seas and most reliable tropical heat for those willing to fly further.

How the top March destinations compare at a glance

The figures below are average estimates drawn from Met Office travel weather data, cross-checked against TravelSupermarket’s March destination table and 101 Holidays’ March averages. Sea temperatures and rainfall are indicative; conditions vary by resort and year.

Short-haul March sun: warm destinations within 5 hours of the UK

If you want reliable warmth without a long-haul commitment, March is genuinely kind to short-haul travellers. Ideal Magazine’s spring sun guide makes the case well: budget carriers run frequent direct services from multiple UK airports, making last-minute March bookings far simpler than organising a long-haul trip.

Canary Islands: Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote

The Canaries are the undisputed short-haul champion for March sun. Tenerife averages 21°C during the day with around 7 sunshine hours, and Gran Canaria edges slightly warmer in the south. Lanzarote tends to be drier and windier, which suits cyclists and walkers well. Sea temperatures sit around 19°C, cool enough to make you think twice about a long swim but perfectly fine for a paddle. Flights from most UK airports take roughly 4 hours, and the islands remain one of the best-value March options available, particularly for families. March falls outside the peak school-holiday window (until Easter arrives), so prices and crowds are noticeably lower than July or August.

Madeira

Madeira sits at around 19°C in March with 6 sunshine hours per day, though rainfall is generally higher than the Canaries at this time of year. That said, the island’s dramatic north coast takes most of the rain; the south and the capital Funchal stay considerably drier. March is actually a lovely time to visit: the famous Madeira Flower Festival often falls in late March or early April, and the island’s levada walking trails are at their lush, green best. Sea temperatures hover around 18°C, so this is more of a walking and sightseeing destination than a pure beach holiday.

Agadir and Marrakech, Morocco

Agadir is one of the most underrated short-haul March picks. Daytime temperatures reach 22°C, sunshine averages 8 hours a day, and rainfall is minimal at around 15mm for the entire month. The Atlantic sea temperature is typically around 19°C, which can be bracing but swimmable for the hardy. Marrakech, inland, runs slightly warmer at around 22–23°C but with no sea access; it suits city-break travellers who want souks, riads and day trips to the Atlas Mountains. Both destinations offer excellent value, with direct flights from the UK taking around 3.5 hours.

Red Sea Egypt: Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada

Egypt’s Red Sea resorts punch well above their weight in March. Sharm el Sheikh averages 25°C with an extraordinary 10 sunshine hours per day and virtually no rainfall (around 2mm). Sea temperatures in the Red Sea are generally around 22°C, which is warm enough for comfortable snorkelling and diving. All-inclusive resorts here offer some of the best-value beach holidays available to UK travellers, and the flight is only around 5 hours. March is shoulder season, meaning fewer crowds than the peak winter months, and prices tend to reflect that.

Pro Tip: Book Red Sea resorts at least 6–8 weeks ahead if you want Easter week availability at a reasonable price; rooms sell fast once school holidays are confirmed.

Long-haul March sun: where to find guaranteed tropical heat

For truly hot weather and warm seas you can swim in comfortably for hours, TravelSupermarket’s destination data confirms you generally need to look at long-haul tropical destinations. The trade-off is real: longer flights and higher fares, but in return you get reliably hot temperatures and sea temperatures that make the Caribbean and Southeast Asia feel like a different world entirely.

• Barbados — 28°C avg daytime, 9 sunshine hrs, sea at 26°C, 8.5 hrs from UK, mid/premium. March is dry season in Barbados, making it one of the most reliably sunny Caribbean islands at this time of year. Suits couples, families and those wanting a full beach week without weather anxiety.

• Cancún and the Riviera Maya, Mexico — 29°C avg daytime, 8 sunshine hrs, sea at 26°C, around 10 hrs from UK, mid. March is peak spring-break season, so expect lively resorts and higher prices. The Riviera Maya offers a quieter, more boutique alternative to Cancún’s hotel strip, with easy access to Tulum and Chichén Itzá.

• Phuket and Krabi, Thailand — 33°C avg daytime, 7 sunshine hrs, sea at 28°C, around 11.5 hrs from UK, mid. March falls in the dry season on Thailand’s Andaman coast, making Phuket and Krabi excellent choices. KAYAK’s March destination data notes Bangkok averages around 29°C, useful if you want to combine a city stop with beach time.

• Maldives — 30°C avg daytime, 8 sunshine hrs, sea at 29°C, around 11 hrs from UK, premium. March sits at the tail end of the dry season, making it one of the finest months to visit. Rainfall picks up slightly compared to January, but conditions remain excellent. This is a premium destination; expect to pay accordingly, particularly for overwater villas.

• Goa, India — 33°C avg daytime, 9 sunshine hrs, sea at 28°C, around 9.5 hrs from UK, budget/mid. March is one of Goa’s best months: the monsoon is long gone, temperatures are hot but not yet brutal, and the beaches are at their finest. Good value compared to the Caribbean or Maldives.

• The Gambia — 33°C avg daytime, 9 sunshine hrs, sea at 25°C, around 6 hrs from UK, budget. Often overlooked, The Gambia is one of the closest long-haul warm destinations to the UK. March is peak season: dry, sunny and hot. Excellent for birdwatching alongside beach time, and genuinely affordable.

• Seychelles — 29°C avg daytime, 7 sunshine hrs, sea at 28°C, around 10 hrs from UK, premium. March is a transition month in the Seychelles, sitting between the northwest monsoon and the calmer southeast trade winds. Conditions are generally good, though some rain is possible. Worth it for the extraordinary beaches and marine life.

• Oman (Muscat) — 28°C avg daytime, 9 sunshine hrs, sea at 24°C, around 7 hrs from UK, mid/premium. March is arguably Oman’s finest month: temperatures are warm but not yet the punishing heat of summer, and the country’s dramatic wadis and desert landscapes are at their most accessible. A superb choice for culture and adventure travellers.

• Sri Lanka — 30°C avg daytime, 8 sunshine hrs, sea at 28°C, around 10.5 hrs from UK, mid. The west and south coasts (Colombo, Galle, Mirissa) are in their dry season in March, making them the right areas to target. The east coast is wetter at this time of year, so stick to the south for guaranteed sun.

• Cape Town, South Africa — 26°C avg daytime, 9 sunshine hrs, sea at 21°C, around 11 hrs from UK, mid/premium. March is late summer in Cape Town, and the city is at its most glorious: warm, sunny and less crowded than January. Combine beaches at Clifton with wine estates in Stellenbosch and the Cape Peninsula for a genuinely varied holiday.

• Caribbean (general) — Most Caribbean islands sit between 27°C and 30°C in March, with the dry season well established across the region. Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua and Jamaica all offer excellent conditions. March is high season, so book early for the best rates.

Which March destination suits your holiday style?

Matching the right destination to the right type of holiday makes a real difference. Here is a quick guide:

Beach and swimming holidays

• Barbados (long-haul, mid/premium): dry season, 26°C sea, stunning west coast beaches
• Sharm el Sheikh (short-to-mid haul, budget/mid): 22°C Red Sea, superb snorkelling
• Goa (long-haul, budget/mid): 28°C sea, long sandy beaches, relaxed pace

City breaks with warm weather

• Dubai (mid-haul, mid/premium): 28°C, world-class dining and architecture, no beach required
• Marrakech (short-haul, budget): 22°C, souks, riads and day trips; ideal for a long weekend
• Cape Town (long-haul, mid/premium): 26°C, extraordinary food, wine and scenery

Family holidays

• Tenerife (short-haul, budget/mid): family resorts, water parks, calm south-coast beaches
• Barbados (long-haul, mid/premium): safe, welcoming, excellent family resorts
• Cancún (long-haul, mid): large all-inclusive resorts with kids’ clubs and calm Caribbean waters

Budget March sun

• Agadir (short-haul, budget): warm, dry, inexpensive; great for first-timers
• The Gambia (long-haul, budget): closest long-haul warm destination, excellent value
• Sharm el Sheikh (short-to-mid haul, budget/mid): all-inclusive deals that are hard to beat

Luxury and honeymoon

• Maldives (long-haul, premium): overwater villas, 29°C sea, near-perfect March conditions
• Seychelles (long-haul, premium): extraordinary beaches, private island resorts; consider romantic European proposals before you fly
• Dubai (mid-haul, premium): five-star hotels, private beach clubs, seamless service

How to choose the right March destination from the UK

Run through this checklist before you book:

1. Temperature vs sea temperature — If swimming is the priority, sea temperature matters more than air temperature. Anything below 22°C can feel cold for extended swimming; the Caribbean and Southeast Asia sit at 26–29°C.
2. Flight time and travel budget — Short-haul (under 5 hrs) keeps costs and travel time down. Long-haul delivers more reliable heat but adds £200–£400 per person in flight costs on average.
3. Rain and cyclone risk — March is generally safe from Atlantic and Pacific hurricane season, but check individual destinations. The Seychelles and parts of Southeast Asia can see occasional showers.
4. Easter and school holiday timing — Easter can fall anywhere from late March to mid-April. When it lands in March, prices spike sharply. Check the exact dates and book well ahead, or target destinations less popular with families for lower rates.
5. Travel advice and entry requirements — Always check Gov before booking and review Travel Aware’s safety guidance for practical pre-departure checks.
6. Travel insurance — Make sure your policy covers weather disruption, medical costs and cancellation. Don’t travel without it.
7. Passport validity — Many destinations require at least 6 months’ validity beyond your return date. Check before you book.

Pro Tip: Book before Easter dates are widely publicised in the school calendar. Once Easter week is confirmed, prices on popular family routes to the Canaries and Egypt can jump 20–30% within days. Booking 10–12 weeks ahead typically secures the best rates.

How we selected these destinations and the sources we used

Our selection prioritises destinations with reliably warm daytime temperatures in March (above 19°C), reasonable sunshine hours (6 or more per day), and practical accessibility from the UK. Climate figures are drawn primarily from Met Office travel weather guidance, cross-referenced with TravelSupermarket’s March destination table, 101 Holidays’ March averages and KAYAK’s March destination data. Editorial context and seasonal commentary draw on The Independent’s March destination guide.

Secondary selection criteria include sea temperature (priority for swim-focused holidays), flight time from the UK, typical price tier and whether March represents peak, shoulder or off-peak season for each destination. Destinations with unreliable March weather or temperatures consistently below 19°C were excluded.

Toogood Travel’s editorial team reviews these recommendations regularly to reflect current travel conditions and client feedback.

A note from the editor

March is one of my favourite months to send clients away. The UK is still grey and cold, the long-haul destinations are at or near their seasonal best, and the short-haul options offer genuine warmth without the summer crowds or prices. That said, I always tell clients to be honest with themselves about what they actually want from a March holiday.

If you need a warm sea to swim in every day, the Canaries will disappoint you; the water is pleasant but not tropical. For that, you need the Caribbean, the Maldives or Southeast Asia. If you want reliable sun, a short flight and good value, Agadir and the Red Sea resorts are genuinely hard to beat. And if March falls during Easter week for you, book early or be prepared to pay a premium. The destinations are wonderful; the pricing during school holidays is less so.

Plan your perfect March holiday with Toogood Travel

Sorting through temperatures, flight times, school holiday surcharges and travel advice for fifteen destinations is exactly the kind of thing that eats an evening. Toogood Travel does it for you. As a UK-based independent travel agency, we specialise in bespoke holiday planning: matching the right destination to your travel dates, budget and holiday style, then securing protected bookings with ATOL-covered operators.

For March departures, we track seat availability and room rates across short-haul and long-haul options, flag when Easter pricing is about to spike, and handle the practical checks so you don’t have to. Whether you’re after a last-minute Canaries escape or a fully planned Maldives honeymoon, we’ll find the right fit. Start planning your March holiday with Toogood Travel today, or browse our full range of holiday inspiration and destination guides to get ideas flowing.

Pro Tip: Ask Toogood Travel about all-inclusive package deals for March departures. Bundling flights, accommodation and transfers often undercuts booking each element separately, particularly for Red Sea and Caribbean resorts.

Sources

• Gov
• Travelaware
• Where’s hot in March? The best holiday destinations for sunny weather 2026 | The Independent
• Where’s hot in March? Top short & long‑haul sun destinations | TravelSupermarket
• Where is hot in March? – 101 Holidays
• Where is hot in March? | KAYAK
• 7 Spring 2026 Sun Escapes That Don’t Need A Long‑Haul Flight – Ideal Magazine

FAQ

Which countries are genuinely hot in March?

The Caribbean (Barbados, Antigua, Jamaica), Mexico (Cancún), Thailand, the Maldives, Goa, Oman and the Canary Islands all deliver reliably warm temperatures in March, from 21°C in Tenerife to 33°C in Phuket and Goa.

Where is over 25°C in March?

Dubai (28°C), Barbados (28°C), Cancún (29°C), the Maldives (30°C), Phuket (33°C), Goa (33°C) and The Gambia (33°C) all average above 25°C in March, according to Met Office and TravelSupermarket climate data.

Where is warm in March and cheap?

Agadir in Morocco (22°C, short-haul, budget tier), Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt (25°C, budget all-inclusive) and The Gambia (33°C, budget long-haul) offer the best combination of genuine warmth and low cost for UK travellers in March.

Where is the hottest place in March in Europe?

The Canary Islands are the warmest European option in March, with Tenerife and Gran Canaria averaging around 21°C and up to 7 sunshine hours per day. No mainland European destination reliably matches that in March.

Is March a good time to book a holiday?

March is an excellent time to travel, offering shoulder-season prices and fewer crowds at many destinations. The key caveat is Easter: when it falls in March, prices spike on popular routes, so booking 10–12 weeks ahead is advisable.