Beach bingo

Picking any of these sandy surf and snorkel spots is a win-win

by PETER GREENBERG

Like many of you, I’ve always been drawn to the beach. There are so many great spots all over the world. Here are a few of my favourites.

Hawaii

Hapuna Beach.This beautiful 800-metre stretch of white sand on the Big Island is ideal for swimming and boogie boarding and a popular jumping-off spot for diving or snorkelling, especially with a squadron of manta rays that live off the coast here. If you visit in the early months of the year, you may catch sight of migrating humpback whales.

In search of the ultimate sugar rush? Check out the Manuela Malasada food truck for malasadas (filled Portuguese-style doughnuts).

Snorkeling in Bora Bora, Tahiti
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The Islands of Tahiti

Matira Beach.Bora Bora’s largest public beach offers crystal-clear water, plentiful soft sand, palm trees for shade, safe swimming and good snorkelling. Thanks to its unspoiled views and the colours of the sky shimmering on the water, catching a sunset on Matira Beach is a must. There are several small cafés nearby, including The Lucky House Fare Manuia. Grab a chair on the terrace and order a Tahitienne, a wood-fired pizza with ham, pineapple, olives and oregano.

Turks and Caicos Islands

Grace Bay Beach. At just under 5 kilometres in length, with soft white sand and calm turquoise water, Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales is big enough to avoid ever feeling crowded. A barrier reef 1.6 kilometres offshore protects the bay from Atlantic Ocean swells, making it a great spot for swimming. The beach is also a departure point for scuba diving and snorkelling trips. The Bight Reef, also known as Coral Gardens, is easily accessible at the western end of Grace Bay and starts right off the beach, extending out about 120 metres. A real bonus: You’re likely to encounter pods of bottlenose dolphins playing in the bay.

Costa Rica

Playa Grande. Not far from the more famous Playa Tamarindo, this beach is less crowded and a good spot for surfers (of any skill level) in Guanacaste province. The beach faces due west, making for glorious sunsets over the water. There are nearby surf shops where you can sign up for a lesson or if you just need a board. If you’re a beginner, stick to the white water, which is most prominent during high tide.

Whether you’ve been surfing or just relaxing on the sand, refuel at Taco Star, located only a few steps away from the beach, which serves both ground beef and vegetarian tacos (or a mix of both), as well as quick bites like PB&J sandwiches, banana bread, fruit juices, kombucha and, of course, cerveza.

Mexico’s Playa Ruinas
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Mexico

Playa Ruinas. For a unique setting, head to Playa Ruinas in the town of Tulum on the Riviera Maya. Perched on a cliff overlooking the beach, the backdrop for this wide white-sand beach with vivid blue water is dramatic ruins of the last great city constructed and inhabited by the Mayan people. El Castillo, the castle, built in the glory days of the Mayan civilization, attracts thousands of visitors. My advice: Hit the beach in the early morning. The waters are still as glass, great for swimming and seldom crowded.

Maui beachside

If you are travelling with children, Napili Beach, shaped like a crescent on Maui’s northwest coast, offers waters calmer than many of the other beaches on the island, coral reefs accessible from the beach and a sizable sea turtle population. If you go by car, get there early: Parking is limited. And if you plan to spend the day, pack snacks, as dining options are few.

Even if just lounging on the beach is your thing, be sure to keep an eye out in the early months of the year for migrating humpback whales.—PG

HANDE BAYAR

Peter Greenberg is the multiple–Emmy Award–winning travel editor for CBS News and host of The Travel Detective on public television (petergreenberg.com).

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