The next time you plan a Caribbean vacation, forget the Bahamas, Jamaica, or Antigua. Take yourself to the most beautiful island in the world: St. Lucia. It's a tropical rainforest with a steaming volcano, and beaches in white, gold and black sand. All the beaches on St. Lucia are free to the public, even if they're right in front of a ritzy hotel, although you may have to pay to rent a beach chair and umbrella!

Two St. Lucia beaches are this week's best; which one you choose depends on what you want. If it's a bustling beach with restaurants, bars, shops, and rental spots for every water sport, choose Reduit Beach. Five miles of beautiful white sand, and even when it's busy it's not too busy. If you start to get too hot, take a dip into the clear blue-green waters of Rodney Bay, or move into the shade of the palm trees. You'll never be bored on Reduit; if you get tired of the beach, how about a hike or a round of golf? A whale watching trip? Some time in a pampering spa? Whatever you want, you'll find it on Reduit.

If you want to relax somewhere more intimate, head for Marigot Bay, and take a 3 minute boat ride from the pier to the white sand beach. It doesn't have a lot of amenities, although recent additions include a small restaurant and bar, but it's quiet and romantic, and a favorite of the locals. Once you're on the beach, you can admire the steep palm-covered hills that surround three sides of the bay, really more of a narrow cove, soak up the sun, or go for a swim. For anything else, take the boat back to the pier, where you'll find almost everything.

St. Lucia is about relaxing, so don't pack too much. Throw in a pair of cute tropical-print shorts, a flirty white top, and your favorite sandals. Make sure to take a tropical tote to carry your water, reading materials, shades and sun screen. Then kick back and relax in the sand!

If you're thinking Gulf Coast beaches, think Georgia. Georgia may not have a long coast, but what it has is absolutely beautiful. And one of the very best beaches is the 10-mile stretch of beach on Jekyll Island, a barrier island off Georgia's Gulf Coast.

Historically Jekyll Island was a winter resort and playground for the rich and famous, but now "Georgia's Jewel" is open to everyone. The 240 acres that encompassed the old resort is a National Historic Landmark, and is the largest such landmark undergoing restoration. But, the Historic District isn't all construction; it has shops and restaurants, and it's decorated in a 19th century style. Guides are dressed accordingly.

If lying on the beach and soaking up the sun isn't enough, put on your walking shoes and take a nature walk. You can go solo, or you can take a tour with an experienced guide from the Tidelands Nature Center. You may see some of the island's loggerhead turtles, who bury their eggs on the beaches and dunes from May through August. They're a protected species, and their nests are flagged by the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. If you see a disturbed nest, or an unflagged one, let the Georgia Sea Turtle Center know.

Another great way to see the island and its many specimens of wildlife is by canoe or kayak. You can rent one and slide through the protected salt marshes and estuaries, and see birds, fish, dolphins and more. Be sure to bring a jacket in fall or winter, as it can get cool out on the water, and don't forget a good-sized tote to carry your camera, notebooks, water and snacks.

Jekyll Island's beach is divided into three named parts: north, middle, and south. You can park at the middle beach, and public restrooms are also available there. The north beach has an access ramp, but no parking or amenities and access to the south beach is a long boardwalk over the fragile and scenic oat grass covered dunes. Whichever you choose, you'll be able to enjoy the soft white sand and the Georgia Coast sunshine.

If you were planning to head to the Jersey shore or Cape Cod on August 22 and 23, you probably changed your plans. Beaches were closed along the east coast as Hurricane Bill, downgraded by then to a Class I tropical storm, kicked up riptides as it passed.

Riptides, more properly rip currents, are narrow but long bands of water that can pull anything in them quickly out to sea, and they're potentially deadly. The average swimmer or boarder might not recognize a rip current, but lifeguards do. They look for an area of a lighter green color that may be swirling like a washer, or may look like a flat rippling river. Like a river, the rip current's fastest flow is in the middle.

Obviously, the easiest way to avoid a riptide is to stay out of the water. But where's the fun in that? Don't assume you're safe if you're close to shore; rip currents can happen in water that's knee deep. They can also occur when there aren't high wave warnings or beach closures, so you need to know what to do if you're caught in one.

First, don't panic. That's easier said than done, but if you stay calm, you're more likely to survive. Second, don't try to swim against the current. Doing that will wear you out and exhaustion is the cause of most riptide drownings. Relax, tread water and get your bearings. If you can, swim sideways to the edge of the riptide, where the flow lessens and you can probably get to shore. If you see a large wave coming at you, take a deep breath and go under it. If there's an undertow, a frequent companion to riptides, do the same thing: take a quick deep breath before you're pulled under, and relax; you'll pop up again quickly.

Whether the ocean is calm or choppy, be cool in trunks like these Ryan Spooner Hybrid board shorts. Avoid a rash with an Oakley rashguard shirt, and keep your feet from getting too sandy with these sweet Beachcomber Flip Flops by Ed Hardy.

Whether you live in the San Diego area or are just visiting, make sure to head for Mission Beach, this week's best beach. Just be sure to head there early, because parking can be a problem later in the day.

There's a lot more to Mission Beach than just sand, although there's 2 miles of that. There's a family amusement park, Belmont Park, that has rides, food, and games, including a simulated wave that lets young and old surfers practice or try out the sport. Another big draw is the Big Dipper, a roller coaster whose relatively small size and height disguise a wild ride of drops, hills, curves, and speed that will delight the most ardent roller coaster fan. In addition to those features, the Big Dipper Roller Coaster was built in 1925 (no worries, it's been restored since then!) and is one of the two original roller coasters built along the Pacific Coast that's still in operation.

The south end of Mission Beach park is the place for beach volleyball; there are games going on from morning to dark. So wear a pair of shorts that will let you play and surf in style, top them with a cool tank and carry a sturdy bag that has room for a towel, water, shades, cell phone, and a volleyball.

You may want to include walking, jogging, or biking shoes in that bag, too. Another great feature of Mission Beach is the boardwalk. It extends for miles, all the way around Mission Beach and down the coast, and has lanes for walking and biking. There are plenty of places along Mission Beach where you can rent a bike or board, too. The boardwalk itself ends at the north point of Pacific Beach, but a bike path continues all the way to downtown La Jolla, for serious bikers.

So pack your bag for your choice of activities, even if it's just soaking up the sun, and head for Mission Beach. You'll have a great day in the southern California sun!

If you're looking for a little something unexpected, try Lovers Key State Park near Fort Myers Beach, Florida. This is not your typical Florida beach, not even close. Sure, you'll find the white sandy beaches typical of the beautiful Gulf Coast. But at Lovers Key State Park, there's so much more, and there's definitely something for everyone.

If you just like to lounge on the sand, head to the main beach. Go through the main entrance and take the tram or walk the scenic boardwalks over the intercoastal waterways to find a beautiful, unspoiled piece of beach. Pack a cooler of essentials, or hit the concessions before you head over. Add a few accessories for a little bit of beach glamour and you're good to go.

Perhaps you'd prefer a more active day? Lovers Key has plenty of options for you, both on land and water. This park is a favorite for kayakers, with its beautiful, peaceful shoreline and abundance of wildlife such as dolphins, manatee, and an amazing range of shore and wading birds. Pack your camera and binoculars because you could spot American Bald Eagles, Osprey, or the beautiful pink roseate spoonbill.

Looking to stay on land? You can rent bikes for the day or just a few hours at the concession stand. Don't forget your watch because it's easy to lose track of time once you've found your quiet piece of Florida's paradise.

No matter how you choose to spend your time at Lovers Key State Park, just be sure to give yourself plenty of time to enjoy it. You'll be glad you did.

If you've been avoiding the Mississippi Gulf Coast since Hurricane Katrina, well, it's ready for visitors, and it's time you went back. Mississippi doesn't have a long coastline, but that coast is 26 miles of soft white sand, and the communities and beaches have bounced back from Katrina just like they did from Hurricane Camille in 1969.

The entire 26 miles along U.S. Highway 90, also called "Beach Boulevard," offers breath-takingly lovely (and photogenic) views of the Gulf and barrier islands, and any spot you choose has wonderful sand. This week's beach is the section along the towns of Long Beach and Pass Christian (that's pronounced "kris-tee-AN" by the locals), just west of Biloxi. It's been a restful vacation spot to six U.S. Presidents, including Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, and a resort destination since before the Civil War.

The town of Pass Christian (aka the Pass) is definitely a southern town, filled with southern charm and hospitality, as well as an eclectic and historic downtown with a selection of shops, restaurants, and grocers providing anything you need. The beach offers restrooms and acres of powdered sugar sand. If you drive through town and see the antebellum West-Indies style mansions and Georgian revival homes, and the tranquil beaches that are some of the most romantic and quiet in Mississippi, you'll understand some of the area's history. Sailing buffs should know that Pass Christian is home to the first yacht club (founded in 1849) in the south, and the second in the entire U.S. If you'd rather surf, take the ferry out to Ship Island.

Fill this bright and beachy O'Neill tote with everything you may need for your day at the beach. Be sure to include this Tommy Bahama Island Princess beach towel, an ample 70 inches by 40 inches, this flirty FP Beach Pele ruffled cover-up for day's end, and a good supply of sunscreen, because the sun gets pretty intense on that white sand. Bring flip-flops and shades, and a good book, because all you'll want to do is lie there and soak up the sun.

You may have heard of Pass-a-Grille when reading about St. Pete's beach in Florida. But perhaps against my better judgment, I'm going to let you know more about this little-known Florida beach secret. It's truly a little piece of paradise not far from some of Florida's most popular Gulf Coast beaches.

What makes Pass-A-Grille so special? Simple. Authenticity. For starters, it's a National Historic District, not something many beach communities can claim. In Pass-A-Grille, towering beach condos are traded for cozy beach bungalows. Walk the streets of Pass-A-Grille, and no matter where you are, the Gulf and the Intercoastal are a block away. You can't help but imagine you are back in Florida's Resort boom of the '20s, and when you look across the street at the sea oats on the sand dunes, you'll be sure you've been transported to a simpler time.

A vacation, or just an afternoon, at Pass-A-Grille really is simple. With ample parking right by the sand, it's easy to grab your gear and go spend some quality time with the dolphins and the seagulls. Several restaurants and a beach café are within walking distance, so you can easily spend your whole day here.

Day turns to night rather slowly at Pass-A-Grille, but you don't want to miss a minute of the breathtaking sunset. Many beachgoers climb up the stairs of the Hurricane Restaurant to watch the sunset from the rooftop bar. Slip on some beach sandals and a cover-up that doubles as a dress and you're ready to go for beach-style nightlife.

If you're heading to St. Pete's Beach in Florida, it's not far to get to Pass-A-Grille instead and the dividing line is the historic Don Cesar Hotel. Standing like a pink castle against the white sand of the Gulf Coast, you really can't miss it. In front of the Don, don't make that right turn for St. Pete's Beach; instead, turn left and go somewhere beautiful and unique. You'll be glad you did.

In the Tampa area? If you haven't been to Honeymoon Island State Park, you're in the minority; it was Florida's most visited beach in 2007. A barrier island, it's connected to the mainland by the Dunedin Causeway, and boasts four miles of tempting beaches.

Honeymoon Island also has a virgin slash pine forest, seagrass beds, sand dunes, mangrove swamps, and tidal flats. It's home to 62 species of birds, and a variety of wildlife. In May of 2007, a Nature Center opened, with exhibits, hands-on displays and a viewing deck to view the entire island.

Another temptation is the only dog beach in the state of Florida, a dog-lover's paradise. Just keep your dog leashed the whole time, and clean up after him so that others can enjoy the beach too! On Honeymoon Island, there are several nature trails, and the north end of the island has the one of the best shelling areas in the region. It's a great fishing spot; fish include tarpon, snook, flounder, trout and more.

If it's sun and fun you want, head for the beaches. Most are rather narrow except for one at the southern end. That area is popular for weddings and parties. You can reserve areas in advance at the park entry point. Know before you go: the admission is $5 for up to 8 people per car, and $3 for a single occupant. There's a sunset fee of $3.00 per vehicle starting one hour before sunset. If you're planning an event there, the pavilion rental fee is $32.10. The state park and three parking areas are open year round, with hours varying by season and some beaches are closed part of the year to protect nesting shore birds.

Beach gear is a must. Whether you wear flip-flops on the sand, or sturdier sandals for hiking the trails, keep your feet cool. Ladies, sport a new swimsuit in this popular, and populated, park. Bring the rest of your gear in a waterproof bag like this one by SealLines that comes in three sizes, or use a pack with an insulated cooler pocket. Hungry? Honeymoon Island offers a concession area where you can find drinks and snacks, as well as restrooms, showers and picnic areas. Bring your own sunscreen.

Whether you want a solitary day of bird-watching or fishing, or a family beach day, you'll find the perfect beach this week at Honeymoon Island.