When we think about the season of New Year’s holidays, for most of us, that’s the season of cold weather, snow and indoor activities...
But it doesn’t have to be that way! This is the list of top 10 locations in the USA where you can spend your holidays and experience the summer time wonderful beaches, flawless sands, unforgettable sea and much, much more. Things that will make you forget the mundane troubles and chores back home.
10. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Naples, Florida
The newcomer to this year's list is located in upscale Naples, on the famous Florida's Gulf Coast. The 166-acre park offers white sand, dunes topped with sea oats, an observation tower, shaded picnic areas among the trees, and quite possibly millions of seashells. The only problem is, it gets crowded during peak vacation season, however that’s nothing you can’t avoid by simply arriving early in the morning or late afternoon.
9. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Golf, tennis, bird watching, kayaking and canoeing are all popular activities in the open at this public beach. Kiawah Island, just south of Charleston, offers a unique combination of both ocean and river views at the same time, and if the water could occasionally be clearer, remember that its the source of seafood which you can find all over the region's famed Low Country cuisine. The only worrisome thing about this beach is all the construction works that’s slowly approaching it. But have no fears, you’ll still have years worth of enjoyment at this place.
8. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Never mind the slightly chilly waters at this part of the year, which make swimming a little difficult (temps typically top out around 70 degrees Fahrenheit), this sloping, coarse-sand beach is popular for locals and visitors alike non the less. The old Coast Guard station for which the beach is named affords spectacular views. It's part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, in the town of Eastham. If your perfect beach doesn’t necessarily include swimming, this could potentially be just the perfect location for you.
7. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Florida
This fine or rather almost perfect, white coral sand beach is great for swimming as waves are knocked down by a large sand shoal offshore. Clear, emerald-colored waters by this barrier island off Miami. The Cape Florida Lighthouse is a regional landmark. Endless paths for walking, landmarks for exploration, perfect sea and beaches for enjoyment, what else could you wish from a holiday beach destination?
6. Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, North Carolina
On this barrier island roughly 30 miles off the coast of Carolina, Cape Hatteras has seen rise in the rankings compared to last couple of years. Its 72 miles of perfect sand beaches between the Atlantic Ocean and Pamlico-Albemarle Sound are home to many lighthouses and fishing villages, and the same strong currents that sunk hundreds of ships off the coast now help create what some of the conditions for board surfing along the East Coast. Whether you’re there for sea and flawless sand, or for wild life, tis place is about as good as it gets.
5. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii
If you're one of those folks who believe that the journey is part of the adventure, this is a destination for you. The only way to reach it is via Road to Hana, a treacherous path thanks to drop-offs of over 1,000 feet that lead straight down into the sea and sporadic guardrails. Once there, though, this crescent beach, which is a mixture of beautiful coral and lava sand, is the most famous of Maui’s Hana beaches, complete with palms and flowering plants. The lava comes from its geological history as a volcanic crater. This is definitely one hell of a good place to spend your holidays at.
4. Waimanalo Bay State Park, Oahu, Hawaii
Some 15 miles from Honolulu on Oahu's east coast, this four-mile-long beach offers clear waters, simply perfect sand, shallow waves ideal for families with small children, effortless and pleasant swimming experience and much, much more. This place is not as stunning as some other Hawaiian beaches, but it gets points on most lists for other amenities it offers, such as ample parking, various outdoor activities, restrooms and lifeguards.
3. St. George Island State Park, Florida
Florida's Panhandle is sometimes referred to as the Forgotten Coast as migratory birds flock to the southern part of the state. However this state park near Apalachicola, southwest of Tallahassee, offers great rewards for bird admirers, dune sand lovers, seashell hunters, swimming enthusiasts and sunbathing acolytes on the perfect powdery white sands of a barrier island. This place is unique in many different ways, as it offers a wide variety of different things to do or experience. It is definitely one of the top destinations to consider when it comes to spending holidays at some warm place near the sea.
2. Barefoot Beach Preserve County Park, Bonita Springs, Florida
This beach has repeatedly seen the steepest rise across many different beach rankings. There's over a mile and a half of perfect sand beach in this 342-acre national park, located between Naples and Fort Myers on famous Florida’s Gulf Coast. It’s a great place for families because of the shallow waves, countless millions of small seashells all over the place as well as many activities organized by park rangers.
1. Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
How lucky is Hawaii? Well, how about this? You don’t even have to leave the state capital of Honolulu and yore’s already at the top ranked beach in the US! A huge shallow offshore coral reef breaks the waves and calms the sea creating one of the most pleasant swimming experiences you’ll get anywhere. Its the ultimate location for families with kids as well. Big boat piers on both sides that flank this place offer awe inspiring view over the sea. Even the beach’s name inspire quality: Kahanamoku beach was named after Hawaiian Olympic gold medalist who promoted surfing and made it one of favorite sea activities world wide.
D.Z.
