Where's hot in October?

Whether you’re looking for wildlife in South America, snorkelling in the Indian Ocean, trekking in Southeast Asia, or soaking up the culture in North Africa, October brings hot, sunny weather to many parts of the globe. It’s also hot across the South Pacific, where you can cool off with ocean breezes.

October at a glance

Destination	Max. temp.	Sunshine hours	Average flight time
Brazil	Max. temp.	35 °C	Sunshine hours	10 hours	Average flight time	13½ hours (Rio de Janeiro, via Paris)
The Seychelles	Max. temp.	30 °C	Sunshine hours	7 hours	Average flight time	13 hours (via Dubai)
Vietnam	Max. temp.	30 °C	Sunshine hours	6 hours	Average flight time	13½ hours (Hanoi, via Paris)
Egypt	Max. temp.	36 °C	Sunshine hours	10 hours	Average flight time	4¾ hours (Cairo)
French Polynesia	Max. temp.	30 °C	Sunshine hours	8 hours	Average flight time	23¼ (Papeete, via Los Angeles)
Borneo	Max. temp.	32 °C	Sunshine hours	6 hours	Average flight time	15 hours (Kuching, via Singapore)

Brazil’s Pantanal

The largest tropical wetland in the world, Brazil’s Pantanal experiences some of its driest conditions in October. The thinner vegetation makes wildlife easier to see, and animals’ movements are more predictable as they stick to remaining water sources. Look out for jaguars, capybara, caiman, various monkeys, and a wide variety of birdlife.

Type of heat in Brazil in October: Hot and dry in the Pantanal, with maximum temperatures of 35°C (95°F). Slightly cooler spring temperatures elsewhere in the country, with little rain.

Average temperature in Brazil in October: 31°C (88°F) depending on region

Average daily hours of sunshine in Brazil in October: 10 hours

Average flight time to Brazil: 13½ hours (London to Rio de Janeiro, via Paris)

• Jaguar, the Pantanal, Brazil
• Caiman, the Pantanal, Brazil
• The Pantanal, Brazil
• Giant Anteater, the Pantanal, Brazil
• Hyacinth macaws, the Pantanal, Brazil

Seychelles

October falls between the Seychelles’ two windiest periods, bringing generally calm, sunny, and warm-to-hot conditions that are ideal for beach relaxation. Underwater visibility for snorkelling and diving is at its very best this month, plus you might see hawksbill turtles as they come ashore to lay their eggs.

Type of heat in the Seychelles in October: The Seychelles has a warm, tropical climate, and while rain is possible in October, most of the time it’s sunny and dry, with occasional southeast trade winds providing relief on humid days.

Average temperature in the Seychelles in October: 28°C (82°F) depending on region

Average daily hours of sunshine in the Seychelles in October: 7 hours

Average flight time to the Seychelles: 13 hours (London to Seychelles via Dubai)

• La Digue Island, Seychelles
• Hawksbill turtle, Seychelles
• Vallée de Mai, Praslin Island, Seychelles
• Sooty terns, Bird Island, Seychelles
• Mahé Island, Seychelles

Northern Vietnam

With sunshine returning to northern Vietnam in October, you can hike among the striking karst landscapes around Sapa and take in the swirling rice terraces of Mu Cang Chai, which turn golden as harvest approaches. We can also help you get away from the crowds with treks among the forested peaks of Ha Giang.

Type of heat in northern Vietnam in October: As the wet season ends, October brings mostly sunshine and dry conditions, with maximum temperatures reaching 30°C (86°F), gradually falling toward the end of the month.

Average temperature in northern Vietnam in October: 25°C (77°F) depending on region

Average daily hours of sunshine in northern Vietnam in October: 6 hours

Average flight time to northern Vietnam: 13½ hours (London to Hanoi, via Paris)

• Tonkinese Alps, northern Vietnam
• Rice terraces, northern Vietnam
• Meo Vac market, Ha Giang, northern Vietnam
• Mu Cang Chai, northern Vietnam
• Ha Giang, northern Vietnam

Egypt

Hot, but not as scorching as the summer months, October is an excellent time to visit Egypt. You could explore Cairo’s frenetic streets for a taste of modern culture in the city, or cruise the Nile to visit the country’s many ancient tombs and temples, soaking up the sun from your ship’s deck.

Type of heat in Egypt in October: Comfortable enough for sightseeing (except for the hottest parts of the day) and very dry, maximum temperatures can reach 36°C (97°F), though cool at night.

Average temperature in Egypt in October: 32°C (90°F) depending on region

Average daily hours of sunshine in Egypt in October: 10 hours

Average flight time to Egypt: 4¾ hours (London to Cairo)

• The Nile near Aswan, Egypt
• Great Sphinx and pyramids, Giza, Egypt
• Abu Simbel, Egypt
• Saqqara, Egypt
• Red Sea, Egypt

French Polynesia cruise

From snorkelling the glass-clear waters of an atoll and visiting sacred ritual sites to meeting local artisans and relaxing on pristine sands, cruising French Polynesia gives you the best of what the islands have to offer while living in luxury. Voyage in October to enjoy hot and mostly rain-free days.

Type of heat in French Polynesia in October: Humidity is on the rise during October, but this is cooled by ocean breezes and the occasional rain shower. Maximum temperatures at this time of the year are 30°C (86°F).

Average temperature French Polynesia in October: 27°C (81°F) depending on region

Average daily hours of sunshine in French Polynesia in October: 8 hours

Average flight time to French Polynesia: 23¼ (London to Papeete, via Los Angeles)

• Overwater villas, Bora Bora, French Polynesia
• Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia
• Manta ray, French Polynesia
• Cook's Bay, Moorea, French Polynesia
• White tern, French Polynesia

Borneo

Hot and humid, October is an excellent time to relax and explore along Borneo’s coast. Cool off with a snorkel trip around the tiny volcanic island of Sipadan. The coral that surrounds it is alive with fish, manta rays, turtles, and harmless sharks, and visibility is at its best at this time of year.

Type of heat in Borneo in October: Falling just before the rains set in, October is one of the driest months to visit Borneo, which experiences hot, often humid, conditions. Maximum temperatures can reach 32°C (90°F).

Average temperature in Borneo in October: 30°C (86°F) depending on region

Average daily hours of sunshine in Borneo in October: 6 hours

Average flight time to Borneo: 15 hours (London to Kuching, via Singapore)

• Green turtle, Sipadan, Borneo
• Mount Kinabalu, Borneo
• Orangutan, Sepilok, Borneo
• Wind Cave, Mulu National Park, Borneo
• Pygmy elephant, Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Borneo