Beach Vacation Ideas

Good beach vacation ideas can help you shake up your winter vacation routine, especially if you’re looking to breathe a little life into your annual trip away from the cold and snow. Each year, the list of the world’s best beaches to visit grows longer, and more options become affordable with packages and deals on transportation or accommodations. Whether you want to discover somewhere new on a domestic trip or escape to a far-flung destination, read on to find beach trip ideas that might just leave you with a craving to book a trip immediately!

You don’t have to go far for some of the best beach vacation ideas. Florida might be one of the most popular winter getaways—but this is for good reason. Destinations such as Miami and Naples will never go out of style, but now there are more choices than ever about where to either rent a beach villa or stay in a charming hotel. This year, research to get outside of your Florida comfort zone. Some beach trip ideas beyond the usual suspects in Florida include St Petersburg (with its fantastic bird sanctuary), Vero Beach (for treasure hunting), Sanibel Island (for travelers who love collecting shells), and Siesta Key (for its pure-white sand). These and many more options continue to make the Sunshine State one of the best places for a winter getaway.

Some travelers might be surprised to learn that a few of the best beaches to visit have remained under the radar of the travel industry. For example, if you’re planning a city break to Savannah Georgia, it is also possible to take a drive out to nearby Tybee Island for a day on the beautiful beach. Small towns along the Outer Banks of North Carolina might be better known, but have remained intimate in size. The coastline from Florida through the Carolinas is full of small beach towns where you can soak up the sun and go for a long walk. These beach vacation ideas are often passed over for their lack of glitz, but some travelers will find that to be the attraction, and destinations such as Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach are well developed and cater to the tourism industry.

Looking for beach trip ideas that will take you farther away? Think about Hawaii. Skip the Big Island and Maui in favor of some of the lesser known spots. Get off the beaten path and head for Lanai or Oahu; you can hop in a rental car and explore the dramatic coastlines and quiet beaches of these islands. To add a bit of adventure to your Hawaiian getaway, why not pack your hiking boots and hit the trails? These volcanic islands are full of fascinating places to hike, bike, or take a horseback ride. For travelers who aren’t worried about a budget, the islands of Hawaii provide endless opportunities.

Sometimes the best beaches to visit are the ones that are closest to home. This summer, give your local beaches a try and make a reservation for a rental far in advance. The beaches of New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Delaware all offer beautiful shorelines without having to travel far from home. With all the money you will save on travel expenses you can splurge on restaurants, new beach activities, or shopping. Wherever you decide to put your beach chair this year, remember your sunscreen and a good novel to pass the time!