Temperatures like summer: The best bathing destinations for April

Where is it warm enough for a beach vacation in April? This question can be quickly answered with exotic long-distance destinations. But even if you don’t want to fly that far away, you have a good chance of summer weather at some nearby destinations. Admittedly, around the Mediterranean it is usually still quite cool for a beach holiday, as the water temperatures range between 12 and 17 degrees on average. However, it is warmer in the eastern part of the Mediterranean. And the Atlantic is already approaching the 20 degree mark. Europe cannot boast much warmer sea temperatures. However, things are completely different when it comes to daytime temperatures, which are already more than 25 degrees in many places. We have selected five beach holiday destinations that are already feeling summery.

1. Cape Verde: Rain-free summer feeling

Pleasantly warm temperatures, lots of sun and no rain: favorable weather conditions all year round make the Cape Verde Islands a guaranteed summer feeling. Because of their perfect travel climate, the islands in the middle of the Atlantic are also called the islands of eternal summer. The average annual temperatures range between 23 and 30 degrees. In April the sun shines for seven hours a day, with temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees.

Beach holidays, for example, are particularly fun on the island of Sal with its long and wide sandy beaches and on the island of Boa Vista with its bright shifting dunes – the water temperature of 23 degrees tempts you to bathe, splash around and swim. Anyone who likes to move on land will find perfect conditions along the cliffs on the rugged island of Santo Antao in April. Hiking on the mountains, which are up to 1,600 meters high, is ideal in April because it is not that hot yet.

2. Gran Canaria: Guaranteed sunshine in the Atlantic

The location in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Morocco, just north of Cape Verde, also gives the Canary Islands fantastic weather in April. Gran Canaria is the third largest of the seven islands and attracts with black lava, white sandy beaches and lots of greenery. The south is the drier and warmer region. The six kilometer long beach Playa de Maspalomas is also located here. It is the flagship of Gran Canaria, where the sea meets the desert.

Just behind the beach there are high dunes of up to 20 meters. Beach feelings arise here with daytime temperatures of 22 degrees and eight hours of sun. The sea offers refreshment with water temperatures of 18 degrees. In addition to a number of sandy beaches, Gran Canaria also has the Monumento Natural del Roque Nublo nature reserve, which is ideal for hiking, and spectacular cliffs in the northwest.

3. Algarve: Beach lovers paradise

In just a three-hour flight to Portugal’s dream coast: The Algarve is the southernmost province of the country and has everything beach vacationers need: 200 kilometers of spectacular cliffs, secluded bays, endless sandy beaches, surfers’ paradise, the most hours of sunshine in Europe and refreshing Atlantic water (average 18 degrees in April). Around Easter, the contrasting coast shows its most beautiful side. There is greenery and flowers everywhere – which also has to do with the six days of rain in April.

Daytime temperatures are above 20 degrees, with eight hours of sunshine every day. If you like it even warmer, choose one of the beaches protected by high rocky cliffs, such as the picture-perfect “Praia da Marinha” near Carvoeiro. The furrowed limestone cliffs glow a warm honey yellow and form bizarre formations such as caves, arches and domes. The big advantage of the rocks – in addition to their extraordinary appearance – is that they block north winds and heat up well – sunbathing is possible even in the winter season.

4. Crete: South Sea flair at 20 degrees

It has everything, can do everything and therefore delights every holidaymaker: Crete, the largest island in Greece, 260 kilometers long and up to 60 kilometers wide, is like its own continent. The Olympian god Zeus, who also controls the weather, meant well with his birthplace. Because in April the thermometer is already showing more than 20 degrees and the Mediterranean is also impressive compared to Europe at 19 degrees. Admittedly, the water does not yet come close to temperatures like those in the South Seas. But Crete has beaches to offer that are in no way inferior to those in the Pacific – such as the palm beach of Vai in the east and the beach of Elafonissi in the west.

There are no palm trees in the nature reserve there, but there are fine, white sand and crystal-clear water in shimmering shades of blue and green. It’s almost a shame to just lie on the beaches in Crete, because in the home of Europe’s first advanced civilization there are 4,000-year-old, sensational archaeological sites and monasteries to admire. Port cities with fortresses, remote villages in the mountains up to 2000 meters high with their wild gorges and hospitable people round off the all-round mix.

5. Jamaica: reggae, rum and dream beaches

If you need tropical heat and bathtub-warm sea on your beach holiday, you can’t avoid taking a long-distance trip in April. In the Caribbean, for example, daily temperatures of around 30 degrees and similar water temperatures of 27 degrees are guaranteed – like in Jamaica. The best and driest time to travel here is from December to April, with the rainy season beginning in May. The third largest island in the Greater Antilles has, in addition to palm beaches with white powdery sugar sand, mountains up to 2300 meters high, the Blue Mountains, lots of rum and reggae music to offer.

This special mix gives it the well-known relaxed and casual atmosphere. One of the most beautiful picture-book beaches is the lonely Treasure Beach on the south coast. Another highlight is the Negril Seven Mile, where parties with reggae music take place in the evenings. On Halfmoon Beach, not far away, you can enjoy the Caribbean feeling in hammocks. April is also a good month for divers: nurse sharks, stingrays and turtles can be observed at depths of 18 meters in the diving areas Throne Room, Gallery, Sands Club and Shark’s Reef.