Many of us want nothing more out of a vacation then a great beach, a coupleof local beers and a Blackberry without batteries. If you prefer a tasting menu over a main course, cruise ships are a great way to sample the world's best bands of powdery sand without being tied down by one. If you choose the right itinerary, you could even get to three or four top beaches in a one-week cruise.
Turquoise Coast, Aruba, Caribbean. Beach lovers will be in paradise on Aruba's seven-mile stretch of uninterrupted snow-white sand -- known as the Turquoise Coast -- which is safely out of the hurricane belt and nice and dry year-round. While you can park your towel just about anywhere along the beachfront, Palm Beach and Eagle Beach are among the two best spots, and are just a 10-minute taxi ride from the port of Oranjestad. With the hearty trade winds and protected bays, windsurfing at nearby places like Malmok Beach is excellent.
Grand Anse Beach, Grenada, Caribbean. The spice island's Grand AnseBeach is one of the best in the Caribbean. The two-mile band of white sandis nice and wide, and the water is calm. With views of St. George's, themain town, looming in the distance, and a handful of restaurants beachsideserving up the freshest seafood, curries and fruity frozen drinks, what elsedo you need? Watersports rentals are available, and the beach is only a10-minute cab or water taxi ride from the port.
Trunk Bay, St. John, Caribbean. Gorgeous Trunk Bay is regarded as oneof the most beautiful beaches in the world, and for good reason. Protectedby the U.S. National Park Service, you won't see high-rise hotelssurrounding the beach, though it gets a decent crowd of visitors because ofits beauty and excellent snorkeling. Lots of thick green palms and foliagemaking it seem like paradise found. There's a neat self-guided snorkelingtrail just off shore.
Kapalua Beach, Maui, Hawaii. The land of hula and Don Ho claims someof the best beaches in the world. Take Kapalua Beach, for instance, astunning stretch of golden sand along the west coast of the KeanaePeninsula, with a spectacular view of the island of Molokai. Also known asOld Fleming Beach, it's tucked in a bay well protected from heavy surf byoffshore reefs and lava peninsulas, making this an awesome swimming beachfor families with kids. It's also great spot for snorkeling and for whalewatching.
Hanalei Bay Beach, Kauai, Hawaii. Set into a large bowl-shaped bayagainst a gorgeous backdrop of mountain cliffs, crescent-shaped Hanalei BayBeach is a stunner. The scenic 2-mile stretch of white sand along Kauai'snorthern coast is among the most picturesque in all the Hawaiian islands.Watersports are available too.
Little Bay, Anguilla, Caribbean. The tiny half-moon shaped sandy bayon this miniature island is sheltered by high cliffs, so the ambience iswonderfully tranquil and excellent for sunbathing and snorkeling. You'llfeel like you've arrived on a deserted patch of paradise. Access is by boatonly; a 5-minute ride from Crocus Bay.
Matira Beach, Bora Bora, French Polynesia. If you look up exoticbeach paradise in the dictionary, it says Bora Bora, and the brilliantturquoise water and palm-tree fringed Matira Beach on the dreamy mountainousisland of Bora Bora is one of the best in South Pacific. Surrounded by coralreefs, the island sits in the midst of a tranquil electric-blue lagoon, sothe current is as gentle and warm as bath water, especially at Matira Beach,which stretches for several miles between the famed Hotel Bora Bora and ClubMed.
Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda. The softest sand I've ever trod upon, thisstuff really is like silk; perfect if you're toting young children whoinvariably smear the stuff in their eyes. The beach gets its name from itsshape, which is framed by scenic rocky cliffs at its edges that are straightout of central casting. Don't miss a day here.
Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman, Caribbean. Against a backdrop ofAustralian pines, the island's Seven Mile Beach is a stretch of pristinesand that begins just north of George Town and the cruise ship terminal, soit's easily accessible by taxi or on foot. Hotels, condos and open-airrestaurants line the beach, so lunch and a cool drink are always close athand. Diving at the Cayman Wall, a sheer 500-foot drop-off just offshore, isamong the best in the world.
Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This sizzling hot city isas famous for its beaches as its dramatic harbor and glamorous nightlife.There are few beaches smack dab in the middle of a bustling metropolis, butRio de Janeiro's famed Copacabana is among the best (just watch out for pickpockets). The two-mile-plus stretch of wide white sand is popular withlocals and tourists alike, and the art of people watching is brought to awhole new level here, where those teeny tiny thong bathing suits (calledtangas) and the deeply-tanned, often topless, bodies holding them togetherwill surely get your attention.
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