Pregnant beach vacation
Pregnancy and beach vacation don’t always mix. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your time at the beach while you’re pregnant!
The sand and sun are two things that aren’t going anywhere, but there are a few things you can do to make sure you’re comfortable and safe while experiencing them.
First, bring plenty of sunscreen. While the American Academy of Dermatology recommends avoiding direct sunlight during pregnancy, if you’re planning on spending any amount of time in the sun, it’s important to protect yourself from harmful rays. The skin is especially vulnerable during pregnancy because it’s thinner than usual and more likely to get burned or damaged by UV rays. Protecting your skin will help prevent premature aging as well as help guard against cancer down the road.
Bring water with you wherever you go. You might be tempted to stay out in the sun longer than usual because everyone else seems like they’re having so much fun—but remember that dehydration can affect your health in many ways: dizziness, headaches, fatigue… not exactly how you want to feel on vacation!
Guide to the Perfect Beach Day While Pregnant
1. Embrace your bump. You’re glowing, you’re showing… and you kind of feel like a beached whale. Don’t stress! There’s absolutely no shame in showing off your “with-baby” body. Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise: Your body is beautiful, no matter its shape or size. Put on your bikini, take off the tent-like cover-up, and show off your beautiful self.
2. Always use sunscreen. There are more new cases of skin cancer reported every year than prostate, breast, colon, and lung cancers combined, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. So, yes, sunscreen is always important. Along with protecting your skin from serious long-term damage, getting a burn is never fun. This is extra true when you’re already uncomfortable during your pregnancy. Itching, peeling, and stinging on top of the stretching your skin is already feeling just won’t do. But before you slather up, check the ingredients list (and check with your doc). Sunscreens containing the chemical oxybenzone have been linked to having low-birth-weight babies.
3. Enjoy the water. Provided you watch out for sharp objects such as jagged rocks (and, of course, shark teeth), the water may actually be your friend. It will cool you off on a hot day and take some of the pressure off of your body. Even though you’re not totally weightless in the water, you’ll be light enough to feel less of the aches and pains that pregnancy brings on. Just don’t forget that sunscreen, because while you’ll be feeling more cool and comfortable, the reflection off the water ups your chance of a sunburn.
4. Take breaks. Staying out in the sun for too long may make you feel not-so-great. Couple that with the sweat that’s now pouring down your body, and you’ll want to take breaks somewhere shady or air-conditioned. Find a nearby spot (perhaps your hotel or a café) that you can duck into for a virgin colada or a quick snack. Limiting your beach time can also limit your sun exposure. Not only is that healthier for your skin, but it may also reduce the risk of discoloration. Between the increased melanin production that’s going on in your pregnant body and the sun’s shiny rays, you have an increased chance of developing melasma. Known as “the mask of pregnancy,” melasma looks like brownish spots or patches on your face.
5. Stay hydrated. Attention to hydration is essential during pregnancy. Too little water and you’ll shrivel into something resembling a raisin. Okay, not really, but pregnant women really do need more water than the average girl. Dehydration can have some serious side effects that include low amniotic fluid, premature labor, or reduced breast milk production. When the summer sun is hot and you’re parked on the sand, keep a water bottle handy — and filled!
6. Eat early. With all of the sun and fun, your exhaustion level will peak early on. But that doesn’t mean you should skip dinner and snooze instead. The senior special probably starts sometime around 4pm. Join Grandma and Grandpa for a super-early-bird dinner during your beach vacation. Eat earlier, and then get your sleep time in.
7. Get in some light exercise. Just because you’re spending 98 percent of your beach vacation lounging on a comfy towel with the ocean breeze gently washing over you doesn’t mean you can’t get in a workout. Before you start asking where the hotel gym is, take a look around you. The beach is the perfect place to exercise without overdoing it. Take a stroll through the sand, getting your feet wet in the ocean as you go along.
8. Pack extra outfits. The game plan is to spend the morning seaside, grab lunch, nap, and then hit the beach again. So you pop into the ocean early on and then — well, then you’re spending the entire day in a damp suit. Yuck. You’re sandy, you’re uncomfortable, and you just want to feel dry again. Make sure to pack an extra bathing suit and a change of clothes. You’ll thank yourself later.
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.