MAUI, HI - 95.6
OUR FAVORITE: Makena Beach, sometimes called simply Big Beach.
THE LOOK: A two-third-mile-long stretch of near wild, golden sand along the southern end of the island’s resort coast with Molokini and Kahoolawe on the horizon.
CULEBRA, PR - 95.3
OUR FAVORITE: Playa Tortuga (Turtle Beach) on Culebrita.
THE LOOK: A pristine crescent of sand (the only manmade structure on this tiny island is an abandoned lighthouse from the 1880s) with shallow tidal pools great for kids.
TOP TIP: Pack a picnic and pre-arrange your short water taxi ride back to Culebra in advance
ANNA MARIA ISLAND, FL - 93.8
OUR FAVORITE: Coquina Beach
THE LOOK: Six beautiful beaches dot this seven-mile-long barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico. Coquina—a 96-acre, Australian pine shaded spot with footpaths and boardwalks through tidal lagoons and mangroves—is one of the most southerly.
TOP TIP: Leave the car keys at home and ride the free trolley-style bus (6:00am to 10:30pm) the length of the island to avoid peak season traffic.
KAUAI, HI - 92.5
OUR FAVORITE: Hanalei Bay
THE LOOK: Something for everyone—a stunning mountain backdrop, calm summertime water at Hanalei Beach Park Pavilion, challenging wintertime waves at Waioli Beach Park, and festive weekend picnics at Black Pot Beach Park
TOP TIP: Accessible from the highway, Waikoko Beach is never crowded and though the water is choppy, good shade makes it ideal for quiet afternoon dozing.
ST. JOHN, USVI - 92.3
OUR FAVORITE: Trunk Bay
THE LOOK: Donated to the National Park Service almost 50 years ago by Laurence S. Rockefeller, Trunk Bay is the ultimate, pristine Caribbean beach.
TOP TIP: With excellent facilities and so much to do—an underwater snorkel trail, extensive hiking paths, colonial ruins to explore—visit more than once and buy an Annual instead of Daily entry pass ($10 versus $4 for those over 16).
VIEQUES, PR- 92.2
OUR FAVORITE: Media Luna
THE LOOK: A tranquil, shallow bay—you can walk more than 40-feet out with water only up to your waist—accessed via a very bumpy dirt road from Sun Bay. It’s a very popular spot for families with small kids.
TOP TIP: Avoid weekends (see families, above). Weekday mornings you might have the entire place to yourself.
OAHU, HI - 91.0
OUR FAVORITE: Sunset Beach
THE LOOK: A North Shore mecca for professional surfers in December and January (site of the Vans Triple Crown) but with tranquil, almost placid, water during summer.
TOP TIP: As its name suggests, this is a great place to watch sunsets. Park directly facing the beach (at and beyond the less-busy north end), tune the radio to some Hawaiian music, and pop a straw in a coconut.
KIAWAH ISLAND, SC - 90.3
OUR FAVORITE: Kiawah
THE LOOK: Ten miles of gorgeous Atlantic-facing beach backed by 10,000-acres of undisturbed maritime forest, sand dunes, and marshlands. Resort guests and vacation home renters have full access, plus 30 miles of bike paths to explore.
TOP TIP: If you’re visiting from Charleston (21 miles away), Beachwalker Park is the only stretch of sand with public parking, lifeguards, and restrooms—and welcomes dogs ($7 on weekdays, $10 on weekends – chairs and umbrellas can be rented too).
CAPTIVA ISLAND, FL - 90.2
OUR FAVORITE: Captiva Beach
THE LOOK: Separated from its larger sister island, Sanibel, by a 1926 hurricane, this narrow spit of land has almost 5 miles of uninterrupted beach—but get there early if you’re not staying on-island as there are very few metered parking spots.
TOP TIP: Rainy day blues can be banished with a trip to the Bubble Room Restaurant—filled with toys and music from the early-to-mid twentieth century, permanent Christmas decorations, and a boisterous wait staff dressed like Boy Scouts.
SANIBEL ISLAND, FL - 88.2
OUR FAVORITE: Bowman’s Beach
THE LOOK: A good ten-minute walk from the parking lot through dense woods, over a footbridge, and past grass-covered dunes is rewarded by what seems to be an endless stretch of undeveloped beach.
TOP TIP: Pack a picnic, refreshments, and a bucket—and perhaps an aspirin or two to alleviate any aches and pains from doing the “Sanibel Stoop” while shelling along the sand.
Contributed by David Jefferys, www.cntraveler.com
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