The beach..you get warm sunshine, the smooth feel of water, the gritty sand, the beauty of the ocean life, and more. Beach vacations are some of the most popular in the world, and the reason is that no matter who you are, there is likely something about the beach that appeals to you, whether it is lying in the sun and getting a tan, or snorkeling and seeing the beautiful array of fish and underwater plant life. A beach vacation should not just relax the body, but rekindle your sense of fun. There are beaches all over the world, and determining which offer the best beach vacations is extremely difficult as it really depend on what you are wanting out of your vacation. So, we've picked some of the best beaches with distinctly different personalities, and for different vacation purposes.

So, whether you are on a family vacation, tropical vacation, spring break vacation, you will find a beach that fits your needs.

Best Family Beach Vacations:

Beach vacations are great as a family vacation no matter how old your children are. A teenager can enjoy body surfing, surfing, and boogie boarding, while a toddler will enjoy building sandcastles, and playing in the surf. The following are some of the top family beach vacation destinations based on activities offered, appeal for all ages, price, and of course the beauty and size of the beaches.

Myrtle Beach
South Carolina is the #2 state for tourism after Florida. In South Carolina, Myrtle Beach is the biggest vacation spot. Even those it gets over thirteen million visitors a year, it is a fun place to vacation and you won't feel crowded out because there are 60 miles of beaches, lots of great hotels, golf courses, and things for the kids to do. The beaches alone make it a great destination, but for the days you want to get out of the sun some, there are water parks, amusement park, dinner shows (such as Medieval Times), and other family entertainment.

Oahu, Hawaiii
Hawaii of course is going to make a great beach vacation because it is an island of beautiful beaches and several different terrain types. However, Oahu has a ton to do and thus makes it an ideal family vacation beach destination. You have famous Waikiki Beach. This is a fun place to learn to surf, and you can take lessons as young as eight years old. There are plenty of tours and boat cruises for whale watching, dolphin spotting, and sea turtle viewing. There is the historical draw of Pearl Harbor, a National Park with Junior Ranger program for kids, the Polynesian Cultural Center, luaus, canoe rides, crafts for kids, the list goes on. The great part of taking a family vacation to Oahu is that no matter the interests of your children and selves, you will find something to do.

Northwest Florida
There are tons of beaches in Northwest Florida, and even without Orlando, this is a great place to take your family on vacation. You will find affordable prices for hotels, food, and entertainment, so that you will not break the bank when you take your family out. You will find miles of beautiful beaches all offering their own unique appeal, some are muscle beaches where the jocks go, some are sun bathing beaches, others are baby beaches. You get the Space Coast, with miles of beaches, the white beaches of northwest Florida, and more. Most areas in Northwest Florida are reasonable driving distance from Orlando, so you can still do the whole Disney World, Sea World, etc. on a day you do not want to hang out on the beach.

Cancun or Maya Riviera
This is a great beach vacation destination if you have older children, but still want a family oriented vacation. You can visit the Riviera Maya attractions, see some of Mayan history, and then relax on the beautiful beaches. Or, take a day trip to Cancun. Cancun's 25-kilometer Hotel Zone is a magnet for those who want shopping, eat great food, and find urban pleasures. Not to mention they have some of the most popular beaches in the world. One of the reasons this is such a great family vacation destination is that many of the resorts in the area are all-inclusive resorts. So, whether you want to sun bathe, kayak, or snorkel on the world's second-largest barrier reef, etc. this is a great destination.

Caribbean
Caribbean all-inclusives are a popular choice for families, who love the beaches, watersports, and kids clubs. Most of the resorts in the Caribbean have some sort of kids program so that you can take the whole family but still have time for some romance and adventure. There are beautiful beaches, but they can be somewhat crowded, especially if there are cruise ships in port. However, you generally get a great deal, so the cost is low, the adventure high, and you get a memorable beach vacation destination.


Best Spring Break Beach Vacations:

Spring break is all about meeting new people, letting lose your inhibitions and just having a good time. With that in mind we have selected some of the best places to go for spring break based on the fact that other spring break vacationers will be there, the beaches are great, the prices low for the student budget, and in many cases the drinking age lower than in the US.

• The Bahamas: With lots of long beach stretches, plenty of cheap hotels, cheap food, and a great night life, this is a very popular place for spring breakers.
• Florida: Mainly the following areas are hot for spring breakers: Key West, Florida, Daytona Beach, Florida, Panama City, Florida. Florida in general is a big draw because of the tight bodies, large beach areas, and plenty of resorts so good prices. Of course, you would want to remember that the legal drinking age is 21.
• Mexico: Especailly, Rosarito Beach/Ensenada, Mexico, Mazatlan, Mexico, Cancun, Mexico: These are some of the most popular places to go on spring break, especially Cancun, they offer plenty of shopping, night life, drinking for cheap, and of course parties. Not to mention there are plenty of beaches that you can camp on, drive on, have bonfires on, etc.
• Jamaica: Jamaica is a popular spring break destination not just because of the beaches, but also because it is a budget friendly destination. You can eat, drink, and play for less in Jamaica. Plus, the laid back style of the island really appeals to students looking to distress before hitting the books again.

Best Hawaii Beach Vacations:

Hawaii is beautiful, tropical, offers culture, differences in terrain, plenty of activities, great resorts, shopping, and fun. No matter what island you visit in Hawaii, you will likely enjoy yourself, however, the following are some of the more famous, and most visited beaches:

• Waikiki Beach: this is a family friendly beach great for learning to surf and boogie board.
• Lanikai Beach: Clear water, lots of wildlife
• Honaunau Bay: A popular place to visit because of the beauty and history
• Kaanapali Beach: this is a family friendly beach surrounded by shopping. It offers areas for babies, adults, and in between.
• Lahaina Beach: This is a surfer's beach, with big swells, and a fun area to relax after.
• The North Shore: This beach is best known for the big swells and rough surf.

Best Beach Vacations World Wide:

St. Lucia, the Caribbean

This is a great beach for the adventurous in spirit. It is a charming out-of-the-way Caribbean island with a rugged interior outlined by empty beaches. Of course as it has become more popular, real estate development has sky-rocketed, but there is still a rustic side of the island full of fishing villages, waterfalls, and cottage-style plantation villas. You get the feel of the middle of no-where with wi-fi service, yoga cruises, and guides to take you through the 19,000-acre rain forest on the new zip line. It is the best of both worlds.

Antiparos, Greece

This is a celebrity hot spot because it is laid back and unpretentious, not to mention beautiful. Antiparos is still without any big hotels, instead it offers all the elements of Greek island cliché: whitewashed houses, a famous land cave, historic ruins, and even blue grottoes that, according to legend, have magical powers. Of course, it would not be a beach vacation without miles of beaches -- both large and small. 

Great Oyster Bay, Tasmania

This is on the east coast of Tasmania, and it is absolutely lovely with its sheltering hills and warm offshore currents, it has one of the country's best year-round climates. You get the country feel, but there are new stylish hotels and houses to rent. There are beautiful beaches, and a granite coastline. It is rugged and offers amazing wildlife -- including wallabies, possums and even the Tasmanian devil.

Todos Santos, Mexico

This beach is about an hour north of popular Cabo San Lucas on Baja Peninsula's Highway 19. It is one of the best beach vacations because you get all the beauty and appeal of Cabo, but with a quieter, less crowded beach scene. This is an especially popular vacation for surgers, as the area is small and not very developed, but offers great swells, and nice weather.