Beach

Sometimes a beach has to be visited simply because it is strange. With sand the color of money, or algae, frogs, leaves, lettuce, lima, with sand that is green Papakolea Beach is just one such beach.

Located near Ka Lae (South Point) on the island of Hawaii, this secluded beach gets its dusky emerald-colored sand from the presence of a green, semi-precious stone named olivine (called peridot when the stone is of gem-quality). The cliffs above the beach contain this stone, and with the continual erosion of the cliffs by the waves of the ocean miniscule extracts of olivine are deposited onto the sand. 

Of course green sand does not come easily. Visitors must hike a rugged 2-mile dusty trail of ruts and trips down a giant bowl-shaped cinder cone.  The hike is so ragged that visitors might be tempted to question if it is worth it, but bear in mind: Papakolea is one of only two green beaches in the United States, the other located on Guam.

Please note: There are no facilities at the beach and little shade. Swimming is not recommended as the water is treacherous and there is no lifeguard on duty.

Photo credits in order of appearance: M + J’s Adventures, Weathermandale, both photostream’s via Flickr.

Quite simply, Palm Island is paradise. Creamy white sand beaches that descend gently into the ocean. Water so clear you can see ripples on the sand bottom in ten feet of water. Billowy clouds drifting over seas that transition from turquoise to sea-green to ultramarine as depth increases.

Nearly deserted, the northernmost beach looks toward Stump Pass and Manasota Key

But Palm Island is a misnomer. The beach is actually on Knight Island, which along with Don Pedro Island and Little Gasparilla Island, are part of an extensive chain of barrier islands extending along the Gulf Coast of Florida. The three islands used to be separated by inlets but storms and shifting sands caused them to fill in, creating a single landmass. In the mid-1980’s a Read More »

Laguna Beach downtown

I adore Laguna Beach. A San Diego native, I used to make the 1.25 hour drive a couple of times a year to visit a friend from college whose family owned a house on a private beach. The entire back of the house was floor to ceiling windows that looked directly onto the ocean – absolutely stunning.

Laguna Beach itself is a smallish, charming beach town with lots of little art galleries, cafes, restaurants, boutique shops an and bars. And even though many of the people you’ll be eating or walking next to have more money than I’ll probably ever know, it never feels that way. The town has a laid-back, friendly vibe.

I had heard about the Laguna Riviera Beach Resort, but I never had a reason or the opportunity to do a quick vacation there. A friend of mine just returned and said it was lovely. She highly recommended the heated outdoor salt pool and the saltwater jacuzzi (it’s starting to get chilly in Laguna Beach!). I’m not a huge fan of salt water outside of the ocean, but who am I to complain?

There is free breakfast here! And you can grill your own food at barbecues that overlook the ocean, which sounds so relaxing. The sounds of crashing waves and the smell of barbecue…happy sigh.

The feel of the resort is supposed to have a French Riviera/Mediterranean vibe, which somehow seems to fit in perfectly with Laguna Beach. Understated, relaxing class. I would definitely splurge for an ocean-view room – what’s the point of spending money on a hotel room on a beach if you can only see the water when you leave your room? I also love this resort’s proximity to downtown Laguna Beach.

Laguna Riviera, I will hopefully see you soon…

My only complaint? The creepy reservations lady on the website’s homepage. Her eyes follow around your mouse…very odd.

Gorgeous Laguna Beach, California

Photos: jcarbaugh (for both photos)

Saint Simons Island in Georgia

About 65 miles south of Savannah, Georgia sits St. Simons Island, a beautiful place that’s ideal for families and couples alike. And on this island you can find the gorgeous King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort. Book a room here and you’ll be right on the beach, and it’s worth it to pay a little more for rooms with an unobstructed view of the ocean. Yes, you may not be spending a whole lot of time in your room, but wouldn’t it be lovely to take the sea back with you to the room every night? I find that there’s nothing as relaxing as being lulled to sleep by the sound of waves crashing on the beach…

The King and Price is quite luxurious. You can swim in their five pools, one of which is heated and indoors. Feeling sporty? Go play some tennis on the Har-tru (gray clay) tennis courts, they’re easy on the knees! Golfers will adore the newly restored golf course – be sure to book golf packages with your room to save some money.

The King and Prince offers the only restaurants on the island which offer ocean front dining, and there are multiple restaurants to choose from. Don’t forget the lovely Friday Night Seafood Buffet!

The resort’s location directly on the beach makes it very convenient to spend entire days enjoying the sun and surf. But, there are so many other activities to explore on the island as well, both on land and in water. After a long, hard day of playing and relaxing, head over to the Royal Treatment Cottage for a massage. Not a bad way to end the day.

Be sure you have a car to explore the surrounding island – there is no shuttle to take you downtown, which is about one mile away. But then again, you could spend an entire relaxing week at the resort and never get bored – assuming you love the beach!

Photos: Adam_D

I’m not a mom, but I have friends who are. This post is dedicated to their tried and true advice on beachwear and sun care for children. Below you’ll find information and tips on swimwear, beach footwear and sun protection, from one mom to another.

Swimwear:

Children grow really fast so swimwear tends to last for one season and can take a toll on the wallet. For colorful and affordable options for growing infants, toddlers, and big kids, Megan R. suggests LL Bean and Lands End, and Laura J. is a fan of Target. Look for swimwear made with UPF50 fabric to supplement sunscreen lotions. For your diaper-wearing kid, make sure to buy a large enough size to fit in a swim diaper. Or, if you’re potty training, tankinis make it a lot easier for your little girl.

Lands End has cute options for swim diaper covers and tankinis, both made with UPF50 fabric

You also might want to consider rash guards which help to prevent sunburned shoulders and backs. LL Bean has some on sale for under $10 right now.

LL Bean's rash guards for girls (l) and boys (r).

If you prefer a more individual and couture style for your bub, Katie B. recommends Kate Mack and Big Fish. I’m a sucker for Paul Frank, and had to include these cute little swim trunks!

Couture swimsuits for children. Photo Illustration by Tara Kocourek

A consistent theme I’ve heard from moms is that they’re uncomfortable with the idea of putting their daughters in “grown up” designs like string bikinis or leopard print fabric. They steer clear of these age-inappropriate togs.

Feet are also important to protect especially if your kid is hopping between the beach and playground. Megan R. recommends the Keen brand as they have great support and conveniently double as water shoes.

Keen's Venice H2 shoe is water resistant, perfect for beach to playground wear

There are a ton of off-season sales right now, so start perusing for next summer!

Skincare:

Turn to aerosol sunscreen to quickly spray their bodies down and then use sunscreen sticks for the face and tops of ears. Megan R. says “most of my mom friends do the same – it is the easiest as [kids] are pretty wiggly and ready to go play when you get by water.” Try Baby Aveeno sunblock lotion, Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Baby Sunblock Stick SPF 60+, and Neutrogena Waterguard Kids Sunblock Mist Spray SPF 70+.

Try these sun care products specifically designed for babies, toddlers, and kids.

Other things you should bring to the beach:

Megan R. says “bring extra wipes  to clean hands before a beach snack or lunch and always pack an extra plastic bag in case of any unforeseen yuckies!”  Umbrellas are also a must-have for additional shade.

Today is the first truly wintery day in San Francisco, although to be fair it’s not even winter yet. Still, a strong storm blew in last night; this morning I woke up to blustery winds and a downpour. And so I sit here wearing a parka as I type, cup of tea at my side, ready to write about beaches. Oh, not the bright hot skin of tropical paradise, but the cozy warm bundle of the 3 best winter beaches.

1. Petroglyph Beach: In Southeast Alaska in a town called Wrangell there is a beach littered with stones that have been carved with ancient artwork. Scattered among the rocks at Petroglyph Beach are three dozen or more large stones bearing designs and pictures chiseled by unknown artists, although most attribute the carvings to the Native American Tsimshian or the Tlingit. You can access the beach via a boardwalk where you’ll find plaques describing the site along with carved replicas of the petroglyphs for visitors to make rubbings.

Estimates place the petrogyphs at roughly 10,000 years old.

2. North Beach, Point Reyes: Okay, I am biased as this is a definite favorite beach of mine. But honestly, if you’re somehow lucky enough to catch North Beach on a sunny day you should buy a Lotto ticket. If not, well, you’re pretty darned lucky even when it’s foggy and cold. There is something incredibly massive about North Beach, stately, dramatic. This is not a beach that needs palm trees or even sun to be spectacular.

Surfers in the fog.

3. Nobska Beach, Cape Cod: The quintessential wintery beach with a New England lighthouse to boot. Something about this photo makes me yearn for a long walk (and then a hot cup of tea), so it’s a good thing that the grounds of this historical place is open to the public every day.

Nobska Lighthouse with snow.

My lights are flickering: once, then twice. Outside the storm is blowing and I am pretty sure my electricity is about to go out. So I will end with this: beaches are not just for the bikini-ed of heart. They are for sweaters and mittens, wind-chapped faces and brrrr, as beautiful in winter as any time of the year.

Photo credits in order of appearance: Nothip via Flickr, author’s own, Muffinman71xx via Flickr.

It is October and that means Halloween!! What better way to scare yourself silly than by going to a spooky beach. This month I will be sharing some ghost stories, beach side ghost stories of course!

Pelabuhanratu, Java, Indonesia - Courtesy of indonesiafortraveler.com

When I used to live in Jakarta, Indonesia, we would go to Palabuhanratu for weekend beach trips. In fact, a lot of people from Jakarta did the exact same thing. The first time I went, I was explicitly told to not wear green while on the beach or else Princess of the South Sea (Nyai Loro Kidul) would take you with her to her watery grave.

Legend has it that the princess threw herself into the sea from the top of Kawang Haru Cliff in order to preserve her beauty. The Nyai Loro Kidul story is well known to all that live near this Javanese beach especially since the waters here have claimed many lives, both local and tourist, over the years. When the former president of Indonesia, President Sukarno, planned to build the Samudra Beach Hotel, it is rumored that he was advised to leave one room of this hotel, room number 308, vacant for the Nyai Loro Kidul. He was told so during prayer.

The Nyai Loro Kidul - Image courtesy of Javakini.wordpress.com

The Nyai Loro Kidul was the daughter of the West Javanese King Prabu Silwangi and beautiful wife Princess Kadita. Apparently the king’s other wives were jealous of Kadita and the princess even using black magic to curse the mother and daughter which transformed them from beautiful to hideous. Even worse, the curse lingered around them in the form of a wretched stench so bad that the king banished the two. Kadita died soon after and the princess then threw herself into the ocean hoping to end her misery.

Fate had other plans and instead of dying, the princess turned into a sea goddess. On occasion she will take the life of a local fisherman and more often than not…a swimmer wearing her favorite color; green.

A Shrine to the Goddess of the Sea - Courtesy of Globalsapiens.net

Sebastien Tobler

Colliding Continents

Now that bikini season in the continental USA has drawn to a close, let’s take a minute to assess the do’s and don’ts of beachwear, and what better way to do this than study celebrities? You’ve likely read tips on how to suit up for your figure and this posting is a visual exercise on how to incorporate those tips into your beach fashion wardrobe.

If a style works on you, stick with it.

Kim Kardashian has an insanely curvy body and she turns to her tried and true string bikini to show it off. The adjustable straps on the triangle top are great for a heavier bust, and in general is the trusty go-to as it’s a style that works on most figures. Just make sure you get the right cup size. The string bottoms are simple, flattering, and also adjustable.  The bows on the hip are a nice little detail that magically, covers and flatters curvy hips as well as give shape to smaller hips.

Kim Kardashian sticks with a style that works. By Flickr user Mangowala

Basic black.

This bikini works really well on Kristin Cavallari, and not just because she has a great figure. Black, though basic, is chic and unfussy. The top is flattering and the ruching in the middle is a great way to emphasize a small bust. The bottoms are nicely proportioned; not too much fabric to overwhelm her hips, and the low rise lengthens the torso.  The combination of the halter strap to draw attention to the shoulders with the metallic detail on the hip gives her a nicely balanced and flattering hourglass silhouette.

Kristin Cavallari in basic black. By Flickr user tjr1000

Not feeling it? Cover up.

And, finally, if you’re just not feeling it or got a little too much sun, cover up with a gauzy, loose top. A patterned shirt will hide any wrinkles from wringing out excess water.

My husband is a surfer, the beach is his church. And so when our daughter first showed signs that she did not like the beach it was as if we had born a heathen, something ungodly if your god just so happens to be found in salt water. We tried–oh, we tried, taking her to Northern California beaches in the winter when it was cold, in the summer when it was colder, in the fall when the days were fogless, warm and perfect. But when we tried to put her on the beach she would curl her body up like a salamander with salt: she simply would not touch the sand. And don’t even get me started on the water. The water! Salt spray seemingly laden with acid. Somehow we had a daughter that hated the beach.

And so it was with absolute surprise and something of a relief when we all went to Del Mar a few weeks ago. We went to the beach expecting the same old same old, our daughter acting as if she would fall a hundred thousand feet should she step foot off the beach blanket. Imagine our surprise when she tested the sugary sand with one toe, then a foot. Soon she was elbow deep in sand fine and warm, playing with a strange boy’s sand toys (another subject for another day: strange beach boys).

Del Mar.

But the fun did not stop there. There was also water. Bubbley toes running laughing from the tide, waist deep in ocean. And while the look on my daughter’s face was priceless, it was really the look on my husband’s face that was the best of all: the look of a man falling in love with the beach all over again.

Not a bad place to learn to love it.

A white yawning beach stretches the entire length of the tony town of Del Mar. For those with kids, I recommend the area right out in front of 22nd street, though truth be told the entire coastline is perfect. Here there are lifeguard towers, surf classes, surfers, paddle boarders and pretty much any kind of beach sport found under a bright California sky, Hasselhoff not included. The water is bathwater warm and the sandy bottom spills out beneath the waves for what seems like forever when one is three years old.

Photo credits in order of appearance: kstarnes on Flickr, cranberry sky on Flickr.

Koh Tapu by René Ehrhardt

Nestled in the Andaman Sea is Phang Nga Bay, famous for its limestone outcroppings jutting out of the greenish blue water and introduced to many by the James Bond movie, Man with the Golden Gun. Some of these limestone structures reach 1,000 feet and are covered by dense vegetation making them even more spectacular. Each of these little islands are named after shapes  which they resemble such as Little Dog Island or Koh Ma Chu. The most popular and iconic image of the little limestone islands is Koh Tapu, meaning Nail Island. It is only 200 meters from the white sands of Phang Nga Bay and stands at 20 meters tall.

I distinctly remember approaching Phang Nga Bay by longtail boat from Krabi on a clear day many years ago. The breathtaking site rising in the distance was awe inspiring to say the least and reminded me of the Philippine islands or the much larger limestone hills in Guilin, China on the River Li. It was a very dramatic scene with a mystical feel to it.

I have to admit though that spending more than a few hours on Phang Nga Bay is more than enough time to get some great shots and some beach time. Apart from that, the number of tourists visiting this site is far more than a healthy does (in my opinion). Despite this fact it should still be on everyone’s list of ‘must-see-beautiful-places.’

Phang Nga Bay is part of the Ao Phang Nga National Park and the Thai government has done a decent job of preserving the site. Although, mass tourism and nature have never seen eye to eye and with more and more people coming into Thailand to see such amazing sites the challenge of preserving Phang Nga Bay, much like many sites around the world, continues to get even more challenging.

Sebastien Tobler

Colliding Continents