Best Beach Trips

The best beach trips in the United States can take you to the beaches of the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean, from the sun-drenched beaches in Southern California to the rocky coast of Maine, and the near-tropical beaches on the east and west coasts of Florida. There are plenty of options abroad as well, and some of the best beach trips around the world are in such exotic places as Seychelles, the coastline and islands in Thailand, and along the coast of Chile.

The best places for a beach vacation are those where you will have your choice of numerous water activities, places to party or relax, and the type of accommodations suited to your needs. These trips can be done as luxury vacations or cheap getaways, and while they’re often popular for honeymoons, don’t rule out the beaches as terrific family vacation spots as well.

Many of the top beach vacation destinations in the world are in Hawaii, including Hamoa Beach in Maui and Kahanamoku Beach in Oahu. Both made the annual list of best beaches in America in 2010, created by Florida International University, but in addition, there are plenty of other great spots for surfing, snorkeling, and sunbathing on these islands and on Kauai, the Big Island, Lanai, and Molokai.

If you’re looking for East Coast vacations in the US, North Carolina is a terrific option. Cape Hatteras, in the Outer Banks, is also high on many best beaches lists, offers plenty of opportunities for swimming and fishing in the pleasant waters of the Atlantic, and also has some of the best surfing on the coast. Quaint hotels and motels along the Outer Banks area provide comfortable accommodations; this area can be a real bargain if you’re looking for a cheap vacation at the beach.

One of the top options around New England is Coopers Beach in Southhampton, New York. Located in the southern portion of Long Island, the beach is small, clean, uncluttered, and family friendly with a variety of bed and breakfasts, motels, suites, and condominiums. The classic beach options for West Coast vacations, along the California coast, are also well worth considering, particularly if your vacation isn’t in the peak beach season. For instance, Monterey State Beach is one of the best places for a beach vacation as it is family friendly, ideal for beach volleyball, and has excellent water conditions for surfers, scuba divers, and kayakers.

Seasonal climates are an important factor in planning and a key consideration when selecting the best places for a beach vacation during each season. The temperate weather of Florida, Hawaii, and California enable tourists to enjoy the surf long past the summer months while uppermost states along the eastern coast experience cooler climate and water temperatures; do keep an eye on the calendar, however, if you might be visiting the Caribbean during hurricane season.

Internationally, Arica Chile experiences one of the lowest rainfall levels of any area in the Western Hemisphere and has beautiful beaches such as Chinchorro, La Lisera, and El Laucho that provide plenty of sun, surf, and sand year-round. Viña del Mar is another popular Chilean destination, and one of the perks of a Southern Hemisphere vacation is the option to take a summer vacation during your own winter.

Along the KwaZulu-Natal coast of South Africa in Durban, travelers have access to surfing and swimming at South Beach, one of the best beaches in the area. For more adventurous traveler, Sandy Key is the unofficial beach for nudists and at Boulders Beach, beachgoers can observe the resident African penguins.

When choosing the best beach trips, be sure to consider the proximity to nearby attractions, restaurants, or things to do that interest you, as well as planning how you’d like to spend your days. Water activities are a large part of many vacations, including swimming, deep-sea fishing, boating, parasailing, kayaking, windsurfing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. There are beach vacation destinations that offer many or all of these; just be sure to check what’s available before you book your hotel room or start looking for vacation packages.