Vitamin Sea: Holiday Hotspots for Those Needing Sun, Sea and Sand This Winter

On-the-water expert at Borrow A Boat shares his top holiday hotspots for a healthy hit of Vitamin Sea this winter

With summer firmly behind us and travel reopening, now is the time to plan a winter holiday getaway that provides that all important dose of Vitamin Sea.

Matt Ovenden, on-the-water expert at Britain’s leading boat rental and yacht charter marketplace, Borrow A Boat, says: “For many of us, summer 2021 never really happened and now that winter is well and truly showing its gloomy face, it's understandable we're all scrambling to book holidays in warmer climes for some much needed sun, sea and sand.

“A winter holiday is the ideal antidote to the winter blues, allowing us to relax and reset, far away from the pressure and stresses of the everyday, and for those of us who love the water as well as blue skies and warmer temperatures, there are a whole host of water-focused destinations that are more accessible than ever as travel becomes a reality again.

"From sailing or snorkelling, to kayaking and paddlebording, there are a multitude of ways to get your Vitamin Sea fix this winter.

Read on for Matt’s top holiday destinations for water based fun…

Explore an underwater city in Dubai

With steady temperatures of around 30 degrees celcius due to its location on the Persian Gulf, Dubai is a year-round holiday destination for those seeking warmer climates.

Despite it being Dubai's 'winter', visitors can expect temperatures of 26 degrees in December. The blazing warmth of the retreating summer season means that the average sea temperature in Dubai during the winter months is a perfectly balmy 25 degrees; perfect for swimming.

Dubai has also recently launched the deepest diving pool in the world, with a staggering depth of 60 metres and 14 million litres of fresh water for divers to explore. The pool boasts an interactive underwater city, where divers can explore all manner of sunken buildings, including an arcade. Deep dive Dubai offers courses for both beginners and certified divers, so it’s a great option for those keen to dive in a more controlled environment.

Watersports aplenty in Thailand

The best time to visit Thailand is between November and early April, where the tropical destination enjoys its warmest temperatures of  between 23 and 36 degrees, with up to nine hours of sunshine per day. January is typically the least humid month, with February and March being the driest and sunniest. During this hot season, you’ll also be able to visit must-see World Heritage sites, like the Similan Islands. As the Islands are UNESCO protected, they’re only open to the public between November and April. The Islands also offer incredible diving excursions, with opportunities for visitors to spot manta rays and whale sharks.

Thailand is becoming a popular Christmas destination for Brits. Koh Samui, one of Thailand’s most famous islands, has an average high of 29 degrees celcius in December, with the sea temperature averaging a warm 28 degrees, the perfect temperature for winter swims.

All the lagoons, streams and rivers found on the islands of Thailand also allow for a range of watersports, and those seeking adventure can try their hand at banana boating, jet-skiing, snorkling, white water rafting, kayaking and much more.

Head to the Maldives for world’s best scuba diving

For guaranteed sunshine, the optimum time to visit the Maldives is between December and March. The Maldives enjoys its best weather from December to Febraury, when travellers can expect low humidity, very little rain and clear blue skies.

By default, the Islands of the Maldives are absolutely made for watersports, and the Maldives is famous for being one of the best places to scuba dive on earth as it boasts an abundance of marine life and crystal clear waters for easy viewing. Even those who prefer to snorkle can expect to see a profusion of sea turtles, colourful corals and tropical fish in this winter haven.

Dive into Jellyfish Lake in Pulau

An Island Located in the South Pacific, Pulau is home to Jellyfish Lake, a basin that is almost 12,000 years old and remnant of the last ice age. Arguably one of the most unique attractions in the world, Jellyfish Lake is a marine lake located on Eil Malk Island. Every day, millions of golden jellyfish migrate across the lake, and whilst they do this, you can swim with them.

Since the jellyfish survive on algae, they don’t require stingers to catch prey, so you can swim in the safe knowledge that you won’t get stung by the prehistoric creatures.

World class sailing and surfing in BVI

One of the most famous sailing destinations in the world, the British Virgin Islands enjoy some of the best sailing conditions during the winter months. Visitors to BVI from December and March can enjoy temperatures of 28-31 degrees Celsius.

The British Virgin Islands have an abundance of water sports and water-based activities for the active traveller, with windsurfing, kayaking and flyboarding. Surfing is also becoming increasingly popular because of the region’s topography of reefs, sand bars and point breaks, the BVIs enjoy some of the best surfing spots in the entire Caribbean. To find one of these surfing hotspots, head to the Northern shores of Tortola where you’ll find two of the best beaches for surfing: Josiah’s Bay and Apple Bay. There is a bustling local surf culture found here, and numerous local surfing contests are held during the surfing season, which conveniently runs from October through to April.

This winter hotspot also enjoys some of the most renowned beach celebrations in the world to welcome in the new year, with Foxy’s Tamarind Bar & Restaurant attracting sailors from all over to celebrate the festivities.

Bamboo Rafting in Jamaica

Boasting temperatures of 32 degrees celcius in December, Jamaica is a fantastic destination to visit during the winter months.

For an authentic Jamaican experience on the water, climb aboard one of their 30-foot bamboo rafts to drift down the Martha Brae River. The raft ride is operated over a 3-mile stretch and the rafting experience typically lasts around an hour, where visitors can enjoy incredible views of the river banks, jungle and Martha Brae Village - a 6-acre horse shoe shaped island. The village has bars, gift shops, pools and gardens for visitors to enjoy.

Before embarking on their excursions, tourists can wander through Mrs. Martha’s Herb Garden, a famous display of Jamaica’s herbs, famous for their medicinal and healing properties.

For more information on Borrow A Boat, or to book your own charter visit: www.borrowaboat.com