It seems like everyone’s just back from February vacation and they’re already planning their April break. Beaches, warm weather, adventure – it sounds great – except for anyone who didn’t love the amped up April break prices

But there’s a secret about spring travel and it matches up well with the usual New England weather.

May and early June are prime beach escape times, with lower prices and less crowds.

While most tend to think April, shift your vacation plan to May. May in greater Boston is often still gray: the average amount of days with total sun in May is just six, and with any sun at all just 16. Temps can surprise you and be warm here and there but the average high sticks to around 67. In other words, chances are you won’t miss summer if you escape.

Add to that the deals – from less expensive airfare to lower season lodging deals, you can save money as your friends’ April vacation tans fade.

The choices are endless, from the coastal US to the Caribbean and beyond. Here are some choices for a May/early June beach escape that will hit just right.

Exotic: Barbados: With Jet Blue’s weekly direct flights to Barbados (and super easy stop overs on other airlines as well), Barbados moves past high season once April ends. Here’s the good news: their average daily temperature only increases by one degree come May.

Barbados is the story of two types of beaches. On the West side – where most opt to stay – you’ll find calm, semi shallow and easy to enjoy Caribbean Sea waters. On the East side – just a few minutes drive away, you’ll find dramatic crashing waves and a haven for surf lovers.

There are many all-inclusive resorts to choose from. Consider the Elegant Hotels Group (eleganthotelsgroup.com), now owned by Marriott. With a stay at any one of their seven locations, you get access via water taxi to any of them, meaning you can vacation in a new setting (including all-inclusive dining that moves along with you) each day.

Barbados also offers exquisite golfing, shopping, great dining and even a polo school for beginners and above.

Classic: Clearwater, Florida: Wide, sandy beaches are lined by both tall and small hotel choices. The ocean stretches out forever and in May, the ocean water isn’t too warm and the many great foodie spots aren’t as jammed.

Consider the Opal Sands (opalcollection.com/opal-sands/) for a central location, upscale accommodations and plenty of fun thrown in.

Clearwater is an easy flight to Tampa and then a quick car ride —though the area is totally walkable (and bikeable. Many hotels have loaner bikes) and Ubers are plentiful.

The beach is the centerpiece; their sugar white sands keep them on the top beaches lists year after year. You can hang out at the beach all day and into the evening, visit their famed aquarium, take a sunset cruise or to really up the fun: a pirate cruise.

Surprising: Westerly, R.I.: OK, It’s not super warm and beachy in Westerly in May and even early June most times. But it is lovely — and a chance to stay in some tip top lodging at a more affordable price.

Consider an escape to the Ocean House (oceanhouseri.com) on Watch Hill, a breathtakingly beautiful setting with incredible food and services.

Toss on a sweater for the perfect beach walk. You’ll have the beautiful, sandy, dune-lined beaches nearly all to yourself (sea glass hunt, anyone?) Or sit out on their lawn and veranda and just take it all in.

Nosh away – and while there are great spots in town, you could dine at the Ocean House and have a new experience each day. From a casual meal next to a crackling fire post-beach walk in The Bistro, to a seafood meal in Coast, to a specially prepared beach picnic, they’ve got it all. They even have a gondola village for a special dining experience off season.

The little town of Westerly won’t be totally open, but it will be coming to life.

Bonus cool factor if you bring the kids: Taylor Swift’s house is right next door, so up high and open to view you can almost see one of her cats in the window.

The dunes of Westerly, RI beckon visitors especially in May and early June. (Photo Moira McCarthy)

The gorgeous beaches of Clearwater, FL are favorite escapes for ocean lovers. (Photo Moira McCarthy)