We Tried It! Wellness360 Staff's Top Beach Picks

Summer is finally here, which means you are probably thinking about planning the ultimate social-distancing vacation at the beach! Our staff at Wellness360 has visited quite a few beaches in our days, and we have compiled our top beach picks for some fantastic beach destinations!

MEGAN:

Ironically enough, my most memorable and favorite beach is called Magen’s Bay. It is a beautiful beach, tucked away in a cove on the Island of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. I went here in 2002, but still remember the blinding white sand and crystal clear water that put off a bright aqua and teal glow. Not only is the beach breathtaking, but the journey to get there from our cruise ship was fantastic! We rode on a catamaran to get to the island, then drove through mountains of jungle until we arrived. It is a beautiful hidden nook, and I highly recommend it to anyone that finds themselves in St. Thomas!

APRIL:

After moving to Florida from North Carolina, my top beach pick is Longboat Key, Florida which is west of Sarasota. Especially when my children were young, I loved the calm, warm waters of the Gulf. The fine white sandy beaches and sparkling turquoise waters look like they are from a travel brochure. We love the beach, boating in the bay and playing on the sandbars. St. Armand’s Circle is there, too, with world class dining (Columbia and Tommy Bahamas are good choices) and all kinds of little boutiques and shops. We never miss a chance to get ice cream at Big Olaf’s Creamary or grab a waterside lunch at Salty Dog’s. The Mote Marine Aquarium is also there and is perfect for days you want to spend inside.

AMANDA:

While I love being a Florida girl and I love our beaches, I would say my top beach pick is Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii! I was able to vacation there in January, and the warm sun and cool waters made me completely forget that it was actually wintertime. Not only was the weather on the beach perfect, but the atmosphere of Hawaii was unreal. Being surrounded by palm trees and hearing a constant hum of a ukulele everywhere I went made my experience that much more magical. I also visited a small bay in East Honolulu called Hanauma Bay where I got to snorkel with the most exotic fish I’ve ever seen. I can’t decide which location I like better, as they both were breathtakingly beautiful. I can’t wait to go back!

BETSY:

We do a bi-annual trip to Edisto Beach, SC with my very large family. We rent three to four beach houses and enjoy good quality family time for a week. With the 30-40 of us that attend, there is plenty for all to do; but in a laid back beach setting. There are a handful of restaurants and shops, a Bi-Lo Grocery Store, a Marina, a night club and the rest of the fun is left up to nature. Our favorite restaurant is Whaley’s. They have the best fish sandwich I’ve ever had, delish! Whether we’re at the beach, kayaking, boating, biking or going on a turtle watch, there is plenty to do for all ages. This is a trip we look forward to every two years, and it’s a special time to stay connected with extended family.

GRACE:

Being from Florida, it is so difficult to choose a favorite beach! Some of them have the best sand, some have the best restaurants, while others have the best sunsets. I will narrow it down to two. Coming in at number one is Destin, Florida because the sand feels like clouds and the sunsets are absolutely unreal. We have visited Destin a few times for family vacations, and everytime we go, we never want to leave. The second would be Malibu beach in California because when you visit, you feel like a movie star and the deep blue water is so different from the East coast. You can even walk a trail up to an ancient coastal bluff sand dune at Point Dume and look out over the water.

NICOLE:

When I moved to Jupiter Florida at the age of 10 from New York, I didn’t realize how lucky I was to be living seven miles from the sand and the surf of the Atlantic Ocean. Fast forward 23 years since I have been living in Gainesville, and I sure do miss it! Not only are there miles and miles of sandy beaches and beautiful waves on the ocean side, there is also the Jupiter Inlet that is home to the Jupiter Lighthouse, Blowing Rocks on Jupiter Island and the Intercoastal Waterway where you can see manatees and other sea life while cruising on a boat, paddle board or kayak.