When to go › May

Coast and lakes: where to go in May

33 of 85 destinations scored for coast and lakes are prime in May — 80 or better on conditions alone. Highest: Maui (96), Madeira (95), San Diego (94). In April 22 are prime; in June, 40.

60 worth considering

May · Lakes & Coastline

Every destination scoring 55 or better for coast and lakes in May, highest first. Ties are listed alphabetically.

MauiHawaii, USA · North America · prime April to May and September to October
prime96
MadeiraPortugal · Europe · prime April to May and September to October
prime95
San DiegoCalifornia, USA · North America · prime April to June and September to November
prime94
KauaiHawaii, USA · North America · prime April to May and September to October
prime93
Oʻahu & the North ShoreHawaii, USA · North America · prime April to May and September to October
prime93
30A & the Emerald CoastFlorida, USA · North America · prime April to May and September to October
prime92
AlgarvePortugal · Europe · prime April to June and September to October
prime92
Charleston & SavannahSouth Carolina / Georgia, USA · North America · prime April to May and September to October
prime92
Corfu & the Ionian IslandsGreece · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime91
Costa de la Luz & CádizSpain · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime91
Mallorca & MenorcaSpain · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime91
Moab — Arches & CanyonlandsUtah, USA · North America · prime May to June and September
prime91
Naxos & ParosGreece · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime91
SardiniaItaly · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime91
Costa Brava & the EmpordàSpain · Europe · prime May to June and September
prime90
CreteGreece · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime90
Puglia & the SalentoItaly · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime90
SantoriniGreece · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime90
SicilyItaly · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime90
The Albanian RivieraAlbania · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime90
The Lisbon CoastPortugal · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime90
The Outer BanksNorth Carolina, USA · North America · prime May to June and September to October
prime90
Amalfi Coast & CapriItaly · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime89
Bay of Kotor & the Budva RivieraMontenegro · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime89
Cinque Terre & the Ligurian RivieraItaly · Europe · prime May to June and September
prime89
CorsicaFrance · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime89
Côte d’Azur & the CalanquesFrance · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime89
Italian LakesItaly · Europe · prime May to June and September to October
prime88
YosemiteCalifornia, USA · North America · prime May to June
prime88
Belize: the Cayes & the Barrier ReefBelize · Central America · prime February to May
prime87
Cape Cod & the IslandsMassachusetts, USA · North America · prime May to June and September to October
prime86
Hawaiʻi, the Big IslandHawaii, USA · North America · prime April to May and September to October
prime85
Galápagos IslandsEcuador · South America · prime February to May
prime84
ArubaAruba · Caribbean · prime December to April
good79
Lanzarote & FuerteventuraCanary Islands, Spain · Europe · prime February to April and October to November
good79
BarbadosBarbados · Caribbean · prime December to April
good78
Rio de JaneiroBrazil · South America · prime March to April and November to December
good78
The Inside Passage & JuneauAlaska, USA · North America · prime June to August
good73
Big Sur & MontereyCalifornia, USA · North America · prime September to October
good70
Puerto RicoPuerto Rico · Caribbean · prime December to April
good70
Sleeping Bear Dunes & Lake MichiganMichigan, USA · North America · prime June to September
good70
Tofino & Vancouver IslandCanada · North America · prime June to September
good70
Finger LakesNew York, USA · North America · prime June to September
good69
Newfoundland & Gros MorneCanada · North America · prime June to September
good69
Grand TetonWyoming, USA · North America · prime June to September
good68
St. JohnUS Virgin Islands · Caribbean · prime January to April
good68
Turks & CaicosTurks & Caicos Islands · Caribbean · prime December to April
good68
Acadia & Bar HarborMaine, USA · North America · prime June to September
good67
Dalmatian CoastCroatia · Europe · prime June and September
good67
San Sebastián & the Basque CoastSpain / France · Europe · prime June to September
good66
IcelandIceland · Europe · prime June to August
good65
Lofoten IslandsNorway · Europe · prime June to August
good65
The Florida KeysFlorida, USA · North America · prime December to April
good65
Tulum & the Riviera MayaMexico · Caribbean · prime December to April · flagged: wet season, sargassum
good65
TromsøNorway · Europe · prime June to August
good64
Rocky Mountain National ParkColorado, USA · North America · prime June to September
good63
Lake TahoeCalifornia / Nevada, USA · North America · prime June to September
good61
The MaldivesMaldives · Asia · prime January to March
good61
Jungfrau RegionBernese Oberland, Switzerland · Europe · prime June to September
good60
Bavarian AlpsGermany · Europe · prime June to September
good57
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