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.

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!

Not all the best beaches are on oceans or tropical seas. Some of them are in the middle of North America, on the shores of the Great Lakes. One of the best places to head for a Great Lake beach is Door County, Wisconsin. The county is a peninsula extending into Lake Michigan, with the lake on one side and Green Bay on the other.

Door County offers more than just beaches, but there are some great ones: Whitefish Dunes on Cave Point on the Lake Michigan side, Nicolet Beach in Peninsula State Park on the Green Bay side, and Sand Dunes beach on Washington Island, a small island off the tip of the peninsula. Since you will want to spend time in the sand, bring a great two piece suit like this one from TYR in Hyacinth, with a tankini top and a black and hyacinth bikini bottom.

Whether shopping is an occasional vice or a full-time profession, you'll find plenty of it in Door County. You can buy locally made wine and cheese, handicrafts, clothing and souvenirs, and you'll need a roomy tote like this Sophia bag from Dakine in Glitterati. This bag can also take you to a fancy restaurant for an elegant dinner, or to the shore for one of Door County's traditional fish boils.

If you'd rather hike than shop, you're still in the right place. There are ten lighthouses to explore, along with five state parks and over a dozen county parks, all with hiking trails and great views of sparkling water, sandy beaches and gorgeous pristine countryside. Take a ferry to Washington Island, and make sure to go a bit further out to Rock Island State Park, called the crown jewel of Door County. Hike, bike, or just enjoy the beach. Afternoons and evenings can get cold out there, so do bring a packable light jacket like this Women's Venture from North Face, in this season's hot color, knight purple.

Whether you choose to soak up sun, sail or waterski, hike, bike or golf, you'll find what you're looking for in Door County, Wisconsin.

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.

South Padre Island, Texas has a large variety of outdoor events and activities to participate in. One of the most popular is windsurfing. Kiteboarding is common as well. Located in the Gulf Coast, South Padre Island catches the perfect wind and waves for both windsurfing and kiteboarding. Perhaps you would like to (or have always wanted to) view the shoreline from the ocean, instead of the other way around. This is a unique way to do so, while also getting in some fun and exercise.

From novice to expert, windsurfing and kiteboarding events and activities can be enjoyed by all. Some locations rent equipment, but others require that you bring your own. Novices may prefer to take instructional classes on their activity of choice before braving the waves. While many can easily learn this water sport, it's wise to learn proper safety procedures and knowledge from expert windsurfers and kiteboarders.

Surfing and kiteboarding can be quite fun, but they can also be dangerous. It's easy to drift away. Just like boating and other water activities, this is not a solo activity. Safety comes in numbers. This is by no means a complete safety guide. Always be sure to abide by local rules and guidelines. Each area has a set of safety guidelines that apply, so be sure to check before heading out into the surf.

Some gear that is required for safety and use of windsurfing and kiteboarding equipment includes a wetsuit, a VHF radio to contact the Coast Guard if needed, flares, and a plastic whistle. Also essential are a towcord, uphaul, board or mast leash, properly-sized floatation device for each person, and a strobe light. These items will not only help in navigation, but some will aid in the case of an emergency.

Don't forget to also check the weather. This area of Texas stays fairly warm most of the time, but is also prone to high winds, thunderstorms, and even hurricanes. When the weather is right, you can get the chance to feel that warm Texas breeze across your face in a whole new way. The spray and smell of the ocean surf adds to the beautiful scenery and excitement.

Sources:
http://www.sfba.org/safety.html
http://www.sfba.org/kitesafety.html