Where’s hot in June?

Play your cards right, and June can be a great month for slipping in before the rainy season truly kicks in for a lot of destinations, and before the worst of the summer crowds hit.

Here’s our picks, from Borneo to Aruba.

June actually marks the start of the rainy season in Thailand, but thanks to its location on the coast, Koh Samui remains relatively dry compared to the rest of the country. The humidity will be less here too.

First up on things to do are the beaches, obviously. There’s loads, but here’s a few good’uns: Chaweng Beach is the most famous and busiest, known for its vibrant nightlife; for a quieter option, head to Lamai Beach. Bophut Beach is where you’ll find the famous Fisherman’s Village, whilst Maenam Beach is another good shout for a more serene and less crowded experience. Water activities are another must do in June – snorkelling and diving are for discovering the underwater worlds in nearby Koh Tao, whilst you can take a boat tour to Ang Thong National Marine Park for stunning scenery and wildlife.

Koh Samui has temples down to a T, too. You’ll know Wat Phra Yai by its other name – Big Buddha Temple, home to a mahoosive 12-meter tall golden Buddha statue. Wat Khunaram, meanwhile, is known for its mummified monk. On the other end of the spectrum, don’t miss the nightlife here. Chaweng Beach Road is the beating heart, where you’ll find many a beach club to while away the evening – Ark Bar is one of ’em, and it’s especially known for its evening fire shows. We’ve seen them first-hand (like, inches-from-your-face first-hand), and they’re incredible. Green Mango is another large club, and one of the most popular on the island.

June is when the Southwest Monsoon makes an appearance in Singapore, but don’t fret. Any showers will clear up quickly and usually hit between early morning to midday. The monsoon also means the hot temperatures drop a little, as well as the humidity.

Some of the most popular things here include Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay, where you can explore the Supertree Grove, Flower Dome, and Cloud Forest. Sentosa Island is where you’ll find Universal Studios Singapore and Adventure Cove Waterpark, and the beach too. Yeah, Singapore has a beach!

Singapore has its own Chinatown too, where you can visit heritage shophouses, as well as visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. There’s a Little India here as well – don’t miss the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, and have a rummage at Mustafa Centre. If that’s not enough, the Middle East is also here – in Kampong Glam, visit the Sultan Mosque, explore Haji Lane, and enjoy Middle Eastern cuisine.

Family-friendly activities include the Singapore Flyer, a giant observation wheel, and Science Centre Singapore.

June is the beginning of the hot, hot, hot summer season in New Orleans, and it’ll bring some quick, sharp showers too and high humidity – we’ve chucked it in our list because June is your last shot to see New Orleans before the summer humidity makes it too much for anyone but the locals.

Begin your exploration in the historic French Quarter, where you can stroll down Bourbon Street, try the local cuisine at renowned restaurants (don’t miss beignets at Café du Monde, po’boys, and gumbo), and admire that famous architecture. Don’t miss a visit to Jackson Square to see the stunning St. Louis Cathedral and enjoy performances by street artists. Take a leisurely steamboat cruise along the Mississippi River for scenic views and jazz music, then dive into the city’s musical heritage with a night out on Frenchmen Street, famed for its live jazz clubs.

For history buffs, the National WWII Museum provides an immersive experience and for a dose of nature you can explore the lush and eerie beauty of the Garden District with its antebellum mansions and famed Lafayette Cemetery No. 1.

Being closer to Venezuela than the rest of the Caribbean means that Aruba – officially part of the Netherlands – gets to skirt the stormy season that’s widely associated with the Caribbean at this time of year. Most people don’t realise this, which means June is still pretty quiet in this neck of the woods, with cheaper accommodation and flights too.

Start by relaxing on the pristine sands of Eagle Beach or Palm Beach. Eagle Beach is consistently ranked among the world’s best beaches, with wide, pristine sands and calm, turquoise waters – plus those iconic fofoti trees. Palm Beach, on the other hand, is a hub for water sports like jet skiing, parasailing, and paddleboarding. The beach’s calm waters make it great for families too.

Explore the island’s natural wonders with a visit to Arikok National Park. Covering nearly 20% of the island, you can hike through rugged landscapes, discover hidden caves like Fontein Cave and Quadirikiri Cave, both adorned with ancient rock paintings, and see the iconic Natural Pool – now, that’s a unique swimming experience. There’s rich marine life here, which you can get up close and personal with by going scuba diving or snorkelling at the Antilla shipwreck, a German freighter sunk during World War II. You can snorkel at Boca Catalina and Mangel Halto too – think vibrant coral reefs and abundant tropical fish.

Take a stroll through Oranjestad, the colourful capital, to experience its Dutch colonial architecture, local shops, and vibrant markets. And don’t miss the chance to try windsurfing or kiteboarding at Fisherman’s Huts either.

Borneo is known for its orangutans, and June is one of the best months to see them in the wild – the trees start to bear fruit and you can spot them feasting on them. Hot, dry, and only occasionally rainy, June is also an ideal month to catch the turtles laying their eggs on Selingan Island.

Explore the dense rainforests of Sabah and Sarawak, home to the iconic orangutans at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, or trek through the lush landscapes of Kinabalu National Park to reach the summit of Mount Kinabalu, one of Southeast Asia’s highest peaks, for unbelievable views.

The crystal-clear waters of Sipadan Island are renowned as one of the world’s best dive sites, and are absolutely teeming with marine life like sharks, turtles, and coral reefs. But if you’re not much of a diver, stay up top with a river cruise along the Kinabatangan River to spot pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, and all sorts of exotic bird species.

There’s some unique flora and fauna in the Danum Valley Conservation Area, a pristine tropical rainforest offering guided tours and canopy walks. Plus there’s a rich indigenous culture here, and you can experience it by visiting the traditional longhouses in Sarawak, where you can learn about the customs and lifestyle of the Iban people. Borneo’s diverse ecosystems and cultural heritage promise a truly enriching and adventurous travel experience.

June in Orlando is hot. But it’s your last chance to avoid the worst of the rainy season, which is just starting up. You won’t avoid the rain entirely, but it’ll pretty much be contained to short, sharp bursts in the afternoon which’ll dry up within the hour.

Start your trip to the ‘Themepark Capital of the World’ at the iconic Walt Disney World Resort, home to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, each offering unique experiences and thrilling rides. Then just a short drive away, you’ve also got Universal Orlando Resort, made up of Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

But beyond the theme parks (yes, there are other things to be enjoyed here), explore the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to learn about space exploration, and maybe even meet an astronaut. Definitely don’t miss Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex, which is all about the current and upcoming cutting-edge innovations of space exploration from NASA and their commercial partners.

If you start to space out though, you can drop some dollars on shopping and dining at Disney Springs or Universal CityWalk instead. For a touch of nature, stroll through the beautiful Harry P. Leu Gardens or paddleboard on Lake Eola in downtown Orlando.