Why Vacationing at the Beach in the Off-Season is a Good Idea
While you might think that the best time to vacation at the beach would be during peak season, you may be surprised to learn that the off-season – early fall and late spring – is actually an excellent time to visit, and can save you money and improve your vacation experience in several ways.
1) Cheap Flights
Hotels and resorts can get pretty pricey, especially if you’re traveling during peak season. Plus, those places tend to be packed with families and other folks who aren’t there for vacation alone or couples without kids. If you want to save money (and feel like you have more space) visit your beach destination in December through March. Even if it’s cold outside, people have vacationed on beaches year round for ages – it doesn’t take much creativity to think of ways to stay active and warm while visiting a tropical destination. Pack some swimsuits, robes, umbrellas and maybe even some foam floats to make sure everyone has fun regardless of how the weather is outside. Your wallet will thank you.
2) Less Crowded Beaches
Less people = more room to spread out. If you’re looking for an uncrowded beach, then traveling during spring break or summer will be less likely to land you on a crowded stretch of sand. If you want to make sure there are even fewer people around, look for beaches in winter and late fall when fewer vacationers take advantage of seasonal weather. With fewer crowds comes less hassle, too: It’s easier to find parking and it’s likely that there won’t be any wait times for concessions stands. Enjoy your vacations by making them as stress-free as possible! The easiest way to do that? Skip those jam-packed months—and those huge ticket prices—and go somewhere peaceful instead. You’ll thank yourself later.
3) Outdoor Activities
When you go to the beach in peak season, you might be surrounded by throngs of people. You’ll have very little elbow room if you want to sit on the sand. And if you try to go for a swim, you might encounter long lines at lifeguard stations or nearby public restrooms. The crowds aren’t exactly fun—and they can make your vacation uncomfortable. That said, it isn’t always easy to avoid crowds during peak season; booking accommodations can be tricky too since prices tend to skyrocket when lots of people are looking for places to stay. For example, summer holidays like Memorial Day and Labor Day see price increases of 50% or more compared with other times throughout the year. This isn’t just an isolated occurrence either: even smaller weekend getaways can cost upwards of $1,000 per night depending on where you travel. In contrast, off-season trips to some popular destinations may cost as much as 75% less than those taken during high season periods. Even flights from major cities often fare cheaper around these dates as well. Just remember that some people choose to travel during off-peak seasons because the weather may not be quite as pleasant (usually colder). If you want sunbathing weather, consider visiting in spring or fall before temperatures warm up.
4) Fewer Bugs
Beach tourism tends to be really busy during summer months; not only are there way more people on vacation, but you’re also competing with all of them for beach space. If you're itching to get away from it all, off-season travel can bring some peace and quiet, along with better prices on accommodations and activities. Of course, winter is colder than summer—but that's still no reason to skip your next beach vacation! Bonus: Fewer bugs mean fewer bug bites! Whether you live in a warm climate or not, any time you go outside long enough, those pesky critters will likely find their way onto your skin. But as soon as temperatures start to cool down, those biting insects tend to fly or crawl into hibernation until spring returns—meaning less hassle if that's what turns you off about going outside in warmer months. For example, mosquitoes often avoid areas below 50 degrees F because they can't survive below freezing temperature levels. And even if they do try to bite you, winters will slow their speed and activity level significantly so they don't have nearly as much stamina for longer blood meals. Even though cold seasons aren't ideal for relaxation by tropical beaches, know that most other parts of North America don't experience high heat throughout most of its cold seasons either. So forget about balmy beaches in favor of one located closer to home so you can enjoy traveling when everyone else isn't—and revel in cooler temps too! You might just fall head over heels in love with both.