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Sandy Solutions - Finding The Perfect Beach Vacations For Your Client

Credit: NC Tourism/Bill Russ
Three North Carolina beaches, including Kill Devil Hills allow unleashed dogs on the sand.
By Josephine Matyas

Everyone loves the beach, but the pull of the sand and surf means different things to different people. Have a client who wouldn’t even think of travelling without their pooch? Steer them towards dog-friendly beaches. How about honeymooners looking for a romantic, secluded spot to watch the sun set? Your recommendation will send hearts aflutter. And busy families or those that like to play in the waves are hoping you’ve got ideas that will keep everyone happy.

Looking for suggestions? We’ve got your back covered.

For Romantics
The St. Petersburg and Clearwater area in Florida is known for 60 kilometres of award-winning coastline. The beach at Caladesi Island State Park (an undeveloped barrier island ranked No.1 in 2008 by Dr. Beach) has clear blue-green waters and palm-dotted trails…and plenty of serenity and seclusion. Nearby Honeymoon Island State Park is perfect for the nature-loving couple. With six-kilometres of shoreline, beach lovers can find quiet areas for swimming, sunning and shelling.

For Dogs & Their People
The Paw Playground at Fort De Soto State Park just a short drive from Tampa, Florida has been rated one of the top 10 best “Dog-Friendly” beaches in the country. The park allows dogs on the beach in a designated area. There are also dog showers and fenced leash-free areas for large and small dogs.
 
Three North Carolina beaches allow unleashed dogs on the sand. The town of Duck has bragging rights as a “dog friendly beach town”: dogs can romp on the Duck Town Beach. The towns of Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills allow off-leash dogs (under control by the owner) to run and play on the beachfront (anytime between Labor Day and the Memorial Day weekend in May.

For Families
In South Carolina, the new Myrtle Beach Boardwalk & Promenade provides beautiful views of the beach, an oceanfront park and a fun carnival-style atmosphere with street performers, shops and restaurants.

The Corpus Christi Beach along the South Texas Gulf Coast is perfect for families – with a waterfront protected from the waves, equipment rentals on site, and walking distance to most hotels and the downtown area.

A park on an island is sure to appeal to kids. Belle Isle Park in Detroit, Michigan is home to a zoo, aquarium, conservatory, Great Lakes museum and plenty of room to hike, barbecue, watch boats and bicycle. The park is easily accessible by footbridge from the mainland.

The classic beachfront at Virginia Beach has a lot to keep kids engaged, from the award-winning summer boardwalk, to the clean, warm sand and water. Lined with boutiques, souvenir shops and restaurants, there is something for every visitor. The boardwalk is perfect for biking, rollerblading, running or strolling. In the summer months, four oceanfront stages provide live musical acts. The area’s JT’s Grommet Island Beach Park and Playground For EveryBODY (opened in 2010) is the first oceanfront playground that is 100 per cent handicap-accessible.

For The Sports Crowd
The new Inlet Sports Lodge, geared to eco-tourists and sportsmen, has opened in the fishing village of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. The resort’s concierge service can help plan fishing trips and other outdoor outings, including visits to nearby Huntington Beach State Park and dolphin-viewing boat excursions.

Many of the outfitters on the Sandbridge area on Virginia Beach’s south shore offer surf lessons and surf camps. Trained instructors teach water safety and the fundamentals of surfing.

Texas’ South Padre Island is developing a niche as a beach fitness destination. Group outdoor fitness training is available for all skill levels – in the fresh air, with the sounds of the ocean and sand under your feet!

Also in Texas, a younger crowd of surfers, windsurfers, and kiteboarders seek out the wind and waves at J.P. Luby Surf Park/ North Packery Channel, along the island beaches on the Gulf of Mexico.

Travellers heading to San Francisco, California don’t have to head far from downtown to find great surfing beaches. Ocean Beach, along the west coast of the city is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The water at Ocean Beach is famous with serious surfers for its strong currents and fierce waves, making it one of the Bay area’s top surfing spots. Just 35-minutes to the south the beach at Half Moon Bay is renowned for its enormous waves and the renowned Mavericks Surfing Competition.

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