For most kids, December means school holidays and Christmas by the sea. It’s a South African family tradition to spend the festive season soaking up the sun at the coast, and for good reason. With winter rapidly turning into spring, it’s time to start planning your December getaway so you can pick the perfect beach getaway that suits your family.
The Cape’s calling
The Mother City lives up to its name, offering an amazing range of kid-friendly accommodation, restaurants and activities. No matter how many times you’ve been, you’ll quite simply never run out of things to do and see.
There’s the obvious stuff – penguins on Boulders Beach and the Two Oceans Aquarium, but Cape Town doesn’t disappoint even if you skip the popular beaches and locations. The city is bursting with conservation and wildlife sanctuaries, allowing your children to get up close and personal with everything from big cats to butterflies to birds. If you’re looking for more adventurous outings, there’s everything from tobogganing to go-karting to cruising on pirates ships. And because so much of the city is catered towards families, there’s plenty to keep Mom and Dad happy while the kids have their fun.
Pregos on the sand
For a beach destination that’s a little different yet close to home, Mozambique is a great choice, offering over 2000km of coastline and a Portugese cultural flavour, just a short plane ride away. The place to go for all-ages fun is definitely the Bazaruto Archipelago, famous for its natural beauty and unspoiled beaches, as well as its excellent resorts.
There’s something for everyone in Mozambique – horse-riding, quad biking, dhow trips and spectacular snorkelling are all popular things to do for kids and adults alike. An abundance of marine life – dolphins, turtles and whale sharks – make this the perfect place to take kids interested in animals and nature.
Your own island
It’s not always possible to go away on longer breaks during the year, which is why December is the perfect time to hop a plane to a distant ocean paradise. But which gorgeous beach destination do you choose from when they all look so amazing?
Bali and Phuket offer the quintessential tropical island experience – white sands, turquoise waters and all the other postcard-perfect features – at an affordable price. Both have plenty of family-friendly options, from kids’ clubs to water parks to shows. For areas to stay, we recommend Seminyak, Ubud and Sanur in Bali and Karon, Kata and Koh Samui in Phuket.
Mauritius has a reputation for amazing resorts and hotels, and many of them cater directly for family travel, offering unforgettable activities that will keep both kids and parents happy. With plenty of calm bays and lagoons, as well as friendly staff trained to look after children, you can unwind knowing the kids are in safe hands.
It only takes a little planning ahead and you can secure an unforgettable beach holiday that your kids will love. All of these destinations offer a range of options to suit your budget, from self-catering simplicity to all-inclusive resorts. Speak to your Flight Centre Consultant today for advice on the best family-friendly accommodation or check out some more amazing beach deals from around the world.