What island is going to change my life and make me never want to take another mainland USA beach trip again?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those saying Sicily, can you say which beach?

I admit I haven’t been to a lot of the carribean islands but my favorite beaches so far have been hapuna beach on the big island, or if you want a beach that is walkable to restaurants and such, either of the beaches in San Sebastián (water at concha slightly warmer but beach slightly more touristy).

NP - lived in Sicily with the Navy. Marina di Ragusa is our favorite standalone beach area - blue flag beach, clear water and long stretch of sand. Lots of restaurants on boardwalk. San Vito Lo Capo has a stunning setting and beautiful blue water, so very dramatic. And of course Cefalu - lovely town, and beach right at the edge of historic center. I adore Cefalu! The whole island is gorgeous, but those were our faves. Taormina is fine, but the nearby beach is rocky.

Sicily is truly beautiful and cuisine really is the best of Italy. It’s rustic charm amidst breathtaking architecture. Agree with pp on Cefalu. Taormina is a spectacular hilltop jewel surrounded by sea with winding cobblestone shops, cafes and the Greek theatre. Mount Etna is a sight to behold when active. Seriously, the food! Especially, the piccola famiglia spots with no menu. They pour wine like water and choose meals for you. The sea is so buoyant and therapeutic. Something to do with volcanic ash nutrients. Effortless swimming. Me in Sicily: Non desidero partire da Sicilia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grace Bay Turks and Caicos has ruined me for other beaches. Just got back, and it's pure white sand, no seaweed or rocks in the ocean, you just sort of wade in and it's crystal clear water. Best beach I've ever been on. We didn't feel unsafe at all.

Oh and another thing - my husband is a big scuba diver and he said it was the best he'd ever seen. We did a boat where you could see the reef from the bottom and it was great to see.

I'm surprised by this. We just got back from Turks, and DH and my three big kids went diving, and they all thought it was just okay. I stayed back with our little one, and I think that we saw more snorkeling than they saw diving (like turtles).

If you want to dive, Grand Cayman is your best bet. There are some really amazing sites and you don't have to be on a boat forever to get to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Flying Point Beach, Southampon NY

Indian Wells!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grace Bay Turks and Caicos has ruined me for other beaches. Just got back, and it's pure white sand, no seaweed or rocks in the ocean, you just sort of wade in and it's crystal clear water. Best beach I've ever been on. We didn't feel unsafe at all.

Oh and another thing - my husband is a big scuba diver and he said it was the best he'd ever seen. We did a boat where you could see the reef from the bottom and it was great to see.

I'm surprised by this. We just got back from Turks, and DH and my three big kids went diving, and they all thought it was just okay. I stayed back with our little one, and I think that we saw more snorkeling than they saw diving (like turtles).

If you want to dive, Grand Cayman is your best bet. There are some really amazing sites and you don't have to be on a boat forever to get to them.

Nothing in the Caribbean compares to Raja Ampat and other Indonesian sites. Sadly the reefs have been badly impacted by bacteria killing the coral.

But Bonaire is still the best available in the Caribbean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grace Bay Turks and Caicos has ruined me for other beaches. Just got back, and it's pure white sand, no seaweed or rocks in the ocean, you just sort of wade in and it's crystal clear water. Best beach I've ever been on. We didn't feel unsafe at all.

But your teen was bored?

Huh? No she wasn’t. She had a blast. Might be confusing me for another poster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Grace Bay Turks and Caicos has ruined me for other beaches. Just got back, and it's pure white sand, no seaweed or rocks in the ocean, you just sort of wade in and it's crystal clear water. Best beach I've ever been on. We didn't feel unsafe at all.

Anywhere to stay besides Beaches resort?

[Anonymous]

Mallorca. But get away from Palma and explore the calas of the island. There are so many and they are gorgeous. One in particular that we loved was Cala Mesquida. We were there for a week this past July and saw not a single American. It was true peace.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So many...

St. Lucia
Nevis
St. Kitts
St. Maarten
Azores (it's an archipelago)
Turks + Caicos
Jamaica ( certain parts)

Aruba
Barbados
St. Croix
Bahamas

The Caribbean islands are just good for visiting. Long term, it's white people on the beach surrounded by poor black local folks. Some of these beaches have fences to keep the poor blacks out.
There isn't that problem in the European beaches, nor American beaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anguilla

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fernando de Noronha

Have you actually been here?

[Anonymous]

Meh I’m not a fan of islands. I love Big Sur and the Northern California coast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Svalbard!

Loved it too!

[Anonymous]

Been to many beaches all over the world.

Best ones to me were

Bora Bora
Bazaruto Island - incredible view from the dunes
Turks and Caicos Grace Bay

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bali if you can deal with the long flights to get there. Has both beaches and rain forests, which very few places mentioned in this thread can claim. Plus the exchange rate is quite good.

Where did you stay? We were thinking of doing SEA next spring or summer and would love to get any inputs!

If Ubud, Chedi Club or Four Seasons are great but if you have money to burn then there's always Mandapa and Amandari.

Along the beaches you have the Raffles, Andaz, and W.

Research before going - we couldn’t swim at the beach at all entire stay due to tides.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grace Bay Turks and Caicos has ruined me for other beaches. Just got back, and it's pure white sand, no seaweed or rocks in the ocean, you just sort of wade in and it's crystal clear water. Best beach I've ever been on. We didn't feel unsafe at all.

Anywhere to stay besides Beaches resort?

Seven Stars is beautiful