February in New York means scarves and slush. February in Curaçao means stepping into 82°F water at dawn. Eight islands scattered across three oceans keep their water above 77°F every month of the year. No gambling on weather windows. No hoping the cold snap passes.
These aren’t the famous names. You won’t find Bali or the Maldives here. These are the places where locals swim in January and tourists discover that turquoise doesn’t need a season.
Why water temperature matters more than air temperature
Air cools fast after sunset. Water holds heat for months. The Caribbean stays swimmable through winter because currents from the equator arrive year-round. The Andaman Sea off Thailand peaks at 84°F in April but never drops below 79°F even during monsoon season.
Most tropical beaches advertise warm weather. Fewer guarantee warm water. The difference shows up when you wade in at 7am and the ocean feels like bathwater instead of a cold shock.
The eight islands where swimming never stops
Isla Mujeres, Mexico
The ferry from Cancún takes 20 minutes and costs $20. Playa Norte stretches a half-mile with water so shallow you can walk 100 yards before it reaches your waist. January water temperature holds at 77°F. August climbs to 84°F.
The island measures 8 kilometers long and 1 kilometer wide. Golf carts replace cars. Street tacos cost $3. Rooms in February start at $100 per night, half what Cancún charges for similar quality.
Little Corn Island, Nicaragua
No roads. No cars. Just sand paths connecting wooden bungalows to coral reefs. The island covers less than 3 square kilometers. You can walk the perimeter in two hours. Water stays at 81°F from December through May.
Getting here requires a flight to Big Corn Island, then a 45-minute boat ride. The isolation keeps crowds thin. Bungalows rent for $80 per night. Snorkel gear costs $30 for the day. The house reef sits 50 yards offshore.
Roatán, Honduras
The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef runs along the north shore. Water temperature averages 81°F year-round. West End village packs dive shops, beach bars, and guesthouses into a walkable quarter-mile strip. Similar to Kauai’s reef systems, the coral walls here drop straight down from shallow bays.
Direct flights from Miami take 2 hours and cost $250-450. Rooms start at $90 per night. A two-tank dive runs $100. The Garifuna villages on the east end serve hudut, a coconut fish stew that costs $8 at local spots.
Anguilla
Shoal Bay East holds powder-soft sand that squeaks underfoot. The water stays calm and clear. February temperatures reach 77°F. The island measures 91 square kilometers with 33 beaches. Most stay empty even during peak season.
Ferry connections from St. Maarten take 20 minutes and cost $80 round-trip. Lobster beach shacks charge $25 for grilled tail and sides. Shoulder season rooms (April-May) drop to $150 per night from winter highs of $350.
Little Cayman
Population 170. Iguanas outnumber people four to one. Bloody Bay Wall drops from 20 feet to 6,000 feet in a single plunge. Water holds at 81°F through winter. The island has three dive operators, two grocery stores, and zero traffic lights.
Access requires a connection through Grand Cayman, then a 40-minute flight for $250. Rooms start at $200 per night. The emptiness costs more than crowds elsewhere, but you’ll swim alone at dawn while reef sharks patrol below.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
Grace Bay stretches 12 miles with water that stays 77-82°F all year. The barrier reef sits a mile offshore, keeping waves gentle. Direct flights from New York take 3.5 hours. February rooms start at $180 per night.
Thursday Fish Fry in Blue Hills brings local bands, conch fritters for $8, and grilled snapper for $15. Bike rentals cost $20 per day. The island’s compact size makes beach-hopping easy without a car.
Curaçao
The southern Caribbean position keeps this island outside the hurricane belt. Water temperature peaks at 84°F in October and never drops below 78°F. Cas Abao beach charges $5 entry and delivers white sand with calm swimming conditions. Much like Guatemala’s protected bays, the western coves here stay mirror-flat most days.
Direct flights from Miami take 2.5 hours and cost around $300. Rooms start at $110 per night. Willemstad’s Dutch colonial architecture sits 20 minutes from beach zones. Bioluminescent kayak tours run $60 and launch after dark from Spanish Water bay.
Koh Lipe, Thailand
The Andaman Sea holds 84°F water from November through April. The island measures 2 square kilometers. Walking Street connects three main beaches in 15 minutes. Sea gypsy villages sell fresh catch at dawn markets.
Getting here takes planning: Bangkok to Hat Yai by air (1.5 hours, $100), then van and speedboat (3 hours total, $50). Bungalows start at $70 per night. Avoid May through October when monsoons arrive. The dry season delivers perfect swimming conditions daily.
What makes year-round swimming possible
Ocean currents matter more than latitude. The Gulf Stream pushes warm water north along the eastern Caribbean. The Kuroshio Current does the same in the Pacific. Islands positioned in these flows maintain steady temperatures regardless of season.
Shallow bays heat faster than deep channels. Coral reefs break waves and create protected lagoons. These natural features combine to keep water comfortable when air temperatures drop at night or during winter months.
Your questions about year-round swimming islands answered
Which months offer the best combination of warm water and fewer crowds?
Late April through early June delivers shoulder-season pricing with peak water temperatures. Caribbean islands see 30-40% fewer visitors than winter months. Water temps reach their annual highs (82-84°F) while room rates drop by $100-200 per night. September through November brings the lowest prices but also hurricane season for Caribbean destinations.
How do these islands compare to more famous beach destinations?
Little Corn Island costs half what Jamaica charges for similar quality. Roatán’s reef diving matches Belize at 60% of the price. Anguilla delivers Maldives-level sand and water for a fraction of the cost. The trade-off comes in accessibility. These islands require extra flights or ferry connections that famous destinations skip.
What water temperature feels comfortable for extended swimming?
Most swimmers find 77°F comfortable for 30-minute sessions without a wetsuit. Above 80°F allows hour-long swims with no chill. Below 75°F starts feeling cold after 15-20 minutes for most people. All eight islands stay above 77°F year-round, with several maintaining 80°F+ for 8-10 months annually.
Planning your escape
Book 3-6 months ahead for February through April travel. These months deliver guaranteed swimming conditions and stable weather. Shoulder seasons (May-June, November) offer 20-30% savings on accommodations with minimal weather risk.
Pack reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard for coral protection. Most islands sell these items at 2-3x mainland prices. Bring a waterproof phone case for underwater photos. The water clarity on these islands makes every swim photo-worthy.
Flight routing matters. Choose islands served by the same airline alliance to simplify connections. Little Cayman and Providenciales both connect through Miami. Roatán and Curaçao share Houston as a hub. Similar to Arizona’s year-round swimming holes, timing your visit around shoulder seasons maximizes value without sacrificing conditions.
The morning swim at Playa Norte happens in 80°F water while your hometown scrapes ice off windshields. That contrast alone justifies the flight. Eight islands mean you can visit twice and still have six more waiting. The water stays warm. The crowds stay thin. February becomes the month you look forward to instead of endure.