Month: May 2020

When we think of a lighthouse, most of us automatically drift into romantic thoughts of tranquility and a desirable sort of isolation. In these days of stay at home orders, the lighthouse may or may not have lost its rosy glow, but it is probably still an attractive concept to most. This is why lighthouse rentals may be of interest to most eager to have a unique holiday or vacation.

Can you rent a lighthouse for vacation? In a word: Yes. To understand how that is possible, it will require a brief history lesson. Lighthouses are an ancient innovation and were initially designed to warn ships at sea that they were nearing land or areas of tricky navigation. They were also installed along many inland waterways to help with navigation.

One of the original Seven Wonders of the World was a lighthouse that once stood in Alexandria, Egypt along the Mediterranean coast. Known as the Pharos it is thought to have collapsed during the third century BCE after major earthquakes rocked the entire region. Similar buildings are thought to have existed in Dover, England and the A Coruna area of Spain.

As they originally used flames to create their lights, they required lighthouse keepers to tend the flames. The keepers could be families who took turns or shifts tending the lights, or they could be keepers and assistants who used fuels of different kinds to keep the flames alive and well.

As the centuries passed, lighthouses became more complex and larger. As time passed, they became less about navigation and more about warnings against hazards such as reefs and rocky coastal areas. Thus, we now have a lot of lighthouses in areas where a large number of shipwrecks may have occurred. This is also why there are lighthouses that seem to rise out of the waters without any land beneath them during high tide periods – they were constructed to serve as warnings even farther out from shore.

With the innovation and distribution of electrical services and supplies, gas distribution, and advanced optics, the job of lighthouse keeper came to an end. Today, most active lighthouses are unmanned and do their jobs through automation and powerful electric lights. Many were sold by their original owners, and that makes it possible for lighthouse rentals, particularly lighthouse vacation rentals.

Famous Lighthouse Rentals

If you are interested in options that allow you to rent a lighthouse for the weekend or a longer getaway, there are some very famous locations. For example, the recently renovated and restored Point Retreat complex along the coast of Alaska includes a delightful bed and breakfast option. Set along the northern end of Admiralty Island (bounded on one side by famous Stephens Passage), it is a truly remarkable spot where humans are outnumbered by Alaskan brown bears two to one!

Point Retreat Lighthouse rentals are not the only options you have for famous lighthouse rentals. You can also find options to rent a lighthouse in Ireland. The Crookhaven lighthouse and the adjoining cottage have existed since the 1840s and are available for rent through the current owners. It is a four-bedroom gem that provides dramatic sea views and a location close to Cork.

While in the UK, you might also want to look at your options in lighthouse rentals on the Isle of Wight and in the Highland area. Loch Linnhe is home to the Corran Lighthouse (a functioning lighthouse) with room for ten and direct beach access. The Isle of Wight offers a stunning option at St. Catherine’s Lighthouse, where a three-room cottage awaits. Close to Carisbrooke Castle, it is a classic lighthouse with stunning sea views.

There are also options for lighthouse rentals in the U.S. Maryland is where you can stay in a lighthouse with a remarkable architectural style. Known as Rock Hall, it features 360-degree views and is a short distance from the beach. Close to Chestertown, it is an eastern shore location with an amazing wrap-around deck on the uppermost floor.

If you want a truly unique lighthouse rental, Newport, OR is home to the Lighthouse at Starfish Cove. This is a replica home that is along the beach at Yaquina Head and designed to emulate the original structure.

The Great Lakes area of Michigan is where the Eagle River Lighthouse is found. It is along the shores of Lake Superior and was constructed in the 1850s. Fully restored it is a five-star property with amazing views on onsite amenities.

On the Ground at the Water’s Edge

Naturally, if you want the same sort of tranquility, privacy and luxury that a lighthouse might offer, but you are hoping for locations warmer than Ireland, Alaska, or Michigan, you might want to just book a luxury beach getaway.

Luxury rentals in the Caribbean region give the same sort of unimpeded sea views, private gardens and grounds, and even some options for historic properties. You can find cozy one-bedroom cottages along the sands or just a bit above the shore, but you can also find estates with five or more bedrooms, multiple buildings, and stunning scenery.

There are many islands in the area, and each has its own unique culture and history. This makes it quite easy to find historic and waterfront properties with the same sort of character and isolation as a lighthouse. Islands like Barbados, St Barts, and the sites of Turks & Caicos are all great choices. While you might not find a lighthouse rental on these tropical retreats, you will find beautifully appointed properties that will make you feel more like a celebrity than almost anywhere else.

Imagine you are part of the famous Lighthouse rock group when you wake to your amazing sea views, and even premium services such as a private chef who makes and serves breakfast, a grounds team who takes care of your pool and gardens, and housekeepers who ensure you focus on savoring the scenery and sunlight. While it is wonderful if you can book a holiday in a lighthouse, you can have an even more remarkable experience in a sunny, private seaside villa.

The Bachelor, and its various spin-offs or copycat shows, have become wildly popular. Ask a lot of people why they view such programs, and many will say they love the surroundings and the scenery. It is why so many ask questions like “where is Bachelor in Paradise filmed?” The answer to that is not so simple because there are a few settings and locations.

Sayulita, Mexico

The main answer to the question of where is Bachelor in Paradise filmed now would be Sayulita, Mexico. This is an as-yet little discovered gem that is north of the famous Puerto Vallarta and often categorized as part of the Riviera Nayarit, the west coast version of Mexico’s Riviera Maya which sits along the Caribbean rather than the Pacific. This is also where you find such famous sites as Tulum and the Playa del Carmen region.

If you are looking for specifics to the question of where is Bachelor in Paradise filmed, though, it would have to be Playa Escondida in Sayulita. This is a beach and resort area a short drive from Puerto Vallarta, so not truly in the heart of the area.

Can you rent the Bachelor in Paradise house? In a word: yes. It is part of a resort property – the Playa Escondido Resort and when booking, travelers need only request the waterfront cottage used for the season.

It is available because the season has concluded, and for those wondering when was Bachelor in Paradise filmed, the season ran from August through September of 2019. This is actually also the answer to when is Bachelor in Paradise filmed most seasons, and it usually takes place over the course of that single month – though it runs longer on the airwaves.

Bachelor in Paradise House Location

Over the different seasons of the show, however, the location has shifted considerably. The first season was at a property in gorgeous Tulum, a site far southeast in the Mayan Riviera location. The Bachelor in Paradise beach house seen in the current episodes is not the same and is part of that resort already mentioned on Mexico’s western coast. Famous for offering four tiers of luxury accommodations, the Bachelor in Paradise filming locations in Sayulita emphasize the waterfront complex and cottages such as Templo, Sol, and Lunas cottages.

Choosing a Bachelor in Paradise location in Mexico, and particularly in the Nayarit area is a wise decision on the part of the production company. This is due to the nearly guaranteed good weather and the beauty of the surroundings. Opting for luxury villas in a resort is a good choice for access to the beachfront and the many amenities for cast and crew alike.

However, if you are asking something like “where is Bachelor in Paradise filmed?” in order to enjoy a holiday in a similar setting, you may want to consider more than just that resort area in Sayulita.

Mexico and the Caribbean

The appeal of the location for the Bachelor in Paradise is the scenic beauty and the good weather, but this is something found on both coasts – particularly the Tulum region which is the answer to “where is Bachelor in Paradise filmed” in its first season.

The Mayan Riviera is known to be less crowded than the western Nayarit region. It is just as beautiful and even features a great many historic, cultural and natural sites. For example, you can dive in cenotes during a visit to this area and savor some of the best snorkeling and diving.

And if you want to have a setting similar to that of the Bachelor in Paradise – there is an abundance of luxury rentals and bungalows scattered throughout the region. Many are not even part of resorts and give you the kind of privacy that the show only suggests.

If you are eager for even more serenity and privacy, you may want to head to the islands of the Caribbean. Places like Barbados are home to a lot of waterfront cottages and luxury villas with astonishing amenities and direct access to some of the finest sands in the region. Turks & Caicos is also noted for its tropical setting and beachfront accommodations – some similar to what is seen on The Bachelor. Whether you want a traditional beachfront bungalow or a modern architectural masterpiece sitting along the sands, you can find them here.

St Barts is also home to many charming villas and with its French influences is one of the most cosmopolitan and European-style spots to savor a tropical getaway. With beachfront, hillside, and mountaintop retreats, you can create your own Bachelor in Paradise experience.

All of the islands have a good array of gourmet restaurants, high-end shopping areas, and lots of nightlife. They each have premium resorts where private villas and beachfront settings are readily available, too.

Don’t Forget Australia and Oceania

A lot of people wonder where is Bachelor in Paradise filmed in Australia, and the answer is “not Australia at all,” but is instead filmed in Fiji. As home to many over the water villas and some of the most stunning natural scenery in the world (not to mention the crystal clear waters), it is a perfect choice for someone eager to enjoy a similar experience.

With its limited amount of land, however, you may find that a stay at one of the Fijian resorts is a better choice as it allows for waterfront exposure, lots of premium amenities, and the kind of luxury escape that is the hallmark of the Bachelor shows and productions.

Whether or not you want to live like the Bachelors and Bachelorettes of the popular TV shows, or you just want to step into their beautifully luxurious worlds and residences, you now know where to begin. The western coastal area of Mexico known as Nayarit, and Sayulita, the eastern area of Mexico known as the Mayan Riviera and Tulum, and the Fijian islands near Australia are the actual locations. You can find some similar spots throughout the Caribbean, too, and may want to test them all to find your favorite (and give IT the rose!).

According to experts, kitesurfing is “is a wind-powered surface watersport using a kite and a board to move across the water…Kitesurfing harnesses the power of the wind through a large parachute type kite to propel a rider across the water on a small surfboard or a kiteboard (similar to a wakeboard)…Although the name includes surfing, kitesurfing does not need waves, the wind is the only force needed…”

This is why it is such a popular option for people visiting the Caribbean, and why the Turks and Caicos kiteboarding season is a particularly great time to visit. This is when some of the top experts will offer lessons that include a few hours of instruction and then time out on the water.

When is the Turks and Caicos Kiteboarding Season?

Another expert writing for National Geographic noted that “few places rival the Turks and Caicos. This dreamy collection of islands north of Hispaniola and east of Cuba dazzles with miles of warm, shallow turquoise water and sand so fine it feels like fairy dust.”

They went on to say that the Turks and Caicos kiteboarding season is during the time of year when the trade winds blow across the islands. This is typically from the months of November through June, although the high season is mid-December through mid-April.

This is a very fortunate window of time because it means that kitesurfing in Turks and Caicos can be enjoyed in what some think of as the offseason. While visitation will ramp up over the Christmas holidays and into the winter months, you can take great advantage of the Turks and Caicos kiteboarding season in November and late spring, too.

What’s Needed?

If you are eager to enjoy some Providenciales kitesurfing or Long Bay Kiteboarding, you will need only a limited amount of gear. As that same National Geographic article indicated, those who arrive in Provo will typically go to Long Bay where groups like Kite Provo, Island Riders Kiteboarding,  and Turks and Caicos Kiteboarding can provide start-up lessons and the gear needed.

You can prepare yourself ahead of time by bringing:

  • A bathing suit, though a wetsuit is often described as more comfortable and warmer during the peak of the Turks and Caicos kiteboarding season
  • Sunglasses or Sea Specs, which are a blend of goggles and sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Booties, which are often described as optional, but which can be extremely useful during some kiteboarding

Your instructor will give you access to the right board and will fit you with bindings, a helmet, the harness necessary, a power bar with lines, a leash, a pump, and the kite that is a good fit for your body size and weight, as well as the day’s wind speeds.

Though you will learn more from an instructor, the conditions in Turks and Caicos will merit the use of 9-, 12-, and 14-meter kites.

The Best Spots for Turks and Caicos Kiteboarding

While most will enjoy Long Bay kiteboarding because of its flat, bathtub-like conditions (i.e. flat and open water for many miles), there are other spots with equally appealing charms. Long Bay is popular with beginners because it is flat and shallow, making it easy to relaunch if you fall. The other good areas for Turks and Caicos kiteboarding include:

Grace Bay – During the season, when northeast or northerly winds blow, the conditions are perfect for more skilled surfers

Turtle Tail – A very sheltered bay in Southern Provo, it is challenging but not advanced and has a smaller launch area but great conditions when the winds are present. NOTE: This is a spot famous for crabbing, so surfers need to be mindful of their toes in the shallows!

Long Bay to Turtle Tail Route – When someone is skilled at kiteboarding, they can often perform a downwinder, which means they can go from one location to another without stopping. During the Turks and Caicos kiteboarding season, it is possible to traverse the Long Bay to Turtle Tail route. There are even safaris that include guided trips of this kind.

Paying a Visit to Turks and Caicos This Spring

Are you ready to book your next vacation to Turks and Caicos to take advantage of kiteboarding season? If so, you will be happy to learn that there are many luxury villas scattered throughout the islands and which will enhance your experience. Full of amenities and offering great locations, they might even place you directly along the sands of some of the best kiteboarding in the region.

Other Areas for Kiteboarding in the Caribbean

You will read that there are a lot of other areas ideally suited to kiteboarding, but in some of those areas, you will see that authorities urge kiteboarding enthusiasts to use caution. For example, after a Bahamas kiteboarding death during which a traveler new to the sport was lifted too high and was without adequate protection for the sudden and sharp drop to the water.

Many still recommend Great Exuma in the Bahamas, Cabarete in the Dominican Republic, Grand Cayman island, and some St Thomas kiteboarding sites. Anywhere the trade winds appear and there are sheltered areas of flat water work well, and that means some parts of Barbados will be ideal for kiteboarding, as well as St Barts, Bonaire, Jamaica and more.

Don’t think that you are in the right condition for kiteboarding in any of these Caribbean locations? One expert explained of his experience, “on the board…I had the control bar in my hands…and watched a breeze inflate my kite into an arc. Instead of the death-defying zoom I was expecting, I was gently pushed into the waves. This was fun… I could see why someone would dedicate their life to this!”

This was after his first day of lessons and experimentation with kiteboarding! You too can find many ways to add this activity to your next visit to the Caribbean and if you choose to go to Turks and Caicos during the kiteboarding season, you’re sure to become an avid van of the sport.

The spring has only started and most of us are thinking about options for beach vacations this summer. While there are lots of restrictions on travel currently, they are anticipated to have been lifted as the summer’s warmth and sunshine arrive. That means you can start to look around and find options for the best beach vacation spots nearby or far from home.

Where are the top beach vacations in the US? There are a few answers to that question. They include:

  • The beaches closest to home can provide wonderful days of fun and activity, and can even provide accommodations that allow you to savor the delights of great beach vacations without lots of travel
  • The East and West Coast have excellent opportunities for beach vacations, and you can find them far north in Maine or all of the way to Florida (as far as Key West!), as well as beach vacation spots from far in Washington State and all of the way down to the Baja Peninsula region. Don’t forget that the Gulf of Mexico has coastal areas along Texas and Louisiana and that the Great Lakes region is noted for its excellent boating and beach areas. And then there is always Hawaii!
  • There are specific areas popular with travelers and which have developed a wonderful range of accommodations, activities, services, and amenities designed specifically to support the very best beach vacations imaginable

So, if you are sitting around thinking “where can I find a beach for a getaway?” or “where are the most affordable beach vacations in the USA?” you can start with those three points, above. You can go local or within a short distance of your home. You can find beaches along any coastal area of the US, and you can also look to areas long known as the top beach vacation spots in the US.

Where are those top spots? The points above touched on a few. Let’s start with one that is the most obvious, but which many forget when thinking about beach vacations in the US.

Hawaii

Far, far away in the Pacific Ocean, many of us don’t automatically think of Hawaii for beach getaways because of its distance and because it is not part of the continental US. However, it is an incredibly accessible and affordable location for one of the best water vacations in the US. Comprised of a few islands, and each offering a radically different environment and experience, they all have amazing beaches. In fact, each of the islands has frequently earned the title as one of the best ocean vacation spots in the US.

Hawaii, for example, is the largest island and known for its surfing culture and amazing beaches. In fact, if you are willing to do some looking, you can find a pink sand beach, a green sand beach, and a black sand beach once reserved exclusively for ancient Hawaiian rules. There are excellent resorts, but even finer villas that may feature swimming pools, private grounds, and beach access.

Kauai is far to the north, one of the oldest of the islands and home to a long list of locations that include parklands, navigable rivers, the rainiest spot on the planet, and more. It too has unique beach areas, some close to towns and others more remote. A filming location for many famous features, it has jungle-like terrain and the famous mountainous coastal area known as the pali.

Clearly, as an island state, Hawaii ranks at the top of the list of good beach vacation spots in the US, but there are many mainland destinations to consider.

Outer Banks

North Carolina is along the east coast of the country and features excellent beaches along the area known as the Outer Banks. Home to wild horses, many lighthouses, and an array of beaches to hike, explore or enjoy, it is a perennial favorite among domestic and foreign travelers.

San Diego

California has fine weather, but the city of San Diego is noted to have some of the finest. This is behind the choice of the city as the home to the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld and other amusement parks. Yet, if you want a few days or weeks at the beach, the city is also a great spot to choose and has around 70 miles of coastline dotted with world-class beaches.

They include Coronado, Pacific, La Jolla Shores, and more. Many have boardwalks and piers, while others preserve the gorgeous natural coastline.

Orlando

Zooming back east, Florida is a sunshine state with tons of beaches and major areas for outdoor fun in the sun. Orlando is a great beach area as it is a short drive from the coast and is tucked into an array of lake areas. Surrounded by water and entertainment of all kinds, it can be a good blend of fresh and saltwater beach destination as well as the perfect spot for groups eager to hit the amusement parks.

Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean

And no discussion about the best beaches in the “Americas” could be complete without mentioning the regions south of America’s border. Mexico (particularly the Nayarit area to the west and the Mayan Riviera to the east) can be a perfect beach destination in the Americas. Costa Rica, in Central America, is a flawless choice for fans of water sports and beach activities.

Then there is the Caribbean. With its collection of unique islands, many with some of the world’s most famous beaches, it can be a good choice when looking for some of the best beach holidays imaginable. Even more appealing is the fact that these islands are dotted with luxury rentals perfect for the perfect getaway.

From the white sands of Barbados’ Platinum Coast or the golden sands that frame the entire island of St Barts to the famed beaches of Jamaica, the scenic sites of St. Lucia (with its Pitons), or the lovely opportunities for every type of beach on Turks & Caicos, it is a great area for the best beach vacations.

Many avid travelers have heard of Turks and Caicos, and have already visited. Of course, there are just as many who have yet to experience this British Overseas Territory, and so we have a list of reasons that you will want to add Turks and Caicos to your must-see list for this year.

Before we dive into that list, though, let’s answer a few big questions about it, including the most commonly asked question – “what is Turks and Caicos?” If we answer that as plainly as possible, we’d say it is (as noted) a British Overseas Territory made up of a group of islands – the Caicos Islands and the Turks Islands. Part of the Bahamas island chain, they are close to Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

Although it is not the largest island, Grand Turk is home to the capital city of Cockburn Town. The Caicos Islands are separated by the Caicos Passage, and the two groups are separated by the Turks Islands Passage. There are around 30 islands in the entire network – with eight thought of as the main, inhabited islands.

The Turks Islands include Salt Cay and Grand Turk while the Caicos Islands include Providenciales (called Provo), North Caicos, South Caicos, West Caicos, East Caicos, and Parrot Cay. There is also Mouchoir Bank, a small island near the Turks Islands.

The weather in the Turks and Caicos is usually quite sunny and fair, and the region has been spared the hurricanes that are so often a plague among other Caribbean locations.

The 5 Biggest Reasons to Visit the Turks and Caicos Islands

There are always a lot of reasons to pay a visit to a tropical paradise like the Turks and Caicos, and millions of travelers have already visited these islands. However, if you want five very strong reasons to spend time planning a holiday in the area, here are our top five:

1. The Best Beach in the World

Yes, almost all Caribbean islands will have several amazing beaches to boast about, but Turks and Caicos is usually at the top of lists of “world’s best” and “world’s favorites,” where beaches are concerned. In particular is Grace Bay Beach on Providenciales. It has consistently been identified as the best beach in the world by travel authorities as prestigious and trusted as Conde Nast and TripAdvisor.

What makes the beach(es) so desirable. There are a few explanations behind their award-winning status. The first is that the sands of the islands are extremely soft and light. This is a defining characteristic of the islands, and the sand is made of shell and coral worked into a fine particle by the ocean’s actions. There are no hard rocks or darkly colored sands in the area, which is why the waters are so brilliantly blue.

Other great beaches include Leeward, Plandon Cay Cut (South Caicos), Mudjin Harbour on Middle Caicos, Long Bay Beach, Half Moon Cay, and Governor’s Beach on Grand Turk.

2. One of the Largest Barrier Reefs in the World

Noted for the quality of its impressive wall dive sites and excellent snorkeling, it is important to note that Turks and Caicos has the world’s third-largest barrier reef. The underwater plateau rises an astonishing 10k feet from the ocean floor and is full of coral and sea life. In fact, a great deal of Turks and Caicos tourism emphasizes the underwater activities so enjoyable there.

3. Excellent Water Sports

And while there are amazing diving and snorkeling in the waters around Turks and Caicos, it is also the perfect place for watersports. It is a kiteboarding capital and the spot where many learn how to enjoy the sport. It is also great for parasailing, windsurfing, boating, fishing, surfing, and more.

4. Fewer Crowds

It is fair to say that Turks & Caicos remains a bit of a traveler’s secret as it still has yet to experience the enormous crowding and explosive commercial growth that other islands have witnessed over the years. The appeal of Caicos or Turks and their year-round beauty has not gotten passed the jet set, though. Today it is home to many celebrities who have holiday properties on the islands as well as spending time vacationing in the area each year.

5. Amazing Food

Lastly, one of the reasons that Turks and Caicos are so popular with savvy travelers is the cuisine. It is becoming a destination for excellent restaurants and local favorites, especially the freshly caught seafood.

In fact, travelers head to the island to experience the many five-star restaurants and fine dining establishments, some right on the water. Yet, they also head there to sample the island cuisine, especially the conch shacks that line the beaches and offer delicious island favorites. Travelers also savor the island cuisine that includes Caribbean classics like jerk chicken, peas and rice, and all kinds of barbecue. The island also has a “fish fry” culture that includes once weekly fish fries offering lots of tasty local dishes.

While all of this is more than enough to inspire many to head to Turks and Caicos, there is also the fact that it is home to amazing luxury villas. Similar to other destinations noted for the appealing and private villas (such as Barbados or St Barts), the villas of Turks and Caicos can serve as destinations on their own.

For instance, if you are eager to sample the delights of the islands, you can do so from the comfort of an oceanfront villa sized for one, two, or families and groups. They will include amenities suited to all tastes and budgets and put you within minutes of the many attractions and activities that make the islands so appealing.

Walk to the white sands and see the beauty of the beaches yourself, pay a visit to one of the many excellent restaurants, do some sightseeing or sailing, and discover just why Turks and Caicos has more than five simple reasons you will want to add it to your must-see list this year.

Right about now, millions of parents around the world are eager to find ways to help their kids burn off lots of energy. Cooped up due to the pandemic, it might seem to some that spring will never arrive and that when it does, it will be time for planning family beach vacations.

Here’s the thing, you don’t have to wait to begin planning your best family beach vacations. In fact, some travel experts might argue that now is the perfect time to discuss such plans with the family. While we are going to give you a good list of the most affordable family beach vacations and the best beach vacations with kids, we’ll start with a bit of expert advice about travel planning with kids.

Include All Voices

As one parent who does travel writing explained, “Planning a family vacation can be enjoyable, but it can be overwhelming too. Usually, one person does all the work and everyone else shows up when it’s time to leave. Have you ever thought about giving kids a say in the process?”

If you immediately said, “No way!” you may want to reconsider. A survey indicated that roughly 87% of parents allow kids to participate in vacation plans, and if you are about to look for options in family beach vacations, it may be helpful to include yours.

Here’s how the experts do it:

Read about destinations. Thinking about beach vacations with kids means getting them excited about a trip to a specific area. Make a list of the locations you are considering, and then find reading materials that will inform and inspire kids. For example, if you are going to head to the Outer Banks, why not find some materials about the wild horses, the lighthouses, the historical background of the region, and the many cultures that exist there. Don’t forget to provide them with information about the activities they can enjoy when they are in the area. And most importantly, don’t forget to read through these materials with them.

Visit the Internet. When looking at options for family beach vacations, use the internet to give kids a visual introduction to the locations you are considering. Let them sit with you to browse travel sites and even sites like Pinterest where lots of visuals and creative ideas appear.

Zoom it. Have some of your neighbors, friends or family members been to one of the destinations? If so, book a conference call through a site like Zoom and see how enthusiastic they get when talking to someone who has already visited.

Narrow it down. Once you have some ideas for family beach vacations, start to narrow it down by the activities for everyone to enjoy. For example, you are going to look at a beach vacation, but will it be close to other activities? Maybe you have a few hikers? Maybe some cyclists? Perhaps there is a dedicated shopper? Maybe there is an adrenaline junky who wants amusement park rides or ziplines?

Look at accommodations as a group. Whether the emphasis is on affordable vacations for large families or more about “something for everyone,” you must include everyone in a discussion about accommodations. Where you stay is going to become a home away from home, and kids like to have a say in things like bedrooms, amenities, views, and more. Go over the options online and you might be surprised at the feedback kids give. They might not like the looks of a space or want a property for its pool or patio.

The Top Locations for Best Family Beach Vacations

And where are groups and families going on these best family beach vacations? The emphasis is often “coastal” and divided between east and west coast locations.

The top east coast family vacations include the Outer Banks and Hilton Head in North Carolina, the coastal areas just east of Orlando in Florida, Myrtle Beach in South Carolina, and Virginia Beach. While this is not a full list of the locations for the best family vacations on the east coast, it hits some of the most famous.

There are also many locations for family beach vacations heading west to California. In fact, it could be said that almost the entirety of California’s coast is worthy of a visit. However, the San Diego area is likely to hit the top of the list with your kids because it is home to so many amusement parks and the world-famous San Diego Zoo.

Further Afield

Have you thought about copying the Brady Bunch and taking your family on a beach vacation in Hawaii? It is more affordable than ever and is likely to remain so. It has several islands, including Kauai that has appeared in such family-friendly films as the Jurassic Park series and at least one Indiana Jones film. It has several wonderful beaches and offers amazing hiking trails, sightseeing, and more.

International Travel

If you are eager to introduce your children to the excitement of international travel, and yet still book cheap family beach vacations, you must turn your attention to the Caribbean. Family-friendly, the islands all have unique histories that kids will love to study or learn about before visiting, and you will find excellent beaches on every single island.

Additionally, many islands feature villas that will serve as destinations in their own right. For example, you can visit Barbados and stay close to the white sands while enjoying the privacy of a pool patio you call your own. You can go to St Barts and gaze down at a town like Gustavia from your pool deck, or even from the sands along the harbor. There are also many amazing options for a beach vacation on intriguing Turks & Caicos, where there is a diversity of beaches offering all kinds of conditions for swimming, snorkeling, diving, and more.

Now is a perfect time to make planning a beach vacation a family activity. Involve your kids in learning about the different locations, options and exciting places they can go!

Did you know that there are more than seven thousand islands that reside within the region known as the Caribbean archipelago? If not, you’ll now know why there are so many Caribbean destinations from which to choose. While there are official Caribbean countries, there are even more Caribbean destinations that are part of the region.

Which are the best Caribbean islands to visit? That is a very subjective topic. After all, what makes a location an ideal spot for your holidays or vacations may not be all that interesting to someone else. But in that statement, we can start to find the answer to which Caribbean destinations are the “best.”

For instance, as we just noted, you might think that it takes fantastic beaches to make one of the Caribbean islands more desirable than another. On the other hand, someone else may not rate a beach scene highly and may instead want their Caribbean vacations to be all about sailing or diving.

Even more travelers may say that the best Caribbean vacations are found on the islands with the largest number of luxury rentals from which to choose.

So, that means we might reasonably say that the best Caribbean islands will be a combination of such options as:

  • Great choice in accommodations
  • Excellent beaches
  • A fair amount of water sports to enjoy (on or below the waves)
  • Good dining options
  • Lots of activities (including shopping, dining, sightseeing, and nightlife)

We should also consider a major factor that many overlook, and that is that they are easy to get to and to travel around.

This starts to narrow things down quite considerably. For example, one of the top Caribbean destinations is Turks and Caicos, because it hits all of those points above. However, not all of its 30 islands would rate as the best islands to visit. Instead, it would be the major islands in the two groups of which the destination is comprised.

Not all of the best places to visit in the Caribbean are made up of multiple islands, though. Consider St Barts, although it has many small “satellite islets,” it is the main island itself that consistently ranks as one of the finest of all Caribbean destinations.

Clearly, this doesn’t really help those who want to know the best Caribbean destinations for their travel planning. This is why you want to refine your decision-making process down to a few specific factors. They include:

  • What is your main activity going to be when you travel to the Caribbean?
  • Are you a solo traveler, couple, or group or family?
  • What amenities do you want to have available at your accommodation?
  • Are there any events you wish to witness during your visit?

Let’s start with the first point – what activities are your emphasis?

If your visit is going to be about sailing, then your top choice is likely the BVIs or the British Virgin Islands. A posh and high-end destination, it is also one of the most sailing-friendly locations and has an annual regatta that draws tens of thousands of visitors.

If you are about hiking and exploring, St Lucia is likely to be a favorite for its two Pitons, volcanic peaks that allow for easy to challenging hiking and climbing. The island is also noted for its excellent beaches and western views that promise at least a few stunning sunsets during your visit. It is also the only location with a “drive-in” volcano!

If you’re eager to experience some of the most beautiful beaches throughout the entire Caribbean, it is Turks & Caicos for you! With Grace Bay Beach to its name, the islands can claim the world’s most beautiful beach! There are scores of other flawless beaches to enjoy here, and most have white sand and the kind of turquoise waters that are only thought to exist on picture postcards of tropical paradises. A runner up here is Barbados and its Platinum Coastal beaches or Antigua with 365 beaches (one for each day of the year).

If you want to dive and snorkel, there are a few areas that can safely lay claim to offering some of the best options. Again, Turks and Caicos stands apart because it is home to the world’s third-largest barrier reef. The Cayman Islands are also rated as one of the world’s premier dive sites, and you may find yourself at Stingray City where you can safely walk among the elegant rays that make the area their home.

If your goal is to enjoy an exciting nightlife or a world-famous music festival it is St Kitts and Nevis that will appeal. It is a popular spot in general but is noted for fun nightlife and lots of festivals – including the St Kitts Music Festival. Barbados is also a good option for this sort of activity, and its annual Carnival is noted as a real shining star.

And if dining is a goal, it is safe to say that almost any Caribbean destination can rate as the best for its unique food culture. The region is a growing focal point in the world of gourmet dining, and many islands have even received attention from Michelin with starred restaurants or noted chefs creating an ever-increasing reputation for the region. St Barts is particularly trendy thanks to its French influences and its history of cosmopolitan-influenced eateries.

Staying in Style

One thing that many travelers want to know about before booking a holiday in the Caribbean, is where they will stay. Fortunately, the entire region is famous for its villa-friendly culture. These are private homes with luxurious locations, and they offer resort-like amenities and services, but in a far more private setting. You can find luxury villas along the beaches of many of the islands mentioned, as well as in the hills and the towns. Some premiere resort areas are offering entire villas for travelers to enjoy, as well.

One thing is clear – the Caribbean is a must-visit location. You will want to take the time to choose the one with the activities you desire most, and you are sure to make memories for a lifetime, but will also want to return many times after your first visit.