Beach Vacation Destination for Family

Costa Del Sub, Sardina, Italy

Although you have to drive to the beaches, the water is clean, the sand is white and there aren't too many people: Sardinian beaches are far better than many on the Italian mainland.

Cottesloe, Australia

Just north of Fremantle and west of Perth in Western Australia, Cottesloe has a beautifully safe beach for kids to swim or snorkel at, and the weather always seems to be perfect.

Durban, South Africa

Washed by the warm Indian Ocean, Durban's city beaches have plenty of free children's swimming pools and lots of family entertainment such as Sea World and Ushaka Marine World.

Karon Beach, Thailand

Family-friendly Karon, with its Flintstone-themed fun park, is a great base for exploring Phuket's beaches and reserves, including Phuket Gibbon Rehabilitation Center.

Kauai, Hawaii, USA

Home to plenty of beaches where children can snorkel in very shallow waters and an excellent Children's Discovery Museum.

Aitutaki, Cook Islands

Soft sand beaches edge a turquoise lagoon filled with tropical fish. Kayaking, snorkeling and boat cruises are also part of the picture.

Noosa, Australia

Recommended by lots of parents at Lonely Planet's head office as a wonderful place to take the kids. Great beaches, beautiful natural environment (Noosa National Park) and very child-friendly.

Tavira, Portugal

At the eastern end of the Portuguese south coast, this quiet town has a magnificent untamed beach that goes on for miles. And, best of all, you take a boat to get to the beach.

Sayulita, Mexico

A safe, laid-back beach town full of hip North American and European families where you and the kids get "back to basics." Every evening both local and gringo kids congregate in the town square to eat ice cream and play games.

Sanur, Bali, Indonesia

A quiet little town close to the "happening" area of Bali with a great little collection of warungs (outdoor restaurants) lining the beach at both ends; full of friendly local people.

Source: Idiva

Top Beaches with WiFi Access

Clearwater Beach, Florida

This popular Floridian beach boasts great WiFi coverage from multiple suppliers. So between relaxing in the sun and swimming in the crystal clear Gulf waters you can browse the web, email friends or even do some work.

Brighton Beach, United Kingdom

This lively seaside resort has been a firm favourite with dance music fans from all over the UK for many years.

Brighton is famous for it’s crazy nightlife, which starts early and finishes late. Brighton also has a great selection of boutique shops and when the weather is nice, the beach is packed with sun worshippers.

The beach is also blanketed with WiFi, allowing you to email photos from the night before. You should have no problem finding free wireless internet access once off the beach, there are lots of open hotspots throughout the resort.

Patong Beach, Thailand

Patong is a beach in Phuket that is popular destination with the backpacking jet-set who travel to Thailand for the year round sun, vibrant culture and delectable food. Now you’ve got another reason to come here; the ability to relax on the beach while browsing your favourite websites.

Sunset State Beach, California

Looking for a bit more action instead of just baking in the sun? Then Sunset State Beach is for you. It has a huge range of activities available from fishing and horse riding to hiking and surfing. What’s more, you can get wireless internet access to keep in touch with your friends and family.

Hermosa Beach, California

Hermosa is a happening beach with some classic Californian surfing mixed with a hip laid back atmosphere. The Hermosa area is packed full with restaurants, especially around the Pier Avenue area.

On top of this there is plenty of accommodation at affordable prices. You can roam the streets and the beachfront connected wirelessly to the web via 802.11g, accessible through AT&T and iPass.

Cannes, France

This upmarket destination on the southern French coast, famed for the annual film festival, has 3 beaches that offer wireless internet action as well as typical beach activities and services.

Plage L’evasion, Plage L’ondine and Plage Royale are all covered by at least 1 wireless provider. If you are feeling lazy, you could theoretically order your mozzarella and vine tomato salad online and arrange delivery to your sun bed!

Naples, Italy

The Italian beach of Stabilimento Balneare Bagno Elena in Naples has a long a illustrious history. Its long golden sands have attracted hundreds of thousands of tourists over the years and now they have another reason to travel, local authorities have blanketed the beach in a wireless network. Now you can bask in the sun and soak up some microwaves.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Famed for a cosmopolitan, fast-paced lifestyle, Buenos Aires known as the southern hemisphere’s Paris.

If you are heading off to visit the Argentinian capital soon make sure to fit in some time on one of the many beaches lining the city shores, several of which have free and open WiFi internet access. That’s if you can bring yourself to lift a laptop after all the partying!

Waikiki Beach, Hawaii

If you are planning a long haul trip, then Hawaii might should have crossed your mind. If the white sands, clear warm water, year round sunshine and all-pervading beach lifestyle doesn’t whet your appetite then WiFi access on Waikiki Beach should.

Lake Ontario, Canada

It might not have the sizzling temperatures of other beaches on this list but it does have a wireless network dating back to 2003.

It also has fantastic fishing, sailing, cycling, hiking and plenty more to keep you active when you get bored surfing the net. If you visit in the winter, browsing the internet and building up your bookmarks might be the only thing you can do!

Source: geekabout.com

Unspoiled Beaches @ Europe

Luskentyre, West coast of Harris, Scotland

Resembling a South Pacific tropical island, the west coast of Harris is edged with wide beaches of silvery and golden sand that are possibly the finest in the UK. But the island's far-flung location means few mainlanders haul their buckets and spades up there. Drive between Luskentyre and Traigh Scarasta and you'll spot dozens of gorgeous empty beaches, including the long, narrow Luskentyre.

Vallee De L'ortolo, Corsica

Deep in the sparsely populated Vallee de l'Ortolo in the southern region of Sartène, lie hidden beaches and secret walking trails, few of them known to those not staying at the U Cavaddu Senza Nome campsite and riding centre. Once a major wine-growing region until phylloxera lice put paid to all but a couple of the vineyards, the valley feels wild and abandoned and the beaches make fine solitary retreats and a quiet alternative to the famous Roccapina beach to the east. The valley is three miles south of Sartène, off the N196.

Castrocucco, Basilicata, Italy

The Basilicata region is one of Italy's best-kept secrets. Among the country's poorest regions, it is rugged and unspoilt. Dozens of gorgeous secret beaches await walkers who conquer the twisty coastal paths, one of the prettiest being Castrocucco, a 15-minute drive south of Maratea, a bustling fishing port. As well as sweeping coastal views south towards Calabria, it has a ruined castle and dramatic blowholes in the rocks along the shore.

Ransvik, Sweden

This hidden beach in the Kullaberg nature reserve in the Skane area of southern Sweden has great cliffs from which to fling yourself into the North Sea. It also has a somewhat sordid history: it is said to be where Swedish sin was born when it became a unisex beach at the beginning of the 20th century and, unusually, allowed men and women to swim together. Richard Gere, seduced by the atmosphere of seclusion and privacy was caught out by the paparazzi swimming naked with a mystery Swedish woman there.

Fakistra, Pelion, Greece

Fakistra is a sandy beach with rocky outcrops at each side creating a turquoise lagoon, with a waterfall and cool pool behind it. It's a gorgeous hidden spot in a quiet part of the Pelion Peninsula, north of Athens, and a 90-minute walk down a cobbled path from the tiny, car-free hamlet of Damouchari, which passes an ancient school where Greek language and culture were taught in secret during the oppressive Ottoman regime, and winds through overgrown olive groves.

source: guardian.co.uk

Unspoiled Beaches @ Asia

Whale Island - Vietnam

Hammocks hang outside the rustic bungalows in the only resort here and hiking trails littered with flowers snake up from the beach while whales circle in the surrounding seas. Situated just north of Nha Trang, it's almost deserted and has some of the most secluded beaches in Vietnam.

Between February and October the scuba diving and snorkelling are unbelievable - Environmental efforts in the area have seen the number of marine species increase from 40 to more than 170 in recent years.

Koh Lone - Thailand

Phuket may now be as well known as Disneyland, but just off its coast, the tiny, timeless island of Koh Lone offers seclusion away from the crowds. Stretching just two miles east to west, and 2,600ft north to south, it's only accessible by a 20-minute long tail boat journey.

Nothing has changed there for decades: there are no roads, no vehicles and it is home only to a few fishermen who spend most of their time on boats, leaving the beaches free for the few tourists who visit. Those looking for total isolation can take a boat trip to the empty beaches of, among others, Coral Island and Buddha Island.

Nellikunnu Beach - Kerala

Swaying coconut palms, the roar of the sea and the fragrance of Thulasi in the air bring India to life on the virgin Nellikunnu Beach in Kerala. It is accessible to those staying at the Thapovan holistic hotel, which specialises in Ayurvedic treatments and yoga. Some rooms are in lush gardens and others are built on a cliff overlooking the beach. Guests can take tours to neighbouring villages, markets and festivals and try traditional Keralan food.

Vigan Island - Philippines

Although it's popular with nature lovers and not far off the beaten path, you won't find any beach parties on the 45 islands that make up the El Nido region of the Philippines and it isn't difficult to locate your own private stretch of dreamy sand. Aside from some amazing dive sites, beaches are what El Nido does best, and every nook and cranny has a fine white sandy cove between the rainforest, mangroves, coral reefs, and limestone cliffs.

If you stay in the El Nido Resort on Miniloc Island you can kayak or take a boat trip and picnic to pockets of white sand on Paglugaban, Entalula and Pangulasian islands, though the best is Vigan, also known as 'snake island' on account of a wiggly sand spit that's only visible at low tide, with shallow swimming on both sides.

Source: guardian.co.uk

Great Unspoiled Beaches in Australasia

New Chums Beach - New Zealand

It may be tricky to reach New Chums Beach, nine miles east of Coromandel town centre, but that means its wide swath of pale sand backed by wooded hills is usually deserted.

To reach it, you need to wade through an estuary at low tide, then hike along the shoreline and over a headland, which takes around 20 minutes.

Alternatively the amazing Otama Bay, also in the Coromandel area and off the Black Jack Road out of Whitianga, offers empty white sands.

Macushla Beach - Queensland, Australia

Hinchinbrook is the world's largest island national park and the largest continental island in the spectacular Great Barrier Reef, but visitors are unlikely to see many people as only 50 guests are allowed to stay at the only resort, The Hinchinbrook Island Wilderness Lodge, at one time.

The steep cliffs, valleys and waterfalls, and secluded North Shepherd, Macushla and South Shepherd beaches offer plenty of space for the few guests to spread out and admire their natural surrounds, the wonderful sunsets and the resident turtles and cockatoos.

The island is separated from the mainland by the deep, mangrove-fringed Hinchinbrook Channel and can only be reached on a 40-minute boat trip from Cardwell, the oldest town in tropical north Queensland.

Source: guardian.co.uk

Beaches @ Sunshine Coast

Armours Beach

Located on Marine Drive in lower Gibsons, Armours Beach is a central location. The site receives morning and mid afternoon sun. It is a 'steep' hillside to the beach. No washroom facilities are available but you are walking distance to lower Gibsons amenities. Parking is limited.

Bonniebrook Beach

Located on Ocean Beach Esplanade in Gibsons, Bonniebrook beach has a couple of neat features. There is a small park there, Chaster Park and ample parking. A fresh water estuary is also at the tip of the park. The beach is rocky and you will need good water shoes to swim. Windsurfing and fishing are popular at this beach. There are no public washrooms at this site. The sun is all day and the cruise ships can be seen passing by. Once of the nicest spots!

Davis Bay Beach, Davis Bay

Located on Hwy 101 between Gibsons and Sechelt in the community of Davis Bay. SAND, SAND, SAND, this is one of the best sandy Sunshine Coast beaches on a LOW TIDE. Public washrooms and showers are available. This is a great place for windsurfing, skim boarding, kite flying and sandcastle building can all be injoyed at this location. There are also picnic tables for that special lunch! Lots of parking, but this beach can get quite busy. All day sun, and those cruise ships will pass by in the distance.

Sechelt Waterfront Park, Sechelt

This is located on the waterfront just off Hwy 101 in Sechelt. The beach spans the waterfront of the entire village. This is a small pebble beach and excellent for swimming. It is quite open to the elements and the wind can whip through at a rapid rate. There is also quite a steep drop in the water. There are no public washrooms, but benches and nice places for a picnic lunch. There is parking along portions of the waterfront and a nice paved path for walking.

Porpoise Bay Provincial Park, Sechelt

Located on Porpoise Bay, this provincial park offers a Sandy Beach!. Great for little ones, there is a marked swimming area, washrooms, picnic tables and ample parking in the park. Sun is midmorning through early evening. The waters on the inlet are typically very calm in comparison to the outside water.

Seargents Bay Provincial Park, Halfmoon Bay

Located Just off of Redroofs Road in Halfmoon Bay. The park has washrooms and a rocky beach. A great place for a stroll and is quite quiet. Sun is mid morning to mid afternoon.

Willingdon Beach, Powell River

Located on Marine Drive this is one of the best Powell River area Sunshine Coast Beaches. Sand for those castle builders and swimmers is great here. Kite flying is also popular here. There are washrooms, picnic tables, concession stand and some camping sites. Gorgeous views of the islands, and sun throughout most of the day right into the evening.

Palm Beach, Powell River

Located to the South of Powell River, watch for the signs of Hwy 101. A long sandy beach awaits you! The waters are quickly warmed here and it is a great swimming beach. There is a large park and ample parking. The annual Sunshine Music Festival is held here annually on Labour Day weekend.

Gillies Bay Beach, Texada Island

Located in Gilles Bay, this is a sandy beach and home to the Texada Island Sand Castle Weekend every year. On a low tide, the sand goes out for what seems like miles! On an incoming tide, the water is just like a bath. The views are to the east to Vancouver Island and sun can be enjoyed all day. There are no washroom facilities, but you are in walking distance to amenities.

Erickson Beach, Texada Island

Located just to the south of the pier in Van Anda, Erickson Beach is a secluded little spot. Early morning to early evening sun can be enjoyed. The beach is pebbles and good for swimming, but you should bring your water shoes. There are no washrooms at this location. There is an outcropping of rock that creates interesting little tidal pools that are great for exploring!

Shelter Point Park

A beautiful Sunshine Coast Beach! There are a few sandy spots to the south of park for those wishing to do a little exploring, or wait for a low tide. There are washrooms, picnic tables, volleyball and camping sites at this location. Oysters can be picked right from the rocks on a low tide, and clamming is awesome as well.

Source: sunshinecoast-bc & sunshine-coast-attractions

Vacation @ Kewarra Beach - Cairns

Kewarra Beach is a 20-minute drive spot from Cairns. The local residents have adopted it as their own because majority of the property at Kewarra Beach is so exclusive and a delight to the eyes. Kewarra is located at the southern tip of the vast expanse of sand occupied by Palm cove, Clifton Beach and Kewarra itself.

Kewarra Beach is protected from the southeasterly wave by a rocky hill and a huge sandbank that takes up most of the area.

Still, the waters of the beach are ideal for swimming and provide a great holiday getaway for the family. Kewarra Beach Resort is found at the northern tip of the beach.

Things to do at Kewarra Beach

There are many attractions around Kewarra Beach which will make you visit the beach over and over again. You can travel through several of rain forest riding on the trains of the Kuranda Scenic Rail. Along the way through rain forest, amazing ravines and gorges passing through the hand-made tunnels from the mountains will capture your sight.

Skateboard enthusiasts can perform some somersaults and jumps in the Cairns Esplanade Skate Park. It also provides an avenue for professional skateboarders and BMX riders.

You can take a glimpse at the biggest collection of free flying birds of Australia in Birdworld Kuranda. There are 75 species of delightful birds that will certainly get your attentions. They can freely roam around the lush bird sanctuary to watch the birds in their habitats.

The Flecker Botanic Gardens is home to different varieties of ferns and orchids and aboriginal plants used by early aborigines for food and medicine.

You can also go for a guided tour of the Great Barrier Reef. One can experience the reef during the months of October to December. This is usually the time when animals are preparing for reproduction. The months of June to September are basically the whaling season.

You can get a taste of indigenous culture through singing and dancing from the theatrical performances of the aboriginal tribes at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Park.

Car rental services provide the means of access to Kewarra Beach. Accommodation can be booked in advanced. Vacation at Kewarra Beach, Cairns is what you need.

Source: workincairns.com