10-Coral Bay, St John, VI

This one made the list, not as much for the beaches themselves (though the snorkeling is great),but because of the access to Lime Out- a floating taco bar that is only accessible by boat.Once you moored, they will bring your order to you or you can enjoy delicious tacos and drinks in one of their “lily pads”. 

9-Bethany Beach, DE

The quiet,family vibe makes this a favorite destination when we want an easy beach trip within driving distance of the DMV area.Home to a secure beach and racquet community with great amenities- private beach,tram,12 heated pools,fitness center,tennis,pickleball,bike trails,playgrounds,fitness classes,concerts,and weekly bonfires and movies on the beach.

8-Venice Beach, FL

My go to for an easy,relaxing day at the beach when in Florida.It is rarely crowded,so parking and getting settled in the sand is quick and easy.Sharky’s On the Pier is a great  to grab a bite or drink with a great view of the ocean and pier. A walk down the beach will take you to Caspersen Beach- aka the Shark Tooth Capital of the World! 

7-Waikiki Beach, HI

Though space on the sand is sparse,the water here is perfect. Wade out through the soft ocean floor about 200 yards and still be in shallow,crystal clear,gentle water. Once in the water,you forget all about the crowd. This is one of the only beaches where I spend more time in the water than on the sand. The proximity of the beach to many hotels makes it convenient to come and go and provides ample dining options just steps away.

6-Hanauma Bay Beach, HI

This beach is a nature preserve formed by a volcanic cone.The view from the beach is so stunning it feels like you are inside a postcard. Because crater walls surround the bay, the water is very tranquil and swimmable. There is an interior, shallow reef,in addition to the outer reef,which makes ideal snorkeling for all ages- you can see lots of marine life from just off the beach or even observe the turtles without leaving your spot in the sand!

5- Kalafatis beach, Mykonos, GreeceThis beach is a favorite due to its clear waters,clean,pebbly sand and quieter atmosphere away from the touristy areas. There are sunbeds and a variety of water sports- scuba diving,snorkeling,windsurfing,and jet skis.The restaurant provides excellent beach service,so you can have a refreshing Aperol Spritz and tasty meal without having to leave your sunbed. Or,take a short walk to enjoy a meal in a seafood restaurant built into a cave.

4-Siesta Key Beach, Fl

This beach is perfect for water lovers and sand lovers. The beach area is vast,so there is plenty of room to spread out. The sand is especially perfect for beach volleyball and there are several permanent courts. The clean,powdery sand is composed of quartz,so it does not get hot.  This beach is a great place to head out for an early morning beach walk or to enjoy dolphin watching and sunset views.

3-Juanillo Beach, Cap Cana, DR

Another favorite for beach volleyball- the fine,white sand does not get hot,and the shallow,turquoise water is perfect for cooling off between sets. This beach is located within a gated,luxury community.  The beach is not crowded and there are no beach vendors. There are plenty of palm trees,if you prefer shade. If you want top level service and low-key relaxation- this is the place to go. This beach is especially nice in the winter months and is even a great place to get married!

2-Navagio Beach (aka Shipwreck Beach or Smuggler’s Cove), Zakynthos, Greece

This one is a misnomer, because you can’t actually sit on this beach- it is only accessible by boat. Though it is one of the most visually stunning beaches in the world,the real beauty of this beach is the surrounding water of the Ionian Sea. The water is so crystal clear that you can look over the side of a boat and see the entire way down to the rock formations and white sand at the bottom. The gorgeous sulfurous caves you pass on the way to Navagio Beach give the water an electric blue appearance- it is literally so blue it glows!  This is the best beach to visit if you want to take stunning photographs and enjoy a boat day on the beautiful, refreshing waters. 

1-South Shore Beaches, Bermuda

 This is my personal favorite beach destination. You will not find high rise hotels, fast food places or beach vendors there. There are plenty of coves and hidden beaches where you can escape and have the beach to yourself. The fine, pink sand doesn’t get hot and is perfect for a day of exploring a beach trail or playing beach volleyball (they have weekly tournaments in the summer). This is the most picturesque beach you can imagine- there are rocky outcrops,limestone cliffs,coves,greenery,trails and amazing blue water everywhere you turn. The rocks,extensive reef system and large number of shipwrecks make this an ideal location for snorkelers and divers as well. Bermuda is not a tropical location,so while it is just as beautiful in the winter, you will need to visit in the summer to tan and swim.

Return to Previous Page