Powdery sand, very warm water, something interesting to do, and a baby.
September 8, 2015 7:08 PM Subscribe
We're looking for a week-long-ish beach-ish vacation, probably in March 2016 (in an off-season between school vacations), with requirements being very very fine powdery sand, very very warm water, and something interesting to do besides sit on a beach and swim.
There are two complications.
Complication number one is a (assuming March) 22 month old.
Complication two is that we have two seemingly diametrically opposed sets of requirements; we want something nature-crunchy-granola-hippie-eco-tourism style - i.e., not a megaresort, casino, "spring break" environment, anything like that. Neither of us drink at all. We have no interest in pounding Corona Lite while turning orange - we just want to splash around in very blue warm ocean with our toddler.
On the other hand, I'm a wimp when it comes to accommodations and basically melt down completely in less than first-world-standard housing. I cannot survive without high quality functioning air conditioning and a good shower and windows that keep the bugs on the outside.
Ideas?
Complication number one is a (assuming March) 22 month old.
Complication two is that we have two seemingly diametrically opposed sets of requirements; we want something nature-crunchy-granola-hippie-eco-tourism style - i.e., not a megaresort, casino, "spring break" environment, anything like that. Neither of us drink at all. We have no interest in pounding Corona Lite while turning orange - we just want to splash around in very blue warm ocean with our toddler.
On the other hand, I'm a wimp when it comes to accommodations and basically melt down completely in less than first-world-standard housing. I cannot survive without high quality functioning air conditioning and a good shower and windows that keep the bugs on the outside.
Ideas?
And do you mind saying what your outbound airport is?
Warm water is going to be your big delimiting factor, especially in March in the Northern Hemisphere. I am a huge baby about water temperature and I don't even think the Caribbean side of Mexico is "warm" that time of year, plus March is a nightmare time to go to the Riviera Maya (but that may also be true of the entire Caribbean).
posted by Lyn Never at 7:22 PM on September 8, 2015
Warm water is going to be your big delimiting factor, especially in March in the Northern Hemisphere. I am a huge baby about water temperature and I don't even think the Caribbean side of Mexico is "warm" that time of year, plus March is a nightmare time to go to the Riviera Maya (but that may also be true of the entire Caribbean).
posted by Lyn Never at 7:22 PM on September 8, 2015
Hawaii? There's a wide diversity of accommodations on the islands, but they're all pretty first world. It may be too touristy for your taste, but I really enjoyed Ko Olina on Oahu. The beach is a series of lagoons, which means very peaceful breakers appropriate for a toddler. It is pretty resort-y, but in a family-friendly way. There's lots of stuff to do on Oahu. The last time we were there we rented a Jeep and offroaded out to the far northwestern tip of the island. Visiting the North Shore is fun. Waikiki is so touristy is make Ko Olina seem like a sleepy backwater.
It's a long damn flight from the east coast, though.
posted by jeoc at 7:22 PM on September 8, 2015
It's a long damn flight from the east coast, though.
posted by jeoc at 7:22 PM on September 8, 2015
Come to Maui! Plenty to do other than relaxing on the beach, and the majority of it is kid-friendly. The water's warm and you can get pretty much any kind of sand you want (powdery on the south shore, pebble-like on the north shore, red sand, black sand, etc). There are a ton of vacation rental properties, so you can get an apartment rather than a hotel; on the south shore/Lahaina these will likely have AC (but those areas are more touristy). Yes, there are bugs, but many places are mostly bug-free indoors.
It might make sense for you to fly from the east coast to west coast, stay overnight, then take another flight out the next day direct to OGG - then you're dealing with 2 6-hour flights with a night's sleep in between rather than a 13hr flight to Honolulu with a short connection right after.
posted by melissasaurus at 7:29 PM on September 8, 2015
It might make sense for you to fly from the east coast to west coast, stay overnight, then take another flight out the next day direct to OGG - then you're dealing with 2 6-hour flights with a night's sleep in between rather than a 13hr flight to Honolulu with a short connection right after.
posted by melissasaurus at 7:29 PM on September 8, 2015
St. John, USVI. Search VRBO for a good rental villa.
posted by Bohemian Sailor at 7:55 PM on September 8, 2015
posted by Bohemian Sailor at 7:55 PM on September 8, 2015
Although Hawaii is lovely and you should go, I remember that a lot of places we went when I visited were open air, rather than air conditioned. But, it was mild when we went (I think it was April) and I didn't mind it too much. The hotels will have great AC though.
posted by cabingirl at 7:58 PM on September 8, 2015
posted by cabingirl at 7:58 PM on September 8, 2015
2nd Maui. It is very kid friendly, with many choices of accommodations are literally RIGHT on the sand which would be very important for the little one (not the case for all of the other islands like Kauai). Plus there is plenty of nature, and there are many non-beach things you can do.
Non-beach Maui ideas: Kapalua Coastal walk, Nakalele Blowhole (from above), La Perouse Bay (excluding the hiking trail), Iao Valley, Hookipa Lookout, Twin Falls, the Kahului Swap Meet, Friday night town parties, Maui Ocean Center, the Humpback Whale Sanctuary, Surfing Goat Dairy, the Alii Lavender Farm, etc. And given that March is still winter/humpback whale season, a whale watching trip with Kaulana with Hawaii Ocean Project might appeal (lower level of their large & stable boat is the most toddler friendly).
BTW, Maui doesn't really attract the college-aged "woo!" spring break crowd, either. Many, many people there are early to bed and early to rise in order to hike, swim, snorkel, surf, etc. So the carpet tends to "roll up" fairly early (especially since so many visitors have trouble adjusting from Mainland time).
A villa in the Kapalua area with your desired modern conveniences might be attractive (look on VRBO), or staying at the very cool, old Hawaii-style property Napili Kai (just make sure you get a room that does have AC as not all of them do). Both Kapalua and Napili are considered the more low key, less "resort"-y areas of Maui, but still on the drier side of the island. Still tourist- and family-friendly.
I'd book Maui soon for March 2016, though, since some school districts will have Spring Break then (Easter is in March next year), so there will be many families around. Families with kids in school are usually locked into those dates and plan their Hawaii vacations well in advance.
posted by kathryn at 8:04 PM on September 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
Non-beach Maui ideas: Kapalua Coastal walk, Nakalele Blowhole (from above), La Perouse Bay (excluding the hiking trail), Iao Valley, Hookipa Lookout, Twin Falls, the Kahului Swap Meet, Friday night town parties, Maui Ocean Center, the Humpback Whale Sanctuary, Surfing Goat Dairy, the Alii Lavender Farm, etc. And given that March is still winter/humpback whale season, a whale watching trip with Kaulana with Hawaii Ocean Project might appeal (lower level of their large & stable boat is the most toddler friendly).
BTW, Maui doesn't really attract the college-aged "woo!" spring break crowd, either. Many, many people there are early to bed and early to rise in order to hike, swim, snorkel, surf, etc. So the carpet tends to "roll up" fairly early (especially since so many visitors have trouble adjusting from Mainland time).
A villa in the Kapalua area with your desired modern conveniences might be attractive (look on VRBO), or staying at the very cool, old Hawaii-style property Napili Kai (just make sure you get a room that does have AC as not all of them do). Both Kapalua and Napili are considered the more low key, less "resort"-y areas of Maui, but still on the drier side of the island. Still tourist- and family-friendly.
I'd book Maui soon for March 2016, though, since some school districts will have Spring Break then (Easter is in March next year), so there will be many families around. Families with kids in school are usually locked into those dates and plan their Hawaii vacations well in advance.
posted by kathryn at 8:04 PM on September 8, 2015 [2 favorites]
I'm currently on a visit to Dubai. Here is the weather and water temp by month - not bathtub warm but Olympic swimming pool warm. An Emirates flight will take you there from near wherever you are.
posted by rongorongo at 8:11 PM on September 8, 2015
posted by rongorongo at 8:11 PM on September 8, 2015
Isla Mujeres, off Cancún. Beautiful beaches, plenty of them empty. Nice resorts (rent a condo). Little, pretty waves; slowly shelving beaches. Good food. 77 - 82 degree F water most of the year. First-world accommodations aplenty.
posted by jet_silver at 8:32 PM on September 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by jet_silver at 8:32 PM on September 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
Sandals at Turks And Caicos sprung to mind when I read your post....
posted by The otter lady at 8:33 PM on September 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by The otter lady at 8:33 PM on September 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
March is Spring Break which seems to take most touristy Florida, the Gulf Coast and Mexico locations off the table. If you'd move that to the last week of April, you'd have some more options. Hawaii isn't a college Spring Break destination, but it does get tons of families who are traveling with younger kids on break.
How far are you willing to travel? The Cook Islands would fit the bill.
posted by 26.2 at 9:03 PM on September 8, 2015
How far are you willing to travel? The Cook Islands would fit the bill.
posted by 26.2 at 9:03 PM on September 8, 2015
If you're looking for crunchy and eco, I'd recommend Kauai over (most of) Maui. It's much less crowded and developed. However, there's more to do in Maui that's not either hiking or going to the beach, and it's pretty easy to stay across the street from a swimming beach in Maui affordably. If you do go to Maui, I'd recommend Kihei or parts of Wailea over Ka'anapali, which is crowded and filled with high-rises. In either Kihei or Wailea, you can rent an apartment instead of being in a huge hotel.
Secret tip for Hawaii - buy your food at Costco. It's much, MUCH cheaper than the grocery stores.
posted by cnc at 9:25 PM on September 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
Secret tip for Hawaii - buy your food at Costco. It's much, MUCH cheaper than the grocery stores.
posted by cnc at 9:25 PM on September 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
Puerto Vallarta hits your temperature and beach requirements. When we were there in March it was on a cruise so can't help you with accommodations, but it's not like they're few and far between.
posted by vignettist at 9:35 PM on September 8, 2015
posted by vignettist at 9:35 PM on September 8, 2015
You're gonna laugh, but I'm with rongorongo: one of the beachside hotels in Dubai. I went in May and the water was very warm. Great sand, minimal booze culture, extremely family- and tourist-/expat-friendly. There are nice side trips you can do into the desert if malls aren't your thing. I think we stayed at Le Meridien, and it didn't break the bank.
posted by whitewall at 11:37 PM on September 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by whitewall at 11:37 PM on September 8, 2015 [1 favorite]
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. If you ever get sick of the amazing marine park, there are turtles and amazing bird life and orang utans to check out. Also: orchids (and other pretty flowers) all over the shop
posted by pompomtom at 4:31 AM on September 9, 2015
posted by pompomtom at 4:31 AM on September 9, 2015
My first thought was the Destin, FL area on the Gulf Coast. Absolutely beautiful white sand, bright blue ocean, great for long strolls on the beach. There are also a lot of cute little restaurants and shops there. We used to stay at Watercolor (a ilttle spendy, but definitiely nice, and you can even rent a little vacation home, depending on budget). From Watercolor, you can walk to Seaside, FL which has a nice little area of shops clustered around there. (Fun fact: The Truman Show was filmed in Seaside.)
The only issue is the timing thing, because March is definitely Spring Break season down in Florida. I would say most of March is off limits because different schools get out at different times. (I'm now living up in New England, and a lot of schools around here seem to have a February Break and an April Break, but in the South where I grew up, specifically in Florida, everyone had spring break in March.) I think if you went some time in April you would be better off. Most people who go to Destin in the spring are probably more likely to be local (or at least within driving distance).
Of course, it's not going to be deserted unless you go in January (which is actually a nice time to visit), but if you stay around the Destin/Seaside/Watercolor area it shouldn't be filled with crazy college kids in the same way that Panama City is. It's a much more low key, family friendly place, and I think it sounds like the right atmosphere for you guys. It's not any kind of luxury resort, but it has a lot of creature comforts, and a nice quiet vibe. Most of the restaurants tend to be small, not chains, no one drinking or partying.
The one caveat to all this is that I haven't been there in a little while (maybe 6 or 7 years?), so it could have changed in the mean time, but we used to go a couple times a year for many years so I got a pretty decent sense of the area.
One thing: If you go here, you'll probably want to rent a car. Panama City is the closest airport, I would think, but public transportation is pretty much nonexistent in the area.
posted by litera scripta manet at 5:01 AM on September 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
The only issue is the timing thing, because March is definitely Spring Break season down in Florida. I would say most of March is off limits because different schools get out at different times. (I'm now living up in New England, and a lot of schools around here seem to have a February Break and an April Break, but in the South where I grew up, specifically in Florida, everyone had spring break in March.) I think if you went some time in April you would be better off. Most people who go to Destin in the spring are probably more likely to be local (or at least within driving distance).
Of course, it's not going to be deserted unless you go in January (which is actually a nice time to visit), but if you stay around the Destin/Seaside/Watercolor area it shouldn't be filled with crazy college kids in the same way that Panama City is. It's a much more low key, family friendly place, and I think it sounds like the right atmosphere for you guys. It's not any kind of luxury resort, but it has a lot of creature comforts, and a nice quiet vibe. Most of the restaurants tend to be small, not chains, no one drinking or partying.
The one caveat to all this is that I haven't been there in a little while (maybe 6 or 7 years?), so it could have changed in the mean time, but we used to go a couple times a year for many years so I got a pretty decent sense of the area.
One thing: If you go here, you'll probably want to rent a car. Panama City is the closest airport, I would think, but public transportation is pretty much nonexistent in the area.
posted by litera scripta manet at 5:01 AM on September 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
Sarasota FL, specifically - Siesta Key - fits a lot of this. There are lots of family-friendly things to do.
Anna Maria island even more so, because it is less touristy and equally beautiful.
Both towns don't get as spring-breaky as a lot of other FL destinations. MeMail me if you want some further suggestions within those towns. Grew up down there.
posted by Thistledown at 11:28 AM on September 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
Anna Maria island even more so, because it is less touristy and equally beautiful.
Both towns don't get as spring-breaky as a lot of other FL destinations. MeMail me if you want some further suggestions within those towns. Grew up down there.
posted by Thistledown at 11:28 AM on September 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks all! We've booked St Croix.
posted by dmd at 6:57 PM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by dmd at 6:57 PM on September 28, 2015 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
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posted by aetg at 7:17 PM on September 8, 2015