Where to go on holiday in August
August is full of wildlife events. There’s the Great Wildebeest Migration which sees thousands of wildebeest and zebra cross the treacherous Mara River and into Kenya’s Maasai Mara in search of fresh grazing and water supplies; Orca pods appear in the Strait of Georgia in Vancouver; and cooler temperatures in the Galapagos Islands mean nature lovers are rewarded with possible sightings of sea lions delivering pups, whales, dolphins, and an abundance of bird life. For a culture fix, head to the smaller towns and villages of Spain’s Balearic Islands when crowds have descended on the coasts. There’s so much to see and do in this month so get in touch with one of our experts today and start planning your dream August holiday.
Balearic Islands
August is the driest and hottest time of the year in Spain, with temperatures in the high 20s and warm waters perfect for swimming and watersports. Being closer to home this is a great time to visit the Balearics with the family, although the atmosphere is livelier and there are more crowds. If you want to avoid the packed coasts, this is the time to explore the smaller towns and cities for a fix of art, world-class cuisine and history in warm weather.
Galapagos Islands
The islands are warmest in the first half of the year, when temperatures reach up to 30°C, so August is the best time to visit if you want to enjoy the diverse array of terrains and year-round wildlife in comfortable, dry temperatures of low to mid-20s. You could also spot sea lions delivering pups, whales and dolphins on boat trips and loads of bird life. It can be a great time for snorkelling and diving, too.
Bali
Bali’s good weather continues to be dry and bright in August; with an average of 10 hours of sunshine per day, it’s the sunniest month of the year – so perfect beach conditions with temperatures in the high 20s. Peak season coincides with European summer holidays so the south-coast beach resorts are very busy this month. For relief from the crowds as well as the hot weather, it’s worth heading towards the central region around Ubud.
Vietnam
August brings a mix of weather to this South East Asia destination. Southern Vietnam is hot and dry with a good chance of rain and in the north it’s wet and humid – though not as humid as June and July. Most of the best beaches are in the southern half of the country; Danang, right in the centre, has calm waters which make it an ideal spot for kayaking, while neighbouring Hoi An’s city centre is close to the popular An Bang beach. Good weather is expected in these parts throughout the month.
Kenya
Home to over 40 national parks and reserves including the famous Maasai Mara, and the stage for the Great Wildebeest Migration, Kenya offers some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the world. Thousands of wildebeest and zebra follow the rains in search of a good water supply and fertile grass, usually gracing the Maasai Mara between August and October. For nature lovers this is also a good time to head to the coast in search of humpback whales, and for sun seekers a break by the beach in still-high temperatures is a good idea.
Canada - British Columbia
From the rugged west coast to the Rocky Mountains, trips to British Columbia (affectionately referred to by its initials, BC), are filled with adventure. With warm days around 20°C, August is a great time to visit, especially for activities including hiking, watersports and mountain biking. Okanagan is a popular summer holiday destination and also Canada’s second largest wine producing region. Many festivals take place throughout the month and it’s a great time to head to the beaches of Vancouver, where you can see the arrival of pods of Orcas who come to the waters of the Strait of Georgia during the summer months.Occasional rain is likely.