7 Family Friendly Beach Destinations around the World

Does your family want to take a beach vacation this year? There are thousands of beautiful destinations around the world offering pristine beaches and miles of sand to relax and soak up the sun. If you’re traveling as a family you want to make sure there’s plenty to do, the amenities you need, and everything is available at a price you can afford. Here are my picks for family-friendly beach destinations around the world.

beach destinations

San Diego – In the US California and Florida have a reputation for great beaches. San Diego, California is an excellent choice for a family beach destinations. Not only does it have hundreds of days of sunshine a year as well as temperate weather all the time, San Diego also staffs plenty of lifeguards watching the beaches and other (non-beach) activities in close proximity.

Ft. Lauderdale – America’s other coast, Florida, has both Atlantic beaches and Gulf of Mexico beaches. This beach was once a wild place for college co-eds but has cleaned up its act. There are numerous hotels catering to families. If you’re tired of the beach sign up for an Everglades tour or take a drive to nearby Miami for some delicious Cuban food.

Caye Caulker, Belize – Belize is a small country on the Caribbean Sea bordered by Guatemala and Mexico. It was once a British colony so English is widely spoken. It is famous for its beaches and the scuba diving. Whether you want to stay near the edge of the water or dive into the “blue hole” you’ll love Belize.

Assateague Island, Virginia – Just a few hours from Washington DC you’ll find Assateague Island, one of Virginia’s hidden gems. This island juts off the coast of mainland Virginia and is most well-known for the wild horses that live in the salt marsh swamps. While many people come and enjoy the beaches in summer, this area still has small town charm. Visit in early summer or fall for the fewest crowds. You’ll find clean beaches on the beautiful Atlantic coastline.

Hawaii – There’s nowhere else in the United States that you will find more beaches than Hawaii. You really can’t go wrong – pick an island, pull up your umbrella and towel and enjoy!

Lagos, Portugal – Do you want to visit a European beach and not spend an arm and a leg? Portugal is a great destination for budget conscious travelers. Thanks to (or in spite of) economic austerity in the country, you’ll be able to get some great deals. Lagos in the Algarve area of Portugal offers beaches in town. Along with some amazing rock formations and delicious Portuguese seafood you’ll be able to have a wonderful family beach vacation for a steal.

Venezuela – Located in the far north of South America with a Caribbean coastline and the world’s tallest waterfall Venezuela is a great beach destination. Just off the coast you’ll find Margarita Island with 50 beaches! Not only can you spend the day playing in the sand but wind surfing is popular in this area as well.

Do you have one to add? Share it below!

Comments

  1. I would love a beach vacation this year. My kids and I love the water. We could live in it! These are some great suggestions and I will have to see about visiting them sometime in my life!
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  2. touristmeetstravel says

    I've got to add these to places I need to travel to, they sound amazing!
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  3. I have been to 2 on your list but the other 5 definitely look like I need to go to those as well. Portugal is suppose to be AMAZING!
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  4. it would be fun to go on a world wide beach hopping tour
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  5. Our recent trip to Puerto Vallarta has changed my sand-hating opinion about beaches. Now I'm quite curious to check out some of the places on this list!
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  6. massholemommy says

    I have been to the beaches of San Diego and I can definitley agree that they are awesome. I'm kind of partial to Cape Cod beaches, though 😉

  7. Amber Conaway says

    I have yet to take my son to a beach, or go with my husband as a couple! Our ultimate goal is to go to HAwaii some day but I think here in the next few years we will definitely be taking a trip to Ft Lauderdale! My family used to go there when I was younger!

  8. I haven't been to any of these beaches. I'll have t check them out!
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  9. Do you know I just found out that my husband and daughter are not beach fans! WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?? My son, thank goodness, will go to the beach with me and sit and play all day.

  10. craftyjen74 says

    I wish I lived closer to the beach! The girls loved it last year when we took them to the beach in St. Augustine.
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  11. I live about 20 minutes from Fort Lauderdale beach and it's one of my favorites. As a FL girl I know a lot about beaches and we definitely have some of the best here!

  12. I would love a beach vacation this year. My kids love to play in the sand and wade in the water. It supplies hours of entertainment and it doesn't cost a penny.
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  13. Some of these beaches I have been to, including the country of Belize… but it was one of the most unsafe, unsavory places I've ever been! Maui was my favorite.

  14. whiskandstir says

    now I want to go to the beach! great post, thanks for sharing
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  15. Debbie Denny says

    Nice list. Love Ft Lauderdale. Awesome beach.

  16. My daughter is leaving for Florida with a friend in 2 days. I am so jealous!! I'm also really excited for her to!
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  17. Gosh I wish I could visit all those beaches!! I dont live very close to a beach but when we go to Ventura we sometimes take the kids to Port Huneme.

  18. What a great list….I don't think I have ever seen a family list of beaches before! Wish I was leaving to day to visit them all! 🙂

  19. yumeating says

    Michigan has a LOT of family friendly beach destination 😉

  20. Jennifer B says

    I have to say that a beach vacation is one of the best and most relaxing! Thanks for these suggestions!

  21. Ft. Lauderdale is an awesome place! One of my friends lived there when she was little.
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  22. I loved Jamaica. And there was a Beaches resort there which is definitely family friendly.
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  23. I would suggest adding the Bahamas. We had a wonderful time at the beach at Atlantis there.

  24. We love San Diego and Fort Lauderdale. We've never been to any of these other destinations though!

  25. I've been craving the sun, sand, and ocean for quite some time so these destinations are definitely going on my must-see list 🙂
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  26. I'd add Charleston! (Isle of Palms to be specific.) I loveeeeed Hawaii. And we're heading south of Charleston this summer!

  27. Someday. Someday I will visit every single one of these!
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  28. Portugal was an unexpected add! We love our Florida beaches 🙂
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  29. mamatomanyblessings says

    Yeah Ft. Lauderdale that is only an hour near me and where I grew up at! Yes the beach there is beautiful!
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  30. Elisebet F says

    I would add St. Augustine Beach, Florida and Luquillo Beach, Puerto Rico. I really want to visit Assateague Island though; I live just a couple of hours away!

  31. That Virginia beach is mentioned so often that I have GOT to get there. It's really not all that far from me.
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  32. ann bacciaglia says

    California is on top of my bucket list. I can not wait to go there in July! Great list of beaches. Thanks for sharing.

  33. I love to visit beaches. We are from Florida, so I have been to Ft Lauderdale.
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  34. loisaltermark says

    Great list and, living in San Diego, I can tell you it's an amazing place for a vacation – and to live!

  35. I think you've rounded it out nicely. Anything I could recommend would be dinky compared to the locations you listed. I'd love just to visit the beaches in Hawaii with my family one day.

  36. Maria Oller says

    love the beach and all those places are beautiful but Venezuela sounds a scary place for tourism.

  37. Ihave not been to many ocean beaches, but Hawaii is one I have and you are absolutely right! There is not one place on the beaches that won't take your breath away! it's gorgeous!
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  38. We LOVE the beach! We are lucky enough to live fairly close to one and have a condo. We haven't been AS much since moving on the lake, though.
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  39. These all look so amazing! Venezula is high on my bucket list.

  40. I am not much of a beach person but I think the ocean and beaches are beautiful and I enjoy the whole atmosphere. I love San Diego and their beaches.
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  41. Ft Lauderdale is quite beautiful! I'm a FL girl and also love Sanibel Island, Clearwater, and St. Pete!

  42. There are some great beaches there! I also love the beaches in TX!

  43. I love beaches. I have heard great things about Virginia Beach!

  44. I’ve been to all listed except Portugal. I love the beach!

  45. I love to travel and so if I'm ever in that neck of the woods I would surely visit. I have done most of the Caribbean islands and the beaches there are to die for.
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  46. Wow that a good list of beaches. I've heard great things about the beach in Virginia.
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  47. teresa mccluskey says

    I went to this on in AL and it was amazing! Also Galveston is a great one!

  48. San Diego is calling my name. I want to go there and visit. Maybe next summer. 🙂
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  49. I don't have one to add but want to go to all of them! lol Hawaii first, ok? Thanks for the great beach destinations.
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  50. casavilorainteriors says

    Great list. I would love to visit some of those places

  51. Jenni E. says

    I'd love to be able to go to some destination like these you mentioned. We rarely go on vacation, but I vote our next one is Hawaii! I'd love to go there!

  52. They are all family friendly- but the car ride there might take a while:) Thanks for adding more locations to me bucket list!

  53. I love the beaches in the San Diego area, and I love the La Jolla area too. It looks like I need to do some beach hopping.
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  54. Angela S says

    I would add Isle of Palms and Hilton Head Island, SC to that list. Great beaches!

  55. We've never been to the beach as a family. I'd love to take my kids someday.

  56. The New Classy says

    We go to Myrtle Beach a lot and I think it's pretty family friendly, too. I just love all beaches really, though. 🙂
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  57. We love Assateague, but we stay on the MD side. I would add Surfside Beach in SC or the Outer Banks.

  58. mommakoala says

    I really need to get away. We have a beach, but the water is cold and not always appealing.

  59. There are some beaches that the waves are pretty big or the current is pretty strong in Hawaii, so I definitely wouldn't say that all the beaches there are great for families.
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