15 Best Christmas Beach Vacation Ideas For A Tropical Holiday

Christmas conjures images of snowy rooftops, cozy fireplaces, and pine-scented trees—but for many, the perfect holiday includes sand, sunshine, and a salty sea breeze, meaning there are locations that are the best places to celebrate Christmas on the beach!

If you’re looking to swap sleigh bells for surfboards, there are stunning beach destinations around the world where Christmas spirit meets coastal relaxation. Here are 15 of the best Christmas beach vacation ideas, each offering a unique twist on the festive season.

A Christmas tree with a star and red and silver ornaments sits on the beach, because there are a ton of Best Places to Celebrate Christmas on The Beach!

15 Best Places to Celebrate Christmas on The Beach

1. Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia

Christmas in Sydney lands during summer, and Bondi Beach becomes a vibrant hub for locals and tourists alike, all celebrating with barbecues, swims, and sunbathing.

Join the iconic Christmas Day party on Bondi with live DJs, beach volleyball, and Santa hats galore. Explore coastal walks, or attend Christmas carols by candlelight events across the city.

people wearing christmas hats and swimsuits sitting on the beach looking out at the ocean. the beach is sandy with tan sand and the ocean is blue with a blue sky

2. Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

Waikiki offers a tropical version of Christmas, with palm trees adorned with lights and Santa wearing board shorts! Catch the Honolulu City Lights festival, enjoy a Christmas Eve luau, or go surfing in the warm Pacific. Don’t miss the festive displays at Honolulu Hale.

A shot of Honolulu shows crystal clear waters, warm sand, towering hotels, and green palm trees, perfect for relaxing and of the Best Places to Celebrate Christmas on The Beach.

3. Bora Bora, French Polynesia

This luxurious island in the South Pacific is ideal for a romantic or tranquil Christmas getaway, surrounded by turquoise waters and overwater bungalows.

Spend the holiday snorkeling with manta rays! Take a Christmas Day catamaran cruise! Or indulge in a Polynesian Christmas dinner on the beach. Change tradition up!

An overhead show of Bora Bora shows tall mountains on an island, blue water, and tons of docks and private tiki huts to celebrate the holidays at.

4. Maui, Hawaii, USA

Maui combines natural beauty with vibrant Hawaiian culture. The festive atmosphere is relaxed and deeply tied to local traditions. Spend Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or even winter break doing fun things. We suggest:

Go whale-watching (peak season starts in December), visit Lahaina for its Christmas lights, or relax on Kaanapali Beach with a holiday-themed cocktail.

In Maui, a sunset hits the coast, palm trees tall, sand warm and water calm: this is one of the Best Places to Celebrate Christmas on The Beach.

5. Phuket, Thailand

A mix of cultural richness and beachside parties, Phuket offers something for every type of traveler during Christmas. Attend festive buffets at luxury resorts, enjoy Christmas Mass at local churches, or celebrate Christmas Eve with fireworks at Patong Beach.

An overhead photo of Phuket shows a viewpoint from down green mountains and into a cove with white sand, blue waters, and docked boats.

6. Barbados, Caribbean

Christmas in Barbados blends British traditions with Caribbean flair—think roast turkey with rum punch and festive steel drum music. This allows you to experience Christmas with elements you may be familiar with, adding something fun and different!

We suggest: taking part in the Grand Market celebrations, enjoying Christmas Day swims at Carlisle Bay, or exploring the beautifully lit capital of Bridgetown.

A photo of Barbados shows blue waters breaking in waves on the calm shore.

7. Malibu, California, USA

For a low-key but glamorous Christmas, Malibu offers sun-kissed beaches, celebrity-spotting, and upscale holiday experiences. It’s a little bit more “local” if you’re not trying to go international from the US too, meaning it may be a bit cheaper!

Enjoy scenic coastal drives along the Pacific Coast Highway, watch the holiday boat parade in nearby Marina del Rey, or dine at beachfront restaurants with special Christmas menus.

In Malibu, a sand snowman sits on the beach at sunset, showing that Malibu is one of the Best Places to Celebrate Christmas on The Beach.

8. Cape Town, South Africa

Located in the Southern Hemisphere, Cape Town experiences summer during December. This means Christmas is lively, sunny, and culturally diverse… kind of the opposite of a “traditional” Christmas!

Celebrate with beach picnics on Clifton Beach, hike Table Mountain for a Christmas sunrise, or enjoy carol concerts under the stars at Kirstenbosch Gardens.

Cape Town Africa is full of stunning mountains and sloping hills that look over coasts of sand and blue waters, residences scattered throughout.

9. Cancun, Mexico

Cancun combines traditional Mexican holiday customs with modern beachfront luxury, making it a great family-friendly Christmas destination. There are so many cool things to do that are great for Mexico in general, and going during Christmas just adds a bit more fun flare to it.

You can: explore Mayan ruins, enjoy festive dinners at all-inclusive resorts, and join local Christmas celebrations like Las Posadas and midnight Mass.

An overhead photo of Cancun shows just how blue the water is in Mexico: this strip of white sand in contrast to the blue waves proves it is one of the Best Places to Celebrate Christmas on The Beach.

10. Goa, India

Goa, with its Portuguese colonial influence and Christian heritage, celebrates Christmas with great enthusiasm, music, and color. You can celebrate the holiday season by visiting historic churches for midnight Mass, enjoying fireworks on the beach, and attending open-air Christmas concerts in towns like Panaji and Mapusa.

A shot of Goa shows the warm hues of the location, with dark green palms, golden sand, and rocks lining the shore.

11. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Maybe you don’t want to do Cancun, and that’s okay! Try Puerto Vallarta instead. This Pacific coast town is known for its cobblestone streets, warm hospitality, and lively beachside celebrations. Now imagine it during the holiday season!

Walk along the illuminated Malecón boardwalk, attend festive parades and nativity plays, or relax on Los Muertos Beach with a margarita in hand. Talk about a Merry Christmas!

An overhead shot of Puerto vallarta shows the edge of civilization coming to a hault on the coast, where warm sand meets blue waters, so when you're staying here you are close by and you know that this is one of the Best Places to Celebrate Christmas on The Beach.

12. The Bahamas

This feels almost a bit expected, but the Bahamas are a tried and true for a reason! The Bahamas light up during the holidays with beach barbecues, music, and Junkanoo—the vibrant Boxing Day street parade full of costumes and drums.

Swim with pigs in Exuma, explore Nassau’s Christmas markets, or relax at a luxury resort with beachside Christmas buffets! We promise it is worth it!

The Bahamas is well know for its powered sand beaches, and bright waters: in this photo, guests line a dock and tiki huts that feature chairs/loungers on the beach.

13. Rio de Janerio, Brazil

io fuses beach life and celebration like no other city. The Christmas season here is energetic and full of rhythm! Spend time visit the world’s largest floating Christmas tree on Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. Or join locals at Copacabana Beach! Maybe even go see elaborate light displays across the city.

In Rio De Janerio, tourists line the beach with blue and green umbrellas, mountains in the distance: this is one of the Best Places to Celebrate Christmas on The Beach.

14. Tulum, Mexico

Tulum offers a relaxed, bohemian vibe—perfect for travelers who want to unplug and enjoy a quieter, nature-focused Christmas. Spend your Christmas Day practicing yoga on the beach, snorkeling in cenotes, or attending a jungle-themed holiday dinner under the stars. Trade those Santa hats for snorkels!

In Tulum, Mexico, the rocks of the terrain break into the waves on the shore, greenery poking through.

15. Key West, Florida, USA

The Florida Keys offer a quirky and tropical Christmas experience with decorated boats, island vibes, and warm weather! Plus, if you’re local to the US, it can be a bit cheaper to get to rather than going internationally.

troll through Old Town to see historic homes lit up for the holidays, join the Lighted Boat Parade, and enjoy beachfront dining on Christmas Eve. It’s magical and festive! We even have an article for you to check out about the things to do in Key West in December!

Key West, Florida, offers a beach holiday welcome with a huge Christmas tree on a dock by ships, making it known that this is one of the Best Places to Celebrate Christmas on The Beach.

Tips for Celebrating Christmas on the Beach

One may assume that celebrating Christmas on the beach is easy, but to ensure that you’re having the best holiday without the stress, here are some tips:

Pack Smart: Even tropical destinations can get breezy at night. Bring light layers and festive beachwear.

Book Early: Popular beach destinations fill up quickly around Christmas, so plan accommodations and activities in advance.

Blend Traditions: Mix your favorite holiday customs with local culture. A beach bonfire with Christmas carols? Yes, please!

Stay Safe: Whether you’re swimming, surfing, or partying, follow local safety guidelines and look after your belongings.

Final Thoughts on the Best Places to Celebrate Christmas on the Beach

Christmas doesn’t have to be about snowflakes and mittens. Whether you’re sipping piña coladas in the Caribbean or paddleboarding in Hawaii, celebrating Christmas on the beach offers a refreshing—and often unforgettable—twist on holiday traditions. Each of these destinations delivers something special: from tropical warmth and vibrant festivals to peaceful sunsets and luxury retreats.

So go ahead—trade your boots for flip-flops, your hot cocoa for coconut water, and unwrap a Christmas filled with sunshine, serenity, and seaside magic.