The Best Beaches to Visit in August and Coastal Wonders

Svalbard is a Norwegian archipelago located midway between Norway and the North Pole. August is one of the few months when the sea ice recedes enough for ships to navigate the coast. It is the end of the polar summer, so you will experience constant daylight. Temperatures hover around 3 to 7 degrees Celsius. Do not expect sandy sunbathing here. Instead, you will see glaciers meeting the ocean and historic whaling stations. Polar bears roam this region. You cannot leave the main settlement of Longyearbyen without a licensed guide who carries a rifle.

This waterfall in Venezuela drops 979 meters from the Auyan Tepui mountain. August is right in the middle of the wet season. This means the river levels are high enough for boats to reach the base of the falls. During the dry season, the water can evaporate before hitting the ground. In August, the flow is heavy and dramatic. The surrounding Canaima National Park is dense and remote. The weather is hot and humid, with frequent heavy downpours. You will get wet both from the rain and the spray of the falls.

The Serengeti spans over 14,000 square kilometers of savanna. August is the dry season, which makes it an excellent time to view animals. Vegetation is low, and animals gather around the remaining water sources. This month is also when the massive wildebeest migration moves north toward the Mara River. You have a high chance of seeing river crossings. The days are warm and dry, but early morning game drives are cold. You will need thick layers for the open vehicles.

Gullfoss is a major waterfall on the Hvita river in southwest Iceland. The water tumbles down two tiers into a deep canyon. In August, the glacial runoff is at its peak, making the flow incredibly powerful. August offers the warmest weather of the year in Iceland, with temperatures around 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. The trails around the falls are clear of ice and fully open. Because it is on the popular Golden Circle route, you will share the viewing platforms with tour buses.

Banff is the oldest national park in Canada. August brings warm, stable weather to these Rocky Mountain landscapes. The high altitude hiking trails are completely free of snow by this time of year. The famous glacial lakes, like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, show their deepest turquoise color in August. This happens because the sun reflects off the rock flour suspended in the water. Wildfires are a common hazard in western Canada during August. Smoke can roll in quickly and block the mountain views for days.

Lofoten is an archipelago in northern Norway. While it sits above the Arctic Circle, it features white sand beaches and turquoise water. August is the warmest month, with water temperatures reaching a chilly 12 degrees Celsius. You can hike the steep peaks that rise straight from the sea. The midnight sun ends in July, but August still has very long days with beautiful twilight hours. The weather is highly unpredictable. You can experience warm sunshine and heavy rainstorms on the same afternoon.

The Galapagos Islands sit on the equator, but August is during the cool and dry season. The Humboldt Current brings cold, nutrient rich water to the islands. This cold water attracts active marine life. It is the best time for snorkeling with sea lions, penguins, and marine iguanas. The seas can be rough in August. If you are prone to motion sickness, the boat rides between islands will be uncomfortable.

Uluru is a massive sandstone monolith in the center of Australia. August is late winter in the Southern Hemisphere. This means daytime temperatures are comfortable, usually around 22 degrees Celsius. In summer, temperatures here regularly exceed 40 degrees Celsius, making outdoor activity dangerous. August avoids this heat and the plague of desert flies. The nights are very cold, often dropping close to freezing. You must pack warm clothing for sunrise viewings.

This cathedral was designed by Oscar Niemeyer and completed in 1970. It features sixteen curved concrete columns that support a stained glass roof. August is the dry season in Brasilia. The skies are consistently clear and blue, which provides the best natural light inside the glass nave. The surrounding plaza has no shade, and the midday sun can be intense.

The Azores is a Portuguese archipelago of nine islands. August is the warmest and driest month of the year. The ocean temperatures reach 22 degrees Celsius, making it the best time for swimming. The islands have dark, volcanic sand beaches and natural ocean tide pools. August is also the peak season for spotting blue whales and dolphins. Because it is the high season, flights and rental cars are expensive and must be booked months ahead.