WE'VE GOT THE CURE FOR THE COMMON COLD
WE'VE GOT THE CURE FOR THE COMMON COLD
It's never too early to start thinking ahead. Just because snow season is technically over doesn't mean you can't get a jump start on making sure you don't get caught in the cold next year! "Spring" into summer whites whenever you darn well please with these sparkling sands and shake those winter blues by trading them for ocean ones with our favorites from around the world.
Check out our list featuring Grace Bay Beach, Playa Norte, Eagle Beach and more!
HORSESHOE BAY BEACH
SOUTHAMPTON, BERMUDA
Don’t wait until a Wednesday to wear pink … sands.
Everyone's heard of the legendary pink sands of Bermuda. On Horseshoe Bay's famous beach, you can rosé all day in a different way—just lying on the shores of one of the most popular spots on the entire island. The dramatic rock formations form an even more 'Grammable backdrop than the soft blush sands, the curious result of a combination of crushed shells, coral, and calcium carbonate.
Now this may not be the best spot to put on your dead–of–winter wish list, but as the #8 placeholder among the world's best beaches according to TripAdvisor and with sands this novel, well … I think we can make a little wiggle room for this shore off the coast of the Carolinas! Go when it's warm and bring the young ones to Port Royal Cove's shallow waters. Plus, it's easy to get to by public transit, especially since you won't have to pack much. Available towel, beach lounger, snorkel gear, and boogie boards make it simple!
EAGLE BEACH
ARUBA
Your spirits will “fly like an eagle” on this sandy shore.
An instant pick–me–up? The year–round perfection of Aruba's dry, warm climate. Because of these ideal conditions and off–the–Hurricane–Belt Caribbean location, it's harder to find a beach you don't love than one you do. A modest collection of resorts more than fulfills the needs of the travelers, who have plenty of room to spread out on the multitudes of miles of plush white sands.
Our winner of all of them is Eagle Beach, which has also won a place among the top three best beaches in the world by TripAdvisor. It's home to two of the most photographed and renowned fofoti trees in Aruba, and offers ample parking, shaded areas, beach huts, and—of course—a variety of water sports, including kayaking and stand–up paddleboarding. But if all of these offerings on this wide expanse isn't enough, well … Palm Beach, its close second, is only a very short taxi ride away!
PLAYA NORTE/NORTH BEACH
ISLA MUJERES, MEXICO
Who says south is the only direction to go for a beach?
Sure, most people don't think of heading north for sun and sand … but Playa Norte just outside of Cancun on Isla Mujeres might change your mind. It's a relaxed beach that places you conveniently close to the excitement of the destination's touristic hub and right on top of the cerulean seas of the Gulf of Mexico, but provides a vibe all its own.
As "chill" of a beach as it is, there's still plenty to fire you up. Lively bars and restaurants provide all the food, drink, and social entertainment you could want, while a plethora of water sports are readily available, with yachts and boats adding a scenic accent as they dock for the day. In fact, the ferry from Cancun stops near here, since it's the main mode of transportation to get to this 2,250–foot stretch of sand. Best of all? The water is shallow with little to no current, and one of the only places in the region to watch the sun set over the water for that Instagrammable moment.
SEVEN MILE BEACH
NEGRIL, JAMAICA
Lucky number seven strikes in the land of irie.
Everyone's heard of Seven Mile Beach, an expanse of sparkling sand that seems to go on and on forever. In fact, this is the longest one in Jamaica, crossing over two parishes, as well as one of the most beautiful on an island known for its stunning shores. The water and sand seem to melt right into one another here. As consistently gorgeous from mile one to the very end as it is, this beach is perfect as a year–round destination.
Lined with bars, restaurants, and resorts galore, there's no end of things to do. There are jet skis and kayaks to get out in the waves in; snorkeling and scuba diving to jump into; and catamaran, banana, and glass–bottom boats to cruise on. On the shore, there are several bathrooms and changing room facilities even outside of the hotels and resorts, and lots of places to lounge with chair rentals if you're not staying at one of the luxurious properties built on the beach. However, it'll never feel crowded. With an expanse this big and a setting an hour and a half away from the Montego Bay international airport, this paradise is yours.
KAANAPALI BEACH
MAUI, HAWAII
Hang ten or hang loose at this top ten beach.
On any list of "best beaches," it's only a matter of time before a Hawaiian one makes an appearance. This famous beach takes the title on ours, but we're far from the only ones to call this our favorite in the country. In fact, it was once named America's #1 best beach, and has a history of being a destination fit for a king … being that it was a former retreat for royalty.
It's got three miles of white sand and the crystal–clear water you'd want from anything categorized as an extraordinary beach. But those seas aren't peppered only with the swimmers you'd expect—there are cliff divers, here, too! In fact, one of this beach's greatest attractions is the daily cliff–diving ceremony off the beach's northernmost cliffs, Puu Kekaa, also known as Black Rock. But for those who prefer to keep their shorefront activities landbound, there's the open–air Whalers Village, a world–class shopping complex that features a variety of shops, restaurants, a renowned whaling museum, and free Hawaiian entertainment.
CLEARWATER BEACH
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA
It’s all in the name.
Needless to say, the water's pretty crystal–clear here at America's number one beach (TripAdvisor, 2018). Tranquil turquoise waters and miles upon miles of soft sand are spread out under skies so consistently clear that only about four days a year are given over to liquid sunshine. This generally mild climate is another factor that has won it accolades globally as one of the world's top beaches, and its picturesque lines of palm trees certainly don't detract from its appeal.
As relaxing as the image sounds, Clearwater Beach can also be a place for the more intrepid traveler. There are exciting water sports galore, and full–time lifeguards make sure that fun and safe are the same thing. The small–town atmosphere creates a vibe of conviviality, and a plethora of restaurants and hotels with interesting bars and lounges provide plenty of places to meet with new friends made on the beach.
GRACE BAY BEACH
TURKS & CAICOS
She’s got beauty, she’s got grace
And by "she," we of course mean the most famous beach in Turks & Caicos: Grace Bay Beach. It's only a little over three miles long, but the luxury per square foot there makes good use of every bit of its area. The resorts that line the light aqua waters—a shade rarely found anywhere else in the world—are upscale and high–class, with an easy elegance that somehow remains warm and laid back.
Speaking of the water, though, the waves are barely there, brushing up ever so gently against plush, soft sand. You won't find rocks, seaweed, or pollution here, thanks to its designation as a part of Princess Alexandra National Park, either. With all of that going for it, who's surprised its many accolades include being the World Travel Awards' World's Leading Beach Destination and TripAdvisor's second–best beach on the planet? Not us.
PLAYA MANUEL ANTONIO
MANUEL, COSTA RICA
Land and sea is the place to be.
Spend the morning hiking in a national park's rainforest, then the afternoon lounging on a crescent–shaped beach. Sound improbable? Not here! This beach within one of Costa Rica's national parks makes this itinerary a must, which is why it sees over 140,000 visitors a year. The jungle that surrounds the beach's spectacular views is filled with toucans, parakeets, monkeys, and other wildlife friends that openly welcome travelers into their home during the 30 minutes you can take traversing the terrain from the entrance. The main trail is easy to follow and leads you right down to the shore, but a short shuttle ride from any of the clifftop hotels—built there to protect the environment—can do the same. Stay on this trail, though, to get to Playa Espadilla Sur, if you're looking for a little more solitude.
Either way, whether you choose to stay in popular Playa Manuel Antonio or seek more solace, you'll still get to swim, snorkel, and surf off the shore. Our pro–tip is just to do it between November and May for best results.
SEVEN MILE BEACH
GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS
The numbers have it on a second Seven Mile Beach.
Jamaica isn't the only Caribbean destination with a Seven Mile Beach! The one in Grand Cayman is another year–round hot spot, but this one has a long set of stats to back it up. It's been named one of the "Ultimate Beaches" in the region by Caribbean Travel + Life, the 4th best beach in the Caribbean by TripAdvisor, and 12th in the world by MSN. So, naturally, it's also home to almost all of the island's top resorts: luxurious accommodations that sprawl across bright white sands.
Alongside the resorts, there are also a lot of beach bars and shops from which to enjoy the view, making it an easy walk from tip to tail of the shoreline. Excellent snorkeling in soft Caribbean waves, particularly around Cemetery Reef, invites you to get a closer view, though!
PLAYA RUINAS
TULUM, MEXICO
Close to ruins but far from being one, this beach is a semi-hidden treasure.
Named for the archaeological site only 500 meters away from its palm tree–dotted white sands, this is just as much a delightful surprise in the wilds of the Mexican jungle as Tulum itself. Two hours away by car from Cancun, the abandoned city is one of the last inhabited and built by the Mayans, and the only one located along the Riviera Maya.
Although many opt to swim in the nearby limestone pools, we recommend making your way to Playa Ruinas. It's long, wide, and rarely gets busy despite its location right below the tower of the city. However, that's not to say amenities aren't there for leisure travelers! Nice beach clubs have set up shop here, allowing you to rent a table, chairs, and an umbrella to relax to allow you to pay proper homage to a literally timeless view.
You will visit the following 8 places:
Turks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos is a small archipelago nation known primarily for tourism and as an offshore financial centre. It's home to incredible beaches, abundant marine life, stunning tropical wetlands, luxury resorts and fine dining. There's so much to do and discover here in paradise. Quite simply, it's the best of the Caribbean!
Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands are an island group in the Caribbean Sea, ninety miles south of Cuba. The beautiful coral reefs and outstandingly clear waters have made this island group a favourite destination of divers. Great beaches and fine restaurants and resorts make it an excellent tourist destination as well. It is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom.
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory in the North Atlantic Ocean, located off the east coast of North America. It is one of the last remains of the once vast British colonial empire in North America. It consists of about 138 islands and islets, with all the major islands aligned on a hook-shaped, but roughly east-west, axis and connected together by road bridges. Despite this complexity, Bermudians usually refer to Bermuda as "the island". Bermuda's pink sand beaches and clear, cerulean blue ocean waters are popular with tourists. Many of Bermuda's hotels are located along the south shore of the island. In addition to its beaches, there are a number of sightseeing attractions. Historic St George's is a designated World Heritage Site. It's most famous visitor attraction is the Royal Naval Dockyard, which includes the Bermuda Maritime Museum. Other attractions include the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, the Botanical Gardens and Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art, lighthouses, and the Crystal Caves with stalactites and underground saltwater pools.
Aruba
Aruba is a Caribbean island 15 miles north of the coast of Venezuela, and is one of the four "countries" that together form the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Unlike much of the Caribbean region, Aruba has a dry climate and an arid, cactus-strewn landscape. This climate has helped tourism as visitors to the island can reliably expect warm, sunny weather. This beautiful island offers many activities and attractions for people of all ages.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a small, rugged, rainforested Central American country with coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific. Since the late 1980's Costa Rica became a popular nature travel destination, and its main competitive advantage is its well-established system of national parks and protected areas and home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. Costa Rica is also known for its beaches, volcanoes, immense biodiversity and progressive environmental policies, being the only country to meet all five criteria established to measure environmental sustainability.
Negril
Negril is a small but widely dispersed beach resort town located across parts of two Jamaican parishes of Westmoreland and Hanover. It is famous for its 7 miles of cool, white sand beaches and another 7 miles of 40' cliffs. One of the most beautiful towns in Jamaica, it has a more laid back atmosphere than that of Montego Bay and is more touristy than Ocho Rios. When you stay at a hotel on the beach you are literally on the beach when you walk out of the beachside of your hotel. You have probably never seen water this clear or warm. You will be amazed at how far out you can walk in the water before it gets up to your neck. The water is gentler and the sand is whiter(smaller grained aka softer) the farther down(away from town) you are. The end of the beach down by the all-inclusives is the whitest.
Clearwater
Clearwater is a city located in Pinellas County, Florida, US, nearly due west of Tampa and northwest of St. Petersburg. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 108,787. It is the county seat of Pinellas County. Clearwater is the smallest of the three principal cities in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan area, most commonly referred to as the Tampa Bay Area. Present-day Clearwater was originally the home of the Tocobaga people. Around 1835, the United States Army began construction of Fort Harrison, named after William Henry Harrison, as an outpost during the Seminole Wars. The fort was located on a bluff overlooking Clearwater Harbor, which later became part of an early 20th century residential development called Harbor Oaks. University of South Florida archaeologists excavated the site in 1977 after Alfred C. Wyllie discovered an underground ammunition bunker while digging a swimming pool on his estate.
