Recommendations for a beach in early May

[Anonymous]

DD will be 18 months in early May when DH has vacation time. We want to go to a beach. We know it'll probably be too cold to swim, but we'd still like to go and play in the sand and be together as a family. Places that are kid-friendly (playgrounds and such nearby) are a bonus!

Where would you recommend we go? Thanks!!!!

[Anonymous]

I think that is a great time of year for Hilton Head, SC. The area will just be gearing up for the start of the season. The beaches are great, nice restaurants. Stay in Sea Pines, if you can, there's a great harbor and playground in the middle. You can rent a condo or villa and have plenty of space. If you drive, it should only take about 8 hrs., leave this area at 4 am maybe while the little one is still asleep and you will hopefully get about 4 hrs. in before the little one wakes up.

Another closer thought, is VA Beach. There's a Residence Inn up around 32nd and the boardwalk, a nice indoor pool, near the on sand playground, a decent aquarium and shopping around. Plus, you can rent bikes for the boardwalk. The beach itself isn't "great" but at that time of year it's fine, not overly crowded.

[Anonymous]

Kiawah, South Carolina. Heaven on earth.

[Anonymous]

I second Kiawah, SC. It is gorgeous there not to mention uncrowded!

[Anonymous]

Bermuda!

[Anonymous]

OBX will be warm but the water cold. House rentals are dirt cheap in May. You can pick up a four bedroom house with hot tube for $595 for the week.

You will want a smaller house, and they will be even cheaper.

Of course, I would go to the Bahamas at the drop of a hat. They are cheaper than the overpriced Caribbean. If you look at the Bahamas, give Grand Bahama a look. It's cheaper than Nassau.

[Anonymous]

I second Hilton Head. We took DD for the first time (DH and I had been previously) at about that age and it was perfect. Great beach, great food, laid back atmosphere, plenty of playgrounds, I could go on and on. There's also a children's museum on the island with an area for young ones - who knew?!

[Anonymous]

I have gone to Myrtle Beach in mid May and it was very relaxing.

The beach was perfect for the age range that we had - 6 mo to 6 YO. Although the water was cold, we were able to have fun in the water - as well as get some golf in.

[Anonymous]

How long is the drive to Hilton Head? How do you know if your little one will tolerate it? We've never gone more than 2 hrs away by car.

[Anonymous]

OP, go somewhere with water warm enough to at least wade comfortably. At 18 months, your child will not understand the concept of "we're just going to stay here on the sand and look at the pretty water." And so one of two things will happen: Either you'll spend all your time endlessly chasing your daughter back from the water's edge, or you'll finally relent and let her wade in, despite the chill. Which means you'll have to go in too. Which means that sooner or later, you'll misjudge a wave and everyone will wind up soaking wet and frozen to boot.

[Anonymous]

HH is an 8-9 hour drive. Depends on the traffic, how often/long you stop, etc. When we did it with DD, we stopped overnight in NC on the way down, but drove back in a day coming back. We made frequent stops to let DD, and us, stretch her legs, play and eat. We brought lots of snacks in the car and had a blanket handy to lay out for our rest stops. We also packed a bag full of stuff she had never seen before - new books, toys, stickers, books on cd, etc - to entertain her. We also brought our portable dvd player for when we needed it most. Although every child is different, it wasn't as bad as we thought it would be.

[Anonymous]

Agree with poster from 16:14. Plan to get wet regardless of water temp.

Agree with poster from 12:46. It is a long drive to HH from this area. On our way down, we left DC at about 4 am, while dd was still sleeping, stopped for breakfast once she woke up about 8ish, but we'd already made it deep into VA if not to NC line, so only had 5 or more hours to go. Then we popped in a movie and she watched that and took breaks as needed the rest of the way.

Another thought is with flights so cheap now, what about doing a FL beach in May, the water will be warm, quick 2 hr. flight down and back, and many more choices for beaches and accomodations.

[Anonymous]

LOVE Kiawah Island. fly into charleston. It is a quick and usually cheap flight. Kiawah is gorgeous.

[Anonymous]

It'll be warm in Florida in May... I agree that I'd go somewhere that swimming was a possibility. Not all toddlers like sand and water, but if yours does, it would seem hard to convince her that it is too cold to swim!