Escaping to a nice, relaxing beach vacation feels impossible with our current living situation, yet there is no harm in planning for possible future ones! Traveling can be one of the best opportunities to explore a new place and create memories that will stay with you for a lifetime. After all, we must all have our dream vacations lined up, so we are ready to travel after this pandemic.
Below, I compiled a list of my personal top 5 favorite beach vacation destinations that I have traveled to that I believe deserves much attention. I hope that they inspire you!
1. Phuket, Thailand
Phuket is a beautiful island that will absolutely make you feel like you're in paradise! The turquoise color of the ocean met with the warm white sand is just stunning and will urge you to want to stay there forever. Phuket is well-known for its gorgeous islands and karsts just off the coast of the mainland as well as its amazing Thai food.
It is a perfect place for snorkeling, boating, paddle-boarding, and many more beach activities. The jutting shorelines of the islands are what excursionists consider to be an “Instagram hotspot.” In fact, at some beaches, tourists can ride elephants and spot wild monkeys!
When I visited Thailand in November 2019, the weather was absolutely perfect! I recommend visiting during the later part of the year since it is typically very sunny and not too humid. My favorite part of the trip was taking a boat tour around the Phi Phi Islands! I also loved visiting the other great tourist attractions in Phuket, such as The Great Buddha.
2. Nadi, Fiji
Tucked away in the South Pacific, Fiji is the ideal beach vacation destination!
The beautiful coral reefs in the clear, turquoise seawater are definitely worth the visit. Tourists can explore and travel within the different Fijian islands very easily and even stay at secluded, luxury resorts.
If you are a hiking enthusiast, Fiji is also an excellent place to explore the outdoors. The scenery is earthly green and is filled with breathtaking views.
One of the most memorable parts of your experience in Fiji is that the natives are so friendly and welcoming to each visitor. They never forget to greet a visitor with a kind-hearted “Bula.” Before you leave, you are almost guaranteed to pick up a few words from the native Fijian language!
My family and I visited Fiji during the Summer of 2016, and it was one of my most memorable vacations! We were overtaken by a feeling of euphoria the moment we stepped foot off the plane.
We stayed on a smaller island called Vanua Levu, and it was such a great experience. It was definitely more secluded and not the typical “resort” beach vacation, yet the hiking trails and beaches were spectacular!
3. Kauai, Hawaii
Who doesn't love Hawaii?!
Hawaii is one of the best family beach getaway destinations for a variety of reasons. Its warm weather, stunning beaches, adventurous backdrop, and beautiful resorts are just a few of their many attractions.
However, Kauai is a little different from the other traditional Hawaiian islands. Its incredibly green and jungle-like surroundings add a thrilling and unique touch to the island experience. This is an especially amazing vacation spot for those who love to combine their relaxing beach vacation with an adventurous, nature-filled experience. There is only one more thing to keep in mind when visiting Kauai... beware of the chickens!
My personal favorite part of my Kauai trip was hiking around the Napali Coast. The views overlooking the ocean are sublime, and I totally recommend checking it out!
4. Nassau, Bahamas
If you are looking for a beach destination to escape to, The Bahamas is a good fit for you! It is a great place to try out new water activities and relax on the beautiful beaches. In fact, tourists can even take a boat tour to the island of Exuma and spot indigenous pigs swimming in the ocean!
Many tourists stay at all-inclusive or beachfront resorts, making the visit even more paradisiacal. When my family visited The Bahamas, we stayed at a luxury, all-inclusive hotel called Atlantis. It was so much fun and the hotel had so many activities for us to try!
The Bahamas is one of the best beach spots and is totally worth visiting! Booking a trip to the Bahamas is also very convenient as there are direct flights from numerous larger airports, and it is only a close 180 miles (289.68 km) off the coast of Florida.
5. San Diego, California
San Diego is a perfect mix of beach and city vibes for a nice and fun vacation! It is a gorgeous city to visit, especially during the Summer months of July-September. Walking around the small coastal cities within San Diego County and swimming in the crystal blue ocean makes it so enjoyable and welcoming to tourists. Kayaking through the La Jolla shores is just one of the many popular beach activities to try out!
Although I may be biased since San Diego is my hometown, you really cannot go wrong with traveling to Southern California! The beach-city lifestyle is so desiring that you will definitely want to book another trip. San Diego is also a very family-friendly tourist destination as it is home to the famous San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, and Lego Land and only a short 2-hour car ride south of Anaheim's Disneyland.
