Where's Hot in August?
Soaked in sunlight, suncream and ice-cream, August is brimming with holiday spirit, particularly for us in the Northern Hemisphere. The only problem? Figuring out how – and where – to savour it. From balmy breaks on the French Riviera to far-flung forays into Singapore’s concrete jungle, there’s no shortage of places to dial up the heat and bask in holiday bliss before autumn rolls around. So, to whet (or should we say warm?) your appetite, read on for our shortlist of where’s hot in August...
- The USA’s Southern States (25-32°C)
- Canada (15-25°C)
- Brazil (16-27°C)
- The French Riviera (26-29°C)
- Portugal (25-30°C)
- Singapore & Malaysia (27-32°C)
- Tanzania (22-28°C)
- Indonesia (26-31°C)
The Southern States, USA
Average August temperature: 25-32°C
Average daily sunshine hours: 8-12 hours (depending on the state)
Flight time from the UK: 9-11 hours (depending on the state)
The sun may be shining back home, but it’ll be sizzling in the States in August. If you fancy hitting a heatwave, nowhere scorches quite like the American South. For an arid adventure, think Arizona – with trips to Monument Valley, the Grand Canyon and (of course) across the border into Nevada to Las Vegas. Cue the bright lights and long nights.
Prefer a tad more humidity on your summer sojourn? Or maybe you just fancy seeing some crocs? Either way, the subtropical states of Florida and Louisiana are sure to deliver.
Image by Zoé Fidji
Canada
Average August temperature: 15-25°C
Average daily sunshine hours: 7-10 hours
Flight time from the UK: six hours 50 minutes to Nova Scotia, nine hours 50 minutes to Vancouver
Steer further north, and you’ll land among the fervour of Canada’s peak season. August is widely considered the best – and busiest – time to visit. But don’t worry, we can help you lose the crowds.
While others flock to the cities and mountains, head east to Nova Scotia, where the Bay of Fundy welcomes whale-watching season, and Digby hosts its annual Scallop Days festival – a must for seafood fiends.
August is also prime time for the salmon run on the west coast. This is when salmon swim upstream, returning to where they were born to lay their own eggs, and is an incredible thing to witness. To see this fish-themed frenzy in all its glory, jet off (by which we mean floatplane) to Knight’s Inlet, on the coast of British Columbia.
Image by Langley Van der Kley/Unsplash
Brazil
Average August temperature: 16-27°C
Average daily sunshine hours: six-eight hours
Flight time from the UK: 11-12 hours
On the flipside (literally), Brazil is another charming contender for where to take your next balmy break this August. Big, beautiful and breathtaking, it’s ripe for a truly tailor-made adventure, offering everything from awe-inspiring arts to brilliant birdwatching.
Eager explorers can make for the hub of Manaus – gateway to the Amazon Rainforest – while architecture aficionados should visit the country’s capital, Brasilia, which is brimming with beautiful buildings. And for coastal chill? Rio’s Copacabana and Ipanema beaches offer a surefire (or should we say sure-sun?) way to cultivate a truly enviable tan.
Image by Ludwig WALLENDORFF/REA
The French Riviera
Average August temperature: 26 - 29° C
Average daily sunshine hours: ten hours
Flight time from the UK: around two hours
Coveted by creatives and celebs, the French Riviera is an iconic August destination. Boasting year-round rays, warm waters and buckets of coastal charm, it’s no wonder sun-seekers are so smitten. Between stints on the beach, leisurely lunches and browsing boutiques, the region also offers plenty of ways to ramp up the adrenaline.
In Marseilles, you can venture out to Cosquer Cave, where remarkable paintings and engravings await. And if you’re staying near Nice, the marine mecca of Pelagos Sanctuary makes for a delightful day of whale-and-dolphin watching – talk about a double whammy.
Image by Faustine Poidevin
Portugal
Average August temperature: 25-30°C
Average daily sunshine hours: 8-11 hours
Flight time from the UK: two-and-a-half hours
Another well-established European escape, August is Portugal’s peak season. Expect vibrant cities, shimmering waters and (you guessed it) crowds. To slip away – and dial up the heat – head inland to the Douro Valley, where the vineyards flourish before their autumn harvest.
Not one to be deterred by the hustle and bustle? Lean into it by visiting mid-month, when the festivities of Our Lady of Sorrows in the coastal city of Viana do Castelo – in northern Portugal – are in full swing. We’re talking processions, music, costumes and (best of all) fireworks.
Image by Bruno Ismael Alves/stock.adobe.com
Singapore & Malaysia
Average August temperature: 27-32°C
Average daily sunshine hours: six to nine hours
Flight time from the UK: around 13 hours
Prefer a far-flung August combo? Start in Singapore, where rainfall is rare and temperatures maintain their alluring summer swell. Another benefit of travelling to the Lion City this time of year? You’ll be nipping in before Formula 1 doubles the rates in September – phew.
Once you’ve hiked, biked and (figuratively) eaten your way through this concrete jungle, hop over to east Malaysia – specifically Borneo – where warm weather, lush landscapes and a medley of mammals await. Time to tick an orangutan encounter off your bucket list.
Image by Grace Ho / Unsplash.com
Tanzania
Average August temperature: 22-28°C
Average daily sunshine hours: eight hours
Flight time from the UK: around 13 hours
Unlike the other members on our shortlist of where’s hot in August, Tanzania’s late-summer allure is linked to its wildlife, not its climate – but don’t worry, it’s sure to be a scorcher, too. Between July and September, the world’s largest mammal migration (fittingly called ‘the Great Migration’) passes through the country, offering visitors the chance to see millions of wildebeest crossing the Mara River.
Travelling with a film buff? Keep tabs on Zanzibar’s International Film Festival, too, which often falls in early August. Not to be missed, it's one of the biggest cultural events on the island.
Image by Marco Sgarbi / Fotolia.com
Indonesia
Average August temperature: 26-31° C
Average daily sunshine hours: eight to nine hours
Flight time from the UK: around 17-20 hours
Last, but certainly not least, on our August hot list is Indonesia. Sitting sunnily on the equator, the archipelago enjoys year-round heat. So, instead of wondering when temperatures soar, it's best to focus on when the humidity dips. In August, Komodo, Lombok, Flores, Java and the Gili Islands – quite the selection – practically promise rain-free R&R.
Of course, there’s also Bali. But a word to the wise: its beaches draw quite the crowd at this time of year, so, to secure your spot under the sun, book far in advance. Or avoid the crowds and head to one of the quieter islands, such as Lombok.
Image by Peter Gueth/Fotolia
Header image by Marie Champenois mchampenois@voyageursdumonde.fr / Unsplash.com
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