Top 5 Family Fun Beaches
Author: Gil Hawkins
Author: Gil Hawkins
Planning a vacation with the whole family means you have one
primary consideration: keeping the kids happy. If planning a
beach vacation, it seems you already have taken care of that
main consideration, but not completely. You want to be sure you
choose a kid-friendly beach that will also keep the adults
happy.
Dr. Beach, otherwise known as scientist Dr. Stephen Leatherman,
chooses the top beaches each year, always with an eye toward the
kids as well. All of the following selections are made with the
family in mind. These were Dr. Beach's selections for 2006.
1. Fleming Beach, Maui. This beach, of which part is the Ritz
Carlton beach, is a popular destination for families. Here, you
can surf, swim and picnic. Since the kids are with you, you'll
appreciate that there are restrooms, showers and picnic
facilities. If you're visiting in the winter, stay out of the
water, as the surf is dangerously high then. Families also like
the location – it's on the west side of Maui and is backed by a
forest of trees which provide abundant shade.
2. Caladesi Island State Park, Florida. This beach makes a
wonderful complement to a Florida vacation with kids. Head to
Florida's west coast (this beach is near the St.
Petersburg/Clearwater area) and visit this park, which offers a
marina, picnic pavilions, shelling and fishing, as well as
nature studies. There are also three miles of nature trail
here. The beach is a family favorite due to the myriad of
activities that complement your visit, as well as the beautiful
sand beaches perfect for sandcastle making.
3. Ocracoke Island, North Carolina. Located on North Carolina's
Outer Banks, Ocracoke Island is a popular destination for
families. There's something here for everyone: the kids enjoy
watching the "banker ponies", the wild ponies that live there,
and parents enjoy the quaint shops, historic lighthouse, and
darling homes. The village of Ocracoke is on the National
Register of Historic Places. There's a free ferry service from
Hatteras Island to Ocracoke Island. It's a 40-minute ferry ride
that can end up taking a lot longer in the summertime, as the
wait for the ferry can be a long one.
4. Cooper's Beach, Southampton, New York. Southampton was the
first settlement in New York State, in 1640, and this beach is
the main beach in the Southampton area. Of course, Southampton
is known as the playground of the rich during the summer
months, so be sure to prepare yourself for that if you're not
normally part of that moneyed crowd. But don't let that scare
you off – the beach is also a favorite playground of kids
everywhere. You should carry some cash: non-residents pay $25
for weekday parking and $30 for weekend.
5. Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii. This beach, located on the
north coast of Hawaii, is a quiet oasis of fun beach
activities. There are many vacation home rentals in the area,
so you can head from your condo or house rental right to this
beautiful beach. Kids love it because the white sand beaches
are prime for sand play, there are restrooms, picnic facilities
and a lifeguard on duty. Kids can play in the water most times
of the year and surfing and boogie boarding are also popular
here.
About The Author: Liz Boudreau is a beach bum with a passion
for travel. She has traveled to and reviewed some of the best
beaches in the world. See her latest reviews of fabulous
beaches http://www.beaches-guide.com/
primary consideration: keeping the kids happy. If planning a
beach vacation, it seems you already have taken care of that
main consideration, but not completely. You want to be sure you
choose a kid-friendly beach that will also keep the adults
happy.
Dr. Beach, otherwise known as scientist Dr. Stephen Leatherman,
chooses the top beaches each year, always with an eye toward the
kids as well. All of the following selections are made with the
family in mind. These were Dr. Beach's selections for 2006.
1. Fleming Beach, Maui. This beach, of which part is the Ritz
Carlton beach, is a popular destination for families. Here, you
can surf, swim and picnic. Since the kids are with you, you'll
appreciate that there are restrooms, showers and picnic
facilities. If you're visiting in the winter, stay out of the
water, as the surf is dangerously high then. Families also like
the location – it's on the west side of Maui and is backed by a
forest of trees which provide abundant shade.
2. Caladesi Island State Park, Florida. This beach makes a
wonderful complement to a Florida vacation with kids. Head to
Florida's west coast (this beach is near the St.
Petersburg/Clearwater area) and visit this park, which offers a
marina, picnic pavilions, shelling and fishing, as well as
nature studies. There are also three miles of nature trail
here. The beach is a family favorite due to the myriad of
activities that complement your visit, as well as the beautiful
sand beaches perfect for sandcastle making.
3. Ocracoke Island, North Carolina. Located on North Carolina's
Outer Banks, Ocracoke Island is a popular destination for
families. There's something here for everyone: the kids enjoy
watching the "banker ponies", the wild ponies that live there,
and parents enjoy the quaint shops, historic lighthouse, and
darling homes. The village of Ocracoke is on the National
Register of Historic Places. There's a free ferry service from
Hatteras Island to Ocracoke Island. It's a 40-minute ferry ride
that can end up taking a lot longer in the summertime, as the
wait for the ferry can be a long one.
4. Cooper's Beach, Southampton, New York. Southampton was the
first settlement in New York State, in 1640, and this beach is
the main beach in the Southampton area. Of course, Southampton
is known as the playground of the rich during the summer
months, so be sure to prepare yourself for that if you're not
normally part of that moneyed crowd. But don't let that scare
you off – the beach is also a favorite playground of kids
everywhere. You should carry some cash: non-residents pay $25
for weekday parking and $30 for weekend.
5. Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii. This beach, located on the
north coast of Hawaii, is a quiet oasis of fun beach
activities. There are many vacation home rentals in the area,
so you can head from your condo or house rental right to this
beautiful beach. Kids love it because the white sand beaches
are prime for sand play, there are restrooms, picnic facilities
and a lifeguard on duty. Kids can play in the water most times
of the year and surfing and boogie boarding are also popular
here.
About The Author: Liz Boudreau is a beach bum with a passion
for travel. She has traveled to and reviewed some of the best
beaches in the world. See her latest reviews of fabulous
beaches http://www.beaches-guide.com/
