A good beach vacation can be a lifesaver for families after a long school year. Parents can kick back, relax and catch rays while the kids play in the sand and surf.
Certain places have all the sun and fun you could dream of, along with top-notch points resorts for families. Plan a trip to one of these seven destinations for a great family beach vacation this summer — and remember to slather on sunscreen every few hours!
Orange County, California
There are plenty of Southern California beach towns worth visiting, but nature enthusiasts will particularly love the Orange County area. Along with walks on the shore, kayaking or paddleboarding that you can enjoy no matter the time of day, you can discover marine habitats in one of four tidepool viewing areas if you visit Crystal Cove State Park during low tide.
A few miles away in Newport Beach, families can visit the Balboa Fun Zone to play arcade games, tour the nautical museum and get a sky-high view of the area on the waterfront Ferris wheel. Several charter companies in the area also offer whalewatching tours where you may see gray whales, blue whales, dolphins, seals and more.
TPG tip: Lido House, Autograph Collection is a boutique property in Newport Beach that offers a saltwater pool, lawn games and an on-site creamery and coffee shop that families will love. Room rates at Lido House start at around $419 or 56,800 Marriott Bonvoy points per night for standard rooms. Multi-bedroom cottages are also available if you need more space.
Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida
The type of beach you get in Florida depends heavily on which part of the state you visit. If you are after soft, sugary sand and calm, emerald-green water perfect for fishing, swimming and snorkeling, then head for Destin-Fort Walton Beach along Florida’s panhandle. The area has 24 miles of shoreline and several beach access points, so you’re never far from dipping your toes in the sea.
Families have access to built-in fun through the city’s Little Adventures program, a series of free 60-minute sessions that get kids started with surfing, fishing, paddleboarding, marine biology and more. After your kids spend some time sparking their love of the sea, head for HarborWalk Village to shop, dine and maybe sneak in a round of minigolf. Or check out The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island for live music and fun weekly events like a free pirate show and karaoke.
TPG tip: The newly renovated Four Points by Sheraton Destin-Fort Walton Beach offers direct beach access, gulf-facing balconies in select rooms and two family-friendly pools. Rates start at around $168 or 34,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Turks and Caicos
Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales is world-renowned for its crystal-clear waters teeming with tropical fish, sea turtles and other marine life. If you are hoping to spot these creatures — whether snorkeling from the shore or on a boat excursion — it’s a great place to start.
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Families with younger kids should also visit Bight Beach, where you’ll find a playground and the shore-accessible Bight Reef, often touted as one of the best snorkeling reefs on the island. Dog lovers can volunteer to walk puppies waiting to be adopted at the Potcake Place K9 Rescue center.
TPG tip: The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos sits on Grace Bay Beach, with rooms decorated to live in harmony with the ocean’s beauty outside. You can borrow complimentary bikes and nonmotorized water sports equipment during your stay, and kids can participate in sports, arts and crafts and more at the hotel’s Ritz Kids club. Rates start at $599 or 104,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Traverse City, Michigan
Lakeshore beaches don’t get enough love. Depending on where you live, they can be much easier to travel to and often more affordable than other beach destinations. Traverse City is on the shores of Lake Michigan, which is large enough to be mistaken for an ocean.
Clinch Park Beach is a solid option for families. It has a splash pad, snack bar, picnic tables and beach rentals like bikes and kayaks from Paddle TC. After a day at the beach, head into downtown Traverse City, where you’ll find boutiques, dining and the award-winning Moomers Homemade Ice Cream.
Traverse City is also known as the “Cherry Capital of the World,” and no visit is complete without a little cherry picking. The best time for picking cherries is July and August. In addition to u-pick cherries, Jacob’s Farm has a restaurant with outdoor seating, playground, sandbox and lots of green space for kids to run.
TPG tip: Hotel Indigo Traverse City is on the shores of West Grand Traverse Bay and is also close to downtown shops and eateries. Guest rooms feature rustic decor and accommodate up to four guests. Rates start at $90 or 18,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.
Palm Beach, Aruba
If calm, gin-clear waters are what you’re after, look no further than Palm Beach on Aruba’s west coast. The tranquil water makes it a perfect spot for families with young children who are timid around big waves.
There’s plenty of shallow water for splashing around, and the beach is wide and long. Plus, the weather is practically perfect no matter when you visit, and Aruba is located outside the hurricane belt.
There is a popular community playground at Neptali Henriquez Park if your kids need to release some energy. There’s lots of sand to play in. Plus, you’ll find a large climbing structure and slides.
TPG tip: The Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino is right on Palm Beach and sits within walking distance of many area shops and restaurants. On-site, you’ll find a casino, a spa, multiple pools and a kid-friendly waterslide. Standard rooms start at about $550 or 30,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Hilton Head Island’s compact size — less than 5 miles wide and only 12 miles long — makes it easy to bike or walk to many area activities, restaurants and, of course, beaches.
There’s a decent chance you’ll stay at a resort with beach access, but Hilton Head has several public-access beaches, too. Coligny Beach Park, Driessen Beach Park, Islanders Beach Park and Burkes Beach all offer family-friendly amenities such as playgrounds, restrooms and picnic pavilions.
Hilton Head also offers several different types of boat excursions on the island. You can opt for an interactive pirate cruise or a sightseeing dolphin cruise, among other options. You should also make time for a visit to Harbor Town, where you can shop, dine and climb 114 steps to get to the top of the Harbor Town Lighthouse.
TPG tip: The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa is an upscale beachfront resort on the island’s north end near Folly Field Beach Park. Standard guest rooms have one king bed or two queen beds, hardwood floors and private balconies. The resort has three outdoor pools and four restaurants. Rates start at $264 or 46,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Paradise Island, Bahamas
Paradise Island is a small island off Nassau (there are bridges connecting the two islands), dominated by large resorts. It may be the best beach spot for you and your family if you are fans of water parks, aquariums and the occasional casino visit for the adults in your party.
The small island is relatively flat, and where there isn’t sand, there are towering palm trees and lush foliage. With so much to do, you won’t likely need to leave your resort during your stay on Paradise Island.
TPG tip: Atlantis Paradise Island isn’t so much a single hotel as it is a collection of five resorts built around a central activity area, including a 141-acre water park called Aquaventure. There are also on-property opportunities to swim with dolphins, charter a boat and swim in one of 11 pools.
You can use Marriott Bonvoy points to cover nights at The Coral, The Cove or The Royal, with rates starting at around $350 or 52,800 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Bottom line
We probably could have added a dozen more beaches to the list (and maybe someday we will). However, this should give you a decent jumping-off point to find the next great beach vacation destination where you can hang 10 with your family.
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