The Perfect Breeze, According to Scientists

There’s a special kind of joy in stepping outside on holiday and being greeted by the perfect breeze – just strong enough to cool you off, but not so strong that it knocks your hat off. Comfort is a priority for every traveller – but especially for those over 70 or living with medical conditions. After all, no one wants their holiday spoiled by blustery weather or feeling too hot. 

Whether you’re perusing a cocktail menu at sunset or meandering around a city in search of somewhere for dinner, a gentle breeze can keep you feeling refreshed rather than sticky. But what exactly creates this ‘perfect’ breeze, and when it is too much versus not enough? To find out, we teamed up with Jim N.R. Dale, Founder and Senior Meteorologist at British Weather Services. With decades of expertise – including time as a Meteorological Observer in the Royal Navy – Jim helped us pinpoint the ideal weather conditions that create the kind of holiday breeze that leaves you feeling, relaxed, refreshed and completely satisfied. 

With Tim’s insights in mind, we then analysed meteorological data from over 100 global holiday hotspots to find the destinations where the ‘perfect’ breeze happens most often.

What makes the ‘perfect’ breeze? 

According to Jim, a perfect breeze should be ‘sustained’ as it will have a satisfying and cooling effect, rather than one where the wind inconsistently ebbs and flows. The wind speed should be anywhere between 10 and 15 miles per hour (mph) for maximal comfort, and the humidity values should be low. Anything over 20 mph crosses over into feeling a bit blustery, anything under 10 mph will be too weak, and humidity levels that are too high mean our bodies must work much harder to become cool.  

In addition to the above, the direction the breeze is blowing makes a big difference too. Coastal breezes tend to inherit the sea’s cooler surface temperatures which helps to cool you down. But if you’re inland, you’ll need the airstream to come from the direction of cooler climatic zones, rather than the hotter ones for the same effect. For example, in the UK, if an inland breeze is coming from the hotter south – it won’t be quite as refreshing as one coming from a northernly quarter with a degree of polar air attached.  

“The perfect breeze can be very hard to find, particularly on hot steamy days when you might need it most.” Jim explains. “But there are a few times when all the constituent parts come together and deliver a breeze that can be more refreshing than any air conditioning; moreover, it’s 100% natural and free!” 

The formula for a ‘perfect’ breeze, according to science 

Coastal breeze conditions: 

• Temperature: 23-29 degrees   

• Wind speed: 10-15 miles per hour   

• Humidity: 65-70%  

• Wind direction: From off the sea, as the breeze will take on the lower cooler temperatures of the sea surface. This is commonly known as a sea breeze.  

Inland breeze conditions: 

• Temperature: 24-30 degrees  

• Wind speed: 10-15 miles per hour  

• Humidity: 55-65%  

• Wind direction: From the northerly quarter (wind blowing from the north, northeast, northwest, or west).   

We have also collaborated with data specialist Tim Vowden to analyse OpenWeather data from over 100 holiday hotspots, comparing each location against our ‘perfect’ breeze criteria. While the results reveal some expected frontrunners, some of the other destinations might surprise you.  

Top 25 destinations for the ‘perfect’ breeze 

1. Sydney, Australia 
   

‘Perfect Breeze’ Score: 96.4/100  
Nowhere else can you find a better breeze than in Sydney, Australia – according to our formula at least! From the sparkling harbour where you can marvel at the design of the Opera House or even climb to the top of the Harbour Bridge, the city and its warm and sunny climate is a popular outdoor travel destination. Head to one of the many beaches to sunbathe or meander your way along the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk to experience the delightful coastal breeze for yourself. 
 

2. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 

‘Perfect Breeze’ Score: 93.1/100  
Coming in second is Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The city was once the capital of Brazil, until it was moved to Brasília, but remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in South America. Whether you head here to search for the street art, stroll along the world-famous beaches or hike in the heat to get to the top of iconic landmarks like Christ the Redeemer or Sugarloaf Mountain, you will be grateful for the cool winds which come off the ocean and give you relief from the tropical climate. 

3. Paphos, Cyprus 

‘Perfect Breeze’ Score: 91.4/100

Rounding out the top three places in the world for a ‘perfect’ breeze is the sun-soaked city of Paphos, Cyprus. Paphos doubles up as the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, and as a UNESCO World Heritage site – where travellers can explore incredible ancient sites like the Tombs of the Kings. If you’re exploring the archaeological treasures, or enjoying a meal at a local taverna, you’ll surely be grateful for the coastal breeze here that comes off the Mediterranean Sea. 
 

4. Puerto de la Cruz, Spain 

‘Perfect Breeze’ Score: 88.3/100

Puerto de la Cruz, on the island of Tenerife in Spain, ranked fourth in our study. Once upon a time a fishing village, the town is now an extremely popular tourist spot on Tenerife’s north coast. Known for its rugged coastline, black sand beaches and vibrant promenade – the colourful buildings and palm-tree fringed streets offer the perfect backdrop for travellers enjoying the coastal breeze while they explore. 
 

5. Phuket, Thailand 

‘Perfect Breeze’ Score: 86.8/100

Phuket is one of Thailand’s most popular holiday destinations and is the country’s largest island. While it is known for world-famous beaches on the likes of the Phi Phi and James Bond islands, 70% of the terrain is mountainous. You’ll find it an excellent base for exploring landmarks like the Big Buddha as well as exploring the bustling night markets and snorkelling around its coral reefs. 
 

6. The Whitsundays, Australia 

‘Perfect Breeze’ Score: 85.0/100

The Whitsundays, a group of 74 islands nestled in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, are in fact the visible peaks of a submerged ancient mountain range. Only a few of the islands are inhabited, with most of them being protected national parks. They are well known for being the home of Whitehaven Beach, which has 98.9% pure silica and gives the sand its pure white colour. They’re also known for their snorkelling, diving and boating opportunities – where you can enjoy the near-perfect breeze while spotting humpback whales, turtles, dugongs and many types of fish. 

7. Ibiza, Spain 

‘Perfect Breeze’ Score: 84.4/100
Although Ibiza is known around the world as a hotspot for partying, the island is in fact full of ancient history. With UNESCO World Heritage sites to explore, quaint villages and some 57 beautiful beaches – visitors looking for a comfortable and relaxing trip need to look no further than Ibiza. Here, they’ll enjoy a breezy getaway where they can soak up some sunshine. 

8. Cefalù, Italy  

‘Perfect Breeze’ Score: 81.4/100 
 Named after the Greek word for head, after its “head-shaped rock” (Rocca di Cefalú) which towers over the town, Cefalù is a medieval town which has been beautifully preserved, so you can wind your way through the narrow, cobblestone streets exploring all the shops and cafes. It’s celebrated as one of the prettiest places in Italy and offers numerous dreamy Sicilian beaches, all complete with a beautiful sea breeze.  

9. Galle, Sri Lanka  

‘Perfect Breeze’ Score: 81.3/100 
Galle, which is famous for its UNESCO World Heritage listed fort and overlooks the Indian Ocean, is similar to the rest of our top 10 in that it is located on the coast and benefits from a beautiful sea breeze. Whether you’re soaking up the tropical sun, or exploring the historical streets and Dutch colonial architecture, you’re sure to have a comfortable trip here. 

10. Boa Vista, Cape Verde 

‘Perfect Breeze’ Score: 72.5/100
Rounding out the top ten is Boa Vista in Cape Verde. The island, whose name literally translates to “Beautiful View” is situated just off the coast of West Africa and is known as the Sahara of the Atlantic thanks to its sand dunes and rocky hills. With 55km of untouched white beaches to explore, as well as crystal clear waters for snorkelling – you will have endless fun exploring it while enjoying its breezy climate.  
 

As our research shows, the ‘perfect’ breeze isn’t just the stuff of chance. With some careful, strategic planning, you can choose a holiday destination where comfort is already built into the climate.  
 
So, whether you’re flying somewhere specifically suitable for your medical condition, or you just want to beat the heat – consider checking the list before you book – and don’t forget your comprehensive travel insurance! 

Methodology

We used OpenWeather to gather temperature, humidity and wind data for over 100 popular holiday destinations, covering the last three summers per hemisphere (North: June to August, South: December to February).  

Readings were taken every other day between 3 pm and 5 pm local time for the following metrics: shade temperature (°C), relative humidity (%), wind speed and wind direction (meteorological degrees). Wind speeds were converted to mph. 

Our benchmark was The Perfect Breeze, defined by Jim N. R. Dale of British Weather Services: 

• Coastal: 23–29 °C, 10–15 mph, 65–70% humidity, wind off the sea
• Inland: 24–30 °C, 10–15 mph, 55–65% humidity, wind from the northerly quarter 

For wind we used the dataset’s vector-mean values, which reflect the net movement of air. To judge coastal direction, we tagged each seaside location with its main coastline facing (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW) and treated winds within ±45° of that facing as onshore. Inland, winds within 270-360° or 0-90° counted as northerly. 

Our scoring system analysed the wind in each destination against four metrics: temperature, humidity, wind speed and wind direction. For each factor, we measured how close the conditions were compared to the ‘ideal’ values specified by our expert.  

We also calculated a score to reflect how often these conditions actually occur. The final ‘Perfect Breeze Score’ is a combination of the two, with locations that produce an ideal level of breeziness most frequently, scoring highest.