Home     Flights     Hotels     Cars/Rail   My Stuff

Concierge Services  |  Dream Maps  Traveler Advice

Travelocity Editors Pick a Few of Their Favorite Beaches Bellanas Beach, Puerto Rico: Welcomed by Bellanas Bay, the blue, green and turquoise waters of the Caribbean create the picture-perfect blue lagoon. A tropical oasis shared only by Guánica's 1,570-acre Dry Forest and more than half of all the species of birds that live in Puerto Rico, this two-mile stretch of beach beckons visitors with its unequivocal beauty and soft, white sands. Explore Bellanas Beach in all its glory, but, please leave only your footprints behind. Loblolly Bay Beach, British Virgin Islands: While most of the British Virgin Islands are characterized by green hills and mountainous landscapes, the island of Anegada offers a different view. The ocean once submerged this flat coral atoll, which lingers just a few feet above sea level, showing off 12 miles of powdery white sand. One of the island’s most treasured beaches, Loblolly Bay Beach, boasts a 360-degree lookout and a 50-foot walkout into the ocean. Hint: If visitors really want to enjoy the scenery, grab a tropical concoction from one of the two seaside bars and relax on a hammock within the sea grapes that fringe the shore. Scott Beach at Caneel Bay, St. John, USVI: Nestled in the heart of the Virgin Islands, St. John is a small isle that remains unspoiled by too much tourism. It has mountainous terrain, colorful flora and fauna, fine white sand, and bathwater-warm turquoise waters. Being more remote than other USVI destinations makes for quieter beaches. Ride an open-air taxi around the windy roads and arrive at the luxurious Caneel Bay. Home to seven private beaches, you can't go wrong. But, Scott's beach is the choice for rest, relaxation and romance. Float in the clear water and spot turtles grazing on sea-grass on the ocean floor beneath. Barbados, West Indies: Where can you catch a barrel in the morning, squeeze in a cricket match at noon, and still make high tea? The little West Indies island of Barbados may carry an air of British pomp, but it’s also got waves that pump, thanks to a location that’s more Atlantic than Caribbean. It may be taboo to say it, but hurricane season (June to November) tends to bring the best waves to the island’s east coast--which is where you’ll find Soup Bowl, the most famous surfing spot in the Caribbean. Barking Sands Beach, Kauai Hawaii: With its singing sands and towering dunes, the only thing that separates Barking Sands Beach from the Mojave is the presence of waves so powerful that even the strongest swimmers don’t dare test these waters. Both scenery and seclusion attract beachgoers to this stretch of Polihale State Park. In fact, it’s so off-the-beaten-path that the paved road ends miles before the beach begins, and those wishing to experience this 15-mile stretch of beach must first pass through a military installation. Once visitors arrive, one glance at the sunset is all it takes to make the “trouble” worthwhile. Kohala Coast, Big Island, Hawaii: This perennially sunny stretch on the northwest shore is dotted with some of the island’s top accommodations, including the legendary Mauna Kea Resort, built by Laurance Rockefeller back in 1965. Even if you’re not a guest at the Mauna Kea, stop by to see the tasteful Pacific and Asian art collection or test your skill on the Robert Trent Jones, Sr. golf course--home to the most famous Par 3 in the Pacific. Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii: Even with Hawaii’s overload of picture-perfect beaches, this one stands out. On Kauai’s north coast, the long stretch of Hanalei Bay is calm and inviting for swimmers, snorkelers, and divers in the summer, and ferociously seductive for surfers in the winter. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii: Hamoa beach is an idyllic, verdant, tropical paradise embodying the Aloha spirit of Hawaii. It's a postcard perfect spot and a gem among Maui beaches, partially due to its remote location. The crescent shaped beach is surrounded by 30-foot black lava rock cliffs, lush green grass, and towering palm trees. The beach itself consists of "black and gold" sand that yields a splendid dark gray, formed by a mix of coral and lava. The deep blue-green hued waters recede into the vast ocean but can have powerful currents. The way the surf breaks makes it a popular spot for surfers and body surfers but also has a calm area that offers good snorkeling. Daytime skies are dominated by Crayola blues and cottony clouds but sunsets are the real show. The sky is painted spectacular shades of purple, pink and orange. This quintessential Hawaiian beach hideaway will soothe and rejuvenate. Sayulita, Mexico: Situated on a picturesque bay just 25 miles north of Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita has evolved from sleepy fishing village to a Mecca for surfers of all levels. When the waves are down, beginners paddle out in droves; when they’re up, locals put on a show while everyone else gawks from the shore. You won’t find the high-rise resorts that have come to define Mexico’s coastal cities, but Sayulita does have enough restaurants, shops, and Internet cafes to keep you full, entertained, and informed while you’re not riding waves. Maroma Beach, Maroma, Mexico: The soft white sand at this private cove provides a wondrous cushion for lazing about and simply letting the day elapse. The water, flecked with 1,000 blue and green hues, will be the only thing occupying your mind. Although there is plenty to do, including great coral reefs, you may have trouble plying yourself from the comfort of the beach and instead prefer a seaside massage. It's hard to believe only 30 miles separates Maroma from the mayhem of Cancun. Thatch-roof huts dotting the coast; torch-lit walkways; lavish feasts; gracious hospitality calling you by name; and blissful days and starry nights are all part of what make this luxurious hideaway mesmerizing.

Planning By Interest Tips & Advice Traveling Smarter Saves in 2008 By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Earth Day, The Environment, and You By Amy Ziff, Editor at Large Travelocity Editors Pick a Few of Their Favorite Beaches Become A Change Ambassador By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Honeymoon Heaven By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Saddle-Up to Experience Cowboy Culture at Destinations across North America By Jennifer Gaines, Editor Top Spots to Celebrate Gay Pride this Summer By Rachel Berg, Editor Must-See Summer Sights For Davinci Fans By Natasha Carvell, Editor Top Spots to Roll the Dice By Jennifer Gaines, Editor Earth Day, Every Day By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Pet Friendly Destinations, Tips & Deals By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Animals, Animals, Anywhere! By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Take A Cue From Mardi Gras: Celebrate Culture in the Caribbean By Natasha Carvell, Editor Top "Licks" for Summer Travelers By Jennifer Gaines, Editor History Travels By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Getting Down and Dirty with Ecotourism By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Eco-Travel Destinations Looking for the Icing This Season? By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Las Vegas Happenings That You Can Talk About By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Have Craving, Will Travel By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Visiting Hollywood Hotels By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large In Honor of America, Salute America's Favorite Pastime By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Getting Festive By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large The Truth About Traveling with a Disability By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Are You Stuck in Honeymoon-Planning Hell? By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Need Some Post New Year's Inspiration? Set a travel goal for yourself. By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Supersonic in 100, What's Next? By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Getting Fido Ready To Go, Go, Go! By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large Finding Hotels That Accept Pets Women's Health and Comfort Planning a Destination Wedding Supporting Gay-Friendly Businesses How to Plan the Perfect Family Reunion Rome in a Wheelchair Flying With Pets Finding Gay Culture Outside of Urban Areas