America's 2010 Top Beach #8: Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island, South Carolina got Dr. Beach’s nod for the number 8 beach of 2010 in America. And if you know a little about South Carolina, you’ll know it’s one of the best places to play golf and tennis. With the layout of the barrier islands around the Carolinas there are literally dozen of nature walks and kayak and canoe paths where you can see thousands of birds and other wildlife. But let’s get to the beach.






Beachwalker Park is a small part of the great Kiawah beach area. The nice thing about it is that along with its beauty, there are restrooms, lifeguards, and a snack bar in the summer. The park is designed for families with a nice walk area along what is called Captain Sam’s Spit.






Here you will see nature at its finest with untouched beach and shoreline. And if you can bring your bike, you’ll have even more fun as there are trails that take you just about everywhere on Kiawah. If you want to park in the park, there is a $7 fee.


Memorial Day fills the park and unless you come very early, you won’t find parking.


Beachwalker Park beach is clean and the view is beautiful. When you’re up for eating, Kiawah Island has many restaurants to try out. We enjoyed the Fresh Market Village Shoppes and again, the bike trails make everything fun, if you bring a bike. If you don’t – there is a bike shop on the island that rents bikes. If you have the time, there is also a kayak rental near the bike shop.


Cottages and resorts fill up quickly around holidays, but call around to get a good price. Beachwalker Park is worth a visit and is why Dr. Beach put it on his list this year.


Beach Index:


- Atlantic beach with compacted tan sand
- Rent or bring a bike, many trails that are fun
- Stay a week or longer if you can
- Family fun beach with facilities

America's 2010 Top Beach #10: Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Florida

Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne, Florida


At the south end of Key Biscayne, right off of the city of Miami is Cape Florida State Park and a beach that makes Dr. Beach’s number 10 spot on the list for 2010 of Best Beaches in America. The color of the water is breathtaking and clear and because of an outlaying reef and shallows, the surf is gentle and inviting. The whole family can swim here. And with the Cape Florida Lighthouse as a backdrop, you’re assured a picturesque beach you won’t soon forget.


On days when there is heavy surf offshore, there can be a little seaweed/seagrass wash up. It’s not something you’d stay away from, however. It costs $1.50 toll on the causeway that will take you to Key Biscayne and once here, you’ll pay another $8 for entering the park.


Because you’re in Miami, this beach will get a little crowded around holidays.


You’ll forget you’re in the Miami area though when you arrive. Expect clear water and lots of places to bike. Rent a bike, or one of those 4-person Surrey bikes and have some fun. You can bring lunch and use the picnic tables to eat, or if you rent a pavilion, you can stay the day and grill right in the park. With the nature trails that run through the park you’ll think you’re in the Keys. There are iguanas on the key, but the park ranger said they don’t bother humans.


Since showers are available, you can swim in the blue waters, play a bit and shower off, then just drive to your hotel or home. On the way out on the causeway you can actually stop by the fishing boats and buy fish for your meal tomorrow!


You can also tour the Cape Florida Lighthouse (1852) and walk to the top where you can see the Miami skyline.


Beach Index:


- Sand is white/tan quartz/coral mix
- Many people complain about the sea grass that washes ashore here (see pictures)
- Convenient from Miami
- Full facility park, restaurants on island
- Stop by fish boats off causeway to buy fish
- Can get real full on weekends and holidays

Punta Del Este, Uruguay

Summer In Punta Del Este

Returning to Punta Del Este, after being there during the winter, was like returning to a ghost-town and finding it filled with people laughing, drinking, sunning, and enjoying every moment.

The wealthy set from all over South America and the world descend on Punta Del Este immediately after Christmas and the party lasts for a few months.

Punta Del Este reminds me of South Beach in Miami, with tall buildings overlooking the beaches. And, like South Beach, it is filled with beautiful Latin people (be sure to learn some Spanish before you go so that you can talk to all of them!).

Word on the streets in Uruguay was that the Brazilians take over Punta Del Este during the first 15 days of the season (December 26-Jan 10) and, after that, you will find predominantly Argentineans. There are also Uruguayans of course but many prefer the more tranquil and reasonably-priced beaches of Cabo Polonio, Rocha, and Punta Del Diablo.

But the place to see and be seen is Punta Del Este. Don’t believe me, believe E!:

The Beaches in Punta Del Este

As a peninsula, Punta Del Este offers two types of beaches: the bay side and the ocean facing side. You will often hear people refer to Playa Mansa (bayside) and Playa Brava (oceanside). The bayside offers a bit more tranquility with less wind and waves. The beaches on the ocean side are more expansive and there is plenty of room to move, play football (or futbol), and roam around looking at the various sites.

Often, you will hear people say, “Meet us at the beach at stop 16.” All the beaches are numbered, numbers which you can see along the street, and many people have their favorite number.

Bikini Beach in Punta Del Este

Whoever woefully said, “today’s bikinis don’t leave much to the imagination” is woefully short of imagination.

After seeing the bikinis in Bikini Beach just outside of Punta Del Este, I have nothing but positive reviews of the South American style bikini. The way it hugs the curves of a woman and exhibits their fine physique certainly doesn’t leave me short of imagination. Au Contraire–it feeds the imagination.

Any visit to Punta Del Este is incomplete without a visit to Bikini Beach. View some of the bikini beach photos below and, if that doesn’t entice a visit, you too may be woefully short on imagination:

Want to look great in a bikini?

Nightlife In Punta Del Este

The local catchphrase: “There’s always time to sleep in the winter!”

If you are from North America, or Europe, and you are reading this: Be Prepared. Nightlife in Punta Del Este truly begins at about 2am or later.

I remember asking some friends in Uruguay: “If you go out at 2am, and arrive home at 8 or 9 in the morning, how do you enjoy the beach during the day?”

“Well,” came the collective response, “we still go to the beach everyday.”

This is true. However, I realized the term day has significant elasticity here. To many in Punta Del Este, the beach day begins at about 2 or 3pm in the afternoon. If you are an early riser, you will be heading out the door in the morning before most party-goers get home from their evening.

Don’t believe me?

One night we were going out to the clubs and my friend said, “oh, I forgot my sunglasses.” Sunglasses at the bar? Is your Future So Bright You Have to Wear Shades? No! The hipsters all know that they’ll be leaving the clubs when the sun is coming out and so they’ll need their sunglasses for the homeward journey.

For many, nightlife in Punta Del Este does not take place in Punta Del Este; nightlife happens in La Barra, a small town about 10-15 minutes outside of Punta Del Este filled with many different bars and discos. If you don’t have a car, you can get there by bus. Or, if you are female, there are many cars who will eagerly escort you from Punta Del Este to La Barra. Just look your finest because the competition is fierce.

My friends and I ventured out in Punta Del Este many times as well. There are many bars in the port area and along the beaches that are packed with beautiful people every night. View the links below for the hot nightspots in either place.

Punta Del Este Sunsets

Since the nightlife continues well into the day, our schedule included many Punta Del Este sunsets. We would wake up to hit the beach during the day (at about 3pm) and then take in the sunsets along Playa Mansa, just in front of the Conrad Hotel.

After the sunsets at about 9:15, it would be time for a little nap before the nightlife. Napping at 9pm? In your workweek vernacular, you might refer to this as a paradigm shift.

Embrace the shift-it’s well worth it!

Beaches of Mauritius

An island nation in southwest Indian Ocean, Mauritius is renowned the world over for its natural charm and beautiful beaches. While the country is endowed with exquisite beauty and unspoilt elegance, beaches in Mauritius do have their own appeal. It is no secret that the country is visited by a substantial number of tourists from all across the world and for most of them, the lure of Mauritius beaches is simply too big to resist.

The beaches in Mauritius are beautiful with spectacular white sand and pristine water all around it. The Belle Mare is a white sandyMauritian beach that boasts of a deep lagoon at the eastern coast while Mont Choicy is a beautiful long beach at the northern coast and is known for a great collection of Filao trees. Riviere Noire is the center of deep sea fishing in Mauritius. Pointe aux Piments is one for people enjoying the quite and cozy warmth of the seashore

However, it is the Grand Baie that is one of the biggest pulls for visitors to Mauritius. Shops for a wonderful shopping experience, restaurants with all sorts of popular and delectable dishes including a collection of seafood's and hotels catering to most of the requirements of the guests, all are available here. Discotheques and bars are there too and tour operators in Mauritius organize a number of sea excursions from this beach too. And to give you the thrills of a lifetime, amenities for all kind of water sports are available so as to give the guests a wonderful sojourn in the country. From business executives to honeymoon couples, all make a beeline to Grand Baie in Mauritius.

Blue Bay is acknowledged as an important center of water sports in Mauritius. Surfing, sailing and snorkeling are widely popular here. The Flic-en-Flac with a beautiful lagoon has a range of shops, restaurants and hotels. Baie du Tamarin offers a picturesque view of the landscape and Baie de Tombeau beach is overgrown with cocos.

Beaches of New Caledonia

New Caledonia (French:Nouvelle-Caledonie) is a dependent overseas territory of France lying in the western Pacific Ocean, in the Coral Sea, to the east of Australia and west of Vanuatu. The territory consists of the main island of Grand Terre, the archipelago of the Loyalty Islands (Iles Loyaute), and numerous small, sparsely populated islands and atolls.

New Caledonia offers beaches, mountaintop fondue in chalets, camping, amazing snorkeling and diving, and fabulous French food.

New Caledonia includes:

Grande Terre - The main island. It is one of the largest islands in the Pacific. The barrier reef lying off New Caledonia is second only to the Great Barrier Reef in size.

The main tourist destinations are:

Île des Pins - Was one of the few places in the Pacific with trees tall and sturdy enough to provide replacement masts for ships.

Loyalty Islands (Iles Loyaute)

Climate

New Caledonia has a semi-tropical climate, modified by southeast trade winds. It is often hot and humid in January and February. The islands are subject to tropical cyclones, most frequent from November to March. During winter (April to August) the daytime temperature is around 22 degrees. The water may still be warm, but it often feels too cool to really want to go swimming.

Geography

The main island of New Caledonia is one of the largest in the Pacific Ocean and its terrain consist of coastal plains with interior mountains. The highest point is Mont Panie (1,628 m).

Grand Terre is rich in minerals, and is an important source of many ores, mainly nickel and chromium. There is a mountainous interior green with subtropical foliage. The outlying islands are coral-based, and have stunning white sand, and sport palm trees.

Get in By plane

New Caledonia Airport (IATA: NOU) (ICAO: NWWW), in Païta, 52km northwest of the capital city of Noumea, (687) 35 11 18, [www.cci-nc.com/tontouta] Air France provides direct flights from Paris. Regular flights are available from Tokyo on Aircalin, as New Caledonia is very popular with the Japanese. Air New Zealand and Qantas also serve the airport. There are also flights from various Pacific nations, New Zealand, Australia, and Southeast Asia. However, there aren't many flights overall, so beware of availability. There is little or no competition on routes, so be very wary of high flight prices.

Noumea-Magenta Airport (IATA: GEA) , 4 km from the city center, (687) 25 14 00. Serves all domestic flights within New Caledonia, such as the Loyalty Islands (Maré, Tiga, Lifou, Ouvéa), from Isle of Pines in the south to Belep Islands in the northern tip of the mainland as well as Koné and Koumac on the west coast and Touho on the east coast.

By boat

Noumea is a popular port of call for people sailing around the Pacific, though most dare not sail during cyclone season.

Snorkeling, diving, windsurfing

Îlot Canard just outside the Anse Vata is a good place for beginners

Aguille de Prony is an amazing underwater structure in the Prony bay south of Noumea

relaxing, tanning, and generally doing nothing.

Baie des Citrons and the Anse Vata are common beaches at the Noumea peninsula

Îlot Maitre has a resort. This can be reached by taxi boat from the Anse Vata, and by boat from the Baie de Mouselle

Numerous other tourist resorts can be found throughout the Grande Terre and Île des Pins

eating French and local cuisine

hiking, camping

Parc Rivière Bleu in the Yaté region south of Noumea

Joining a hiking group is generally a good idea, since you then can really enjoy the great scenery without fear of getting lost, or having to stick with conventional tourist spots.... cat

Yacht charter New Caledonia [1] Windward Islands, one of the worlds largest yacht charter companies, can take care of all charter requirements, from bareboat to luxury yacht in New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Operating from different offices worldwide (UK, USA, Honk Kong, Dubai, Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Switzerland).

New Caledonia's greatest attraction is its beaches. All over New Caledonia one will find quiet lagoons and white sand perfection. You can venture to the world's biggest lagoon and explore the second largest coral reef in the world (after the nearby Great Barrier Reef of Australia). The reef can be as close as a few kilometers from the coast in some places and as far as 65 km in others. With an average depth of 40 m. New Caledonia's reef system contains varied fauna composed of multicoloured fish and corals of incredible shapes.

From the Isle of Pines, the Loyalty Islands, and the main island Grande Terre, there are plenty of white sandy beaches, turquoise warm waters with a backdrop of unique flora to explore.

Sunsets

It is the grandest finale to the greatest show on earth. It is shown everyday, smooth like clockwork. It is predictable at times but more often it has a twist of glory that leaves the heart yearning for more… more time even for just a few seconds. Although it is one of the most photographed events, it does not cost a penny to be viewed.

It is the great sunset. Bright afternoon skies that gradually change into playful hues of yellow subduing into oranges, reds, purples and blues before finally fading into the darkness. White cotton clouds that give character to the bluest skies become splashes of color and eventually become the shadows that they cast.

For those who have the luxury of time to stop and marvel it – there is a gift of mixed emotions and feelings. Peaceful complexity and unleashed tranquility in a throbbing, shrouding, empowering calm and heart pounding contentment that validates the presence of a Creator.

Sunset signals the end of the day for many and the beginning for more. For those who have called it a day, the promise of rest, quality time with loved ones, sleep. For those who have just begun, bright lights, gatherings, parties, excitement.

In a modern world when time has become a commodity or even a luxury , appreciating the sunset has given way to rush hours and overtime.



Filipinos are one of the few people blessed with beautiful sunsets in more days of the year. With 7,107 islands across the archipelago, the version of this show from one place is just as spectacular as next door. Whether viewed from the white sandy beaches of Boracay or from the pine tree lined peaks for Baguio, The suns magnificent rays never fail to breathe awe into people’s lungs. The fabled and glorified sunsets of Manila Bay helped put the Philippines on the map of tourism.

Beauty. Sweet, natural, powerful beauty that defines poetry. A picture that only the mind can preserve.

The Philippine sunset.