"Winter" Beaches
We've got the cure for the common cold.
Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Who says south is the only direction to go for a beach?
Tulum, Mexico
Close to ruins but far from being one, this beach is a semi-hidden treasure.
Horseshoe Bay Beach
Southampton, Bermuda
Don’t wait until a Wednesday to wear pink … sands.
Everyone's heard of the legendary pink sands of Bermuda. On Horseshoe Bay's famous beach, you can rosé all day in a different way—just lying on the shores of one of the most popular spots on the entire island. The dramatic rock formations form an even more 'Grammable backdrop than the soft blush sands, the curious result of a combination of crushed shells, coral, and calcium carbonate.
Now this may not be the best spot to put on your dead–of–winter wish list, but as the #8 placeholder among the world's best beaches according to TripAdvisor and with sands this novel, well … I think we can make a little wiggle room for this shore off the coast of the Carolinas! Go when it's warm and bring the young ones to Port Royal Cove's shallow waters. Plus, it's easy to get to by public transit, especially since you won't have to pack much. Available towel, beach lounger, snorkel gear, and boogie boards make it simple!
Eagle Beach
Aruba
Your spirits will “fly like an eagle” on this sandy shore.
An instant pick–me–up? The year–round perfection of Aruba's dry, warm climate. Because of these ideal conditions and off–the–Hurricane–Belt Caribbean location, it's harder to find a beach you don't love than one you do. A modest collection of resorts more than fulfills the needs of the travelers, who have plenty of room to spread out on the multitudes of miles of plush white sands.
Our winner of all of them is Eagle Beach, which has also won a place among the top three best beaches in the world by TripAdvisor. It's home to two of the most photographed and renowned fofoti trees in Aruba, and offers ample parking, shaded areas, beach huts, and—of course—a variety of water sports, including kayaking and stand–up paddleboarding. But if all of these offerings on this wide expanse isn't enough, well … Palm Beach, its close second, is only a very short taxi ride away!
Playa Norte/North Beach
Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Who says south is the only direction to go for a beach?
Sure, most people don't think of heading north for sun and sand … but Playa Norte just outside of Cancun on Isla Mujeres might change your mind. It's a relaxed beach that places you conveniently close to the excitement of the destination's touristic hub and right on top of the cerulean seas of the Gulf of Mexico, but provides a vibe all its own.
As "chill" of a beach as it is, there's still plenty to fire you up. Lively bars and restaurants provide all the food, drink, and social entertainment you could want, while a plethora of water sports are readily available, with yachts and boats adding a scenic accent as they dock for the day. In fact, the ferry from Cancun stops near here, since it's the main mode of transportation to get to this 2,250–foot stretch of sand. Best of all? The water is shallow with little to no current, and one of the only places in the region to watch the sun set over the water for that Instagrammable moment.
Seven Mile Beach
Negril, Jamaica
Lucky number seven strikes in the land of irie.
Everyone's heard of Seven Mile Beach, an expanse of sparkling sand that seems to go on and on forever. In fact, this is the longest one in Jamaica, crossing over two parishes, as well as one of the most beautiful on an island known for its stunning shores. The water and sand seem to melt right into one another here. As consistently gorgeous from mile one to the very end as it is, this beach is perfect as a year–round destination.
Lined with bars, restaurants, and resorts galore, there's no end of things to do. There are jet skis and kayaks to get out in the waves in; snorkeling and scuba diving to jump into; and catamaran, banana, and glass–bottom boats to cruise on. On the shore, there are several bathrooms and changing room facilities even outside of the hotels and resorts, and lots of places to lounge with chair rentals if you're not staying at one of the luxurious properties built on the beach. However, it'll never feel crowded. With an expanse this big and a setting an hour and a half away from the Montego Bay international airport, this paradise is yours.
Kaanapali Beach
Maui, Hawaii
Hang ten or hang loose at this top ten beach.
On any list of "best beaches," it's only a matter of time before a Hawaiian one makes an appearance. This famous beach takes the title on ours, but we're far from the only ones to call this our favorite in the country. In fact, it was once named America's #1 best beach, and has a history of being a destination fit for a king … being that it was a former retreat for royalty.
It's got three miles of white sand and the crystal–clear water you'd want from anything categorized as an extraordinary beach. But those seas aren't peppered only with the swimmers you'd expect—there are cliff divers, here, too! In fact, one of this beach's greatest attractions is the daily cliff–diving ceremony off the beach's northernmost cliffs, Puu Kekaa, also known as Black Rock. But for those who prefer to keep their shorefront activities landbound, there's the open–air Whalers Village, a world–class shopping complex that features a variety of shops, restaurants, a renowned whaling museum, and free Hawaiian entertainment.
Clearwater Beach
Clearwater, Florida
It’s all in the name.
Needless to say, the water's pretty crystal–clear here at America's number one beach (TripAdvisor, 2018). Tranquil turquoise waters and miles upon miles of soft sand are spread out under skies so consistently clear that only about four days a year are given over to liquid sunshine. This generally mild climate is another factor that has won it accolades globally as one of the world's top beaches, and its picturesque lines of palm trees certainly don't detract from its appeal.
As relaxing as the image sounds, Clearwater Beach can also be a place for the more intrepid traveler. There are exciting water sports galore, and full–time lifeguards make sure that fun and safe are the same thing. The small–town atmosphere creates a vibe of conviviality, and a plethora of restaurants and hotels with interesting bars and lounges provide plenty of places to meet with new friends made on the beach.
Grace Bay Beach
Turks & Caicos
She’s got beauty, she’s got grace
And by "she," we of course mean the most famous beach in Turks & Caicos: Grace Bay Beach. It's only a little over three miles long, but the luxury per square foot there makes good use of every bit of its area. The resorts that line the light aqua waters—a shade rarely found anywhere else in the world—are upscale and high–class, with an easy elegance that somehow remains warm and laid back.
Speaking of the water, though, the waves are barely there, brushing up ever so gently against plush, soft sand. You won't find rocks, seaweed, or pollution here, thanks to its designation as a part of Princess Alexandra National Park, either. With all of that going for it, who's surprised its many accolades include being the World Travel Awards' World's Leading Beach Destination and TripAdvisor's second–best beach on the planet? Not us.
Playa Manuel Antonio
Manuel, Costa Rica
Land and sea is the place to be.
Spend the morning hiking in a national park's rainforest, then the afternoon lounging on a crescent–shaped beach. Sound improbable? Not here! This beach within one of Costa Rica's national parks makes this itinerary a must, which is why it sees over 140,000 visitors a year. The jungle that surrounds the beach's spectacular views is filled with toucans, parakeets, monkeys, and other wildlife friends that openly welcome travelers into their home during the 30 minutes you can take traversing the terrain from the entrance. The main trail is easy to follow and leads you right down to the shore, but a short shuttle ride from any of the clifftop hotels—built there to protect the environment—can do the same. Stay on this trail, though, to get to Playa Espadilla Sur, if you're looking for a little more solitude.
Either way, whether you choose to stay in popular Playa Manuel Antonio or seek more solace, you'll still get to swim, snorkel, and surf off the shore. Our pro–tip is just to do it between November and May for best results.
Seven Mile Beach
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
The numbers have it on a second Seven Mile Beach.
Jamaica isn't the only Caribbean destination with a Seven Mile Beach! The one in Grand Cayman is another year–round hot spot, but this one has a long set of stats to back it up. It's been named one of the "Ultimate Beaches" in the region by Caribbean Travel + Life, the 4th best beach in the Caribbean by TripAdvisor, and 12th in the world by MSN. So, naturally, it's also home to almost all of the island's top resorts: luxurious accommodations that sprawl across bright white sands.
Alongside the resorts, there are also a lot of beach bars and shops from which to enjoy the view, making it an easy walk from tip to tail of the shoreline. Excellent snorkeling in soft Caribbean waves, particularly around Cemetery Reef, invites you to get a closer view, though!
Playa Ruinas
Tulum, Mexico
Close to ruins but far from being one, this beach is a semi-hidden treasure.
Named for the archaeological site only 500 meters away from its palm tree–dotted white sands, this is just as much a delightful surprise in the wilds of the Mexican jungle as Tulum itself. Two hours away by car from Cancun, the abandoned city is one of the last inhabited and built by the Mayans, and the only one located along the Riviera Maya.
Although many opt to swim in the nearby limestone pools, we recommend making your way to Playa Ruinas. It's long, wide, and rarely gets busy despite its location right below the tower of the city. However, that's not to say amenities aren't there for leisure travelers! Nice beach clubs have set up shop here, allowing you to rent a table, chairs, and an umbrella to relax to allow you to pay proper homage to a literally timeless view.
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