swim

Destination with November sea warm enough to swim in that’s budget-friendly

As the UK is hit by cold and wet weather, many Brits are looking to escape the winter blues by booking a last-minute holiday abroad – and one travel expert has shared his top recommendations

The dreary, grey November conditions are prompting Britons to snap up last-minute breaks overseas, as sun-seekers desperately hunt for an escape from the winter gloom. For those yearning for warmth, there are loads of options for a scorching getaway that won’t empty your wallet.

Holiday-makers hunting for ideas might want to check out four suggestions from Rob Brooks, a travel guru and social media star with holiday firm On The Beach. Well-known online for dishing out money-saving travel tips, accommodation reviews, and getaway guidance, Rob has built up a massive fanbase on TikTok under the handle @Robonthebeach.

One of Rob’s latest clips was called ‘Where I’d go for a hot, cheap holiday.’

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Offering guidance to his 34k followers, he explained: “Here are the four places that I can recommend for this November if you’re after a last-minute migration to escape the freezing cold here. I’ve seen loads of people asking recently, ‘Where’s hot in November?'”.

“But I think the real question is, ‘Where’s hot and cheap this November?’ Because sure, Dubai is lovely, and Thailand’s boiling, but can any of us actually afford that on short notice? So I’ve gone through the booking trends, weather forecasts and our live pricing to find four places I’d actually recommend this November for a warm, good value escape.”

Discussing his fourth choice, Rob revealed: “Costa Blanca. It’s not blazing hot, but it’s that lovely kind of jumper in the evening, t-shirt all day kind of weather. This November is looking like highs of 23 degrees, no rain, and loads of sunshine. Benidorm, Alicante, Calpe. They’re all ticking over lovely in November, but way quieter and way cheaper than summer. You can still swim in the sea and sit outside for dinner, there’s just less crowds there.”

He went on: “Antalya in Turkey. Still properly hot there, around 25 degrees most days, and it’s even warmer inland. While you’re soaking in the sun, your mates will be back home scraping ice off the windscreen.”

For his following suggestion, Rob remarked: “Tenerife, still hitting 27 degrees most days on the south coast. There’s loads of sunshine and the sea’s definitely warm enough to swim in. For me as well, November is actually one of the best times to go. Quieter beaches, lower prices, but still that proper Canaries heat.”

Wrapping up his recommendations, Rob concluded: “The number one place I’d recommend, Sharm El-Sheikh. If you want actual summer in November, this is it. It’s still 30 degrees every day. The Red Sea is like bathwater, and it’s one of the few places you can get an all-inclusive, proper luxury place for under £500 per person.”

The clip proved a hit with viewers, amassing thousands of likes. One person responded: “Malaga is always perfect in November.” Another user posted: “Just got back from Madeira last night. Can’t believe this wasn’t on your list.”

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‘Magical’ tidal pool is free to use and ‘perfect for winter swim’

The wild swimming spot is popular with reviewers, who praised the ‘stunning’ views

A ‘magical’ tidal pool that’s popular with wild swimmers has been praised as the ‘perfect’ spot for a winter swim. Found in Cornwall, the ‘stunning’ pool could be especially attractive to people who like to swim year-round, but who don’t always get the chance due to rough seas.

While it’s always important to follow water safety guidelines, swimming in the winter can be more dangerous due to unpredictable conditions and stronger currents. Bude Sea Pool often goes viral on social media and is highly rated by TripAdvisor reviewers. It’s also free to visit.

Friends of Bude Sea Pool, the charity that maintains the pool, explains: “Bude Sea Pool is a semi-natural tidal pool and is a safe haven for wild swimming on the edges of the Atlantic Ocean. There is no cost, no booking nor any other imposed restriction. Bude Sea Pool is for everyone to enjoy for free.”

The sea pool is open throughout the year, and the temperature typically ranges between 11°C and 18°C. The website advises unseasoned swimmers to consider wearing a wetsuit. It is also recommended to always swim at low tide.

On TripAdvisor, the tidal pool has an average rating of 4.7 out of five, and it earned a 2025 Travellers’ Choice Award. The description for the attraction reads: “Bude Sea Pool is a part-natural, part man-made tidal pool on Summerleaze Beach in the popular seaside town of Bude, North Cornwall.

“Built in the 1930s under the cliffs, it provides a safe swimming area away from the dangerous Atlantic currents. Measuring approximately 91m by 45m, the pool is naturally replenished by the Atlantic Ocean at high tide.”

One previous visitor said: “Bude sea pool is my favourite place in the world. I have visited it many times, in all months and seasons. It is never the same, but always magical and I am so happy that it continues to be free for everyone to enjoy. Wonderful place.”

Another visitor wrote: “A lovely spot. Perfect, safe place for a winter swim. A lovely spot.

“Perfect, safe place for a winter swim when the sea is rough. An amazing facility. Volunteer run and charity so pop in the ‘friends of’ shop for some swim-supplies or gifts to show support. Parking & toilets nearby.”

Someone else praised: “Awesome! What a stunning place for a swim! The Bude sea pool is a wonderful thing. It is backed by cliffs creating stunning views while you can swim in calm but fresh sea water. I recommend a wetsuit in winter unless you’re seriously hardy!

“But it is open and beautiful all year round whatever the weather. If you do swim please do donate to keep this wonderful resource going. Go there and enjoy!”

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