If you are searching for a beach holiday, consider your parameters. Many of the world's best beaches require a flight or two to get there, and flight costs add up quickly. If you are planning a family vacation, you might want a bay beach, where kids can swim. And while beaches in southern Florida offer perfect weather in spring and fall, summer might be too hot. If you require an active beach vacation, choose a resort with water sports.
Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos
- Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos, in the Caribbean, claims to be "Best Beach in the World." It is easy to see why. The island, just two and a half hours from New York, and now reachable by Jet Blue, has sparkling white sand, turquoise water and small resorts right on the beach. If you have small children, the water right off shore is calm, but you can go just beyond the bay for adventures like scuba diving, kiteboarding, windsurfing, snorkeling and fishing.
Maui Beaches
- Maui, Hawaii has 30 miles of beaches, with warm weather year round. You can find family-friendly swimming beaches with lifeguards and bathroom facilities, or remote beaches known only to surfers. The white sand beaches of Kaanapali Beach have five hotels, plus condos, and a shopping complex with restaurants within walking distance. You can visit the whaling museum or see whales swimming in the crystal clean Pacific Ocean.
The Hamptons
- The Hamptons, on the eastern end of Long Island, attracts New Yorkers and Hollywood moguls. While the Hamptons, which stretch from East Quogue to Montauk, only offers beach weather June to September, the "season" starts Memorial Day, and officially ends Labor Day. But the beach is only part of the attraction here. The Hamptons have fine dining, luxury shopping and nightclubs. Spotting celebrities is a local sport.
Fort Lauderdale
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida had a large spring break culture, but luxury hotels like the W now cater to a wealthier clientele. And the family-friendly beach on the Altantic Ocean has miles of clear blue water, with a boardwalk. Across the street, find restaurants, bars and souvenir shops. The southern Florida beaches are warm most of the year, though swimming in January and February is iffy. For fine dining and shopping, head a few blocks inland to Las Olas Boulevard.
