7 Extraordinary Beaches to Visit
Recent years have been challenging ones for couples and families to visit exotic locations to relax and recharge. 2023 will be a good time to take your dream beach vacation. The Traveling American has identified seven extraordinary beaches that should remain accessible and enjoyable destinations to visit this summer or during their high seasons over the next two years. Here they are:
Waikiki Beach - Honolulu, United States
Hawaii is a state with a unique lifestyle and special history. When visiting there, some travelers prefer to explore the wonders of the Big Island of Hawaii, relax at a resort on Maui, or enjoy the North shore of Oahu. For an extraordinary and convenient beach experience, it is tough to beat staying at Waikiki Beach in Honolulu for a few days. There are few places in the world where you can simultaneously stay at a beachfront resort, walk two blocks to modern stores, restaurants, and conveniences, take in historical and cultural sites, participate in a variety of outdoor activities, and still get to the airport in less than an hour.
In the early 1900s, the Waikiki Beach area of Honolulu was separated from the main city and consisted of few guest houses. Today, traditional hotels such as the pink Royal Hawaiian and dozens of international hoteliers offer close to 30,000 hotel rooms and condominium units along the beach to visitors.
Waikiki Beach is narrow, but the soft sand, warm water, gentle surf, and gorgeous sunsets present an ambiance that is treasured by many. The view includes the remnants of the Diamond Head volcanic crater to the east which looms over the waterfront. The beach can be crowded at times, but the warm water has gentle waves throughout the year and the beach offers opportunities to experience surfing or journey on catamarans and Hawaiian canoes. When not relaxing on the beach, an uphill walk through the Diamond Head Crater National Park to the top provides spectacular views. Visiting the Pearl Harbor Museum, USS Arizona Memorial and Battleship Missouri Memorial are also worthwhile. The museum includes films, artifacts, and considerable historical background on the Pearl harbor attack from the perspective of both the United States and Japan.z
Paradise Island - Nassau, The Bahamas
Nassau and Paradise Island are both part of New Providence Island which is one of sixteen major islands which make up the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Anyone who has traveled the world knows that the beaches of Paradise Island rank up there with other premium locations around the globe including beaches located on other Caribbean islands. Although only 826 acres in size, hilly Paradise Island has a five-mile stretch of sand shaded by coconut trees that offers everything a traveler needs for a romantic getaway or family vacation. The beaches are clean, the waters are calm, and you can tan, swim, snorkel, or just walk along the sand.
The western portion of the island is dominated by the huge Atlantis Resort including its water parks and pools. Another luxury resort there is the Ocean Club Four Seasons Resort made famous as the backdrop for the James Bond movie Casino Royale. However, there are also several excellent places providing public access for beachgoers not staying at hotels on the island including the two-mile stretch of sand known as Cabbage Beach accessible just beyond the Atlantis Hotel. Other options for day trippers include Arawak Beach on the east end of the island and a public beach close to town known as Cove Beach.
The beautiful turquoise water of Paradise Island provides more than enough relaxation and entertainment for guests. However, Paradise Island and Nassau feature two water parks, plenty of entertainment and nightlife at casinos or clubs with steel drum bands, and shopping options which range from a traditional straw market to designer fashions.
Mayan Riviera – Quintana Roo, Mexico
Ever since the Mexican government designated the Cancun area as the site for the development of modern tourists resorts in the early 1970s, the Yucatan peninsula has boomed. More than fourteen million people visit the state of Quintana Roo annually, but the focus of the tourism industry has shifted south of Cancun to places like Playa del Carmen and the eighty miles of coastline known as the Mayan Riviera. Today, American families, international visitors, and spring breakers stay in one of the 85,000 hotel rooms on the Mayan Riviera to enjoy the resorts, historical sites, and ecological attractions.
What is extraordinary about the Mayan Riviera is not necessarily any one beach, but the distinctiveness of the water related attractions. First, people are drawn to the picturesque location and views at the Mayan ruins of Tulum. The castle, temples, and other buildings there are perched on top of a cliff directly above the Caribbean. You can bring a swimsuit and walk down to the beach after touring the site. Second, there is a unique ecological theme park known as Xcaret located just south of Playa del Carmen. Xcaret has 250 acres of tranquil beaches and coves, a Mayan village, a Spanish hacienda, restaurants, stage shows with performances of Mayan traditions, and displays of animals in their natural habitats. In addition to swimming with dolphins, adults and kids love floating with a life preserver through the resort on the underground river that meanders through dark caves with openings to the bright sky above. Third, there are two majestic and distinctive Mayan ruins located within two hours of the Riviera resorts. These include the famous Chichen Itza site with its El Castillo pyramid, 490-foot-long ball court, and planetarium structures, as well as the more remote Coba site known for its excavated ruins scattered throughout the jungle.
Finally, people enjoy the Xel-Ha lagoon where you can snorkel or swim among the rocks with thousands of colored fish and Playa del Carmen’s downtown district which features restaurants, shopping, and nightlife venues.
Magen’s Bay Beach– St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Magen's Bay Beach is located on the island of St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands on a sheltered cove. The location is often listed as one of the western hemisphere’s most popular and beautiful beaches. The beach was donated to a public agency by a retired American banker Arthur Fairchild and is named after a territorial governor who owned land in the vicinity more than two hundred years ago. Local legend suggests the bay was used in the 1600s as a hideout for Sir Francis Drake.
The beach has all the ingredients needed for an enjoyable swimming experience by island residents and day trippers. The area has a smattering of family residences but there are no hotels or resorts in the vicinity which creates a relaxing atmosphere. The beach has white sands and extends for a mile along the shoreline. The water is calm and usually has gentle waves. There is a deep grove of palm trees along the beach about one hundred feet from the water which provide shade from the heat and contain picnic tables and parking areas. The facilities available to beachgoers include a grill and snack bar, a full-service bar offering food and drinks, restrooms, and outdoor shower buildings. Concessionaires rent beach chairs, lounges, and water sports equipment.
The operators of Magen's Bay seem to have struck a balance between preserving the rustic feel of the location and providing basic services. While people visiting the beach when there are five cruise ships in port may find the experience a bit hectic and confusing, most visitors find it an ideal place to spend hours floating and admiring the view.
For more information about visiting this exciting beach location, read this
Gulf Beaches of Central Florida – Tampa Bay and Sarasota, Florida
The Gulf Coast of Central Florida has emerged in recent years as a hot destination for vacationers, businesses, and housing development. The metropolitan areas of Tampa Bay and Sarasota have a combined population now of roughly four million people. However, one of the major attractions of this region are the beautiful beaches of the Gulf Coast. They rival the Caribbean and frequently rank among the top beaches in the United States.
The most acclaimed locations are the barrier islands of Clearwater, Lido Key, Siesta Key and Longboat Key along with St. Pete's Beach. Clearwater and St Pete's Beach are the two most commercialized areas and attract large spring break crowds, while Lido Key and Longboat Key are less developed. There are many luxury properties there along with special attractions like the St. Armand's Circle shopping and dining area which give those two beach areas an air of sophistication. Siesta Key is portrayed in a popular TV series as a venue for wealthy residents and young vacationers seeking a sophisticated nightlife and active lifestyle.
One thing all these beach locations have in common is they offer tranquil warm waters, sparkling white sands, and wide beaches. Except for Longboat Key, these areas offer public beach access, parks, picnicking spots, free parking and changing facilities so people from nearby communities can enjoy the water also. There is quality lodging available right on the beach offering luxury resort stays as well as solid family hotels.
For more information about the Gulf Coast beaches, click here
Ogunquit Beach – Maine, United States
Ogunquit Beach is frequently rated as one of the top beaches in the United States. The distinctive features of this wide beach in southern Maine coupled with the amenities of the adjacent coastal village make it an ideal place for summer trips and weekend getaways.
The three-mile-long beach is located on a peninsula separated from the mainland by a tidal estuary. It can be reached by crossing a car bridge close to the center of town or walking over a separate footbridge. The beach is unusually flat and has clean white sand. At low tide, the beach is three hundred yards wide, and people can walk far out into the water. Six hours later when the tide changes, the surf comes rushing in and covers the beach up to the well-preserved grassy dunes along with the mud flats of the title estuary. Like most of the New England coast, the water temperature during the summer only reaches 65 to 70°. Nevertheless, there are large crowds on weekends at the beach.
Most people gather around the Main Beach location which features several hotels and inns, restaurants, snack bars, changing rooms and a large parking lot. Ogunquit Beach is especially popular among walkers and runners. One reason is a nearby cliffside path known as the Marginal Way that runs for 1.25 miles from the downtown to the picturesque fishing village of Perkins Cove. It provides excellent views of the rocky coast and crashing surf below. Other beachgoers enjoy playing games on the flat sand or just relaxing and watching the surf from rocking chairs located in shaded canopies.
The Village of Ogunquit has always been a popular place for shoppers and diners. There is an entrepreneurial and eclectic spirit in Ogunquit that is reflected in everything from the clothing stores to the food choices. Ample overnight lodging is available for visitors because there are 2600 hotel rooms in the town of alone.
Read more about this exciting New England Beach location here
La Croisette Beach- Cannes, France
The French Riviera has a certain cache as a beach location with fancy yachts where beautiful people from European capitals and American celebrities go to relax or to be seen. The small city of Cannes in France and its crowded beaches are one place for sun worshipers and tourists to visit the glamorous region.
A significant part of Cannes’ reputation is based on the Cannes Film Festival which has been held for 10 days in May ever since 1946. This city of 75,000 people becomes consumed by premieres of new movies held at cinemas accompanied by red carpet processions and parties held on yachts and hotels. One distinctive feature of Cannes is that it is one of the few areas on the Riviera with sandy beaches, gentle waves, and quality water to bathe in. The beach located along the main street, the Boulevard de La Croisette, is the most popular one for visitors interested in spotting celebrities or taking a selfie. It is known for its three dozen private beach clubs built on and over the sands. Some are only open to members, but others are open to the public for daily admissions fee. The beach clubs usually have their own restaurant and offer a full range of amenities such as lounge chairs, umbrellas, lockers and changing areas. There are also two small public beach areas on La Croisette Beach.
Cannes is relaxed during the wintertime and most beach facilities close in early fall. During the rest of the year, Cannes attracts large numbers of tourists. The pricy designer shops and boutique stores adjacent to the beach are filled with visitors and window shoppers. Another interesting feature of the beachfront is its avant-garde reputation which attracts street performers and is frequently used as the backdrop for promoting products or filming movies.
Click here for more information about La Croisette Beach and Cannes