Plan a beach vacation
The main purpose of a vacation is to relax, unwind and escape from the daily grind. As travel sites are increasingly becoming popular and more travel tips and advice is being discovered online, millions of people are looking for the best vacation spots to relax.
When choosing where you want to go for your next vacation, relaxation is an important factor because it helps to relieve the stress our busy lives can bring on. A good beach vacation can be just what you need. After all, they say there’s nothing better than relaxing on a beach because the sun and water are great stress relievers.
Tips to plan a beach vacation
1. Define Your Ideal Beach Vacation
Assuming you would like tips for planning a beach vacation. What are your must-haves? white sand beaches? crystal clear water? waves for surfing?
Once you know what you are looking for, you can begin to research beaches to visit that fit those criteria.
2. Set a Budget
Nothing puts a damper on your vacation plans quicker than overspending. Make a list of what expenses you anticipate. This will help you stay mindful as you make purchase decisions.
Airfare, lodging, food, and activities will all add to the cost. This will help you narrow down your options and make the planning process easier.
3. Choose Your Dates
Be flexible with your dates to get the best deals on flights and accommodation. Choose a time of year for your travel. Bear in mind that hurricane season can affect beach vacations in the late summer and early fall.
4. Choose Your Destination
Not all beach destinations are created equal. Do your research to find a beach that matches your preferences (e.g., tranquil and secluded vs. bustling and lively). Consider factors such as the climate, activities available, and your budget when choosing your destination.
5. Book Your Flights and Accommodation
Take the time to find the best deals on flights and accommodation. Look for places with the best beaches and service Don’t wait until the last minute to book your hotel or rental property. The best places fill up fast, so it’s important to reserve your spot well in advance.
6. Plan Your Activities
The sooner you start planning your beach vacation, the better. This will give you more time to research beach locations, compare prices, and find deals.
If you want your trip to be everything you’ve dreamed of, a little planning can go a long way. Whether it’s swimming, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, or simply relaxing on the sand, make sure you have a list of activities so you can make the most of your time.
7. Pack Wisely
Pack items like sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, a blanket or two for lounging and picnicking, swimsuits, and more. Choose comfortable, versatile clothing that can be layered depending on the weather.
Bring some cash for parking, concessions, and souvenirs. Bring your camera to capture all the memories. Pack beach games or toys to keep everyone entertained.
Perfect vacation spots for beach-lovers.
Coffee Bay, South Africa
Coffee Bay in South Africa is another fantastic destination for the best beach vacations. This is an authentic and exciting place, ideal for adventure lovers. The location is best known for breathtaking views of the water, cliffs, rocks, and green hills.
The walk is the best way to explore this exotic beach vacation spot. The beach is safe to visit during the day, but camping at night may pose some risks.
Choosing this beach vacation spot is like giving the best start to your holidays.
Navagio Beach, Greece
Navagio Beach is an ideal spot in Greece for the best family beach vacations. Also known as Shipwreck Beach, the beach is on the northwest sandy shore of Zakynthos. It is home to limestone cliffs, white sand, and clear blue water.
Surrounded by natural beauty, this stunning beach attracts thousands of tourists every year. It is well-known for being one of the best-photographed beaches in Greece. The beach also makes an excellent spot for swimming and sunbathing.
Navagio Beach attracts sea and nature enthusiasts, offering a range of water, outdoor sports, and excursion activities.
The Baths, Virgin Island
Are you still looking for the best family beach vacation spots?
The Baths of southern Virgin Gorda can be your excellent pick to enjoy with family or friends. The giant batholiths or boulders are brought to the beach by volcanic eruptions, forming beautiful tranquil pools and grottos.
The beach attracts visitors across the globe with its great features, including white sand, clear water, tropical palms, and spectacular tunnels.
Moreover, Myrtle Beach State Park can be another excellent pick for family trips in South Carolina when it comes to long white sandy shores.
Ipanema Beach, Brazil
Ipanema Beach is a sizzling location for weekend getaways with family or friends.
Popularized by the song “The Girl from Ipanema,” this beach is one of the best places for parties, sunbathing, and playing volleyball. It is famous for two primary reasons: its chilled-out atmosphere and crowd.
This world-famous beach provides all tourists with a sense of life in Rio. It displays a cross-section of eateries, varying lifestyles, chic boutiques, and luxurious apartment buildings.
The beach offers several activities to do to its visitors to keep them entertained. Overall, the destination is perfect for couples, solitary walks, gymming enthusiasts, and nightlife.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Unlike much of the Caribbean, Puerto Rico still offers affordable prices for an amazing beach experience. You can find flights from many U.S. cities for more reasonable prices than elsewhere in the islands. There’s lots of history to learn about here by visiting the Spanish forts around San Juan, as well as architecture from the Spanish colonial-style buildings throughout the city. You can find a little bit of everything here in terms of accommodations, including budget-friendly hotels, chain hotels, Airbnb properties, and high-end luxury resorts.
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is another famous U.S. beach area that has a good reputation for being budget-friendly. To save some money and enjoy the nature that surrounds you, plan to set up camp in a tent or RV at First Landing State Park. You can walk to the beach from your campsite and avoid many of the crowds that visit the actual Virginia Beach nearby. Of course, Virginia Beach itself is fun too and has a great boardwalk that’s peaceful to stroll along. There are many hotels right along this beach, but if you’re willing to bike or drive a bit further, you can find more affordable accommodations farther away from the prime tourist area. Surfing is popular here, and you might even be able to check out a surfing competition in the summer!
Bocas del Toro, Panama
When you visit Panama for your cheap beach vacation, you can combine city life with time in the sea and sand. Here you’ll find white sand beaches but at a more affordable price than other Caribbean hotspots. Some of the best places to come for your Panama beach vacation are Bocas del Toro, Contadora, and Coronado. The waters around Panama are warm and inviting for swimming and many different water sports, including parasailing, diving, and boating.
Tybee Island, Georgia
Tybee Island is a popular vacation spot and an affordable place to spend time at the beach. It’s fun to explore the island by bike, indulge in some ice cream, and go for a swim in the warm ocean water. This coastal community is home to sea turtles and dolphins that you can observe, while fishing enthusiasts can try their luck with a big catch.
South Padre Island, Texas
Many people who haven’t traveled to Texas are surprised to learn that there’s an amazing beach along the southern coast of the state. South Padre Island is accessible by road and very popular as a budget-friendly beach destination in the U.S. Accordingly, this area has become famous for its spring break parties, but the beach is very calm and serene if you visit in September or October. In the early fall, the crowds disburse but the temperatures are still warm enough to spend your days at the beach. Families and adventurous couples can keep busy here with water parks, sailing, kiteboarding and even dolphin watching. The town of Galveston is also a fun place to visit for a beach trip because it’s only 45 minutes from Houston and has a nice beach, winery, parks, and gardens.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach has been a favorite beach destination on Atlantic Coast for decades. This is a wonderful place to visit for families, and there are lots of golf courses and nightlife options for adults too. Flight prices are often reasonable here to drive the tourism industry, and it’s also an easy drive from many cities in the South and Mid-Atlantic coast. There are lots of hotels but also look into condo-style vacation rental options if you’re traveling with a few other people.
Corfu, Greece
Since the economy began struggling in Greece, many of the epic beach destinations became more affordable for getaways. Corfu is a Greek island that is a little less well-known than some of the other beach spots in Greece and not as pricy as those ones either. Travelers can find affordable hotels here and often inexpensive flights through small, regional airlines. If you’re traveling on a limited budget, you may need to adjust your expectations and settle for simple rooms that don’t include all the luxurious amenities.
Manzanillo, Mexico
There are lots of beach resort towns in Mexico, but one of the most budget-friendly ones is Manzanillo. This is a port city that has a couple of five-mile bays with beaches. Here you’ll find some great seafood restaurants and a laid-back atmosphere. Plan to rent an apartment or small home with an ocean view if you’re traveling with a few people and planning to stay for a while. Smaller budget-friendly hotels can also be found in Manzanillo, and many of them are conveniently located downtown and near the bus station.
Phuket, Thailand
Thailand has been a favorite vacation destination among budget-minded backpackers, but it’s also a great place for a beach vacation. The big cost here is the flight, especially if you’re coming from the U.S. But if you can find a good deal on a flight, then the rest of your trip should be well within your budget. Phuket is a beach town that is famous for luxury resorts, but you can often find very reasonable prices on splurge accommodations or settle for low-key accommodations for an even lower price. Popular beach areas here include Racha Yai Island, Naithon Beach, and Patong Beach.
Algarve, Portugal
The Algarve is along Portugal’s southern coast and is a European favorite for holidays filled with sunshine and sand. The big city here is Faro, and Faro Airport is where you may fly for this beach trip. Along the Algarve, you’ll find quiet villages, exciting party towns, and a little of everything in between. This is a great beach trip for travelers looking for authenticity and cultural experiences that go beyond just lounging in the sand. It’s a favorite spot among travelers from the UK and Northern Europe. Take a drive along the coast to see the beautiful cliffs, and make sure to check out Cabo de Sao Vincente, the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, and Alte & Salir.
Falassarna Beach, Greece
Falassarna Beach is on the list of most renowned beaches of Greece on the island of Crete. There’s a lot to do and explore on this stunning beach for solitary sun lovers.
Falassarna Beach is the middle one of five consecutive beaches. Several accommodation options near this beach vacation spot ensure a comfortable stay for visitors. Some luxury beach resorts even offer access to a private beach, making your stay even more memorable.
Rabbit Beach, Italy
Rabbit Beach is one of the wonderful places located in Lampedusa, Italy. The popular features of this beach are dry-desert land, white cliffs, and blue & clear water.
The beach was named Rabbit Beach for accommodating an overwhelming rabbit population. It also features loggerhead sea turtles, dolphins, and other animals roaming rocky grottos.
Thousands of visitors come here to enjoy every year.
Wineglass Bay, Tasmania
Visitors admire Tasmania for its natural sceneries. Wineglass Bay is one of the best beach vacation spots for thrill-seekers. It is a must-visit place if you’re on the east coast of Tasmania.
Wineglass Bay offers stunning activities, such as walking, tours from Hobart, hiking, boating, surfing, kayaking, etc. The beach walk allows you and your company to dip your toes into the greenish-blue waters and wander the sparkling white sand.
Explore this beach with your loved ones and enjoy its spectacular views.
Hidden Beach, Mexico
The Mexican military formed Hidden Beach on Marieta Island in Mexico. The beach looks like something coming out of a fantasy book; a vast, sandy cavern with turquoise waters.
As the name suggests, this is an underground beach vacation spot. You have to pass through a water tunnel to get to this stunning beach.
To reach Hidden Beach, visitors have to take an hour-long boat ride and cruise. Once you get to the island, you need to paddle or swim through the Pacific waters to the sand.
