Beach

I admit, writing for a beach blog, very few beaches take my breath away. Usually, as soon as I lay my eyes on a beach a sense of relief overcomes me and immediately a sense of reassurance, a sense that everything is, for that very moment [in my world], going to be all right. Then there is Playa Kenepa, on the western end of Curacao. Coming up on the beach I could not believe what I was seeing.

All the elements of ‘amazing’ were present: Cove – check, rocky outcroppings – check, soft sand – check, crystal clear azure waters – double check. In fact, it is so amazing that apparently another Caribbean island took a picture of Playa Kenepa and tried to market it as a piece of paradise found only on their island!

Playa Kenepa, Curacao

I was fortunate enough to see Playa Kenepa from three angles and each one was fantastic. First was from above. Walking towards the beach and seeing it reveal itself in between tree branches sent goose bumps up and down my neck and arms. It was as if I knew I had stumbled upon something special. The view from above was spectacular. Twenty-something feet above the water you could not see where the waves met the rock’s edge but you can definitely see the sandy floor and the coral rocks below. The view was overwhelming and I could not help myself, I needed to get down there FAST.

It was not until I broke the surface after my twenty-something foot plunge that I fully realized what I had just done. I remember thinking before leaping “Always aim for the darkest spot” and at the same time while in mid air “Where is the darkest spot?”

Once back on shore I looked out to the open ocean. My second view of Kenepa was perfectly framed by the two rocky cliffs that created the cove effect. I felt like I was in a TV ad, all I needed was a buzzing Blackberry to use as a skipping stone. There were people there, locals and tourists and some local proprietors selling snacks, beer and renting out beach chairs. A little touristy for my taste but the setting more than made up for it. I was fortunate enough be there on a weekday in the early afternoon, I would return to Kenepa later on in my trip only to find it swarming with people. The west side of Curacao is not as developed as the east where the majority of the population and tourists can be found so it is easily understandable that Kenepa was a hot weekend spot.

The most common mode of transportation to Kenepa would be by car but I wondered if there is a better way of getting to this place. I did – by boat.

From my studio overlooking Playa Grandi I noticed fishermen coming in and out regularly. Seeing as I was already on the west side of the island I wondered if I could convince one of the fishermen to swing around the coast and take me to Kenepa.

The boat ride was very relaxing and each time we came upon a beach it was like a surprise because they were all hidden way behind rock formations that were all made of dead coral. Needless to say, turning into Kenepa took my breath away, and once again I found myself in the water and this time waving good-bye to my friendly fisherman who just smiled, waved and shook his head.

By Sebastien Tobler

Colliding Continents

by Barbara Ann Weibel at Hole In The Donut Travels

At Anne’s Beach in Islamorada in the Florida Keys, it is possible to grab a patch of soft sand on the postage stamp beaches that jut from beneath the mangroves and loll the day away. However, its real beauty can only be experienced upon entering the water. Tidal flats stretch for nearly half a mile beyond the tiny scalloped beaches, covered by just inches of water. The major activity here is not sunbathing, sunning, or boating; people come here to wade.

One visitor exercises by striding through the shallow tidal flats for miles

I stepped into this giant bathtub (because of the shallow depth, the water temperature is always extremely warm) and sank into sand so soft it felt like mud or silt squishing through my toes. Some visitors turned their dogs loose to romp in the water. Others beach-goers strode purposely through the shallows, aiming for a workout. I wandered aimlessly, head down, peering beneath the water to discover its mysteries.

A quarter mile from shore, the water is not even calf high

At first glance, this shallow bay seemed devoid of underwater activity. But looking more closely I realized that life was everywhere. Transparent minnows darted back and forth between the sparkling ripples in the turquoise water. Where sea grass covered the bottom, soft shell crabs scampered sideways, then suddenly stopped and disappeared, perfectly camouflaged by the surrounding sand. Hermit crabs tentatively ventured out of their borrowed homes and clawed their way across the bottom. When I touched their shell or disturbed the water they instantly ducked back inside and sank to the bottom, becoming just another discarded snail shell.

Look closely - the bottom is covered with critters like this hermit crab

In addition to two small parking areas (one with restrooms) connected by a boardwalk, several little covered decks have been built beneath the trees lining the boardwalk; these are perfect for picnics and most have steps leading down to the beach. Anne’s Beach is not for everyday sunning and swimming, but it is an intriguing beach that every visitor to the Keys should experience at least once.

Located at mile marker 73, just off the Overseas Highway on Lower Matecumbe Key in the town of Islamorada, Anne’s Beach is open each day from sunrise to sunset.

Photos courtesy of Barbara Weibel

by Barbara Ann Weibel at Hole In The Donut

It’s almost impossible to single out one specific beach as the “world’s best.” The idea of best is so subjective. Does it have the softest, whitest sand? The best shell collecting? The clearest turquoise water? Some people prefer a beach where they can walk for miles without seeing a soul. Others want to be in the center of it all – hotels, restaurants, and a hopping nightlife. Surfers want waves and families want calm water with a gently sloping bottom. What one person considers world class might be completely unacceptable to another.

Peaceful, exquisite Ton Sai Bay on Phi Phi Don, Thailand

But…if I had to make a choice….the island of Phi Phi Don in Thailand would be at the top of my list.

Most who visit Phi Phi Don arrive on the ferry that pulls into the harbor in Ton Sai Village. The town is built on a narrow isthmus, bordered on one side by the crescent shaped Ton Sai Bay and on the other by the twin crescent of Loh Dalam Bay. This is where the action happens – restauranteurs hawk their fresh catch, reggae-country-folk-rap music blares from open-air bars, and fire twirlers perform nightly. It’s fun and a feast for the eyes, but unless you’re a die-hard partier, choose a hotel that’s well away from the nightly revelry. Fortunately, that’s easy. Most of the hotels and resorts are located on the beaches, far enough from town to be quiet but within walking distance of the nightly spectacle.

From the mountaintop viewpoint, the fragility of the isthmus is apparent

To get a real birds-eye view of Phi Phi Don’s two exquisite crescent bays climb the 322 steps to the “viewpoint.” The concrete stairway initially ascends between cinder block houses but eventually emerges into jungle, complete with multi-colored tropical birds flashing in the trees and a riot of blooming flowers. Only from the top can you appreciate the fragility of the narrow strip of land that separates the two bays. When you consider that the Tsunami of 2004 roared through here, completely inundating the isthmus, it is almost inconceivable that it even still exists.

Long tail boats line the bay, waiting for cargo, human or otherwise

Spectacular birds-eye views aside, Phi Phi Don’s beaches are best enjoyed at ground level. The teal water of Ton Sai Bay Beach is so clear that you can see the bottom at a depth of 20 feet, and the sands are so soft you want to wriggle your toes in it and stay forever. Dozens of longtail boats anchor on the beach, ready to whisk you to a nearby snorkeling spot or one of the more remote northern beaches. And when you’ve had your fill of sun and sand, fill your belly instead at one of the many restaurants that line the beach.

Sunsets and smoothies are de rigueur at Loh Dalm Bay

Loh Dalam Bay offers a more authentic local experience, despite the fact that it is just a seven minute stroll through town to the other side of the isthmus. The water here is not as clear as at Ton Sai, but the sand is just as soft and Loh Dalam offers other advantages. Here you can rent a thatch-roofed shelter for the day, sip tropical smoothies from the beach bar, and watch fishermen pluck buckets of fish from their expertly cast nets. As the sun sets behind the mountains, painting the sky in surreal shades of pink and red, grab a table at one of many restaurants that occupy the patios and decks of local residents. Soon, you’ll be enjoying some of that fresh seafood!

To reach Phi Phi Don, catch a ferry from either Phuket or Krabi, both located on Thailand’s southern peninsula.

Photos courtesy of Barbara Weibel

There is really only one way to get a completely even tan and that is to take it all off on a nude beach and let the sun do the rest. Here are some of the best nude beaches in the United States in no particular order:

Black’s Beach, La Jolla, San Diego, CA

Surfing in Black's Beach

Black’s is famous for being the largest nude beach in North America. It is very popular with naturalists and surfers as well. The waves here get pretty big and so do the crowds. Black’s Beach is located north of La Jolla and south of Torrey Pines. Black’s Beach Bares is a volunteer organization which helps to ensure that Black’s remains clean, safe and fun.

San Gregorio, San Mateo, CA

San Gregorio Beach

The oldest nude beach in the US, San Gregorio beach is a privately owned beach with two miles of soft sand and cave cliffs. It is important to keep you location on the beach in mind. You may find yourself being cited by a state park officer if you stray south of the Hazardous Surf sign. The north end of the beach is popular with the gay community while the straight crowd migrate to the south end. The surf is rough here, therefore it is recommended that you do not swim in these waters unless you are a strong swimmer. For the latest on San Fransisco area nude beaches use the San Fransisco Bay Guardian Online as a resource.

Gunnison Beach, Sandy Hook, NJ

Gunnison Beach Nudity Warning

Gunnison Beach is the largest nude beach in the eastern United States. It is actually the only nude beach in the state of New Jersey. It the past, Gunnison Beach was a military installation set up in the 1800s to protect New York Harbor. The beach was where all the soldiers would go out to skinny dip and was opened to the public in 1972.

Mazo Beach, Mazomaine, WI

Nude beaches are not limited to either the west or east coasts, in fact they are not even limited to oceans! Mazo Beach in Wisconsin is located along the shores of the Wisconsin River between Mazomaine and Sauk City. The size of the beach depends on how high the water gets. It can be especially crowded in the summer months if the water is high with hundreds of people tanning. Nudity on this beach is a highly contested issue amongst some citizens in the area and bills have been introduced to the Wisconsin legislative branch aimed at banning nudity on the beach, none of which have been passed as of today.

Little Beach, Maui, HI

Secluded Little Beach

Known as Puu Olai Beach, this 1/8th of a mile long beach is separated from Big Beach by Puu Olai, an outcropping made of volcanic rock. This small beach was a favorite amongst traveling hippies during the 1960s and is now popular with naturalists from across the US. Visitors to Little Beach encountered opposition from local law enforcement, but a ruling in the 1980s by District Court Judge John Vail allowed for nudity on the beach since the beach itself is not easily accessible to the public. For more information take a look at the Friends of Little Beach site.

Please remember to check all the laws regarding nudity on beaches before pursuing that perfectly even natural tan. If being naked in public is a little too adventurous for you, try looking into nudist resorts. Here are a few examples in California and Hawaii.

By Sebastien Tobler of Colliding Continents