So, you’ve made it past the half-year mark and you’re needing a break before the busy December rush, but you’re not sure where to go? We’ve got you covered. We searched for the ultimate island holiday for those going on a September break and came up with more than we bargained for.
Whether you are looking for a tropical island, an African island or one of the picturesque pieces of land just off the Greek coast, we have checked them all out, rated their enjoyability and put it here for you to decide which is the best for you.
Places to Go in September – How to Pick Them
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September can be the perfect time to travel, above the equator, Summer is on her way out and so the temperatures cool just enough to be enjoyable but not so much so that your island getaway is ruined. Meanwhile, further South, most of Winter’s blues have left and Spring starts with blooming flowers and warmer conditions. There are some fantastic islands available to spend your holiday with sun, sea and sand.
When you are looking at an island to visit, you should remember to take into consideration the rainy season. Luckily, most heavy rains don’t start until November/December, so you are still guaranteed a mostly sunny vacation. Some islands, though, do experience their rainy season during September. Unless you are looking for a tropical paradise to spend inside, as you watch the rain and read a book by the fire, those places would be best to avoid. If you are looking for just that type of holiday, there is an entirely different list of destinations for you, we are sure.
Best Places to visit in September
- Malta
- Hawaii
- Zanzibar
- Ibiza
- Santorini
- Corfu
- Antigua
- Barbados
- Canary Islands
Best Place to Visit in September – According to The Weather, Cost and Crowds
The other great thing about vacationing in September is that it is mostly out of peak holiday times. All the summer travellers will have left, schools are back, and it’s not yet that crazy festive season, so you are likely to find affordable prices and relatively minimal queues and crowds. There are many places that you can find that are all-but hibernating during this time, so you could really find a peaceful paradise holiday.
Best Beach Vacations in September
Grab your beach towels, your sunglasses, a cold drink, and head to one of these picturesque beach holiday spots. With mostly sunny days, soft, clean sand and the clearest waters, you are guaranteed a delightful holiday at any of these beach destinations. Don’t forget the sunscreen, you don’t want lobster skin ruining your holiday photos.
Malta
While September brings a rise in humidity to Malta, this fantastic island is still worth the heat. With so much to do, in such magnificent scenery, you will quickly forget how hot and humid it is. If the humidity does bug you, though, there is always the option to cool down in the refreshing sea water. Scuba-diving and snorkelling are great at this time of the year.
Weather
Average Temperature
Daytime high: 28°C / 82°F
Nighttime low: 25°C / 77°F
Hours of Sunshine
9 hours daily
Rainfall
Medium (67mm)
Relative Humidity
Medium (52%)
Hawaii
The great thing about visiting Hawaii in September is that you have more than one island available to visit. The weather is very summerlike on the islands during this month; in fact, it’s known to be one of the hottest months of the year.
The crystal-clear seas will look very inviting around this time and a cool off at the beach is a fantastic way to spend any vacation. September is not a busy month in Hawaii, which means fewer travellers to share your piece of paradise with, and it also means that it is more affordable for those of us who don’t usually have Hawaii in our getaway budgets.
Weather
Average Temperature
Daytime high: 29°C / 84°F
Nighttime low: 24°C / 75°F
Hours of Sunshine
10 hours daily
Rainfall
Medium (61mm)
Relative Humidity
High (70%)
Mauritius
Mauritius is a gorgeous island destination located in the Indian Ocean. it’s known for its stunning beaches, idyllic snorkeling reefs, and whimsical lagoons. Although the island is small, it contains plenty to do with mountainous inland regions that provide a whole lot of adventure.
The island is filled with Mauritius beach resorts and lodges that make for wonderful accommodations during your stay in the island country. Most of the best locations have beach views, so you can enjoy the paradisical location right from your bed.
Average Temperature
Daytime high: 27 degrees Celsius
Nighttime low: 19 degrees Celsius
Hours of Sunshine
6.5 – 8 hours
Rainfall
High (2100 mm)
Relative Humidity
High (81%)
Best Tropical Places to Travel in September
There is nothing like a break away from your hectic schedule in a tropical paradise. For some tropical islands, September is the rainiest month, so as we mentioned, you want to try and avoid those if you are looking forward to endless days in the sun. Never fear though, we have found a couple of ideal tropical islands for you to visit in September.
Zanzibar
September is an amazing time in Zanzibar. The island is situated just off the coast of Tanzania, and it enjoys the fabulous weather found below the equator. From old historic towns, to calm, relaxing beaches, as well as a vibrant nightlife, Zanzibar has something for everyone.
Weather
Average Temperature
Daytime high: 27°C / 81°F
Nighttime low: 22°C / 72°F
Hours of Sunshine
10 hours daily
Rainfall
Medium (50mm)
Relative Humidity
Medium (56%)
Ibiza
Looking for a party, day and night? Ibiza is your island. Known throughout the world for its lively nightlife and splendid coastline, this island should be on every traveller’s bucket list. It’s not just for the party-goers, there is also a selection of peaceful resorts and beach coves for those who prefer a more serene vibe.
September brings thunderstorms to Ibiza, with chances increasing towards the later days of the month. The rain is usually spread across 8 days in September, so while you are likely to experience some wet weather while you are visiting, it is not likely to disturb your getaway too much.
Weather
Average Temperature
Daytime high: 28°C / 82°F
Nighttime low: 20°C / 68°F
Hours of Sunshine
10 hours daily
Rainfall
Low (30mm)
Relative Humidity
High (73%)
More of The Best Places to Travel in September
While the islands that we have mentioned so far are fantastic, we have even more options for you.
Santorini
Santorini offers a rugged, yet romantic island holiday. The busiest times are July and August, so going in September allows you to enjoy the island with others, but not feel too crowded. You will find the perfect combination of warm weather and tranquil beaches.
There is not much rainfall during the month of September, and summer is just leaving, which means dry and warm, perfect holiday weather. The island is especially dry during the beginning of September and rainfall starts to increase as you near the end of the month.
Weather
Average Temperature
Daytime high: 24°C / 74°F
Nighttime low: 26°C / 79°F
Hours of Sunshine
11 hours daily
Rainfall
Low (11mm)
Relative Humidity
Medium (56%)
Corfu
An island off the coast of Greece, Corfu is perfect for anyone looking for a stunningly warm and culturally-rich holiday. With long days full of sun, and cooler nights, this island offers a magnificent escape. September is a dry month, considering, and any rain showers or thunderstorms that do visit during your stay will not affect your sun-tanning for very long.
Weather
Average Temperature
Daytime high: 28°C / 82.4°F
Nighttime low: 16°C / 60.8°F
Hours of Sunshine
12 hours daily
Rainfall
Medium (88mm)
Relative Humidity
Medium (64%)
Best Caribbean Islands to Visit in September
Lots of people shy away from travelling to the Caribbean during this time of the year. This is believed to be caused mainly by the risk of hurricanes, although the chances are not as high as most would think. There is also the factor of children being back at school, and so this decreases the chances of a family holiday.
For this reason, many resorts and restaurants will close for renovations and to let their staff rejuvenate in time for the busy Christmas period. But, if you are looking for a child-free Caribbean holiday with low prices and still-warm weather, then this is the perfect time to enjoy these islands.
Antigua
This is the driest of the islands, so even though it is the rainy season, you are sure to get in some good quality sunny days. The island still has many options available for September when looking for accommodation, dining and activities. In the last 50 years, there have only been six hurricanes which have directly hit the island, so the chances of one hitting while you are there are slim to none.
Weather
Average Temperature
Daytime high: 30°C / 86°F
Nighttime low: 25°C / 77°F
Hours of Sunshine
9 hours daily
Rainfall
Medium (87mm)
Relative Humidity
Medium (61%)
Barbados
This is one of the islands in the Caribbean that is generally unaffected or at least minimally affected, by hurricanes. Most hurricanes tend to hit further North of the island.
While the rains come often and are quite heavy showers, they usually do not last very long and before you know it, the sun is out again. There is an unlikely chance to run into huge crowds of tourists during this time, and so you can enjoy this piece of paradise without too much interruption.
Weather
Average Temperature
Daytime high: 31°C / 88°F
Nighttime low: 25°C / 77°F
Hours of Sunshine
8 hours daily
Rainfall
High (158mm)
Relative Humidity
Medium (81%)
The Absolute Best Island Holiday in September
It was not an easy task, but we have managed to pick the ultimate island vacation for you in September. Perfect weather, minimal crowds, reasonable rates, and a relaxing vacation await you.
Tenerife, Canary Islands
This may be a surprising choice but wait until you hear just how much Tenerife has to offer you in September. The peak season finishes off in August, so you are sure to find the perfect amount of peace and quiet throughout the island.
Since it is no longer peak season, prices are also lower, making this a more affordable trip. Most importantly, though, the weather is amazing. September is a particularly dry month, so you don’t have to worry too much about rain ruining your beach day.
Temperatures in September average in the 20s, and there is a very slim chance of storms and hurricanes. However, there is a risk of extremely high temperatures at times, during which you will need to keep yourself cool, but that’s what the water, aircon and cocktails are for.
Weather
Average Temperature
Daytime high: 27°C / 81°F
Nighttime low: 20°C / 68°F
Hours of Sunshine
7 hours daily
Rainfall
Low (9mm)
Relative Humidity
High (70%)
So, for those of you who were contemplating whether you should take your island holiday in September, we are sure that we now have convinced you. If you are still not confident, though, just scroll back up and have another look at those amazing destinations.
As with any island holiday, during any time, remember to pack lots of sunscreen and bug spray, and of course, your cutest swimsuit. Also remember, some good holiday reading and your island playlist to complete the ultimate escape from everyday life.
