Six places where the sea is still warm in October

Average sea temperature: 22-24ºC

Water heats more slowly than land, then releases that warmth slowly – so the sea in Tenerife remains balmy in October, especially in the south and southwest. You even might be lucky enough to spots whales or dolphins without the summer crowds. Bask on the palm-edged Playa del Duque or kayak and snorkel below the cliffs at Los Gigantes, stopping to lunch on zarzuela (seafood stew) at the portside KV Bar Gourmet.

Stay: It’s hard to top the luxurious Bahía del Duque, whose tiered lawns and gardens give way to golden sands. Its private villas are particularly dreamy. 

Average sea temperature: 28-29ºC

The sea – never chilly in the Maldives – is particularly bath-like in October. With the rainy season still under way, prices are more forgiving. And amid the often-fleeting tropical showers, temperatures are lovely, with highs of 30ºC. Seasonal plankton blooms draw manta rays and whale sharks, which you may be able to spot from the water, but also keep your eyes peeled for the plankton’s glow along the shoreline on calm, moonless nights, when it resembles a galaxy of bobbing blue stars. 
Stay: Slip into the Indian Ocean at LUX* South Ari Atoll. Edged by marine-protected lagoons that are just the right shade of turquoise, it even has its own resident marine biologist. 

British Airways flies direct to the Maldives seven times a week*

Average sea temperature: 23-25ºC

Antalya is enviably set between the mountains and the Med – which, come October, is still invitingly warm. Get lost in the city’s kaleiçi (Old Town), framed by red-tiled Ottoman mansions, stopping at Konak Dondurma Kaleiçi for a scoop of honey almond gelato. Along the coast, take your pick from a string of beaches, such as the unspoilt, pebble-dotted Çıralı or the Phaselis coves, flanked by rustling pines and ancient ruins (hence the entry charge).

Stay: Pools can be chilly this late in the season, but not at the Maxx Royal Kemer Resort, an impressively upscale all-inclusive. At sleek beachside resort Bijal, meanwhile, each villa has its own heated pool. 

Average sea temperature: 24-25ºC

On Cyprus’s sunny southeastern coast, summer lingers on into October. Tap into the rhythms of local life in the ancient port city of Larnaca, or head along the coast to Ayia Napa or the calmer Protaras, both famed for their Blue Flag beaches. Standouts include the turquoise cove at Fig Tree Bay, the pine-backed Konnos Bay and the golden, gently-sloping Green Bay, where turtles graze the seagrass beds. It’s a famous spot for snorkelling and diving.

Stay: In Larnaca’s historic heart, Lokàl Boutique Hotel is a sleek, 17-room hideaway with a rooftop pool. Along the coast in Ayia Napa, days revolve around the lagoon pool at the couples-only Amanti. 

Average sea temperature: 28-29ºC

St Lucia sits on the southern edge of the hurricane belt, putting it at much lower risk than the northerly islands. True, it’s the wettest month, but the island is lush and green as a result, with considerably fewer tourists. It’s the start of the great whale migration, so a boat trip is a must, while the water’s perfect for snorkelling and swimming on the calmer western side. Creole Heritage Month, meanwhile, brings parties, zouk music and feasting.

Stay: Set on a sheltered peninsula, the adults-only Sandals Grande St Lucian is a strategic choice at this time of year, with no river run-off to cloud the calm, sun-dappled bay.  

British Airways flies direct to 12 Caribbean islands, with more direct flights to the Caribbean than any other UK airline.*

Average sea temperature: 23-24ºC

Early autumn in Malta still feels suspiciously like summer, with daytime highs of up to 25ºC. This is one of the best months for hiking its clifftop trails and limestone paths, before heading to the sea to cool down. Beaches are noticeably calmer, and you’ll swerve the summer throngs at the Blue Lagoon (though it’s still best to catch an early ferry). On the first Saturday of October, don’t miss Notte Bianca, which sees Valletta come alive with music and late-night culture.

Stay: The Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Golden Sands overlooks an epic sweep of red-gold sand, with a spa and indoor heated pool, should the skies cloud over.