If you had to associate a cruise with just one moment, it would be easing onto a sandy beach on a sunny day — preferably with a frozen, umbrella-topped drink and emails from home bemoaning the plummeting temperatures. Fortunately, you can have this experience in ports around the Caribbean, in Mexico, and in Hawaii. Check out these 10 amazing beaches you can visit on a cruise:
The sand is pink and soft, and this is a wonderful beach for long barefoot walks, cooling off in the clear blue water, and even exploring coves.
The sand is pink and soft, and this is a wonderful beach for long barefoot walks, cooling off in the clear blue water, and even exploring coves.
The best of the Bahamas, this white-sand beauty is rimmed with turquoise-blue water, as well as restaurants and bars that serve cold beer and conch fritters.
The best of the Bahamas, this white-sand beauty is rimmed with turquoise-blue water, as well as restaurants and bars that serve cold beer and conch fritters.
Many cruisers tell tales of nearby Maho Beach (where the planes come in for landings precariously close to sunbathers), but that beach is about spectacle rather than peace and quiet. Tranquility seekers should head to Orient Bay Beach on the French side of the island for surf-side bliss. Just consider yourself warned: Some European travelers like to sunbathe in the buff here.
Many cruisers tell tales of nearby Maho Beach (where the planes come in for landings precariously close to sunbathers), but that beach is about spectacle rather than peace and quiet. Tranquility seekers should head to Orient Bay Beach on the French side of the island for surf-side bliss. Just consider yourself warned: Some European travelers like to sunbathe in the buff here.
Take the ferry from St. Thomas to St. John and spend the day playing on Trunk Bay Beach. As if the secluded shoreline's pearly white sand and crystal blue water weren't dazzling enough, it also has a 225-yard-long underwater snorkeling trail.
Take the ferry from St. Thomas to St. John and spend the day playing on Trunk Bay Beach. As if the secluded shoreline's pearly white sand and crystal blue water weren't dazzling enough, it also has a 225-yard-long underwater snorkeling trail.
Cozumel gets crowded on days when there are lots of ships in port, so true sun worshippers head to the mainland. The sandy beach at El Castillo in Tulum is tucked into a cliffside, with castle ruins looming above. When you want a break, both ruins and fried fish tacos are close by.
Cozumel gets crowded on days when there are lots of ships in port, so true sun worshippers head to the mainland. The sandy beach at El Castillo in Tulum is tucked into a cliffside, with castle ruins looming above. When you want a break, both ruins and fried fish tacos are close by.
This maritime state park has been a protected area since 1967, and the curved bay is filled with a stunning coral reef system that's home to fascinating marine life. Right near the shoreline, you can snorkel alongside monk seals and green turtles, as well as exotic fish.
This maritime state park has been a protected area since 1967, and the curved bay is filled with a stunning coral reef system that's home to fascinating marine life. Right near the shoreline, you can snorkel alongside monk seals and green turtles, as well as exotic fish.
You can leave your aqua shoes at home — this beach on Grand Turk is home to some of the Caribbean's finest white sand and softest ocean bottom.
You can leave your aqua shoes at home — this beach on Grand Turk is home to some of the Caribbean's finest white sand and softest ocean bottom.
The widest beach on Aruba has picnic huts, so you can escape the bright sun that bears down on the pristine white sand when you need a break.
The widest beach on Aruba has picnic huts, so you can escape the bright sun that bears down on the pristine white sand when you need a break.
Even if your ship is too big to call on Virgin Gorda, this geological wonder is often available as a daytrip from St. Thomas or Tortola. The coastal beach area sports white sand, but it's the dramatic granite boulders, cool caverns, and rock pools that draw the crowds.
Even if your ship is too big to call on Virgin Gorda, this geological wonder is often available as a daytrip from St. Thomas or Tortola. The coastal beach area sports white sand, but it's the dramatic granite boulders, cool caverns, and rock pools that draw the crowds.
Located on the western shore of the island, this long public beach hugs clear water that's ideal for snorkeling and other water sports. The walkable beach can get crowded, but it's also loaded with options, from beach bars to boat rentals.
Located on the western shore of the island, this long public beach hugs clear water that's ideal for snorkeling and other water sports. The walkable beach can get crowded, but it's also loaded with options, from beach bars to boat rentals.
