Beach

by Barbara Ann Weibel at Hole In The Donut Travels

The fact that the beach at Harry Harris Beach is man-made makes it no less attractive than other Florida Keys beaches. In fact, the coral rock barrier that surrounds beach protects it from wave action and large fish. With its protected lagoon, wide expanse of white sand, half-moon sweep of stately palms, covered picnic tables, BBQ grills, showers, and bath house, this Tavernier beach approaches perfection. And that is no small compliment in the Keys, where beaches are few in number and marginal in quality.

A rock jetty creates this placid man-made lagoon in Harry Harris County Park

But that’s not all! This pleasant County facility also has playground equipment, basketball courts, a softball field, volleyball net, a bike path, and even an in-line skating park for sports enthusiasts, while boaters will find an excellent boat ramp that provides access to both Key Largo and Islamorada.

Palms, pavilions, and picnic facilities dot the sand beach

To reach Harry Harris County Park turn east on Burton Drive at the 92.5 mile marker on the Overseas Highway and follow it to the end. The park is open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset.

On Saturday, Sunday, and Federal Holidays, an entrance fee of $5 per person is charged for non-residents over the age of 16.

Photos courtesy of Barbara Weibel

by Barbara Ann Weibel at Hole In The Donut Travels

Sombrero Beach in Marathon, Florida, may be the quintessential example of a multi-use beach. Am I talking swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, picnicking, volleyball, barbecuing, and climbing on playground playground equipment? Well, all those things can be done at this beach, but that’s not what I was referring to.

Sombrero is a multi-use beach because humans are not the only ones that use it. Between April and October each year, Loggerhead turtles crawl up onto the beach at night to lay their eggs in the sand. During these months, city workers remove tables and park benches from the beach, nesting areas are roped off, and local officials and volunteers patrol the beach at least once a day to ensure nests are not disturbed. The rest of the year belongs entirely to humans and their canine friends, who are welcome as long as they are leashed (the dogs, not the humans).

With soft white sand, gentle waters, and no crowds, Sombrero Beach is a favorite with locals and visitors

Sombrero Beach is popular with vacationers and locals alike for a number of reasons. First, it is located about two miles down a residential street leading to the Atlantic Ocean side of Marathon, away from the main highway and traffic noise. On the west-facing portion of the beach, a wide ribbon of soft white sand fronts emerald waters that stay shallow for some distance before dropping off to deeper water, inviting use by both swimmers and families with toddlers. A rocky shelf along the left side of the beach attracts sea urchins, sponges, and tropical, making it an ideal snorkeling spot.

The south-facing portion of Sombrero Beach is perfect for romantic walks or viewing spectacular sunsets

At the southernmost point the beach takes a right turn. Graceful coconut palms line this part of the beach; the tips of their giant fronds drape the sand, providing welcome shade in the intense sunshine. A pier juts into the water beyond black boulders that line the shore, providing a perfect place to watch the setting sun.

Other facilities include picnic pavilions and tables, volleyball courts, barbecue pits, showers, changing areas, restrooms, and ample parking. An adjacent park has playground equipment for the kids. There is no fee to use the park or beach, and hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to sunset. Sombrero Beach is located at mile marker 50 in the Florida Keys, in the city of Marathon.

Photos courtesy of Barbara Weibel

by Barbara Ann Weibel at Hole In The Donut

In 2005, Hurricane Wilma roared through the Florida Keys, decimating Smathers Beach, as well as the promenade and street behind the beach. The damage has long since been repaired and the beach, which was rumored to have been replenished with sand brought in from the Bahamas, is better than ever. Thick stands of palms back the narrow ribbon of white sand, providing ample shade for the picnic tables and sunbathers. In fact, the only thing keeping Smathers from being a perfect beach is the seaweed that washes up on its shores, which can occasionally generate a slightly fishy odor.

Coconut palms line the beach, providing shade for picnickers and sunbathers

Smathers, the largest (longest, not widest) beach in Key West, runs for nearly two miles along the island’s southern shore and offers a variety of activities. Volleyball nets are set up year round and a dedicated swim zone for snorkelers is located just offshore. Additionally, this is the best beach in Key West for water sports, as kayaks, Hobie cats, wave runners, windsurfers, and Sunfish sailboat rentals are available on-site, and operators can arrange for parasailing and banana boat rides. Perhaps the only water sport not available at Smathers is surfing; the Florida Keys are protected from big waves by an offshore reef.

View down Smathers from the rock jetty at the western end the beach

Smathers Beach is located on south Roosevelt Blvd., between Key West airport and Bertha Street.

Photos courtesy of Barbara Weibel

by Barbara Ann Weibel at Hole In The Donut

Most folks who head for the beach in Venice, Florida end up at the municipal beach access, right in the center of town. Since it is miles long with great facilities, few find it necessary to search further afield. Yet just minutes away, on the south side of the airport, is Caspersen Beach, the longest in Sarasota County. The majority of people who find their way to this part of Venice come to experience Sharky’s, a world-class seafood restaurant and bar that sits at the end of an 1,100 foot fishing pier. Content to join an impromptu game of beach volleyball, sip tropical drinks on the upper deck, or watch the sun dip below the horizon, visitors are blissfully unaware that just a half mile further down the road lies one of Florida’s least crowded and most natural beaches.

The further you walk, the more deserted the beach, especially in the heat of summer!

At low tide, visitors search among the tidal pools for shells and fossils

Two-thirds of Caspersen has been left in its natural state. In areas, large rocks jut from the sand, creating tide pools at low tide. In most places the sand is a light tan color, but in other areas the sand is nearly black. These dark sands hold a secret – they are the most likely repository of prehistoric shark teeth. Storms wash these sands into the ocean, freeing the fossils, which are then scooped up by mesh basket wielding beach-goers. For the best results, people work in pairs. One person wades into the water, scoops up a backet full of material from the ocean floor, jiggles the basket around in the water to rinse the sand away, and dumps the remaining material on the beach. The second person crouches over the booty, carefully sifting and searching for shark teeth.

One beach-goer proudly displays the day's booty: black shark teeth and white coral

I first visited Caspersen Beach five years ago, in the days when it was still secluded and fairly deserted. These days, the beach has been discovered, partially because it is the site for the town’s annual Sharks Tooth Festival. Scheduled for April 17-19, 2009, the event is a weekend of food, fossil hunting, arts & crafts, music, and fun for the whole family. And although not as secluded as it was when I first encountered it, Caspersen is still one of the least populated beaches on Florida’s Gulf Coast, especially in the dead of summer when all the tourists have fled. Another unique feature? The beach is very dark at night, and very quiet, which attracts egg-laying sea turtles and other wildlife. To experience a Florida beach that still looks like it did 500 years ago, be sure to make a short detour to Caspersen.

In addition to beaches, Venice is a treasure trove of activities and local attractions, and offers a full range of accommodations.

Photos courtesy of Barbara Weibel

by Barbara Ann Weibel of Hole In The Donut

Just north and west of Lisbon is Cascais, Portugal, long a playground for the rich and famous. Built on a slight hill, the streets leading down to the town square and beach are paved with chunks of white marble that have been laboriously hand-placed to create a relatively flat road surface. Over the years, thousands of cars and pedestrians have polished the marble to a high sheen that reflects the colors of the houses lining these narrow curvy streets, hugging each other like one big, happy family.

Huge purple, lavender and peach blooming Bougainvillas overhang fences and balconies and provide some little privacy between the structures. Everything is sun-splashed and the quality of the light here gives the impression of row after row of whitewashed houses with red tile roofs, although many are painted in a palette of pastel hues.

Cascais' Town Plaza overlooks Ribeira Beach

At the foot of town lies tiny Ribeira Beach, tucked between the main square and the Atlantic Ocean and lined on both sides by regal old mansions owned by the Portuguese aristocracy who have been coming to Cascais for summer vacations since its inception. More commonly known as pescaderos (fisherman’s) beach, Ribeira is not considered good for swimming, as it fronts the harbor that is still actively used by fishermen. It is, however, a wonderful place to lie in the sun and watch people.

The view from the town's working fisherman's pier shows the small size of Ribeira Beach

From the central square, walk southeast along the high rocky cliffs upon which multi-million dollar mansions perch to Rainha Beach, a minuscule pocket of sand snugged into a notch in the rocky cliffs that is just large enough for a dozen or so beach umbrellas.

Adorable little Rainha Beach is sheltered from the breeze and has crystal clear waters

The most popular of the three, Conceicao Beach attracts crowds of beach-goers each weekend and during the summer vacation months

Still further down the coastline is Conceicao Beach, a much wider strip of golden sand with an elevated boardwalk running the length of the beach. Conceicao is by far the most popular of Casacais’ beaches, as it provides restrooms, changing facilities, equipment rentals, and beach activities such as volleyball and parasailing. Numerous shops and restaurants line the boardwalk, making it the perfect place to spend a day lying in the sun, eating, and people watching.

Not only is Cascais home to some of Portugal’s best beaches, it is the perfect location for anyone seeking  days full of sun and nights full of entertainment. Just a few miles down the road the famous Estoril casino beckons, and Lisbon, which is an easy 30 minute train ride away, is home to world class museums, entertainment, and shopping.

Photos courtesy of Barbara Weibel

by Barbara Ann Weibel of Hole In The Donut

Grab a chaise lounge and prepare to relax in the shade or bake in the sun

If the packed public beaches of Jamaica are not your style, then Rose Hall Beach Club will give you a relatively secluded option. Billed as one of the top four beaches in Montego Bay, Rose Hall is located a bit off the beaten path but the amenities are worth the trouble to get to there. The white-sand beaches and crystal waters are as good as any on the island, and beach-goers have access to a restaurant, two bars, a covered pavilion, and a variety of rental equipment and activities. Whether you want to sunbathe, snorkel, sail a catamaran, wind surf, or join in a beach-volleyball match, Rose Hall ensures that the crowds won’t spoil your beach experience.

A short distance from the beach, the Cinnamon Hill Golf Course offers challenging play and spectacular scenery

Rose Hall is also located next to the exquisite Cinnamon Hill Golf Course, where rolling fairways parallel the Caribbean, offering challenging shots as well as stunning scenery. In the evening, the Rose Hall Resort lights giant bonfires on the beach and coordinates a variety of entertainment, including limbo competitions and treasure hunts. Rose Hall Beach Club is located on the northwest coast of Jamaica, 11 miles east of Montego Bay.

Photos courtesy of Barbara Weibel

by Barbara Ann Weibel of Hole In The Donut

If your idea of a perfect beach is a wide swath of powdery, brilliant white sand, then Siesta Key in Sarasota, Florida is the answer to your dreams. Experts the world over have long raved about this sand and the beach has the awards to prove it. At the “Great International White Sand Beach Challenge” held in 1987, Siesta Key was recognized as having the “whitest and finest sand in the world” and in 2004, the Travel Channel named Siesta Key “The Best Sand Beach in America.”

The powder-fine white quartz sands of Siesta Key are great for sand castles....

....or for burying friends under the sand

Unlike most other beaches where the sand is made up mostly of coral, Siesta’s sand is 99% quartz. Not only is it excellent for building sand castles or burying a friend under a mound of the sugar-fine stuff, Siesta Key’s sand reflects the sunlight rather than absorbing it, so it feels cool underfoot no matter how high the temperature soars.

Sand isn’t the only thing to rave about on Siesta Key beach. The water is shallow and the beach is manned by lifeguards year-round, making it one of the safest and most popular beaches in the area for families with small children. Lifeguards stands have been painted in bright, primary colors that visitors can use as landmarks, simplifying the task of finding cars at the end of the day or friends and family after strolling a mile or two down the beach.

The few feet of hard-packed sand at water's edge is popular with bikers, joggers, and walkers

Skimboarders take a breather to enjoy the sunset

Any time of the day, Siesta’s public beach is a popular place for a variety of activities. Whenever there are waves, surfers and body boarders flock to the water. Skimboarders, joggers, and bicyclers frequent the narrow strip of hard-pack sand at the water’s edge, while other beach-goers take advantage of the ten tennis courts, four volleyball courts, picnic areas, and shady playground amenities.

At day’s end, Siesta Village’s shops, restaurants, and active night life are just a couple of miles away, but stick around long enough to watch the sun go down, since Siesta Key is famous for its jaw-droppingly gorgeous sunsets.

Siesta Key is a barrier island located in Sarasota County, just off the mainland. It is accessed by bridges on the northern and southern ends of the island. Beach-going and outdoor activities are enjoyable nearly year-round in this part of Florida due to the area’s tropical climate.

Photos courtesy of Barbara Ann Weibel