If you’re trying to plan a trip to the beach, one of your first questions might be when is the best time to go to the beach? And a lot of that depends!
Personally, I either like to go to the beach in the middle of summer during the hottest part of the day so I can jump into the ocean, or else I love to go during cool evenings to walk along the sand, dipping my toes in the water.
There are a few different things to think about when deciding the best time to go to the beach, and that includes the best season, the month, day of the week, and time of day. So let’s figure out when is the best time for you to go to the beach!
*This post may include affiliate links. When you purchase items from these links, we will receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, to help support this website. Thank you for your support! Read more ->
Best Time To Go To The Beach: Seasons
Wherever you’re planning on going to the beach, make sure to look up when the best season is to go to that beach. And this doesn’t necessarily mean spring/summer/fall/winter, but also taking into account rainy and dry seasons.
You do not want to get somewhere only to find out it’s the rainy season and it’s a downpour the entire time you’re hoping to be sitting on the beach. This depends on where you’re going, as it can really vary. And if you’re heading to an island, it can even depend on which side of the island you’re on!
Take Hawaii, the rainy season is November – March, so it’s probably best to avoid those months if you’re wanting to spend days sunbathing on the beach.
It can also matter summer vs winter, especially if you’re looking to go to a place that’s unbearably hot in the summer. It might be better to plan to go during spring or autumn.
Best Time To Go To The Beach: Months
When thinking about the months, it also really depends on the place like seasons do. If you’re wanting hot days to spend in the water at the beach, plan for months near the end of summer. If you want to leave your cold home behind to go somewhere more tropical, look for the places that stay warm in the winter and go during one of those months!
The biggest thing to keep in mind is that most schools are out May-Aug, so those will be the busy months. but that’s also most of summer! And schools are out the last two weeks of December or first week of January. So that’s also going to be busy season for some beaches.
If you’re tyring to avoid crowds, it’s probably a good idea to try to avoid those breaks or months.
Best Time To Go To The Beach: Day Of The Week
You may not get much of a choice when it comes to the day of the week you’re going to the beach, depending on if it’s just a short weekend trip to the ocean, or a week long excursion. But in general, weekends are going to be more packed than weekdays.
- Weekends will be much busier, since most people get Saturdays and Sundays off. This also goes for public holidays. But these days are more likely, depending on where you’re going, to have vendors on the weekends. It’s more likely there will be places you can rent boogie boards, or have an ice cream truck parked in the parking lot on the weekend than weekdays.
- Weekdays are going to be much quieter, especially when it’s not mid school-holiday season. If it’s in the middle of summer break, the beaches will probably be as busy as weekends. But if it’s just a day that’s not near school holidays, it will be much quieter.
Best Time To Go to The Beach: Time Of Day
The time of day really depends on what you prefer when it comes to going to the beach! I’m a big fan of going in the middle of the day or evenings. So let’s look at what you’ll get with each time of day for being on the beach!
Any time of day that isn’t smack dab in the middle of the day is going to be less busy. So that’s something to keep in mind if you’re trying to avoid crowds!
- Early morning is probably when you’ll see the most locals at the beach, getting out before its too busy and going for a walk or catching the early waves. This is a great time to just stroll along the beach before it’s too hot and enjoy the calming sounds of the waves.
- Late morning will start warming up and people will start to be arriving to spend the day at the beach. This is a great time to arrive if you plan on spending the day at the beach and want to get a good spot.
- Midday – the sun will be high over the sky, the sand warm (if not hot) beneath your feet, and the ocean looking beautiful. This is a great time to go if you’re hoping to catch the sun rays and hop in the water, while still having the afternoon ahead of you.
- Afternoon – people are likely to be out in full force in the afternoon at the beach with you. It’s a great time to dip into the water to cool off if you get too hot on the sand.
- Evening – once it starts cooling off and is time for dinner, you’ll probably find the beach emptier. This is another great time to go for a walk, or have a barbeque (if it’s allowed and there are appropriate places to barbeque) near the waves. It’s still a fun time to play on the sand, but with the sun not being quite as harsh
- Night – not all beaches allow you to be at the beach after sunset, but some even get better with allowing bonfires on the sand! Check the beach you’re going to before planning to go to the beach at night. This can also be a great time to cozy up under a blanket looking at the stars and listening to the waves breaking on the sand.
How Long Should You Stay At The Beach?
In terms of beach vacations, you probably want enough time to at least spend a full day at the beach. And give yourself a few afternoons or evenings to walk along the beach too.
As far as length of time spent at the beach in a day, it really depends. Plan for at least a few hours, otherwise it might not seem worth it with all of the preparation time and length of time it takes to put on sunscreen.
Going for a full day can also be fun, just make sure you have plenty of food, sunscreen, and water. Also have either an umbrella, canopy, or beach tent to to give yourself a break from the harsh sun during your time out there.
- One hour is enough time to enjoy a walk along the sand and dip your toes in the water
- An afternoon is a good amount of time to lounge on the beach, as well as play in the water
- A full day is great for playing games on the beach, having a picnic, playing in the water, and relaxing on the sand
Read: How to get sand out of hair
Final thoughts
There aren’t many bad times to go to the beach, other than if there are tide warnings in place. Just make sure to be prepared with the correct clothing, activities, sun protection, and beach chairs for when you go!
Now it’s up to you to decide when is the best time to go to the beach for you!