Caribbean Sea Archives - World's Best Beaches

Phoenix Beach, Aruba

Situated on Aruba’s famed Palm Beach, and backed by a private wildlife sanctuary, the Divi Phoenix is a tropical delight among beachfront Aruba resorts. Clear aqua waves wash up on a beautiful wide beach dotted with thatch cabanas and inviting hammocks. Unfortunately, we have not been able to extend our time at the Divi Aruba Phoenix and end up at the Marriott because we own two weeks in Palm Springs. What passes for a ocean view at the Marriott Ocean Club and the Surf Club is a view of the other building unless you go onto the balcony and look carefully between the palm trees for a spec of blue. Dine beachside in the bistro, or at romantic tables under palm trees wrapped in twinkling lights. Fresh local seafood and island specialties are featured daily.

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The Mill Resort & Suites is a tropical oasis of authentic island hospitality amidst the hustle and bustle of the Aruba?s Palm Beach high-rise and casino resorts. With its casual elegance and spacious comfort, The Mill offers the best of both worlds at an outstanding value. A lively beachside bar and palm trees rim two intimate freshwater pools. One hundred and one spacious beachfront studios, one, and two bedroom suites offer fully equipped kitchens, picture windows, and large private balconies with sweeping views. If your hotel is not on Palm Beach, make sure you visit on your Aruba vacation. There is parking along the road in front of the hotel and resort strip. A lively beachside bar and palm trees rim two intimate freshwater pools. Its magnificent Palm Beach and Eagle Beach, together stretching for seven miles, constitute one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful shorelines. At least it feels that way.

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If you’re coming from the Low-Rises, the 14-floor Phoenix tower marks the beginning of Palm Beach. Breakwaters protect the resort’s large, peaceful oceanfront. Guests can relax amongst palm trees, straw huts and hammocks, enjoying the view of the Caribbean Sea. The hotel itself adds to the Caribbean feeling. This Aruba resort is conveniently situated in a pure oceanfront environment right by the sugary sands of Palm Beach. The wide selection of activities and amenities make this Aruba Beach Resort the ultimate haven. Located on the snow white sands of Palm Beach, this is the perfect place to relax on the beach or enjoy the many water sports. Made up of two parts the facility has a tower of 14 stories and also cottages of three stories.

The History of Cancún

If you’ve been to Mexico some, you’ve probably been to Cancun. But if you’re thinking of going to Mexico for the first time, and Cancun is what you have in mind, just know that Cancun reflects the made for tourism side of Mexico you wouldn’t normally see. That’s OK if it is your first trip here. There are a ton a fine beaches and crazy things to do. We know you’ll have fun and want to come back and see more of the Mexico that makes it the wonderful country it is.

Cancún (pronounced can-koon) is a city on the coast in beautiful Quintana Roo, Mexico’s easternmost state. It’s that part you see sticking out to the east when looking at a map of the Yucatan. Today, it’s a world renowned tourist resort destination with modern beach front hotels jutting out in the Bahia de Mujeres (Bay of Women). Cancún also borders the Caribbean Sea and the Nichupte and Bojorquez lagoons. The mainland downtown commercial section (Cancún City), connected to the island by two bridges, has broad avenues lined with whitewashed shops, restaurants, and hotels.

But it wasn’t always that way. Back in the early ’50s, Cancún was a small island home to three caretakers of a coconut plantation and small Pre-Columbian ruins of the Maya civilization. Then the government of Mexico decided to develop a tourist resort, which was originally financed by a USD $27 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank. A causeway was built linking Cancún to the mainland, and around the same time Cancún International Airport was built.

The Mexican government built what was at first a model city for workers, complete with housing, schools and medical facilities.

Cancún started developing in 1970 and took off in the 1980s. The original master plan was repeatedly modified and, on the mainland, often ignored. Despite initial skepticism that forced the Mexican government to finance the first eight hotels, Cancún soon attracted investors from all over the world. Approximately 70% of the Hotel Zone properties are owned by Mexicans, many of them local residents but the figure is close to 100% for the mainland.

Cancún was heavily damaged by Hurricane Wilma, which hit the area on October 22, 2005. All the hotels/resorts are open for business though some are still in the process of restoring guest services such as spas, restaurants, gift shops, business centers, etc. Check with your travel agent.

Cancún boasts about 140 hotels with 24,000 rooms and 380 restaurants. Around 4 million visitors arrive each year on an average of 190 flights daily. The hotel zone is one of the most exclusive internationally, with upmarket restaurants, bars, and the like which have catered for quite a number of the rich and famous. The opposite side of the island from the Caribbean Sea is the Nichupte Lagoon, which is used for boat and snorkeling tours of the area.

At night, the clubs come alive and in Cancún. Wrist bands are the entry ticket, but to insure those free drinks, make sure you tip the waitress! Don’t miss “The City”, “Daddyo’s” and Coco Bongo.

If you can, venture to downtown Cancún for a more cultural aspect. You’ll find cuban/salsa type bars/restaurants. And one tip; the hotels are much cheaper here, than on the strip. Don’t know where to stay? Find Cancun resort bargains at Best Caribbean Resorts.

We’ll take a look at those fantastic beaches in Cancún on our next update!

Cozumel Pictures and Review

There is a lot to do in Cozumel from diving (the most popular reason to come) to exploring this island off the Yucatan Peninsula. If you are at all into diving or snorkeling, Cozumel is the best option for you for something with a great nightlife and world class sight-seeing, “underwater.”

We love how it’s so close to Tulum, where the ruins are of the Mayan temples and one of our favorite beaches of all time. You can get a boat to take you across the the Isla da Mujeres and spend your time at that beach - or visit one of the few white gems here.

And we must go back to Tulum, take pictures, enjoy the brilliant white sand and see the ruins. Dream. Ah, yes - but let’s get back to Cozumel and its own set of ruins and beaches and spectacular diving!

We visited Cozumel first of all in 1994 and were looking forward to seeing this airplane underwater in Cozumel that we had heard was used in a James Bond movie. Turns out that a 40 seater aircraft was intentionally sunk as part of a disaster movie that, well, nobody ever saw because it was never released. It’s a Corsair aircraft and until this day it’s a fun dive site to go visit.

Cozumel is also a fun Spring Break destination with as many bars as hotels - well, almost - and something for everyone at that age group - dancing, disco, drinking and partying through the night. If they come for that, the beach has to be saved for one day… right?

What special language do they speak in Cozumel?

Half Moon Beach Jamaica

Half Moon Club is a 5 star resort where the ornately carved wrought iron gates frame the exclusive Half Moon Resort community. A warm island greeting bids you into the sprawling open-air lobby filled with colorful artwork, tropical plants, gracious furnishings and expansive views of the Caribbean Sea. In addition the resort also includes a wonderful new spa facility which combines the very finest holistic treatments and healing remedies with modern spa techniques provided within beautifully designed colonial style treatment rooms. Families are also able to utilize the resort’s facilities for children who have their own children’s village which offers activities and learning programmes for children aged 3-12 years.

What started out in 1954 as a group of private beach cottages offered for rent during off-season months has blossomed into one of Jamaica’s most extensive resorts. Those beach cottages are still available and — just steps away from the sand as well as public areas — remain a great choice. Its early morning and the sky, still streaked with pink, is reflected in the crystal clear waters of Half Moon Bay Resort. This famous resort, favorite of royalty and presidents, sits on 400 acres of the most beautiful beachfront in Jamaica, perhaps the Caribbean.

Armed with superb service, the resort offers guests a chance to encounter dolphins, ride horses, golf, play tennis and swim to their heart’s content in the ocean and two outdoor pools. The first choice of celebrities, dignitaries and royalty, the Half Moon treats each guest equally important and makes children a top priority, with a children’s center, game room supervised activities and babysitting. Eleven of the original cottages remain today, a tribute to the legacy of the founders, whose descendants remain as resort shareholders. In addition to it’s tropical beaches, all-inclusive resorts, golf and water-sports, enjoy the culture including the food, shopping and the pulsating rhythms of the calypso and reggae. Jamaica has a little bit of everything to be found in the Caribbean.

The resort was very accommodating. The atmosphere is to die for, the dinner, dancing and shops are also a wonderful experience. Dolphin Cover at Half Moon is the only resort in the Caribbean to offer this once-in-a-lifetime experience, so call and reserve your place today. Trained handlers will help instruct you on how to act around the animals, as well as enhancing your visit with a number of in-water activities. Half Moon is one of the Caribbean’s most famous resorts. It has welcomed distinguished guests for over half-acentury and has met their spiralling demands with a combination of creativity and style.

If you are travelling independently, taxis are available at the airport, but one can be arranged for you by the hotel. Half Moon has an airport lounge just outside the arrivals hall which all guests can use whilst waiting for transfers. The hotel villas are just a few feet from the beach, while the hotel is somewhat further away (can’t get much closer than a few feet, however). It is an incredibly upscale all-inclusive resort, with prices to match. They are taken from the tour operators and hotel suppliers through whom the hotel stay is booked. Customers should note that although the above is updated on a regular basis, the above is non-contractual and those booking a hotel stay in the above hotel should ensure that they are satisfied with the facilities that it has to offer prior to making a booking.

Cancun Photos

Whether you are looking to relax in the sun or party all night, Cancun is the place to be. Spending the day on the beaches of Cancun is not only an opportunity to relax, but to shop as well. Many of the native people of Cancun make a living by selling different items to the tourists on the beach. Cancun is naturally a haven for water sports of all kinds. Just about every kind of water sport is available here.

RIU Cancun - Cancun Mexico

One of the most magnetic features of Cancun is its wild and well-known nightlife. Concentrated strips of restaurants, clubs, cantinas and lounges host a mass of spring breakers and restless travelers. Cancun is also a blast for high school and college Spring Break, and they have a huge Spring jazz festival. If you are in the right mood, these are really fun - as good as New Orleans or Daytona any day. Cancun is situated on the south-east coast of Mexico in the state of Quintana Roo in the Yucatan Peninsula. Warm white powdery sand beaches and turquoise crystal clear waters together with the famous Mexican hospitality make this a place like no other!

RIU Palace Las Americas - Cancun Mexico

Cancun is divided into two parts: The narrow 14-mile long island section Cancun Island is lined with modern beachfront hotels surrounded by the Bahia de Mujeres, the Caribbean Sea, and the Nichupte and Bojorquez lagoons. The mainland downtown commercial section called Cancun City, connected to the island by two bridges, has broad avenues lined with whitewashed shops, restaurants, and hotels. The city of Cancun is young, as are most of its permanent and temporary inhabitants. It was just a small sand barrier some 35 years ago when the plan began to develop it into the vacation haven of the 21st century. Cancun is the ultimate vacation and resort destination whether your idea of a good time is surfing, kayaking, fishing and swimming or just laying in the tropical sun. On the lagoon side, there is an abundance of water sports equipment for rental for one day or an entire vacation.

The Best Beaches Around Cancun

According to many enthusiasts, some of the best beaches in Cancun are on the seaward side of the island. Taking a stroll on the sands here is in itself something straight out of a dream. Cancun Island -shaped like a number 7 and flanked by Bahia de Mujeres to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east and Nichupte Lagoon to the west is joined to the mainland by two bridges. The first crosses the Nichupte Channel, four kilometers from downtown Cancun, and the second joins Punta Nizuc to the mainland at Nizuc Channel to the south, en route to the airport and the Riviera Maya. The volcanic Revillagigedo Islands, known for their unique ecosystem, are also part of the Manzanillo municipality. However, your sports fishing operator won’t be able to take you there – the islands are located hundreds of miles offshore.

Cancun beach

Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel are all nearby, and you can discover these places individually with Mexperience. The archaeological wonders at Tulum, Chichen Itza and Coba are three of the main historical attractions in the area. The city has grown rapidly over the past thirty years to become a city of approximately 600,000 residents, covering the former island and the nearby mainland. Most ‘cancunenses’ here are from Yucatan and other Mexican states. The island’s energized atmosphere emanates from the middle, its heartbeat, an area known as the Party Zone featuring the best nightclubs, bars, restaurants, and shopping malls.

Isla’s best beaches are on the northern most tip of the island, near the downtown area, and the pristine sea that surrounds them is as calm as a giant swimming pool. Also close by are the Sculpture Park, an open-air gallery, as well as breathtaking natural attractions, such as panoramic cliff views, and bountiful coral reefs teeming with marine life , ideal for snorkeling. World-famous, this island presents spectacular coral reefs with large walls that form one of the most privileged diving sites around. Shallow diving to deep diving is practiced here through the numerous diving services, all certified and renowned. On the inland side of Cancun lies Laguna Nichupte, a vast lagoon that serves as home to numerous marinas, waterfront restaurants, shopping malls, a couple of golf courses, a few islands, inlets and some fantastic sunsets. There is an area near the center of all this which is known as the Party Zone which is home to many of the areas nightclubs and discos.

There aren’t many cars on this tiny island. You can rent a bike, moped (wear your helmet) or golf cart for a full or half day and see most of what there is to see. Cozumel, which is Mexico’s most populated island. The waters of Cozumel are unsurpassed for their clarity and for the variety of brilliantly colored marine life. This small island (25 km/16 mi long) rests at the tip of Quintana Roo, just north of Cancun and offers a kind of romance and tranquility that is rare these days. The small village has no paved roads and the gregarious residents get around on electric golf carts.

Plan some time to visit one or more of the ruins or beautiful islands or parks. Chichen Itza is a little further away (2 1/2 hours by car), but there are many day tours available from Cancun. It is also a main stopover and departure point for cruise liners and other boats going to Isla Mujeres. Cancun combines a wonderful and exotic tropical island setting along with modern conveniences. The Cancun area is home to more than 18,000 hotel rooms and over 200 restaurants.

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Cancun Beach Photos

A multitude of leisure activities can be found on any Cancun beach. With horse riding, volleyball and kayaking the list goes on and on much like the magnificent Cancun coastline of the Mexican Riviera. Cancun beaches have loads in store for you apart from the sandy beaches and the beautiful azure waters; you can find many activities and even places of interest in this beautiful place. Cancun can offer you a lifestyle, which can be chosen by you as per your individual tastes and requirements. The new sand is much coarser and somewhat darker than the powdery white original Cancun beaches.

Cancun Beach

The sand is course/powder and kept clean of ocean debris. Unlike the northern tip which is somewhat sheltered by Isla Mujeres this strip of coast-line is protected by nothing. The powdery, incredibly white sand of the Caribbean lines all of the beaches in Cancun. The water of the Caribbean Sea is unusually warm with incredibly blue water and, most of the times, is very calm. Bali beds, cabanas, chaises and private palapas surround the pools and line the sands. Refreshments are always on hand with Maxim attendants making the rounds, and the swim-up bar just a splash away.

Beach in Cancun

This is a spectacular beach with tiny white sands and waves which intensity varies according to the season. For your safety, hotel beaches and the marinas use colored warning flags. Pure white sands, crystal-clear waters and warm tropical breezes promise a perfect paradise at Secrets Maroma Beach. Situated on the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, this Unlimited-Luxury haven is located on one of the most pristine beaches in Mexico. With all 285 suites ocean view, and most actually oceanfront, all guests of THE ROYAL in Cancun are guaranteed magnificent vistas of Cancun’s turquoise blue waters and a newly expanded, white sand beach. The Royal Cancun welcomes guests 16 years of age or older.

Beach Palace - Cancun Mexico (More information call toll-free 1-877-439-8747)

And of course PortoFino Bay View Grand is on the most pristine white sand beaches in all of Cancun located directly on the beautiful and absolutely breathtaking turquoise waters of the Caribbean Ocean. If you desire a truly amazing vacation Cancun condo rental home then PortoFino Bay View Grand is the perfect choice. Sand bags are used to keep erosion at bay. Along much of the 8-mile beach the sand has stuck.

Cancun beaches are famous throughout the world for exceptional scuba diving, in particular and any Mexico beach resort in the area will offer information about diving, as well as discounts on diving tour packages. Swiss showers, saunas, steam rooms, private showers and a relaxing indoor lounge area are available for you to enjoy. Massages, body treatments, facials, manicures, pedicures and a full service beauty salon are available for you.

Katy, Erin and Yo on the beach in Cancun.

Prices require outbound travel on select Wednesdays for all destinations with the exception of: Las Vegas, Reno, and Canada require select Monday outbound departures; Loreto requires select Thursday outbound departures; and Manzanillo requires select Friday outbound departures. Other outbound departure days and hotels available, prices will vary. There are room types available to suit travellers of every circumstance, including single (1 person), double (for couples), twin (2 persons sharing), triple (3 persons sharing), quad (4 persons sharing) and family rooms. Please note that not all room types options are available for each hotel in Beach Front. This will all change after Fidel dies and the Cubans are allowed to travel. This will mean a dramatic export of musicians and general people to Mexican beaches, Playa del Carmen in general.

Pictures of Cancun Beaches

First, let’s check out the North side starting with Playa Las Perlas. Playa Las Perlas is a wonderful place to swim and relax in the sun as well. Playa Las Perlas is great for swimming and sunning while the other two beaches are great for water sports such as jet skiing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and parasailing. When spending time on the northern side of Cancun, take a day trip to Isla Mujeres, which is located eight miles off the shore.

Next we have Playa Linda. Playa Linda Beach affords guests with a host of watersports, including waterskiing, jet-skiing, kayaking, snorkeling, windsurfing, and boating. Land-lovers can enjoy the paddle-tennis court, beach volleyball, and nearby golf.

Playa Langosta, which means Lobster, is really fun. In fact, you can surf and swim here, play in the waves and have a great time. Facing Bahia de Mujeres, the beach is coated with Cancun’s signature powdered coral sand and the waters are quite shallow, making in good for snorkelling too. If you’ve had enough of the water there are lots of beach restaurants and bars.

There are real turtles on Playa Tortugas and you can find them abundantly in the water when snorkeling. Cancun offers the unparalleled beauty of the Caribbean Sea’s turquoise-blue water and white-sand beaches. During your stay, you can do water sports or other activities: snorkeling, scuba diving, parachuting, or you can take a spin on a waverunner. Because of it’s protected western location the water at this beach is not the magical turquoise color of the beaches further east.

And on the Northern end, we cannot forget Playa Caracol. The dazzling white sand of Cancun’s beaches is light in weight and cool underfoot even in the blazing sun. That’s because it is composed not of silica but rather of microscopic plankton fossils called disco-aster (a tiny star-shaped creature). All shuttles to Isla Mujeres leave from the northern beaches. At the docks on the northern side vistors can find water taxis and boats that offer diving and snorkeling tours.

Rincon - Northwest Coast - Puerto Rico

There are no beaches along Mayaguez worth traveling to. But up the coast, on Puerto Rico’s most western point, is Punta Higuero and the best surfing in Puerto Rico at Rincón. This is no new find - well, for us… but longboarders put Rincon on the map back in the 60’s. And surfer dudes still live here. Rincón is perfect.

The area juts out into the sea at a place where both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea come together. This force along with some awesome breaks in the area make for some great surfing in Puerto Rico.

Little Malibu break, just off from the Domes balneario, named after the decommissioned nuclear “dome” structures close by, is well known. From Little Malibu all the way up to River Mouth, the surf can be rewarding.

The beach here is soft sand and near River Mouth, because of the tidal pool formed near the ocean, you can find some nice “sea glass“. But like most surfing spots in the world, the beach along the Rincon area is broken by ironshore ledges. That doesn’t spoil the beach at all and you’ll find plenty of areas to have fun.

If you’re not on a surf board, beware: currents here are treacherous. So far in 2007, two people have died off the coast here fighting rip currents. So make sure you are an experienced swimmer.

If seas are calm when you make it here, they tell us there is some good snorkeling up around the Tres Palmas Marine Preserve (Caribbean side), beginning at Little Malibu down to Steps (breaker).

For surfers, when the swells are big enough, waves as high as 25 feet are possible. Watch the weather and surf reports.

Rincón - Beach Index:

Sand - loam, sandy clay mix in some places, ironshore
Facilities - few, make sure you bring the basics
Shade - good through mid afternoon from trees
Sports - surfing, boogie boarding, snorkeling
Notes - buddy up if swimming, surfing, snorkeling

Continuing the surf tradition on this northwest coast, we venture to Aguadilla - some awesome beaches and more awesome surf! Next! >>

Guanica - Southwest Coast - Puerto Rico

When we came to this area, beaches are difficult to find. Instead, we turned our interest to what Guánica is famous for: the United Nations Biosphere Reserve named the Guánica Dry Forest. This preserve we found, is the “top” birding spot on the island. There are now 134 species recorded here.

This is Puerto Rico’s rocky coast, along the Caribbean Sea. Good beaches are hard to find, but here are a couple of nice ones.

But dead sea grass collects along the shore, making it sometimes for a smelly beach, and we found the water a little cloudy. So Plaza Las Delicias, Cana Gorda wasn’t one of our favorites - but it’s a nice beach nonetheless. It’s nature at its best, and sometimes that combination can have beauty and not so beautiful side by side. Still, don’t miss this area. Spend some time and find out what people are excited about around Guanica.

In the Porta del Sol area, just west of Ponce, one our favorite cities for getting away from the beach - it has those beautiful colonial buildings and streets that take you back - well, only a half hour drive from Ponce is the quaint Plaza Las Delicias, Cana Gorda balneario. It’s right in front of that United Nations Biosphere - Guánica Dry Forest Reserve.

Guánica isn’t a loss, however. Catch the Gilligan’s Island ferry out to Gilligan’s Island - about a mile offshore. The mangroves and channels packed with tropical fish make snorkeling here top notch. The sand flats will make you pull the towel out and lay in the Puerto Rican sun, and we found this is the locals’ hang out over the weekend. They fire up small grills and have a nice, relaxing time on Gilligan’s Island. The ferry is only $6.00 and leaves from the Copamarina Beach Resort.

Guánica - Beach Index:

Sand - nice, but littered with organic debris
Facilities - full
Sports - some rentals at both beaches listed
Shade - palms about, umbrellas at the balneario
Notes - Gilligan’s Island worth a visit

Cabo Rojo awaits with famous La Playuela. Don’t miss it! >>

Flamenco Beach Culebra - Puerto Rico

If you want to get exotic, check out Isla Culebra. This is a small island which is really closer to St. Thomas than to Puerto Rico, but Puerto Rico calls it its own. Now there’s a ferry which is really inexpensive - $2.25 one-way, and sails three times a day from Fajardo. So why check out this out of the way island? Flamenco Beach!

Flamenco Beach is a Blue Flag Beach. Divers rent the B and B’s and small apartments here on Culebra, but otherwise this island would probably sink into obscurity if it weren’t for Flamenco Beach. Take my advice and select one of the B and B’s. You’ll have an experience you will cherish for a lifetime. Who knew this island was here and a part of a U.S. Territory?

But the balneario at Flamenco on the west shore is first class. Fine, white-sand greets you and goes gently around to a pleasant picnic area. Here you’ll find some vendors and the beginning of the campground area.

We found the bottom here relatively rock free. And when you try snorkeling out towards the rock outcroppings, there are some nice brain coral with plenty of parrot fish, blue tang, and wrasse to see.

If you’re curious, there’s an old World War II tank, half-buried and rusting as a reminder that Culebra was once a firing range for the military.

Your calmest water will be on the east side. It does get a little rough in the middle of the beach because this is the area that is more exposed to the open sea. You’re not going to find a bad spot on the beach. Trust us.

Puerto Rico sits with the Caribbean Sea on the south coast and the mighty Atlantic on the north coast. Culebra basks in the Caribbean and the waters are warm.

Flamenco Beach Culebra - Beach Index:

Sand - fine grain and white/tan
Facilities - a Blue Flag beach, full facilities
Shade - available, trees, beach huts
Sports - fishing, swimming, snorkeling, diving
Notes - recommended

Another wonderful island, steeped in controversy is up next. Vieques has some of the best beaches of Puerto Rico! >>

Magens Bay Beach - St. Thomas USVI

This huge expanse of a beach is set next to the rolling mountains of St. Thomas, and what makes this SO beautiful is that the mountains literally roll right down into the Caribbean Sea. The water around this enchanted Island is so blue, and I’m happy that pictures of St. Thomas normally pick up the hues. It is even more breathtaking in person. Have you been? What did you think? Care to comment below and let us know. We’d be happy to post any pictures you have as well.

Conde Nast Traveler gave this beach a rating of one of the world’s 10 most beautiful beaches. What makes it so is that it spans between two mountains. It’s accessible - only three miles north of the capital.

Yes, the turquoise waters are heavenly and perfect for snorkeling or swimming. But remember, St. Thomas is a great port for cruise ships so you’ll often find Magens Bay Beach very crowded. Choose mid-afternoon as your time to visit.

They have everything here, from snorkel rental to changing facilities. Kayaks are available as well. However, there is no bus service out to Magens Bay. Some hotels run shuttles; check with yours.

Magens Bay Beach is gated. The gates are open from 5 AM to 6 PM and by late afternoon you’ll need insect repellent. It costs $3.00 to get into the beach and ample parking is available.

Magens Bay - BEACH INDEX:

Sand - powdery white, coral substance.
Facilities - full.
Shade - palms and some umbrellas.
Sports - all available. Check local vendors.
Notes - gets crowded.

Hey, close-by you’ll find former President Clinton’s favorite beach on St. Thomas. It’s clothing-optional! Next! >>

Punta Cana - Cap Cana Resort Beach

If you’ve never heard of Cap Cana, near Punta Cana, don’t worry. It’s new. But it’s being billed as the “best kept property secrets” in recent times. A planned community with five miles of pristine ocean-front just south of the eastern most tip of the Dominican Republic, Cap Cana will certainly become a jewel of the Caribbean.

Punta Cana Cap Cana Resort

Update - it’s done and we do need to get some new pictures on here. Coming soon - still, just listen to what this place has and see if you agree it’s offshore extravagance that just may interest you. Who knows? Maybe your neighbor will be someone you watch on the screen - or maybe you are an actor yourself. Take a look at what Cap Cana is all about.

Since it’s on a point, Cap Cana has the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south. The resort a work in progress, and it is grand. Three Jack Nicklaus signature golf courses are here. Word is Cap Cana gave the Nicklaus group free choice of property before beginning the design of the town.

A large marina (as in “largest in the Caribbean”) is here as well as a yacht club - right near one of the finest, white sand beaches in the country. And someone is thinking and planning well - that someone includes Donald Trump, who became interested in the development. The villas are all on the water - fingers of land protrude out into the water affording each home a waterfront view. Homes have ocean access, as well.

The beach is long, typical of most of the beaches on this coast. One thing we noted was that the shoreline recedes slowly - there are no drop-offs at Cap Cana as there are to the north.

Most of the resorts are to the north. The resort pictures we offer are taken by amateurs, so you get a good feel for what it will really be like when you arrive (how crowded, surf action, etc.)

Cap Cana Resort - BEACH INDEX:

Sand - brilliant white with very little debris. Nice shoreline faces southeast. No sunsets, but plenty of spectacular sunrises.
Facilities - soon to be one of the best on the island. Most areas near beach are completed.
Shade - palms and umbrellas/tents/huts.
Sports - full water sports facility on the property.
Notes - once complete, this spectacle will be as charming as anywhere in the world. The weather is perfect here - dry days, rain sometimes at night. Invest?

Next up, a stroll up the beach to see pictures of each resort we could find. Right here! >>