Family Summer Beach Vacation Ideas
This article explores Family Summer Beach Vacation Ideas. A summer beach vacation is probably the type of vacation that many families dream about throughout the year. The bright, warm sun and blue seas make up for a perfect combination. Most of the family vacation ideas will indicate that traveling to your desired location can be expensive. But if you are planning to take a trip at least once in a year, it is best to find a way to cut down on expenses.
It’s that time of year again, when families everywhere are gearing up for a beach vacation so they can get in some much-needed sun and break from the “noisy” atmosphere where it snows. With such a variety of beaches and vacation spots to choose from, how does one narrow down the possibilities? Note: This article was written using WordPress’ default editor.A family vacation during the summer is one of the most enjoyable and memorable trips you can take. But it can also be difficult to plan without experiencing event fatigue from planning many other vacations. The following article lists some unique beach vacation ideas.
Family Summer Beach Vacation Ideas
Summer is here and if you were like me last year, you probably spent all of your time indoors on the computer. I’ve got a better plan this year – I’m headed to the beach! The beach has it’s own set of difficulties when it comes to packing for a vacation. Never fear, however, because I have put together a list of family friendly beach vacation ideas. What should you do on a family beach vacation? This is an important question to ask, especially if you’re traveling to different parts of the world. A lot of people travel to a new place and complain about it. The weather wasn’t great. The food wasn’t anything special. The beaches were dirty. But those people failed to prepare for the trip!
Best Family Beach Vacations in the U.S.
Taking the family to the beach can create lifelong memories, as long as every member of the family is satisfied. To help you choose a beach destination for your next family getaway, U.S. News considered factors like safe waters, kid-friendly attractions, dining options, spacious accommodations and multigenerational appeal to determine the best family beach vacations in the U.S. Weigh in by voting below, then use this list to plan your upcoming travels. (Note: Some of the below destinations may be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Check with the CDC and the U.S. Department of State before traveling.)
Read Best Vacations Methodology
- View 42 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoOuter Banks#1 in Best Family Beach Vacations in the U.S.Outer Banks beaches are lauded for their consistent yet manageable waves and verdant landscapes. And you can count on North Carolina’s OBX to deliver great summer weather (think: highs in the 70s and 80s). Plan on renting a cottage or condo for more space without being too far from the beach. For lots of sand to stretch out on and build sandcastles on, visit Nags Head’s wide shores. Or, head to Kitty Hawk or Kill Devil Hills to surf the choppy waters. Duck is the beach town to go to if you brought your four-legged family member with you. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|THINGS TO DO
- View 30 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoDestin#2 in Best Family Beach Vacations in the U.S.This Florida town’s family-friendly vibe and impressive beaches entice multigenerational groups year after year. The stark white sand and calm jade water at Henderson Beach State Park and the Shores at Crystal Beach Park are picture-perfect. Plus, many Destin resorts cater to kids, so parents can relax while the little ones play. Boat tours are also a great way to spend some quality time with the family; all ages will have fun looking for jumping dolphins, and the kids will have a blast on the pirate-themed cruises. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|FLIGHTS|THINGS TO DO
- View 27 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoSanibel Island#3 in Best Family Beach Vacations in the U.S.Florida’s Sanibel Island is a hit with kids for two reasons: The area’s beaches offer calm waters that are perfect for play, and the “Sanibel Stoop” will keep little ones occupied for hours as they search for shells and sand dollars on popular shelling beaches like Bowman’s and Blind Pass. Families can also look for animals like alligators and shorebirds along the 4-mile-long Wildlife Drive in J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. If you’re not yet convinced, remember that hotel deals are pretty easy to find here. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|THINGS TO DO
- View 43 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoMaui#4 in Best Family Beach Vacations in the U.S.While cost is a barrier for any family getaway, it’s an especially large barrier for many when it comes to traveling to Hawaii. Still, Maui has some of the United States’ most abundant and exotic family-friendly beaches. Kihei’s Wailea Beach and Lahaina’s Baby Beach are the go-to options, with sun-drenched sands and calm waters ideal for little swimmers. And all ages will want to head to Haleakala National Park for an educational yet unforgettable visit to the world’s largest dormant volcano. READ MOREBEST HOTELS|THINGS TO DO
Belongs on List?YesNoAmelia Island#5 in Best Family Beach Vacations in the U.S.This barrier island off Florida’s northeast coast offers plenty of space to spread out in the sand – 13 miles, to be exact – but it also promises plenty of fun away from the shore. Head to Egans Creek Greenway, a more than 300-acre protected area that’s home to alligators, snakes, bobcats and many birds. For even more wildlife-watching opportunities, sign up for Amelia River Cruises’ Family Friendly Sunset Tour. You’ll sail around the island while looking for dolphin pods and listening to an abbreviated history of the area.- View 34 PhotosBelongs on List?YesNoHilton Head#6 in Best Family Beach Vacations in the U.S.Hilton Head, South Carolina, is perfect for families looking to slow down. You’ll find two notable beaches here: Driessen Beach Park and the ever-popular Coligny Beach Park. For a break from the sands, take a stroll (or bike ride) through Harbour Town and climb to the top of the lighthouse. Golf courses and tennis courts abound as well, giving your family plenty of options for staying active while on vacation.
After an in-depth review of more than 200 resorts in the U.S. and Caribbean, Parents uncovered these 20 family-friendly beach getaways. Some pump up the energy, others have a laid-back vibe, and all are great fun for both you and the kids! (Rates and offerings are subject to change. Contact each resort for the most up-to-date information.)
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Montage Kapalua Bay in Maui, Hawaii
Treat your family to the “aloha” spirit at Montage Kapalua Bay in Maui, Hawaii. The resort features luxurious one- to four-bedroom amenities, multiple swimming pools, and access to the pristine Kapalua Bay Beach.
While parents are lounging poolside or at Spa Montage, kids can spend the day at Paintbox children’s program, specifically designed for those ages 5 to 12. Half-day and full-day sessions are available, where your little one might explore tide pools, make instruments, observe sea turtles, and more. Kids can also compete for “Montage Merit” badges by completing Hawaii-focused activities.
The entire family will enjoy Hawaiian cultural offerings—such as lei-making, “Talk Story sessions, and ukulele lessons—led by the Montage Kapalua Bay’s onsite Cultural Ambassador. When it’s time to eat, families can dine at a variety of onsite restaurants, including the signature Cane & Canoe. They may also choose to cook in their full-sized kitchen or travel merely ten miles to the historic town of Lahaina.
Traveling to the island just got a whole lot easier for those flying from the east coast, too, with United Airline’s direct flight from Newark to Kahului, Maui—a must for parents eager to skip the layover.
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South Seas Island Resort, Captiva Island, Florida
Practically all beach resorts in the Sunshine State offer summertime specials, and this charming one located at the edge of the Gulf Coast is no exception. Not too long ago, South Seas Island Resort completed a $140 million renovation of the entire property, overhauling all accommodations and the popular pool area. Speaking of the water, the waves at the beach are mild, the white sand is teeming with shells, and chances are good that you’ll see dolphins and manatees offshore at least once during your trip. In fact, this 330-acre resort, more than half of which is preserved, is a nature lover’s paradise.
The Tiva Kids Club for children 4 and older takes every advantage of the setting, with trips to the on-property nature center and visits from the resort’s own naturalist. Guided evening beach walks and daytime tide-pool excursions are also available.
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Club Med Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Club Med’s imaginative circus school teaches kids 4 and up how to juggle, ride a unicycle, walk a tightrope, swing on a trapeze, and learn magic tricks. This and the property’s numerous other supervised children’s programs, meals, and sports activities are included in the price.
While the kids are having the time of their lives, you can enjoy the coconut tree-lined beach, sailing, snorkeling, windsurfing, and fitness classes. Club rooms (the least expensive type) are comfortable, and families with infants automatically receive a changing table, baby bathtub, and bottle warmer in their room as part of the resort’s “Baby Welcome” program.
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Club Med Sandpiper, Port St. Lucie, Florida
Club Med’s only U.S. location, situated between Miami and Orlando, offers the same fabulous Circus School and Baby Welcome program as Punta Cana—and you don’t need a passport to get there.
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Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas
When you rent one of the 2,000-plus rooms at this tropical resort, you gain access to the mind-blowing water park and aquarium—attractions that would add up to at least a couple hundred dollars daily in the States. In the resort’s underwater tunnels and nine open-air lagoons, there are more than 50,000 sea creatures from more than 250 species, a number that rivals the grandest U.S. aquariums. Many of the 100 acres of water attractions are thrilling—like the 50-foot water slide in total darkness—but require kids to be at least 48 inches tall. Smaller children will have a blast at several shallow pools and at Splashers, a Mayan-themed water-play area with a pirate ship and water canyons that is just for tots.