It\u2019s snowy, it\u2019s windy, it\u2019s miserable\u2014or so your friends will tell you. You\u2019ll be off playing in the warm sand and swimming in the serene ocean. Winter may be about frost and sleet, but you can leave that imagery far behind. You\u2019ll take the sight of another tropical drink coming your way, thank you very much. When you\u2019re ready to trade in storm umbrellas for those little colourful ones in your pi\u00f1a colada, here are the best beaches in the world for a winter retreat:<\/p>\n
Key West, Florida, United States\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Sultry nightclubs, overflowing drinks, and long stretches of soft sand make Key West a year-round travel destination. Prepare to run into other snow birds who are escaping bad weather back home. While you can certainly spend your time swimming and snorkelling, the real action is along Duval Street. This rambunctious avenue is ablaze with night clubs, bars, and a throng of visitors ready to party. Take in a few shots with your fellow travellers before dancing the night away and trying to remember how you got paint on your face and glow bands on your wrists come morning. For sober activities, don\u2019t forget to pop into Ernest Hemingway\u2019s old home or pick up some souvenirs along Mallory Square.<\/p>\n Average winter temperature: 24 Celsius; Average winter sea temperature: 22 Celsius<\/em><\/p>\n Matira Beach, Bora Bora, French Polynesia<\/strong><\/p>\n If you want to see water clear as crystal, don\u2019t miss Matira Beach in Bora Bora. The near glass-like ocean is world-renowned, and creates the perfect conditions for snorkelling and scuba diving. Spot fish like eagle rays, parrot fish, and dozens of other colourful marine life. It\u2019s everything you could want on a tropical island, as the coconut trees and emerald hills give the beach a dual sense of intimacy and infinity. While the shoreline is coral-free and perfectly soft to walk on, during low tide you can wade over to the barrier reef. Note: Taxi fares go up after dark, but the western sunsets over the waves are well worth the view.<\/p>\n Average winter temperature: 27 Celsius; Average winter sea temperature: 26 Celsius<\/em><\/p>\n Bondi Beach, New South Wales, Australia<\/strong><\/p>\n Australia, located in the Southern Hemisphere, celebrates its summer as the northern countries are piling on their winter parkas. If you\u2019ve seen any of those New South Wales postcards with Santa surfing on the waves, Jolly St. Nick was probably at Bondi Beach. One of the most photographed beaches in Australia, this stretch of stand is immensely popular with surfers, sunbathers, and swimmers. Once you shake the sand off your shorts, you\u2019re within a short distance of art galleries, concert venues, and local boutiques in city centre. If you\u2019re looking to learn some new skills while in town, sign up for any number of surf schools. The gentle waves make it easy for any newbie to learn how to hang ten.<\/p>\n Average winter temperature: 23 Celsius; Average winter sea temperature: 22 Celsius<\/em><\/p>\n Tulum, Yucatan, Mexico\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n If you like a splash of history to go with your winter beach retreat, make a stop in Tulum, Mexico. This peaceful beach located along the Caribbean Sea is home to some of the most famous Mayan sites in the country. It was one of the last cities constructed by the Mayan people in the 13-15th<\/sup> centuries, and the ruins are still visible today. Check out the old stone architecture of El Castillo, the Temple of the Frescoes, and the Temple of the Descending God. You can even explore a cenote, an underground cavern and river right below the city. After hot afternoons of sightseeing, jump into the sea. Swimming and snorkelling are favourites in the area, as the azure waters are clear enough to see butterfly fish, trumpet fish, moray eels, and eagle rays.<\/p>\n