There is something deeply freeing about spending December on an island, where winter feels far away and the days unfold in warm, salt-sea air. The season softens, the pace slows, and celebration has a lighter, easier feel to it.

These islands pair turquoise water with expressive culture and a generosity of spirit that shapes the festive period into something a little bit different. Music drifts through beachside bars, markets glow into the evening, and traditions give way to something uniquely special.

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Seychelles

Seychelles is one of the most unique island landscapes on earth. Granite peaks rising above bright-green jungle, with white sand beaches curving into perfect crescents, split by turquoise blue water. 

The best part is that December adds a layer of calm; where other tropical destinations move into their high-season bustle, Seychelles holds onto its slow, generous rhythm. The islands feel open, natural, and wonderfully unhurried, in the purest island way.

Spectacular Seychelles:

• A naturally warm, easygoing island culture where the inclusive welcome feels instinctive creates a relaxed environment that embraces travellers from all walks of life.
• Resorts and other properties that are designed around privacy and space, with hillside or beachfront villas that feel like personal sanctuaries.
• Crystal clear waters and vibrant marine life, offering exceptional snorkelling, gentle lagoon swims, and calm ocean days that define a tropical December.
• A festive season guided by nature, with celebrations that lean into soft island evenings, fresh seafood dinners, and a refined elegance far from holiday crowds.

December is the perfect time to experience the Seychelles. The weather settles into gentle warmth, the lagoons stay calm, and the days unfold in a way that encourages deep rest. Christmas is quiet and graceful, perfectly suited to travellers who prefer connection over spectacle. New Year brings a touch of island glamour without ever losing the sense of peace.

Best for: couples seeking intimacy, nature lovers, and travellers wanting the festive season to feel restorative and deeply relaxed.

Where to stay: Six Senses Zil Payson

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Mauritius

Mauritius is an island that blends a melting pot of cultures to create a warmth that feels instant, open, and inclusive. December is the ideal time to visit with clear skies, lagoons that glow with summer colour, and a spirit that truly glows with an upbeat ease that makes the festive season feel full of joy.

Magic Mauritius:

• Long, sunlit summer days and warm lagoon waters, ideal for paddleboarding, catamaran trips, beach lounging, and an easy outdoor rhythm of island life.
• Festive celebrations range from beautifully curated Christmas dinners to beachside New Year gatherings infused with local music and subtle island glamour.
• A vibrant culinary scene shaped by Creole heritage, where Christmas dishes burst with spice, colour, and the island’s unique blend of African, Indian, French, and Chinese influences.
• A friendly, multicultural society that fosters a naturally inclusive atmosphere, allowing travellers to feel at home and welcomed wherever they go.

Mauritius in December is lively in the best possible way. Resorts curate thoughtful Christmas dinners, beachside gatherings, and New Year events that blend island music with a polished, celebratory tone. Beyond the coastline, markets, rum distilleries, botanical gardens, and coastal drives reveal a culture that invites slow exploration and genuine connection.

Best for: travellers who enjoy cultural warmth, vibrant food, and luxurious comfort wrapped in an easy, sunlit atmosphere.

Where to stay: For Grand Baie, Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury, or the southern coastal road, The St. Regis Le Morne Resort.

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Madeira

If you’re looking for an island with a difference, Madeira might be what you’re looking for. Its beauty is defined not by flat beaches but by dramatic cliffs, terraced hillsides, volcanic rock pools, and uninterrupted Atlantic views. In winter, the island glows with elegant festive lights, and the atmosphere feels charming, intimate, and refreshingly free of holiday crowds.

Mysterious Madeira:

• One of the world’s most spectacular New Year fireworks displays, lighting up Funchal’s amphitheatre-like bay in a celebration that is grand yet beautifully choreographed.
• Mild, sunny winter weather that makes the island perfect for walking trails, coastal viewpoints, and easy outdoor exploration.
• Funchal’s transformation into a festive showcase, with refined Christmas lights, open-air markets, live music, and illuminated gardens that feel both European and uniquely Madeiran.
• An inclusive, friendly local culture that creates a relaxed environment where LGBTQIA+ travellers feel welcomed and comfortable wherever they go.

The festive season in Madeira is atmospheric rather than loud. Local traditions blend with a sophisticated European holiday mood, creating a December filled with choral concerts, seasonal pastries, oceanfront promenades, and long coastal walks beneath the warm winter sun.

Best for: travellers who appreciate scenic drama, charming towns, and a festive season with refined flair and natural warmth.

Where to stay: Savoy Palace

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The Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are Spain’s warm-weather gift to winter, a place where volcanic beaches, desert landscapes, and steady year-round sunshine replace the chill of the season.

The mood here is laid back and joyful, and the islands shift easily between calm coastal days and colourful evenings. The most populous of the eight islands, Gran Canaria, has long been embraced by queer travellers for its open, expressive social scene that feels lively without ever becoming overwhelming.

Otherworldly, The Canary Islands:

• Warm, almost summery temperatures, offering the rare pleasure of swimming, sunbathing, and dining outdoors at a time when most of Europe embraces cold, grey days.
• A blend of quiet beaches and vibrant nightlife, allowing you to shape each day according to your mood.
• Outstanding hiking in Tenerife and Lanzarote, where cooler mornings reveal volcanic trails, lunar-style landscapes, and panoramic views over the Atlantic.
• Festive markets, island traditions, and a Spanish-style New Year, complete with music, fireworks, and the charming ritual of eating twelve grapes at midnight.

December gives the islands a special glow. Streets shimmer with lights, restaurants lean into seasonal produce, and outdoor events fill plazas and waterfronts. It’s a festive season shaped by warmth, culture, and peace.

Best for: travellers who want sunshine, expressive culture, and a holiday with an easy, spontaneous energy.

Where to stay: The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife

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French Polynesia

French Polynesia feels dreamlike at any time of year, but December adds a special sheen to the place. Lagoons glow bright blues and greens under the early summer light, and the festive season becomes something shaped by nature, rhythm, and an inclusive generosity of spirit. The islands move at a pace that encourages connection, and the welcome is warm and open in a way that resonates with all who visit.

Fantastic French Polynesia:

• A gentle, community-minded culture, where openness and respect are woven into daily life, creating an atmosphere that feels naturally inclusive.
• Resorts designed for privacy and romance, with overwater villas and secluded beaches.
• Underwater worlds offering vibrant snorkelling, manta encounters, and lagoons brimming with life.
• A festive period shaped by the ocean, where celebrations lean into Polynesian dance, island music, and a relaxed elegance rather than traditional holiday formality.

Expect long swims in impossibly blue water, canoe-delivered breakfasts drifting quietly to your villa, dinners under stars, and the hum of Polynesian music at night. Christmas is intimate and atmospheric, while New Year often unfolds as a starlit beachfront celebration, woven with dance, beautiful food, and island glamour.

Best for: honeymooners, romantic travellers, and anyone who wants December to feel serene and deeply immersive.

Where to stay: For Bora Bora, The Four Seasons Resort, or for a private island experience The Brando on Tetiaroa

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Your Islands of Light

An island festive season offers a gentler way to experience December. Warm air replaces winter chill, days last longer, and the gentle sunshine brings the festive season alive without the usual intensity. Celebration becomes relaxed, inclusive, and shaped by shared meals, soft evenings, and the pleasure of being somewhere that feels both welcoming and unhurried.

It’s a chance to begin the new year with clarity, warmth, and a version of the season that feels entirely your own. Ready to plan your next island escape?