As the smell of suntan lotion fills the air and bathing suits are unveiled for the season, NurseVillage has decided to fill you in on the country's best beaches for 2006.
Compiled from two highly reliable sources - Dr. Beach and The Travel Channel - you'll find the perfect beach for the perfect occasion.
Dr. Beach's Picks:
Fleming Beach, Maui, HI
This mile-long beach is in the Kapalua area of west Maui, and is a popular place for families to swim, surf, and picnic under shade trees. Visitors will find showers, restrooms, and picnic facilities. The south end of Fleming Beach is near the Ritz Carlton resort, and often used by its guests; the rest of the beach has a more local flavor. Note: surf is dangerous in winter months.
Caladesi Island, St. Pete / Clearwater, FL
Dr. Stephen Leatherman, known best as "Dr. Beach" who's picked several top-scoring beaches here including Fort de Soto Park, the Best Beach winner for 2005, says this is one of his favorite beaches. The Caladesi Island State Park offers 3 miles of nature trails, marina, picnic pavilions, fishing, shelling, and nature studies.
Ocracoke Island, Outer Banks, NC
Ocracoke Island is one of the barrier islands of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The Outer Banks --where pirate Blackbeard once roamed-- is a popular place for family beach vacations. A free ferry service runs to Ocracoke Island from Hatteras Island: a 40-minute trip. (In summer, waiting lines get long.) The village of Ocracoke is on the National Register of Historic Places and has a lighthouse, historic homes and quaint shops. Kids will like to see the "Banker Ponies" grazing - a wild herd now cared for by the National Park Service.
Coopers Beach, Southampton, NY
Cooper's Beach is the main beach in Southampton village on Long Island; Southampton - back in 1640 - was the first settlement in New York State. In the distance are historic mansions for ogling: this is "The Hamptons", code word for moneyed summer playground. Tip for visitors: non-residents pay $25 per day during the week and $30 on the weekend for parking.
Hanalei Bay, Kauai, HI
Hawaiian beaches do very well in Dr. Beach's lists: a look at past National Winners shows that ten out of 15 beaches are in Hawaii. Hanalei Bay is on the North Coast of Kauai; there are plenty of vacation home rentals in the area.
Main Beach, East Hampton, NY
The Hamptons score twice, in 2006: East Hampton's Main Beach has dunes, surf, lifeguards during summer and terrific Fourth of July fireworks. The area has long been popular for its beautiful scenery (windmills, pond with swans), colonial homes and splendid beaches. The legendary status of The Hamptons as playground of the rich and famous does present some challenges, though: summer lodgings are pricey and may require a minimum stay.
Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, MA
Coast Guard Beach is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, and the National Park Service offers ranger-guided programs such as hikes - in the area. The beach stretches for miles, has dunes, good swimming in summer, bodysurfing and boogie boarding. In summer, local parking is closed and access is by a shuttle bus - check the National Park Service site.
Coronado Beach, San Diego, CA
Dr. Beach's 8th-ranked beach in 2006 is Coronado Beach in San Diego. Coronado Beach is not only a fine family-friendly beach; it's also the site of the famously photogenic Victorian-era Del Coronado Hotel. On this popular California beach, you might see SEALs running, swimmers, bodysurfers, boogie boarders, sand sculptors, tide poolers and/or whale watchers (Dec. through Feb.) One section is an off-leash area called - just guess - Dog Beach.
Hamoa Beach, Maui, HI
Dr. Beach's 9th pick for "Best Beaches in America" 2006 is another beautiful spot in Hawaii. Hamoa Beach is on the west side of Maui near Hana, a less-developed part of this popular island. Hamoa Beach has sea cliffs and lush vegetation; the public beach shares some facilities with the Hotel Hana Maui. Offshore is a little island with coconut trees. Hamoa Bay is not the most family-friendly place to swim: big surf and strong currents can be dangerous, and the beach isn't lifeguarded. Summer and early fall are the safest times of year.
Barefoot Beach Park, Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs is in Southwest Florida, between Naples to the south, and Fort Myers to the north. Barefoot Beach Preserve Park is one of the last undeveloped barrier islands on Florida's southwest coast. The Park has 342 acres of natural land, and 8,200 feet of beach, sand dunes and nesting sites for sea turtles during summer.
Travel Channel Picks:
Ocracoke Island, Outer Banks, NC
The 16-mile-long island can only be reached by boat, private plane or ferry, and perhaps it is the slight difficulty in arriving that has kept away the throngs of tourists that so blithely infiltrate other Outer Banks towns. Ocracoke is thankfully left as a slow-paced fishing village, with some 800 residents.
Myrtle Beach, SC
As the largest resort along South Carolina's 60-mile Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach is the East Coast's ultimate vacation hub. Myrtle Beach's actual beach is an extensive stretch of silky white sand, and offers opportunities for fishing, swimming, sunbathing, sailing and surfing. The region is rich with activities, and has successfully maintained the image as a family getaway, with most attractions, entertainment and eateries being geared toward families. In fact, many area hotels offer water rides, activity programs and playgrounds for youngsters.
Coronado Beach, CA
Just over the bridge from San Diego is a small, tree-lined beach haven known as Coron for well over a century, Coronado's beaches have been its fortune. The main beach, Coronado Central Beach, stretches 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) behind the great houses along Ocean Boulevard. North Beach attracts surfers in the morning, and at the extreme north is Dog Beach, where leashless canines can frolic in the surf.
Laguna Beach, CA
Laguna Beach's kaleidoscope of artisans, crafts and galleries mixes with just enough Beach Blanket Bingo-style fun to be the perfect stomping ground for the rich and crafty. The main beach is the place to see and be seen, or to kick up your heels and play in the sand; volleyball and basketball courts line the perimeter, and the tan and the beautiful flock to the water to flirt, frolic or simply look gorgeous. Today, Laguna is one of Orange County's most fashionable towns, as well as one of the most culturally rich.
Carmel, CA
Carmel-by-the-Sea is located in a unique stretch of California's coastal highway. Swimming is not permitted on Carmel Beach, which is just fine as the waters are frigid and the surf is rough. But the wide stretch of sand is perfect for picnics and kite flying. The fine, silvery-white sand is also perfect for building sand castles. Bring a blanket and a bottle of wine and settle in for the sunset. But once the sun goes down, there's no reason to leave just yet. Beach bonfires are permitted south of 10th Avenue until 10 p.m. So bring along some firewood and keep the romance going with a beach bonfire to warm up the evening.
Little Palm Island, FL
Nestled between the Florida mainland and Key West, and just past the Seven-Mile Bridge, lays the Lower Keys, a collection of tiny islands that prove just how much the towns and vibes vary across the state of Florida. Much of the Lower Keys seems untouched and unspoiled, but never as much so as on the tiny private escape of Little Palm Island. The laid-back lifestyle and slower pace make the lower keys the place to relax at the beach.
South Beach, FL
The American Riviera, Hollywood of the East, Sobe, or the Art Deco District - whatever you call it, Miami's South Beach is hot year-round. The embodiment of excess, South Beach is an international playground offering non-stop nightlife, sandy shores, unique architecture and plenty of eye candy. So slip on your shades, pack your party pants and get ready for some fun in the sun.
East Hampton, NY
Strolling along the broad stretches of white sand, listening to roaring waves and passing the glorious mansions of Lily Pond, it's easy to forget that East Hampton is an extension of New York City's Brooklyn and Queens. East Hampton is the perfect summer getaway, but the town is equally beautiful, calmer and much more serene during fall and winter.
Wailea Beach, HI
Maui is the only Hawaiian island to be named after a demigod, and that comes as no surprise to fans, as this tropical escape is heavenly. As the Hawaiians say, "Maui no ka oi," or "Maui is the best." Visitors seeking a blend of Hawaiian hospitality and culture in an upscale environment will revel in the many fine points of Wailea. The beach is laid out in golden crescents bordering warm, gentle waters perfect for swimming. Many resorts in this area are so self-contained that they, in fact, operate like mini-villages, with a variety of activities, restaurants and shops available just a short walk from your room. Though it is easy to be content simply reclining on the beach all day, nature lovers and thrill seekers can explore the nearby national parks and hike to out-of-the-way waterfalls for the perfect romantic picnic. Even seasoned shoppers will be delighted with the nearby Shops at Wailea.
Island of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Today, the smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John is 28 square miles - almost two-thirds of which is designated as a U.S. national park. As other islands in the Caribbean become overdeveloped with super-size resorts and tourist attractions, St. John remains remarkably untouched - a trait that only increases its lure.
