Myrtle Beach Romantic Vacations

If you’re in Myrtle Beach for a romantic getaway, it is possible to get away from the crowd and spend some memorable times together.

a. Sunset Cruise: There are dinner and sunset cruises that specialize in romantic tours.

Check out Rover Tours and Extreme Fisherman . Rover Tours sails from Georgetown while Extreme Fisherman’s Romantic Cruises will take you to the Waccamaw Black Water River. (Contact info at the bottom of this page)

b. Romantic Restaurants: Wining and dining in romantic restaurants is almost always a given during a romantic vacation. And Myrtle Beach will not disappoint you.

The Gulf Stream Café in Garden City’s South Waccamaw Drive sets just the perfect ambiance for romance. With the ocean on one side and the Murrell Inlet on the other, early dinners here can be very special. Make sure you arrive early just in time to see the sun set.

c. Walk on the beach: Always a romantic activity wherever you go. It’s not only romantic, it also costs nothing.

Myrtle Beach Vacations - 60 Miles Of Family Fun

Myrtle Beach, also known as the grand strand has over 60 miles of beautiful sandy beaches stretching form the border of North Carolina south to historic Georgetown. If outstanding accommodations, friendly people, and fun in the sun are part of your vacation plans, the Myrtle Beach area is your vacation destination.

The Myrtle Beach area, commonly called The Grand Strand, consists of 12 separate communities, each with its own appeal. What they all have in common is the diverse entertainment whether you and your family enjoy the fun of amusement parks, water parks, race tracks, live entertainment theaters, nightclub activities, golfing, surfcasting, deep sea fishing, parasailing, surfing, ocean kayaking, nature walks, shopping, swimming or just lazing your day away in the sun on clean wide beaches, you are sure to find plenty to do in Myrtle Beach.

Dining Imagine, after your day in the sun, having your choice of 1700 restaurants to choose from, imagine the regional ingredients used to create authentic local flavors. If seafood is your pleasure you've come to the right place, how do you choose from shrimp, oysters, clams, scallops, crab, flounder, mahi-mahi, tuna, grouper, red snapper or the "catch of the day?" You may prefer a thick juicy steak grilled to your satisfaction, or the taste of Italy, the Caribbean, Mexico, China, or Japan. Take the whole family to Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede or Medieval Times Tournament for dinner and a show. Enjoy Southern cuisine at the House of blues, or treat yourself to elegant dining at the Litchfield country Club. Whatever your dining pleasure you are sure to come away satisfied.

Grand Strand shopping 3 traditional malls, 5 factory-outlet centers, one, The Waccamaw Factory Shoppes on Rte 501 in Myrtle Beach is divided into 3 malls! Barefoot Landing and Broadway at the Beach specializes in 100's of unique shops and boutiques and includes flea markets, beachwear and souvenir shops as well as art galleries and interior design. The faint of heart should go fishing!

Grand Strand Communities

Little River, Located just south of the North Carolina border along the Intracoastal Waterway, has a pop. of 7000. Known for it's charter boat business and commercial fishing, Little River is a favorite for the seagoing at heart. You can watch the boats unload their catches or rent a charter boat to go deep sea fishing. In May, come and experience the Blue Crab Festival which features a variety of delicious blue crab creations, as well as, crafts, entertainment and educational exhibits.

North Myrtle Beach, less populated than Myrtle Beach, famous for Shag Dancing clubs, home of the Barefoot landing with over 100 unique shops, 14 factory direct stores, 15 waterfront restaurants, the House of Blues for hot food and cool music, the Alabama theater for spectacular variety shows, Alligator Adventure for those who prefer the wild side of life. Golf courses include the Eagle Nest which boasts the 3 toughest finishing holes on the Strand.

Myrtle Beach, the best known town along the grand strand has a population of 23,000 and is the most developed area along the Grand Strand. Family Attractions include the Family Kingdom Amusement park and Water park on the ocean front, Myrtle Beach State Park, Broadway at the Beach, Family Mini Golf, South Beach Adventure, Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park, Myrtle Waves Water Park, Carousel Park, Ripley's Believe It or Not, Haunted Adventure and Moving Theater, as well as Ripley's Aquarium. The main center for theaters, shopping, nightclubs, and restaurants, Myrtle Beach also offers popular beaches for sunbathing, surfing or parasailing.

Surfside Beach, Known as "the family beach," is located 4 miles south of Myrtle Beach, offers the proximity to Myrtle Beach's attractions without the hustle and bustle of crowds. Sunbathe, swim, hunt for shells, fish off the Surfside Pier and enjoy the quieter pace of Surfside Beach. Eat at one of the local restaurants, visit Hudson's Surfside Flea Market, or see a show at Legends in concert. Attractions include Adventure Falls miniature golf, Tupelo Bay Golf Center, Wild Water and Wheels Theme Park, 5 local parks, or go parasailing at Shoreline Watersports, and don't forget to sample one of the seven local nightspots.

Garden City Beach, 8 miles south of Myrtle Beach, ends on the peninsula of Murrel's Inlet, Garden City Beach offers peaceful, sandy beaches. Enjoy great swimming April through October. Fish off The Pier at Garden City, go crabbing, rent water sports equipment, or rent a fishing charter from the Marlin Quay Marina.

Murrells Inlet, has dozens of seafood restaurants. Visit Huntington State Park, while there, see a 30 room Moorish style castle, walk along the pristine beach looking for shells, hike a nature trail, have a picnic, or go bird watching. Sports minded? See Captain Dick's or Express Watersports for parasailing, Banana boat rides, kayaking, scuba diving, Jet skis, or deep sea fishing. Go to Unusual Tours for land and water tours, they say no two are alike. Dive Myrtle Beach's wide variety of live reefs at Mermaid Diving. Visit Brookgreen Gardens, view 500 sculptures amidst formal gardens, take a creek boat cruise or see the wildlife exhibit and learn how wildlife influenced 19th century plantation life.

Litchfield Beach offers beautiful, uncrowded sandy beaches made for swimming, sunbathing, or watching the sunrise. Enjoy a round of golf at the Litchfield country Club, Willbrook Plantation or River Club. Play tennis, racquet ball or take a charter on a fishing boat. Dine at the Calypso Beach Bar and Grill for a taste of the Caribbean.

By Mary Song

GOA - A Carnival of Beaches

The state of Goa on the West coast of India, is located in the coastal belt known as Konkan. While this tourist magnet has much to offer: old churches, carnival atmosphere, Portuguese flavour, wildlife, nature and tantalizing cuisine, yet, mention Goa and the first, often only, image that flashes in one's mind is of the BEACHES.

For the 105 km long Konkan belt has generously bestowed Goa with some of the best beaches in India: a wide eclectic range guaranteed to suit every taste and fulfill every fantasy. Goa offers both, popular hotspots swarming with tourists where every inch of territory is claimed and contested to virgin stretches practically untouched by 'development'.

For the beach aficionado traveling to Goa, it entails choosing between being in the midst of the action where ultra modern facilities such as luxury hotels, malls, night clubs, restaurants, spas and massage centers abound or courting the solitude of a rustic shack that opens out to wide empty sand and sea.

Goa's beaches are roughly divided into two groups based on their location: Those lying in North Goa and others situated in South Goa.

Goa's capital Panaji in the North and Margao, a major city in the South, are two central points from where most of Goa's beaches can be accessed.

As one goes up north from the beach at Calangute or down south from Colva, the traffic on the beaches starts thinning so that soon there remain just the golden sands and tranquil waters under the beneficent beam of a glorious sky - Goa's beaches at their purest, most unadulterated!
Check out some of these options:

Vagator and Chapora

About 22 kms from Panaji, situated in Bardez Taluka, the crescent shaped beach of Vagator and nearby Chapora are isolated havens in North Goa. Tourists come for the sheer beauty of the white sand and black lava rocks sparkling against a verdant rural landscape. The rural atmosphere untouched by the scepter of commercialization that often plagues good beaches, the nearby 500-year-old Portuguese fort of Chapora is another attraction here.

Anjuna

One of the more spectacular of Goa's beaches, this five-mile stretch, nestled between the sea and a hill has some interesting black rock formations jutting into the sea. Former haunt of the hippies, the beach is just right for lazing on the sands all day. Night-long parties spice up the atmosphere on Anjuna, which is also famous for its Wednesday flea market where you can pick up anything from paper backs to pottery. The Mascarhenas Mansion, a classic piece of old Goan architecture with woodwork and floral stained glass etchings makes for an interesting visit.

Calangute

Undeniably one of North Goa's most popular beaches, one can expect a crowd here! This Queen of Beaches, with nearby saltpans and coconut groves adding to its charms, was the original mecca for the European hippies who came to Goa in droves in the 60s and 70s. Today, Calangute offers all modern facilities including spas, massage parlours, shopping centers and internet cafés. While the golden sands here still retain their magic, the Church of St. Alex and the Kerkar Art Complex are added attractions.

Baga

Quiet in comparison to Calangute, this small beach is for those seeking the idyllic Goa of the yesteryears. Its scenic beauty is enhanced by the hill with the retreat house and the Baga River flowing alongside - the sea explodes in dramatic sprays where the river flows into it. Offering water sport opportunities, this beach is popular with the western tourists in Goa.

Sinquerim

One of the best beaches in Goa for water sports including water-skiing, para- sailing, diving and surfing, facilities for these activities are of international standard here. The uninterrupted sandy stretch north from here till Baga beach makes this an excellent beach for walking too.

Miramar

Lying adjacent to the Mandovi River as it empties out into the sea, Miramar was earlier known as the Gasper Dias Beach." One can enjoy an excellent view of Fort Aguada from the beach, which is studded with luxury hotels and the homes of Goa's rich and famous. Demphe college of Arts and Science and the memorial to Goa's first chief minister Dayanand Bandodkar also stand here.

Aguada

This beach is well known for the Fort Aguada Hotel built around a 17th century fort that goes by the same name. While the hotel grounds are off-limits for the general public, one can still walk around the beach. The fort, originally built to protect Old Goa from foreign attack, today houses Goa's Central Fort. Aguada beach is full of cafes, stalls, massage parlors and facilities for water sports.

Agonda

A three-kilometer long stretch of sand and palm with a hill to the south, this beach is one of those offering a sense of solitude quite rare in Goa. In fact, Agonda is just the place for an overnight beach camping adventure! Nearby is Cabo de Rama, where according to Goan legend, Lord Rama stayed with his wife Sita for 12 years.

MAJORDA

A 5 km stretch of sand, Majorda is where the Jesuits harvested the best toddy palms to leaven their bread. As a result, Majorda was home to the original Goan bakers skilled in the art of European baking, a skill possessed by bakers here even today. Much earlier, so Goan legend states, Lord Rama as a child was kidnapped and brought up here.

Bogmalo

With a huge 5 star hotel right at the edge of the sea, this beach is somewhat separated from both, the North and South Goan beach circuits. And the sea around has some intriguing islands. The beach is lined with eateries, each claiming to be Osibisa's chosen favourite!

Colva

Most beloved beach of the Goans, Colva in South Goa is plush with modern tourist amenities. Colva is also famous for the Church of Our Lady of Mercy with its famous statue of Menini Jesus.

Benaulim

A tranquil beach, legend describes it as the place where the legendary arrow of Parashuram's arrow fell, from which Goa was created. This is where you can see the famous handicrafts of Goa, including fine rosewood furniture. A good beach for those seeking solitude. The church of St. John the Baptist, as well as the Feast of St. John are synonymous with this beach.

Dona Paula

Made famous by the legend of Dona Paula de Menezes, the daughter of a viceroy of colonial Goa, who threw herself off the cliff rather than relinquish her love for a local fisherman, Gaspar Dias, this is also how this famous Goan beach got its name. Famous for its water sports facilities, this beach is also a popular location for movie shoots. The National Oceanography Institute, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and the Reis Magos Church are the main attractions around here.

VARCA, CAVELOSSIM, MOBOR

Beautiful beaches from South Goa, these also display a cleaner, quieter visage than some of the more famous and therefore over-commercialized. Shacks offering authentic Goan dishes line the beach, as also some exclusive luxury resorts. Tourists here can also avail of boat trips to watch dolphins.

Palolem

One of the southernmost of Goa's beaches, this stretch of white sand and blue water is becoming increasingly popular with tourists. The beach is lined with shacks selling food, clothes, trinkets and other Goa souvenirs.

By Roozbegh Gazdar

Carlisle Bay Antigua Vacation Spots

Carlisle Bay is quite a large Antigua Luxury resort and very stylish indeed. It has eighty superb suites, a full service spa, a large pool, and two restaurants.

There is a Children’s Club, and nine tennis courts plus a host of other facilities you would expect from a luxury hotel. It is a great place for a family vacation, and yet appeals to the top end of the market as well, and definitely suits wealthy travellers who like to stay at fashionable hotels. Carlisle Bay Hotel Antigua is definitely a place where you can relax in a magnificent tropical setting, once described as contemporary luxury on the beach.
The Carlisle Bay Hotel is on the southern coastline of Antigua, and is located in a broad bay with steep sides with a mangrove lagoon to one side and the turquoise blue sea on the other. When you arrive at the gates you notice that everything from the gravel to the windows and balconies is grey which contrasts quite beautifully wit the lush vegetation, grass, and the sea. It also contrasts with the staff who are dressed in lilac. There are two distinct locations for the bedrooms, and this helps make this Carlisle Bay Antigua Luxury resort such a good place for a family vacation, and yet still an excellent place to stay without children.
The Beach suites which are two bedroomed, and the Carlisle Suites which have three bedrooms line the beach on either side of the dining room and they are for families, whilst the one bedroomed Ocean Suites are set back somewhat by comparison. You’ll particularly enjoy the hugeness of the rooms, the bathroom and all the luxury extras a hotel of the quality of the Carlisle Bay should have but don’t have. There are two restaurants, and they are excellent.
Another sign of a Luxury hotel is the availability of sun loungers, and one of the great things here at Carlisle Bay is the fact that even when the hotel is full, you won’t have a problem either by the pool or on the beach. If you want to go snorkelling off the beach then go along to the rocks on the left of the bay. The probable reason for this is firstly the families have their own bedroom suites as previously indicated. There is an extremely well run children’s program as well, and perhaps it is the fact that many of the children are from well off British families which is why they are so well behaved!! Carlisle Bay has made a point of helping you to relax and do nothing, and it does this very well. There are however a good few complimentary facilities including water sports as well as nine tennis courts and a spa. To summarise Carlisle Bay is an ideal destination for a family vacation in the Caribbean, being not a typical Caribbean Hotel. It is a class act well deserving its claim to be the top Antigua Luxury Resort

Wonderful Bandos Island Resort in Maldives

Bandos Island Resort is a beautiful coral island covered with numerous palm trees, surrounded by a pearl white beach and the crystal clear waters of an azure lagoon. One of the larger Maldivian islands, located about 7km from Male International Airport, this resort offers great facilities for all ages. The resort is equipment by the modern amenities, ensuring that your stay is comfortable. The Bandos’ rooms are spacious designed, offering a wide range of amenities. Facilities available on Bandos are numerous – everything from child-care to sports complex with gymnasium and swimming pool. Also the resort hosts world-class restaurants that will offer you great many varieties of culinary options from a la carte to Indian to local cuisine and continental delicacies.


The island owns one of the excellent house reefs, just meters away from the beach. There’s an excellent diving school providing a choice of dive excursions to explore this colorful marine life than to Scuba Dive or simply snorkel.

House in Lake Toba

How to Get to Sydney's Beaches

First of all there are over 37 beaches (yes that many!) in the Greater Sydney area. They are located along the entire coastal belt of the city on the Pacific Ocean. You'll also find beaches in the bays, rivers and harbours of the city. The warm climate all year round generally makes the beaches, with their white and golden sands, a popular place to hang out - whether its surfing, resting on the warm sand, or indulging in a spot of sea fishing from the rocky shore.

Actually wherever you are in Sydney, you're never more than a 30 minute drive from a beach. These 37 beaches can all be easily accessed either by hiring a car or by public transport.

The beaches can be divided into ones on the northern and southern sides of the city. On the northern shores the most popular beaches are Palm Beach, Whale Beach, Avalon, Vilgola, Mona Vale, Dee Why, North Curl Curl, Curl Curl, Queenscliff and Manly Beach. On the southern shores, the main beaches are Bondi Beach (one of the most famous beaches in the world!), Bronte, Coogee, and Cronulla.

How to get to the most popular beaches in Sydney...

Northern Beaches

Palm Beach - Is located 41km to the north of Sydney's Central Business District, in the Northern Beaches Region. Palm Beach is famous for filming of the popular Australian soap opera "Home and Away" and attractions here include the famous Barranjoey Lighthouse, with its spectacular views

Palm Beach is a very affluent area and home to many luxurious houses. To get there, take the peninsula road north of Sydney, from George Street, and get on the Pittwater Road. Once you reach the Barranjoey Road you are in the area. Note that it can take over an hour to reach Palm Beach, depending on traffic.

Whale Beach - Is located 40km north of Sydney. To get here head north on George Street and continue onto Military Road. The road you need to get on from here is the Pittwater Road. When you see the signs for Barranjoey Road, veer left onto Whale Beach Road.

Avalon Beach - Is located 35km north of Sydney city centre. The Avalon area is a vibrant community with plenty to do and see, and has a perfect beach for relaxing and waves for surfing!

To get to Avalon, take George Street to the north, and then onto the Manly Road, and north on the Pittwater Road. At the junction to Barranjoey Road, take a left and then onto Avalon Parade. Follow the road to the beach!

Manly Beach - Manly is a suburb in the north east of Sydney, located 17km from the city centre. Manly Bech has a long stretch of sand on the ocean side, which follows all the way from Queenscliff Beach to North Steyne Beach and down to Manly Beach. There are other rock pools and beaches in the area called Fairy Bower and Shelley Beach.

What to look out for! If you can take your mind off the scenic beauty and the sea you will notice that the beaches in the area have pine trees dotted around the landscape and as such are a popular symbol of the area.

To get here, again, take the route from George Street and travel north to get onto the Military Road and then Manly Road. Take a right when you come to Sydney Road, and then left at Central Avenue, and right at North Steyne and you'll be at the wonderful and enchanting Manly Beach!

Southern Beaches

Bondi Beach - Bondi Beach is a national Icon of Australia, and you're probably well aware of it, either from a photo image or a travel documentary on TV! It's the perfect place to be during the warm, summer days, with so much to see and explore, or just relax on the warm sands.

Bondi Beach is about 1km long, and is located around 7km from Sydney's Central Business area. To get here, drive along Oxford Street from the city, to Syd Einfeld Drive at the Bondi Junction Bypass. Go straight ahead along Bondi Road, which veers left just before Campbell Parade. Enjoy!

Bronte Beach - Located 8km to the east of Sydney, Bronte is about 2.5km south of Bondi Beach, and you take the same route from Sydney to get here. It's less populated here than at Bondi, and it is a popular surfing destination as well!

Coogee Beach - Is located 8km to the south east of Sydney Central Business District, and in the Randwick Area. It's a great beach for surfing, swimming and fishing, and boasts wonderful coastal views.

To get here, take the same route as to the Bondi Junction Bypass, and follow the signs for Coogee. You should take note of the signs for Randwich as Coogee is in the juradistiction of the area.

Cronulla Beach- Cronulla (known in Aborigine as the "Place of the Pink Seashells") is a beachside area located 26km south of Sydney city centre. It's situated on a peninsula surrounded to the north by Botany Bay, the south by Port Hacking, the west by Gunnamatta Bay, and to the east by Bate Bay.

The Cronulla area is home to many beaches and rock pools and it is a growing tourist destination, for swimming and surfing, especially at Shark Island.

To get to Cronulla from Sydney, drive south past Sydney International Airport along Botany Bay and follow the signposts to Cronlla.

Hope our guide helps get you to the picturesque beaches of Sydney

By Mairead Foley