Because no-one wants a beach holiday in the rain, or a ski holiday with no snow…
If, like us, you have a travel bucket list for new and exciting destinations to tick off, then you’ll know firsthand what an easy-peasy gateway to exotic locations Singapore really is. We not only have the world’s best airport to make travelling with the kids that much easier, but we are blessed to be just a hop, skip and a jump to heaps of fabulous vacay spots. There’s only one thing stopping us from travelling year-round: the weather! None of us wants to end up on a beach holiday in a monsoon, a skiing holiday with no snow or a boat trip in the fog, so we’ve searched high and low around Asia for 30 destinations to try and we’ve worked out the best time of the year to visit them. We give you our HoneyKids 12-month guide to the best weather for family vacations around Asia…
NOTE: Before booking your trip, please check your travel destination regarding entry into the country, visa requirements, and Covid-19 restrictions.
January: Maldives or Phuket
We start the New Year off fine with three picks guaranteed to get you over the post-Xmas blues with the pretty blue hues of warm oceans and amazing postcard-perfect scenery. Pack up your buckets, spades and a kid or two (optional: it makes for an amazing romantic break sans kids too!) and head to the Maldives for the ultimate beach holiday, where the warm, sunny days stretch out for almost as long as the white sand at this time of year.
If tried, tested and easy is what you’re looking for as a quick January fix, then Phuket always serves up a great break with something for everyone. Plus the big beach hotels tend to have amaaazing kids’ clubs. Sounds good to us!
This is also a good time of year to head to Myanmar for breathtaking scenery (hot-air balloon experiences at sunrise over Bagan take some beating, we can tell you!), and a relatively unspoilt choice that the whole family will love. (Leisure travel to Myanmar is not advised at the min, so you’ll need to hold off for the time being.)
February: Cambodia, South Korea or Nepal
If you are looking for somewhere close to home but still jam-packed with family-friendly fun, Siem Reap in Cambodia makes an ideal destination that kids of all ages will love (we have been there ourselves complete with bubba in an Ergo!).
Alternatively, search your heart and Seoul for a Valentine’s vacay the whole family will fall in love with and head to South Korea, where ski season will still be in full swing, with plenty of snowfall for families fuelled by adrenaline.
If racing down slopes isn’t your thing, then try out a family adventure with a difference with a spot of trekking in Nepal! With the weather heading into spring during February, the temperature is ideal for getting out and about for some exploring that will guarantee a frenzy on your Instagram feed.
March: Japan, Taiwan or Sri Lanka (limited travel opps at the min, but get planning for the future!)
Put a spring in your step and blow away the winter cobwebs with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to check out Japan during cherry blossom season (it usually runs between March and May). City fans will love Tokyo, too – and you’re never too old for Disney, so check out Disneyland Tokyo while you’re there! (You’ll need to take up a tour package in order to travel to Japan.)
Talking of starters, our mind turns to a foodie holiday, and for that, you can’t go wrong in Taiwan (home of Din Tai Fung!). March brings ideal climes for exploring the national parks and stunning scenery within a stone’s throw of the buzzy metropolis of Taipei. Refuel with dumplings. (Taiwan is still closed for travel.)
Intrepid families should head to Sri Lanka for a holiday that will cover all bases: we’re talking sand and surf (head to the stunning beaches around Galle on the south coast), scenery (travel to tea plantation country, which will bring out an inner peace in the rowdiest of kiddos!), and safari (explore Yala National Park and spot leopards, elephants, sloth bears and even crocodiles). And that’s just for starters! (In view of the current situation in Sri Lanka, Singaporeans are advised to defer all non-essential travel to Sri Lanka.)
April: Vietnam, the Philippines or Chiang Mai
April usually brings with it the Easter break for schools, so it’s a popular time for families to hop away for a break. Jump over to Vietnam where kids will love the cooler than cool Ha Long Bay junk boat cruises (we tried it on your behalf: you’re welcome) before heading to the sunny beaches around Hoi An and Danang for some well earned R&R.
We’ve also had a cheeky family holiday (or two) in Boracay over in the beautiful Philippines, and are happy to report that April is positively glorious when it comes to the weather. This is a beach and snorkelling holiday at its very best.
Beaches and sailing not floating your boat? How about heading to the hills, literally, and taking a trip to Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand? You and the tribe will have a culturally fabulous time hanging out with indigenous people, meeting an elephant or 10, and trying a spot of bamboo rafting on the Mekong River.
May: Sarawak or Sabah, Borneo
May we suggest heading to Borneo for a short break, where you can visit jungles, beaches and mountains of this beautiful Malaysian island in gorgeous sunshine. Head to Kuching in Sarawak and combine a few days on the beach (we had a very happy holiday there ourselves, right next door to the unmissable Sarawak Cultural Village) and also make sure you find your way to Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for an ethical encounter with the local wildlife – orangutans! For those of you with a bit more time to spare, consider making the 280km journey to Batang Ai National Park and check in to the traditional longtail house style hotel, Aiman Batang Ai Resort and Retreat, which makes an ideal base for exploring the area and meeting tribal communities and amazing wildlife.
If you would prefer a vacay on the Sabah side of the island, fly to Kota Kinabalu and conquer Mount Kinabalu for serious bragging rights!
June: Bali or Tioman Island
June = summertime! Which means school holidays! Yay! Head to perennial family fave Bali where the weather is hot, hot, hot and the activities for all ages are endless. Sign Dad and the kiddos up for surfing and bodyboarding fun, while Mum sneaks off for serious shopping splurges in Seminyak and heavenly massages at a day spa. (Pssst… check out our sister site, Honeycombers Bali, for all the scoop on this island paradise!)
We also love throwing our luggage in the back of a car for a road trip with the family. Our pick? Whisking across the border for the easy 160km journey to Tioman Island in Malaysia… (Tip: You’ll need to catch a ferry to Tioman from Mersing, so plan to go outside of monsoon season so your resort can do a direct pickup: this eliminates the waiting times around the public ferry, which can be tedious.) Blue skies, clear seas and an all-round family-friendly vibe make this a great pick for those who can’t bear queues at the airport.
July: Koh Samui or Gili Islands
Spend July swapping the island of Singapore for the island of Koh Samui in Thailand. With its stunning temples, gorgeous beaches and whopping list of family-friendly activities including water parks, an inflatable activity course in the sea, go-karting and sea-kayaking around the Ang Thong Marine National Park, this is a holiday that can be as relaxed or as adventurous as you want it to be.
Looking for a gentler pace of life? Leave the hustle and bustle behind and head over to the Gili Islands, near Lombok, where the family will love snorkelling around coral reefs, spotting sea turtles and building a billion sandcastles in pure white sand. For the diving fans among you, head to Gili Trawangan, where a sunken ship lies at the bottom of the ocean at the aptly named Wreck Point.
August: Lombok or Java
While most of us will have spent time in Bali, many of us are yet to discover its more laid-back neighbour, Lombok. Uncover the island’s amazing surf opps, relatively unspoilt beaches, and head inland if you are feeling fit enough to explore the Mount Rinjani area, which is chock full of weird and wonderful wildlife, fabulous waterfalls and hiking trails galore.
If you’ve ticked Siem Reap off your list and are looking for more ancient history-type destinations, then we say head to Java! It’s not all about coffee (although that is awesome!): This place is teeming with stunning relics of bygone days including the enormous Buddhist monument of Borobudur. We went, we saw, we conquered, and we’ll definitely be back.
September: China (once it reopens!) or Bintan
September brings more school holidays (didn’t the sweethearts just finish their last break?) and with it more chances to travel. What better way to really get an idea of how well the kiddos are doing in their Mandarin lessons than by taking them to China? Discover the mind-blowing history around Beijing, visit the Giant Pandas at the rehabilitation centre in Chengdu, take a cruise on the Yangtze River in Shanghai, or head rural and grab a bike for some exploring around Guilin. The choices are almost as endless as the Great Wall of China! It’s a HUGE country though, so just check your region-of-choice’s weather before you book! (China is not allowing anyone to travel into the country at the mo.)
But let’s not also forget the delights closer to home for an easy, sunny vacay: Yes, folks, we are talking about Bintan. Hop on a ferry and sail for just 50 minutes to this peaceful paradise sure to leave the whole family feeling tanned, happy and relaxed!
October: Laos, Goa or Macao
International schools usually get a week or two break from studying during October, so make the most of it by jetting off to Laos. Vientiane is a direct flight from Singapore so can be easily reached even with small people in tow, and with its beautiful scenery and super-friendly people, this is a small city big on charm. Need more persuading? Gourmet French food and amazing coffee on tap for very little cost. Sold!
For those of you who are not deterred by a more ambitious journey, how about heading to the beaches of Goa for beautiful beaches and culture by the ton? India is definitely one to have on that bucket list, and October is the perfect time to soak up the sunshine with a side order of to-die-for local food.
Not got time for more than a quick trip away? Our Honeycombers’ girls took a weekend vacay to Macau, and assure us a family will love the history, culture and adventure activities (bungee jumping, people!), almost as much as they will love the egg tarts!
November: Hong Kong (but remember quarantine exists for now!) or Langkawi
Local schools break for year-end in mid-November, so why not treat yourselves to a magical pre-Christmas trip to Disneyland Hong Kong? Temps hover around the 19-24 degrees mark in November: perfect for wandering around theme parks without ending up in a sweaty mess! We’ve got more tips for your Hong Kong family holiday in our guide to HK with kids (and a guide to ditching the kids and popping off for a solo Hong Kong getaway for some serious mum time out), plus our sister site, Honeycombers Hong Kong, is the ultimate go-to! (You will need to undergo quarantine at designated hotels between seven and 14 days.)
If luxe hotels, dazzling beaches and delicious local food (beef rendang: mmmm) are more your bag, then think about popping over to Langkawi for a sunny holiday set around the beach and pool. Cocktails at sunset while the small people are in a decent kids’ club? Yes, please!
December: Krabi, Penang or Hokkaido
By December, we are turning our minds to getting away for the perfect Xmas destination. Head to Krabi in Thailand if spending Xmas with the sand between your toes is your idea of perfect Christmas heaven: the weather is positively glorious during December.
Penang also makes a great choice for families looking for a bit of beach combined with some cool sightseeing musts. Kids will love being ferried around Georgetown in a trishaw, and scrambling around historical Fort Cornwallis.
But if it’s a snowy adventure that you’re after, then we have to mention Japan again: Head to Hokkaido (via Tokyo), where you will get tons of the powdery stuff for skiing and snowboarding adventures galore. (Travellers need to be part of a tour group in order to enter the country.)
Happy holidays!
