A honeymoon in January belongs to the the Andaman Sea and the long summer evenings of the southern hemisphere. At Wedded Wonderland, we plan destination celebrations from the proposal through to the final evening of the honeymoon, with January offering some of the year’s loveliest settings.
As Europe’s coast settles into winter, the Gulf, southern Thailand and the southern hemisphere, come into their own. These four destinations are at or near their best this month, inviting you to settle in and let the days unfold slowly regardless on how long should a honeymoon be.
January brings settled, dry weather to the Gulf and southern Thailand, and high summer to New Zealand and Australia. It is also one of the busiest travel months of the year, as the festive season tails off and school holidays continue across the southern hemisphere.
The finest suites for early January are often reserved a year ahead, while arriving after the first week brings calmer resorts and wider choice. For couples still weighing when to go on honeymoon, January suits those drawn to warmth, light and space, and a honeymoon in February offers the same settings with fewer crowds.
Dubai's winter is its finest season, with daytime temperatures in the low to mid-twenties and little rain. Mornings suit the beach on Palm Jumeirah or Jumeirah Bay, and evenings belong to the desert, where a private dinner among the dunes closes the day.
For couples flying long-haul, Dubai also works as a graceful first stop. A few nights here ease the journey before continuing onward.
January sits at the heart of the dry season on Thailand's Andaman coast. The sea is calm and clear, making it an ideal month to explore the limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay by private yacht.
We favour a private villa on Phuket's quieter western headlands, with a day set aside for the Similan Islands, open to visitors from mid-October to mid-May. Thai spa rituals and slow evenings by your own pool fill the rest.
In January, Queenstown enjoys long summer days, with light lingering past nine in the evening. Lake Wakatipu is at its warmest, and the pinot noir vineyards of Gibbston and Bannockburn are in full leaf.
A private lodge on the lake or in the high country makes a restful base. From there, a helicopter flight over Milford Sound, with a landing on a glacier, becomes the defining day of the journey.
Byron Bay is warm and lush in January, with the sea around 26 degrees for early swims at Wategos. It is also the height of Australia's summer holidays, so we suggest the final days of the month, as school holidays wind down and the beaches grow calmer.
A retreat in the hinterland, among rainforest and macadamia farms above the coast, keeps the honeymoon private while the beaches stay a short drive away.
January is the high season in the Maldives, as the dry northeast monsoon brings calm seas and clear water for a luxury overwater villa stay.
Seasons shift from year to year and climate patterns are changing, so treat the details in this guide as a starting point for planning a honeymoon in January. We recommend checking the forecast before you travel and again once you arrive, as conditions on the ground can differ from the averages.
Each country's national weather service is the most reliable source. In Dubai, the National Center of Meteorology's Weather UAE app gives local forecasts and warnings. In Phuket, the Thai Meteorological Department's Thai Weather app tracks storms and rainfall, while MetService covers Queenstown and the Bureau of Meteorology's free BOM Weather app covers Byron Bay.
Further afield, the World Meteorological Organization's World Weather Information Service brings together official forecasts from national weather services worldwide.
January's most sought-after villas and lodges are reserved early, and the right choice depends on how you hope to spend your days. Wedded Concierge begins with a dedicated strategy session prior to any recommendations, where we talk through dates, pace and setting before shaping the journey. Here's a luxury honeymoon budget guide that you can use for more insights and to set the expectations straight.
Written by
Editor & Content Writer
Jillian Arambulo is the Editorial and Content Writer at Wedded Wonderland, specialising in branded content and editorial strategy. Her writing spans travel, lifestyle, culture, beauty and emerging trends, bringing together comprehensive guides and features that connect readers with the places, ideas and experiences worth discovering.
Search real weddings, venues and vendors from around the world.
Search Wedded Wonderland
