Honeymoon in March: Where to Go

The week you choose can make a real difference to a March honeymoon. Cherry blossom season is approaching in Japan, the Maldives are still in their relatively drier season, Zanzibar is moving into its main rains, and Mauritius remains in the heat of tropical summer.

A week of quiet by the ocean calls for a different plan from a journey timed for Japan's cherry blossoms. In March, that difference is worth thinking about before you book.

Japan: aim for late March if cherry blossoms matter

I'd look towards late March or early April for a honeymoon centred on Japan's cherry blossoms. In Tokyo, long-term observations put the start of flowering in the second half of March, with full bloom often arriving towards the end of the month.

The exact timing changes every year. If your holiday dates are fixed, choose Japan for its cities, gardens and the pleasure of exploring somewhere together, rather than treating a particular week of blossoms as a promise. Seeing the sakura in flower could make the trip especially memorable, but it shouldn't be the only reason to go.

The Maldives: one of my first choices for time by the sea

If warm water, privacy and a relaxed island resort are your priorities, I'd start with the Maldives. March still falls within the relatively drier northeast monsoon period. April brings a transition towards a different seasonal pattern.

For many couples, there isn't a dramatic difference between a late-February honeymoon and a March one. The atoll, the individual resort, its beach and the transfer to the island may matter more. Choose the place you want to spend your days, not just a month that looks good in a climate table.

Mauritius: tropical summer hasn't finished

Mauritius is still a very good March honeymoon choice for couples who want real tropical heat and the freedom to explore beyond their hotel. Long-term rainfall figures for the island as a whole are a little lower in March than in February. But conditions vary across the island, and an island-wide average won't tell you what's happening on the beach outside your room.

The central highlands can be rainy while the coast has sunshine. A short tropical shower may be welcome in the heat; longer spells of rain can change an afternoon's plans. I'd pay more attention to the location of the resort than to a single national rainfall figure.

Think, too, about how much hiking or full-day sightseeing you want to do. March is hot and humid, and a milder month may be more comfortable if exploring on foot is a major part of the trip. March also falls within the official cyclone season, when severe weather can disrupt travel.

For a honeymoon mainly spent by the sea, though, I wouldn't rule Mauritius out. Pick your coast and resort carefully, and decide how much of the holiday you want to devote to the beach rather than activities.

Zanzibar: take the arrival of the long rains seriously

I'd be more cautious about Zanzibar in March than in January or February. The island is entering its main rainy season, known as Masika, which generally lasts from March into May.

The long rains don't start on a fixed date. But if your ideal honeymoon is mostly sunshine and long days on the beach, I'd take the seasonal change seriously.

Look at what your chosen hotel offers when the weather isn't suitable for swimming or excursions. And if swimming directly in the ocean matters to you, check the beach at low tide as well. Tides are a separate consideration from rainfall.

With fixed March dates and a beach-first honeymoon in mind, I'd compare Zanzibar with the Maldives before booking. The Maldives are still in their relatively drier season. Zanzibar may suit a couple with other priorities, but it needs a more considered choice in March.

Egypt and the Canary Islands: a different kind of March honeymoon

Not every couple wants tropical humidity. Egypt's Red Sea coast and the Canary Islands offer alternatives for a honeymoon that combines a comfortable hotel with time to go out and explore.

On the Red Sea, look closely at the hotel's location, wind exposure, beach and swimming conditions. A sea view alone doesn't tell you how comfortable a swim will be. In the Canary Islands, March is more appealing for walks, excursions and exploring together than for expecting tropical sea temperatures.

Whichever you choose, make sure the hotel actually suits a holiday for two. An attractive all-inclusive package isn't, on its own, a reason to call a resort romantic.

Bali: check Nyepi before you book

If Bali is on your March shortlist, check the date of Nyepi, the Balinese New Year and Day of Silence. Its date changes from year to year, and local observances can affect what visitors are able to do.

Before confirming flights, transfers or excursions, check this year's date and the arrangements with your airline and hotel. This matters especially if you want to spend much of the holiday exploring the island. Nyepi is an important cultural observance, not an attraction to build a honeymoon around without understanding how it will affect your plans.

How I'd choose a honeymoon in March

For a honeymoon focused on the sea, I'd compare the Maldives and Mauritius first. Choose the Maldives for privacy and slower days on a small island during the relatively drier season; choose Mauritius if you prefer tropical heat and the option to explore a larger island.

I'd be more cautious with Zanzibar as the long rains begin, particularly when your dates are fixed and beach time matters most. For a trip shaped by nature and culture, consider Japan towards the end of March, while allowing for the uncertainty of cherry blossom timing.

And if you'd rather have milder weather, consider Egypt or the Canary Islands for the kind of hotel, swimming conditions and activities you'll actually enjoy together. Choose the kind of honeymoon you want, then find the March dates and hotel that suit it.