Huts Archives - World's Best Beaches

Water Island - Honeymoon Beach, St. Thomas

I tried hard to find out how Honeymoon Beach got its name, and I suppose it’s just something related to going to St. Thomas on your honeymoon and hanging out at this beach. Does anyone know for sure? Contact us here and we’ll update this entry. What you will find here is something we won’t let honeymooners keep all to themselves. This is one pristine slice of the Island that if you can, you want to get out to and simply take in. Let the locals show you a good time here and if you have the time, take them up on a few of the excursions that are run around this area. You never know who you might see out here. That’s the magic of the USVI, however we’re finding more and more that people are discovering the beaches and little islands off of the main islands here and spending more time there. This is driving some of the business away from places like Water Island here.

If you want a little get-a-way, off the beaten path trip to a great beach, Water Island lies just offshore from capital city, Charlotte Amalie. It’s the fourth-largest island of the U.S. Virgin Islands and has a dreamy beach to die for.

Shaded by palm trees that line the beach, Honeymoon Beach is perfect for swimming because there is little wave action. But you can also snorkel here, as well. The huts here rent out sailing boats, snorkel gear, and swim floats.

On weekends, a canteen is open with lunch and drinks! It’s a perfect way to spend a day in St. Thomas paradise (actually, Water Island).

To get here, simply head for the Crown Bay Marina. Catch the ferry to Water Island - about $5 one-way. There are several ferries a day - you’ll see the schedule posted at the marina.

Honeymoon Beach - BEACH INDEX:

Sand - medium grain/white from coral.
Facilities - yes.
Shade - both palm trees and umbrellas.
Sports - swimming, There are NO snorkel or float rentals, but a recently-started kayak rental business is offering use of snorkel equipment to its customers (Water Island Kayaks, 340-227-6804 for more info). No other snorkel gear is available.
Notes - don’t get left behind. Make sure you know the ferry schedule. Heidi’s Honeymoon Grill serves food and beverages on Saturdays and Sundays frm about 10:30 AM till 5 PM.

You can live the life of a pirate! You gotta say “Arrrrrrr” with Bluebeard, 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! >>

Playa Rincon, Samana - Dominican Republic

Las Galeras, the once small fishing village has awakened. It was once untouched, with a natural beauty found only in the most remote spots. But, because it is close to the city of Samana, wealthy Dominicans made it their weekend paradise.

Since that time, Las Galeras has been set on the map mainly by abundance of beaches and the landscape that is majestic and simple, all at the same time. Las Galeras Beach is here, as well as the more famous Playa Rincon. And people are awakening to see that this is prime ocean front property with beautiful year-round weather in a country with a stable government, and far away from it all. What more could you ask for? Oh, and the problem with mosquitoes? Ask me what they’re doing to combat them. Pretty high tech!

Rincon is a quiet beach, usually deserted, on a small bay - but with no hotels in site. And, no vendors, booths, signs, radios - all the paraphernalia that comes with a popular beach. Nearby, a fresh-water lagoon to rinse off in. Sweet.

You don’t need a boat to get to Playa Rincon, Dominican Republic. You can get a taxi out of Las Terrenas or Samana to Las Galeras. Just before Las Galeras you’ll see the turn-off to Playa Rincon. The road is pretty rugged from here, so plan accordingly (timewise). If you do have the time, plan a stop at one of the local eateries and experience what food in this neck of the woods is like. You won’t find more hospitable people than Dominicans. They know what they have and they are proud of it. This is pretty close to paradise. Just look.

So plan to eat at Playa Rincon as the fish and langosta are reportedly the best in the Dominican Republic. And, if time permits, take a tour down to beautiful Playa Bonita. It’s romantic and peaceful.

But any place along the shore is simply breathtaking and well worth your visit. See if you can book online for a week or month and spend time here getting to know the whole concept of living in the Caribbean.

Maybe Columbus didn’t have it so bad?

Las Terrenas is busy; Las Galeras somewhat less, and Playa Rincon is sleepy. Enjoy.

Playa Rincon - Beach Index:

Sand - medium grain.
Facilities - few, some food huts.
Shade - palms, trees.
Sports - none.
Notes - pretty deserted - enjoy!

When I visited this area earlier this year, I was so impressed, I’ve decided to invest in real estate here. A nice home right on the beach would suit me fine. OK, doesn’t have to be year-round or when the hurricanes are moving in, but it would be paradise to get away from the rat race. And did I mention the cost of living here is cheap?

A very special thanks to Tony van der Heijden of Immomexx for these pictures. Please visit his site http://www.dr2007.com/ for information about Real Estate in this super hot area of the Dominican Republic.

Cayo Levantado, Samana - Dominican Republic

Cayo Levantado is a small island in Samana Bay. Legend claims that bounty hunters came here long ago. Pirates of the Caribbean? Well, if they didn’t find treasure, they did find paradise. And, due to the fact that this island is pristine, many other modern-day treasure seekers have Cayo Levantado on their radar. Construction is booming here. Hopefully the island will retain some of its ancient charm. Time will tell. The sand here is white and powdery; the turquoise waters crystal clear - perfect for swimming and snorkeling. And, there is plenty to eat here. A few huts and facilities will have you trying all the local cuisine. Sun, beach, food, sand… paradise indeed. Cayo Levantado is also called Bacardi Island because some of the palm trees look like the ones in the Bacardi ads. Remember that because of the popularity of paradise (Cayo Levantado), several hundred tourists venture here daily. And, cruise ships often use the island for a visit. Cayo Levantado - Beach Index:

Sand - white/coral based.
Facilities - full service.
Shade - umbrellas, huts and palms abound.
Sports - full service.
Notes - can get quite crowded at times. Plan on having company.

And now, on the southeast side of the island where the new hotel is going up there’s an intimate beach curving around to a point, a few yards beyond which is a rocky islet. Between them, an outlet leads to a lagoon that has to be some kind of paradise. The natural untended lawn is almost like a golf course. A boatman will take you for a few pesos and pick you up later. Ask at Cayo, and… Enjoy!

Our thanks to Leonard Faber of the Dominican Republic for the above tip. If you have tips, please let us know and we’ll update our pages promptly, and give you credit. And if you have a photo or video you would like to share, we’d love to be able to display it for all. Send those to the contacts you see at the left. Levantado is really a gem as you can see here. Spend time talking to the locals and take in the wonderful kiteboarding and surfing lifestyle afforded here.

Playa San Francisco - The Best Beach

Further south lies Playa San Francisco, an inviting 3-mile stretch of sandy beach that’s considered the longest and finest on Cozumel.

Playa San Francisco is actually two beaches, Playa Maya and Santa Rosa. One tip: During high season (winter USA), this beach can get crowded with cruise ship passengers.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eskwx-R4e-U

You know you’ve found the best when the locals also join you at the beach. They’ll be there on Sunday, eating fresh fish and enjoying live music. Now because of the popularity, it’s the most expensive beach on the island.

Playa San Francisco offers all the amenities: two outdoor restaurants, a bar, dressing rooms, gift shops, volleyball nets, beach chairs, and a variety of water-sports equipment for rent.

You will see divers using Playa San Francisco as their jumping-off point for the San Francisco reef and the Santa Rosa wall.

The abundance of turtle grass in the water, however, makes this a less-than-ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling.

Resort construction in the area is changing the face of this one-time idyllic beach.

BEACH INDEX

Sand - medium to large grain white/gold powder, soft
Facilities - full-service
Shade - some palm huts, umbrellas, palms
Sports - full-service equipment rental
Notes - something for everyone, can be crowded - visit early