Going to the beach on a nice day is always a fun filled time, but some sandy destinations have more to offer than just swimming and sunbathing, if you know what to look for.
Play Ball
If diving in the sand to win the match sounds like your idea of a good time, beach volleyball might be your thing. We Love Volleyball has compiled a list of their top 5 beach volleyball destinations. They note that Copacabana Beach in Brazil is a must visit, explaining, “The locals enjoy the sport so much, the government decided to create beach volleyball facilities along Copacabana Beach. This beach is one of the world’s most striking and famous beaches that offers a mix of tradition and glamour. The stretch of white sand with the view of the statue of Christ the Redeemer should definitely be on your travel bucket list.”
Shelling
Picking up seashells by the seashore can be an inexpensive activity that is sure to be memorable. Alyssa Ochs at Trips To Discover wrote a list of the 12 best beaches to search the shoreline for shells. She notes that Sanibel Island, Florida is known as the shell capital of the world, explaining, “This is an excellent getaway destination because there’s moderate development on the island with restaurants and accommodations, but still plenty of nature and wildlife too.”
Parasailing and Jet skis
If you’re hoping to get your adrenaline pumping, you may enjoy some fast-paced activities like flying over the beach in a harness or skipping across the water in a vehicle for one. Viator shared a list of some of the best beaches to do both, with user reviews and prices.
Horses
You can watch from afar as feral horses roam the beaches in Maryland at Assateague Island National Seashore. According to the park’s website, “There are few places in the United States where you can view wild horses. Due to their complex social structure the Assateague horses display a wide range of unique behaviors. Take advantage of the opportunity to view these horses in a natural habitat.” If domesticated animals are more your speed, there are a number of beaches where you can ride horses into the water. Double D Trailers has compiled a list of the Top 9 U.S. Destinations for Beach Horseback Riding here.
Make a Night of It
Some beaches allow camping by the ocean, for a small fee. Andrea Romano at Travel and Leisure made a list of the best U.S. camping beaches, along with the prices you can expect to pay if you want to stake your tent in the sand. She explains, “the best part about all of these places is that not only can you enjoy s’mores by the fire at night, you can also soak in the summer sun by day. All of the campgrounds listed below allow people to get close to the water or even camp right by the surf. Some even have grounds that allow RVs and campers.”
Going to the beach is great, but you can make it even better by turning your trip into an adventure.