When to go › October

Where to swim in October

6 of 55 destinations scored for swimming are prime in October — 80 or better on conditions alone. Highest: Hawaiʻi, the Big Island (99), Maui (94), Oʻahu & the North Shore (93). In September 23 are prime; in November, 2.

26 worth considering

October · Swimming

Every destination scoring 55 or better for swimming in October, highest first. Ties are listed alphabetically.

Hawaiʻi, the Big IslandHawaii, USA · North America · prime April to October
prime99
MauiHawaii, USA · North America · prime April to October
prime94
Oʻahu & the North ShoreHawaii, USA · North America · prime May to October
prime93
Lanzarote & FuerteventuraCanary Islands, Spain · Europe · prime August to October
prime90
Los Cabos & BajaBaja California Sur, Mexico · North America · prime October to November
prime90
MadeiraPortugal · Europe · prime August to October
prime88
30A & the Emerald CoastFlorida, USA · North America · prime May to September · flagged: hurricane season
good73
KauaiHawaii, USA · North America · prime May to September
good72
ArubaAruba · Caribbean · prime December to April
good71
San DiegoCalifornia, USA · North America · prime July to September · flagged: wildfire risk
good69
OmanOman · Asia · prime November to March
good66
Costa de la Luz & CádizSpain · Europe · prime July to September
good65
CreteGreece · Europe · prime July to September
good65
Mallorca & MenorcaSpain · Europe · prime July to September
good65
SantoriniGreece · Europe · prime July to September
good65
SicilyItaly · Europe · prime July to September
good65
AlgarvePortugal · Europe · prime July to September
good64
Amalfi Coast & CapriItaly · Europe · prime July to September
good64
Naxos & ParosGreece · Europe · prime July to September
good64
Puglia & the SalentoItaly · Europe · prime July to September
good64
SardiniaItaly · Europe · prime July to September
good64
Corfu & the Ionian IslandsGreece · Europe · prime July to September
good62
CorsicaFrance · Europe · prime July to September
good62
Côte d’Azur & the CalanquesFrance · Europe · prime July to September
good62
The Albanian RivieraAlbania · Europe · prime July to September
good62
Bay of Kotor & the Budva RivieraMontenegro · Europe · prime July to September
good61
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Know before you book

Most places have one or two months that are genuinely better — and a booking moment that comes a lot earlier than the trip. I’ll write when one of those is coming up. No schedule, no filler.

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