Family Beach Vacations

Here are 11 of the best destinations with kids to consider for your family’s next beach vacation:

Maui, Hawaii

The beaches here appeal to families in a variety of ways. Some have calmer waters where you can snorkel without fear of large breaks. Others, like Baldwin Beach, have larger waves to please surfers and boogie boarders. You can even spot humpback whales from the shore during certain seasons.

Turks & Caicos

The development of several marquee luxury beach resorts on Turks & Caicos means families are discovering the incredible appeal of this Caribbean island: its stunning azure-blue water. Fortunately these resorts keep families top of mind, so there are plenty of activities onsite besides staring at the amazing views.

Coronado Beach, California

San Diego has long been a winner on the family vacation scene, with its theme parks, zoos and museums. But it also works as a beach getaway, and Coronado Beach is the most spectacular stretch of sand in the area. In winter, the holiday decorations and activities are robust, meaning this destination works across seasons.

Crete, Greece

This island is the solution to the quintessential Greece dilemma: Families don’t want to travel all that way only to sit on a beach and miss out on the incredible history and culture. But Greece’s spectacular beaches are why people come in the first place. In Crete, you can easily experience both.

Kiawah Island, South Carolina

This gentle, sloping beach means the water is quite shallow for hundreds of yards, making it ideal for parents of young children worried about safety. Older children will enjoy sea kayaking and other watersports. Charleston is just quick drive away, giving city lovers an option to consider for a day trip.

Phuket, Thailand

One of the premier beach destinations in southeast Asia, Phuket offers a nice selection of family-friendly beach resorts to choose from. We love that you can mix in cultural experiences in Phuket, too, like traditional long-tail boat rides.

Big Island, Hawaii

Some of the most spectacular sandy beaches on the planet are found on this iconic island. The surf here is great for older kids, enabling boogie boarding and surfing. And like nearly all locations in Hawaii, the beaches are public, meaning you can seek out new spots each day of the trip.

Forte dei Marmi, Italy

It can be tricky to find sandy beaches in Europe, where rocky coastline and pebbled shores are more common, particularly in Italy. But Forte dei Marmi is a longtime Ciao Bambino favorite for its sand, gentle waters and beach clubs that provide a high level of service. When deciding what to pack, don’t forget an empty suitcase so you can hit some of the designer shops that line the promenade.

Sanibel Island, Florida

This barrier island on Florida’s Gulf Coast is notable not just for its upscale atmosphere, but also for its extensive variety of shells that make beachcombing entertaining for kids. The dozens of miles of bike paths make transportation around the island part of the fun, too.

Algarve, Portugal

Spain and France might be more popular European beach destinations, but many families in the know prefer southern Portugal. Prices are a bit lower and more importantly, crowds are smaller here, especially in the summer high season. Kid-friendly resorts in this region were built exclusively with families in mind, not as an afterthought.

Bondi Beach, Australia

One of our pro travel tips is to start your Australian vacation enjoying a few days at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The fresh air will help you kick the jet lag and give everyone some rejuvenating downtime after that long flight to build up their energy for the adventures ahead.

For most families, their biggest priority on vacation is to reconnect with each other, away from all of life’s distractions. There’s no better place to focus on the ones you love most and make memories than the beach, where the waves truly wash your worries away.