The Virgin Island - Some of the Most Beautiful Beaches in the World

St John USVI is the smallest of the three US Virgin Islands. Its sister islands are St Thomas and St Croix. The exotic beaches here are unique among the beaches of the Caribbean and the world.
The island is only nine miles long and three miles wide and two thirds of the island is the Virgin Islands National Park and therefore protected by the USA Park Rangers.

But, most of the tourists arrive in St John for its beaches. They are unspoiled and surrounded by pristine waters touching the while sand beaches.
It is located to the east of St Thomas on a 20 minute ride by ferry from Red Hook to Cruz Bay in St John. Coming from St Thomas that is populated and very busy, you will notice that you arrived to a place totally the opposite, St John is laid back, relaxed and the calm can be felt all over.
Beaches

• Trunk Bay

This is one of the most famous destinations in the Virgin Islands. It is located about two miles from Cruz Bay. It is a hearth shaped spectacular beach. This beach has visitor's facilities, like showers, changing areas, restrooms, food area, as well as picnic facilities.
The white powdered sands are surrounded on one side by coconut pal trees and on the other side by crystal clear blue waters.
When visiting Trunk Bay pay a visit to the Archaeological dig where many prehistoric artifacts were found. You'll see remnants of bones and plant material.
This is an ideal beach for Family Vacations, since the place is children friendly with many water sports and calm waters. And at the same time very popular with groups of cruise lines passengers, that like to spend the day here.
Trunk Bay is easily accessible by public bus, taxi or car; there is a scenic ferry ride across Pillsbury Sound to St. John.

• Cinnamon Bay

Larger than Trunk Bay, this beach offers beautiful jungle like surroundings, featuring mango and cacao trees, as well as great underwater life and water sports.
It is located three miles distance of Cruz Bay on North Shore Road. The beach is great for kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling, diving or swimming through flagrant corals and colorful tropical fish. You will also find here all facilities for visitors like changing rooms, showers, lockers and a local restaurant. There are also facilities for picnics and family reunions.

• Salt Pond Bay

This is a fairly unknown beach along the southern coast of the island. It features a salt pond where locals take salt from. The salt is formed from sea water that enters the pond via subterranean tunnels. Once the water evaporates it leaves a white foamy residue of sea salt.

• Blue Cobblestone Beach

This beach gets its name from the cobblestones along the beach. It is great for a snorkeling adventure along the large rocks. This area is also renowned for bird watching because the area is more secluded and the birds abound here.

• Caneel Bay

Cannel Bay is am idyllic resort area. The beaches are made of powdered white sands great for sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling.
To get there you will take a ferry from St Thomas provided by the resort and dock in their private pier. Or if you are already on the island you'll take route 20 and turn left where the sign tells you to get to the beach.

• Hawks nest Beach

This beach is very accessible and popular among locals in St John. It is a short drive from Cruz Bay. The parking for this beach is very close to the sea, making it very easy to carry all you need for a great beach day.
They have all facilities for picnics and barbeques. The corals and tropical fish here are incredibly beautiful. Some of the fish you'll find here are the grunt, fry and goatfish. Your entire family will love the scene under the sea regardless of age.

• Maho Bay

This beach offers a lot to families with small children and those who like calm and shallow waters for swimming.
You can get to this beach going past Cinnamon Bay one more mile. You may park below one of the maho Trees and enjoy your day. There are no signs or parking spots, just plain beach. The road is lined by coconut palm trees.
The snorkeling between Maho Beach and Little Maho is great. You'll enjoy and array of tropical fish and exotic coral reefs.
Salomon Beach, St John
It used to be a Nude Beach, but since the new legislation on public nudity, this is no longer possible. Those breaking the law may get fines of hundreds of dollars and even jail time.
It has become a family beach, but it is accessible only by boat or by hiking through a guided trail. This trail is one of many provided by the authorities.
The waters are calm and shallow in Salomon Beach and the coral reefs are spectacular. This is a great place for beginning snorkelers. The reefs between Salomon Beach and Honeymoon Bay are unique.

Villas or Resorts
You will find in St John accommodation for any budget and two luxury resorts. You can find here a large variety of restaurants offering Continental and Caribbean Cuisine and many bars offering entertainment featuring the best musicians attracted to St John.
There are million dollar villas that are available for rent through local agents. These villas offer all amenities expected by those looking for a deluxe vacation including concierge and maid services.
A visit to St John in the American Virgin Islands is an unforgettable experience. You'll be happy you came.

Best Beach Vacation Package For Your Family

You and your family want to head some place where your kids can have a lot of fun especially as summer approaches. But of course, you, as parents, should have fun too. So how can you mix both child and adult enjoyment all in one place? The answer is? Head to a beach resort.
There are adults who seem to enjoy the beach because of the facilities that are in the resort, even though children mostly enjoy the beach. You need to choose a beach vacation package that is not only pleasurable for the kids but for adults as well. The list below will help you find a good place for the whole family to enjoy.
Discounted Prices
Since you are going out as a group, you need to avail of an all inclusive vacation package where you can save more. At discounted prices, these beach vacation package deals are sold anywhere and at anytime during the year. To get the cheapest prices, you need to book far in advance or at the very last minute. Before everyone else books the best deals, you need to make the reservations first and pay in advance to get the package discount that you want to purchase. By doing so, you will not only save on your money but you will get the kind of accommodation that you and your family will surely benefit from. Waiting until the last minute will net you deep discounts also, but you have to be able to go with very short notice.

The Facilities Available
You need a beach vacation package that offers no limitations to its facilities, for the adults to enjoy. For example, you should choose a place that offers more amenities such as golf courses, casinos and other nightlife. Your kids can enjoy the beach and the pool while you enjoy playing during the afternoons or at night, if they have these types of facilities at their resort. Compared to traveling to places where there are few activities that you love to do, a beach vacation package that offers complete amenities will make your trip a lot more enjoyable.

Tips On How You Can Spot The Beach Vacation Package
Beach vacation package deals are easy to find. Some can be bought during your summer leave while others can be purchased as early as December. If you book ahead of time you'll get to save a lot more. Most of the discounted rates are offered months before the set time of departure.
You can also choose from among a wide selection of beach vacation package deals if you browse the internet. They have tours that are limited not only to your area but in other parts of the country as well. When you talk of beach vacation package deals the possibilities are almost endless. The only key to getting the best beach vacation package that you and your family dream of having is searching and booking ahead of time.
Looking for the perfect beach vacation? 

The Best Beaches in Spain

We all want something different from a beach. Whether you prefer facilities, peace, privacy or entertainment here are a few Spanish beaches which come highly recommended.
.... to go with children
Look for beaches with fine sand, without stones or pebbles and with wooden walkways to the shore because these are easier to walk on. The best beaches for children are those which have shallow water and only very small waves. In addition, access should be easy and comfortable for buggies and it should have good facilities: foot washers, showers, easily visible danger signs, assistance points, play areas and shady places. If children are small, it is important to check out nearby toilet and changing facilities. To keep them amused, choose beaches with activity centres and supervised courses for windsurfing, swimming or fishing.

La Costilla y El Rompidillo on the Costa Ballena (Cádiz)

Situated between Rota and Chipiona, there are seven kilometres of fine sandy beaches, which are not dangerous and which have all sorts of facilities. The children can be kept amused for hours watching the corrals, small stone walls in the sea where fish, shrimps and crayfish are trapped at low tide.
....in the city
Do you prefer not to lose sight of civilization while you swim? Then city beaches are for you. The best thing is that you don't have to go far to find them - they are separated from the shops and offices by a promenade, from which you can access the sand by means of ramps and steps.

La Concha in San Sebastián (Guipúzcoa).

Queen María Cristina elevated it to the status of "the" place to spend summer, at the end of the nineteenth century and, from that time, it has kept its charm. Framed by its two mountains, Igueldo and Urgull, the beautiful beach is bordered by superb decorative walkway. In the centre of the bay is Stanta Clara Island and lighthouse, which can be reached by ferry in the summer.
....for nudists
If when it gets hot, you find clothes are too much, you'll surely enjoy naturism, which consists, among other things, of living the beach experience in your birthday suit or "how your mother brought you into the world" as the Spanish put it. Well, you can wear a thong if you want. In Spain there are several hundred beaches with a nudist tradition which goes back to the 1960s, the majority with difficult access and unspoilt scenery. As well, there are those which must live with the "textiles" (as naturists call those who don't go nude) in separate zones, including certain remote caves in which there is a natural mixture of bathing costumes and exposed skin. You can also find areas of coast specifically for nudism; authentic naturist centres, equipped with all types of set up (hotels, supermarkets, swimming pools) for those who go around completely naked.
Cala Fonda, in Altafulla (Tarragona).
Also known as Waikiki Beach, it is situated in the middle of a leafy pine grove and sheltered by a vertical cliff which makes access difficult. Precisely because of the complications of getting here (it is necessary to walk more than a kilometre through woods), it has become a complete nudist paradise. There are more than 200 metres of fine sand with clear water and absolutely nothing else.
...for friends of the wild and the natural
The more difficult the paths are to negotiate, the more possibilities you have to have the beach to yourself. These coastal spots well deserve a hike of several hours, but to be remote from civilization as well implies a total absence of infrastructure, so don't forget to carry a good supply of water with you and whatever you need to give you some shade. The locals know the best places and how to get to them, so use your charm to get the information from them.

Los Genoveses, in San José (Almería).

Positioned in the heart of the Parque Natural del Cabo de Gata, you get there by a small earth road, sign posted from the town of San José. The small bay of Los Genoveses (so called because in its day, it was an anchorage for pirate ships) opens up to the left of the road and has an improvised parking area. It is a beach of dunes, surrounded by vegetation.

By Michael Russell