Top 10 Beaches in America from Dr Beach, 2009

You can see the previous years Top Ten Beaches for 2008 and the Top 10 Beaches for 2007.

Dr. Beach (Dr. Stephen Leatherman) is the Director of the Laboratory Coastal Research at the Florida International University. He takes into account the water and sand quality, plus safety, facilities and environmental management when he settles on the Top Ten American Beaches each year.

This year, the Top 10 Beaches are:

Hanalei Bay – Kauai, Hawaii

With a sandy beach in front of mountains and cliffs, Hanalei Bay is one of the most beautiful spots in Hawaii.

Siesta Beach – Sarasota, Florida

White sand beaches are what set Siesta beach apart from many others. The subtropical climate doesn’t hurt either.

Coopers Beach – Southampton, New York

Southampton is one of the oldest settlements in NY, so you will be sure to also have some history along with your beach.

Coronado Beach – San Diego, California

A beach in Southern California. Do I need to say more?

Hamoa Beach – Maui, Hawaii

Another beach from Hawaii, but from Maui. Hamoa Beach is surrounded by cliffs and thick vegetation. Also there is an island just off shore (Alau island) with coconuts growing on it.

Main Beach – East Hampton, New York

Located at the end of Long Island, you are sure to enjoy both the beach and the Village of East Hampton.

Cape Hatteras – Outer Banks of North Carolina

The Outer Banks are a great place to get away from a lot of the commercialized beaches that you find in other parts of North Carolina.

Cape Florida State Park – Key Biscayne,Florida

You can do most anything at Key Biscayne, Florida; swimming, snorkeling, walking, fishing, anything you can think of (within reason).

Coast Guard Beach – Cape Cod, Massachusetts

One of the favorite tourist beaches in Cape Cod, Coastguard beach has no parking. You have to take a shuttle from a parking lot.

Beachwalker Park – Kiawah Island, South Carolina

With 11 miles of beach located on a barrier island, you will be sure to enjoy Beachwalker Beach in South Carolina.

These beaches have all been on the Top Ten list before, but in different orders. Do you have any comments about beaches on this list, or ones that you think should have been? Let us know in the comments.

Posted on January 18, 2010 Filed Under Beach and Vacation Travel Tips and Help, Beaches to go See, Recommended Beaches and Places | Leave a Comment

Book Your Summer Vacation in the Winter

Right after Christmas is supposed to be the best time of year to book your vacation. However there are a few reasons why it wouldn’t be, such as credit card debt (if you used them for Christmas), maybe you spent too much time with the family to think about doing it again on vacation, etc.

In spite of that, this is the best time to plan for a summer vacation. USA Today had an article about booking your 2010 vacation now. They list a few types of vacations and the best time to plan for them.

Book Cruises

There are many fans of cruises, my parents included. They are easy as there is no driving around, and you can have anything from food to floor shows anytime you want.

The tips are book soon if you need special accommodations or want certain dates. If you aren’t that particular, then booking closer to the cruise can help you get some deals.

According to Carolyn Spencer Brown, Editor in Chief at Cruise Critic, “Definitely keep an eye on wave season [January through March] deals, which are more oriented toward offering value than the deepest discounts. You may pay more for a cabin than you would at the veritable last minute, but you might also get free air thrown in, which sort of mitigates the issue.” She recommends to book your summer cruise during January through March.

Book Vacation Rentals

Like cruises, vacation rental availability can depend on where you are going. If you are going to Cape Cod, or the Caribbean you should start trying to book a vacation rental six months before you want to go. I looked at vacation rental houses when we went to Jamaica, and I was very tempted. They aren’t just a hotel room, you can get a full house with all the amenities, which is great if you are traveling with people who aren’t family.

If you are looking to go somewhere that might not be as popular, you can wait until much closer to the time you want to go.

The article from USA Today then goes on to talk about Europe and National Parks, but I going to stop here. Do you have any tips on when to book your vacation?

Posted on January 8, 2010 Filed Under Beach and Vacation Travel Tips and Help, Travel, Vacation Time | Leave a Comment

Get Away on a Cheap Beach Vacation Top 10

This is the time of year when people start to plan their vacations, the snow is falling, the air is bitter, and we know that somewhere, the palm trees are swaying in a warm breeze with the smell of the ocean water.

However, in today’s economic climate it’s not always easy to get to a warmer climate. That’s why I am posting this list of the Top 10 Cheap Beach Vacations from Away.com. I have talked many times about inexpensive and cheap beach vacations, and they are always popular, so here is another.

Top 10 Cheap Beach Vacations

10. Destin, Florida

With over 100 miles of beach on the Gulf of Mexico, there is plenty of room for you to find some privacy. Destin is in the Florida Panhandle, where the fishing can’t get much better. Since you never leave the country, the costs are already lower than other beach destinations.

9. Outer Banks, North Carolina

I was stationed in NC for a few years, and the beaches are great. The Outer Banks is an awesome place to go for fishing and wildlife watching. There are lighthouses, Kitty Hawk (the Wright Brothers first flight), and the North Carolina aquarium. There are over 15o miles of beaches, usually on a strip of land no more than a mile wide. There are also some great seafood places for relatively cheap.

8. Huntington Beach, California

A little bit north of Laguna Beach in Orange County is Huntington Beach. It’s a different crowd than what you would get in Laguna, and is more popular with surfers. It even has the International Surfing Museum. The beach itself is about 8 miles long, but that should be enough since most people will try to show themselves off at Laguna Beach.

7. Cape Ann, Massachusetts

In Cape Ann, you will find the oldest fishing port in America, Gloucester. I have been here and I loved it. I am a New Englander at heart, and this is pure New England. With beaches lined with cliffs and mansions, Singing Beach is similar to the beaches in Newport, Rhode Island. Cape Ann is about 40 miles north of Boston, which itself is worth a visit. Of course, no visit to New England is complete without eating some Maine lobster, but Woodman’s in Essex claims to be the seafood place that invented the fried clam in 1916. That is worth checking out.

6. Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

If you are looking for something outside the US, then you should try Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. I have a map of Costa Rica so you can see where it is (on the right side, the Caribbean side). With beaches all along the coastline, you won’t run out of sand, unless you walk along the beach all the way to Panama.

5. Negril, Jamaica

Finally, we get to Jamaica. I was just in Negril, Jamaica this last summer, and you can definitely save some money in Jamaica. You just have to watch yourself and plan. The beach is around 7 miles long, and is just about perfect. You could spend the entire day on the beach, there are enough people selling food that you would never have to leave. We practically didn’t. My own tip, get a taxi to take you to Sweet Spot restaurant. You will be the only tourist there, but you will be happy when you eat the food.

4. Morro de Sao Paulo, Brazil

With 4 beaches (named First, Second, Third and Fourth) you will certainly be able to find the beach that fits you. From luau and dance parties on Second, to quieter Fourth beach, with is good for snorkelers and those wanting to get away.

3. Placencia, Belize

Placencia is one of the most popular beaches in Belize. over 16 miles of white sand beaches are sure to satisfy your winter blues. If you get tired of the beaches (can you ever get tired of the beaches?) you can kayak through Monkey River and see monkeys, manatees and crocodiles.

2. Tulum, Mexico

No beach list would be complete without Mexico. If you don’t want the crowds and parties of Cancun, head south to Tulum, Mexico. Along with great beaches, Tulum also has Mayan ruins that you can explore. It is also one of the cheaper places to stay on this list.

1. Cannon Beach, Oregon

If you want to go to the Pacific Northwest, then try Cannon Beach, Oregon. With the iconic Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach is definitely a picture takers paradise. Ancient Spruce trees, cliffs, beaches and the ocean all make Cannon Beach a very picturesque place.

Posted on December 29, 2009 Filed Under Beach Vacations, Beach and Vacation Travel Tips and Help, Beaches to go See, Recommended Beaches and Places | 4 Comments

Merry Christmas from the Beach Bum, 2009

Merry Christmas!

I’m sure that many of you are freezing this year wishing for the beach, and what better to celebrate Christmas than by laying on a tropical beach somewhere in the Caribbean.

Or maybe you’d like to spend Christmas with Jimmy Buffett on Christmas Island.

Posted on December 23, 2009 Filed Under Beach Vacations, Vacation Time | Leave a Comment

Unusual and Adventure Hotels

If you are in the mood for something completely different than the run of the mill hotel, then check out some of these hotels. This site (Unusual Hotels of the World), has places to stay all over the world, but not necessarily what you are used to.

For example, this Tree House in India;

Wild. That would be a pretty cool place to stay. I’d feel like Tarzan.

How about this one, an underwater lodge in Florida;

Now that is cool. Except for the divers looking in the porthole, I would stay here anytime.

Check out the Unusual Hotels site and tell us if you have stayed anywhere you think should be on their list.

Posted on December 17, 2009 Filed Under Recommended Beaches and Places, Travel | Leave a Comment

Jamaica Vacation Part 2 – Monday

I have not been posting very regularly here. It has been almost 5 months since my vacation and I only have one day posted. You can find day 1 of our vacation to Jamaica here.

On Monday, we did almost absolutely nothing. Sort of. We relaxed.

There are many vendors on the beach selling everything from fruit and beads to weed and mushrooms. So we bought some fruit which was great. There were some small bananas that were fantastic. The vendors have a tendency to be very persistent, and you have to be firm about saying no. If you are halfhearted or say maybe later, they will remember and come again.

We got into the ocean about three times today. It was beautiful. The water was perfect, the weather was perfect, everything was perfect. I’d say we probably spent at least 6 hours total in the ocean.

We went to Margaritaville for lunch, which has pretty good food, but not the best. I’ve said it before, you go to Maragaritaville for the atmosphere.

For dinner we figured we would try Norma’s at the Sea Splash resort. As we were walking down the beach, a guy stopped us and asked if we would like to have the best food on the beach at Norma’s. Since that was were we were going, I said sure, and he gave us a 10% off coupon to go there. At first I was a little wary, but This guy is making a living by getting people to go to Norma’s. After you eat, you sign his coupon and he makes a commission.

We had Jerk Chicken and Coconut chicken. I loved the jerk (of course) but the coconut chicken was unbelievable. It was unlike anything I’ve ever eaten with coconut here in the States. It was sweet without being overly sweet, it was juicy and… I can’t think of how else to describe it. It was excellent.

I would definitely recommend Norma’s.

So ended our first full day in Jamaica. Come back for the next post about our Jamaican Vacation.

Posted on December 8, 2009 Filed Under Beach Vacations, Food, Jamaica Vacation | Leave a Comment

World’s Sexiest Beaches for 2009, Part 2

If you missed it, here is the first part to the sexiest beaches of 2009. Here is the conclusion of the list of the Sexiest and Most Beautiful Beaches of 2009.

Mazunte, Mexico

Originally known for the turtles coming ashore, and therefor turtle meat and turtle soup, Mexico has since declared Mazunte a reserve, and the area has started to focus on sustainable eco-tourism. So if you are in to saving the planet, but doing it from the comfort of a beach, then this is for you.

Goa, India

Goa, India has a number of beaches. From very well touristed beaches to secluded ones. If you can find a spot for yourself, you could definitely enjoy the view.

Skiathos, Greece

Back to the Mediterranean, to Skiathos, Greece. Skiathos is a small island that is a protected environment, so it will never see much development. That is excellent news for those wanting to head to the beach. It will always be a very natural beach setting.

Ambergris Caye, Belize

Ambergris Caye is the largest island in Belize, which is in the Caribbean. No matter what you like to do, you can find it here. Exploring Mayan ruins, trekking through the jungle, snorkeling and scuba on the second largest coral reef in the world, and of course, swimming in the Caribbean and laying on the beach.

Hawksnest Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Hawknest Bay Beach is a National Park Beach. That means no hotels, no restaurants, no resorts no interruptions. Just you and the beach. Maybe some coral formations and forests and rocks to climb, but mostly the beach.

Santa Catarina, Brazil

If you are into surfing, then you definitely want to check out Sanata Catarina, Brazil. Many international surfing championships have been held here, and you can get a piece of the action. Also, Brazilian nightlife, beaches, the southern Atlantic, what else would you want?

Montauk, Long Island, New York

At the end of Long Island, Montauk claims to be one of the best spots in East Hampton. If anyone has watched the new USA Network show Royal Pains, you’ll have seen the Hamptons. However, it stretches the truth a bit, the median income is around $42,000, not millions. Although quite a bit north of many of our other beaches, it does have a warmer climate zone than you would think. Plus, on a clear day you can see Rhode Island.

Posted on November 13, 2009 Filed Under Beaches to go See, Recommended Beaches and Places, Travel | 1 Comment

The World’s Sexiest Beach for 2009, Part 1

It’s that time again, time for Concierge.com to release its 2009 list of the most beautiful and sexiest beaches in the world.

Sometimes I think I shouldn’t read these lists, because they just make me want to leave everything behind and head for some waves.

For past years lists, see the Sexiest Beaches for 2007, and the most beautiful and sexy beaches for 2008. Here is part 1 on the list for 2009;

The Baths, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

With natural pools and grottoes formed by giant slabs of concrete, you will almost always be able to find some privacy at The Baths in Virgin Gorda, BVI.

The Baths are also a great place for snorkeling and Scuba diving with lots of great coral formations.

Muizenberg Beach, Cape Town, South Africa

Muizenberg Beach is a perfect beach for almost every activity, nice moderate waves, yet still some great ones for surfing. Dolphin and whales can be seen not far from here. Muizenberg Beach is set in a Victorian style town for added atmosphere.

Zuma Beach (Malibu), California

Located in Southern California, Zuma Beach is one of the best known beaches on the West Coast. Some rate it as one of the best for surfing.

You can also see dolphins many times when you swim at Zuma Beach.

Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

South of San Jose on the Pacific Coast, this is what I call a beach bum paradise. Beaches surrounded by forests, mangroves and lagoons. Coral reefs make this great for snorkeling and scuba, and rain forests make it perfect for those looking for some adventure and wilderness.

Hvar, Croatia

If you are looking to go to the Mediterranean, then check out Hvar, Croatia. It has been a center of tourism for over 140 years, and is considered one of the top 10  most beautiful islands in the world.

Homegrown grapes and olives make Hvar the only place if you are into local food and wine.

Gold Coast, Australia

It’s Australia. Do I need to say more?

With many, many beaches, you can pick and choose the beach that fits you, from beaches for kids, for surfing, for snorkeling, everything you want is on the Gold Coast.

Varadero Beach, Cuba

Varadero Beach is known by many as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

It has over 20 miles of beaches, which should make it easy to find a nice private spot. However, it is also one of the largest resorts in the Caribbean, so there will be a lot of people.

This isn’t the end of the list, read part 2 of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

Posted on November 12, 2009 Filed Under Beaches to go See, Recommended Beaches and Places, Travel | 1 Comment

Primal Sky – Caballero Del Mar

Recently, I was sent a CD through my blog here. I have talked about beach music a number of times before, and he thought that I might like this.

Music and the beach go together. Some just fits for unknown reasons (like Darko Rundek), other for more obvious reasons (like Bob Marley and Jimmy Buffett). But when it comes to the beach and the ocean, of style of music stands out ahead of all others, surf music. I have loved surf music ever since I first heard the deep guitar of Miserlou as a kid. So what I was expecting to hear when I played this CD was a lot different than what it actually is.

Primal Sky combines so many types of music, it’s hard to describe. My first impression was that of a New Age artist surfing in Mexico while listening to some acid jazz, and it works. It works fantastically.

The album Caballero Del Mar is one of the more relaxing albums I’ve listened to in a while. I could definitely see myself coming out of the ocean after riding some waves (if I lived somewhere that I could surf of course) and turning on some Primal Sky.

I was scared at first, the name of the band sounds sort of like a death metal band, but it is very misleading. Here is a sample of what you can expect. This song is called Flamenco Beach.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Posted on November 6, 2009 Filed Under Music | 2 Comments

Jamaican Vacation Part 1 – Sunday

Today was the first day of our vacation to Negril Jamaica.

We left very early in the morning, about 5:00 AM. It made for a very long day and trip. We also had only about 30-45 minutes in Charlotte airport to get to our second plane.

The driver fom Rondel Village (John) was at the Montego Bay Airport waiting for us when we got there. He drove very fast and passed just about everyone on the road. I was fine with that as I really wanted to get to our hotel to get to the beach.

One thing to remember, not everybody exchanges money at the same rate, so make sure you go to the airport exchange. At the airport we had a rate of 88 Jamaican dollars to every 1 US dollar. At the hotel, it was 80 Jamaican to 1 US. So we actually recieved more money at the airport than we would of at the hotel. The restaurant at the hotel also had an exchange of 90:1. So we saved some money there too. For more information, read my previous post on how to get the best exchange rate.

Once we got to the Rondel Village, we had to wait quite a while for our room. Apparently a big tour bus was in the process of checking out, so our room wasn’t clean yet. We also got there very early, so it was understandable. We ended going to the restaurant before our room because I was hungry.

The music at the restaurant was very loud, although it could have seemed louder that day because we had been traveling all morning and just wanted to relax.

We did get to the beach today, which was my whole goal in leaving so early. I wanted to make sure that I was able to get in the ocean every day of our vacation.

I also got some jerk chicken today, and it wasn’t the last time this trip.

Posted on August 11, 2009 Filed Under Beach Vacations, Jamaica Vacation, Jamaica, Beaches, and the Caribbean | 1 Comment

keep looking »