Specifically Pacific
Near or far, a luxury beach getaway delivers
It’s the dreamiest of vacations. Snuggling your toes in warm tropical sands, gazing across the blue ocean, thrilling to splashy watersports – or simply relaxing – waiting to celebrate the next glorious sunset. Spring’s the time to make your dreams come true. As the weather warms, escape to the fun, romance and adventure of the Pacific’s dazzling beaches. HAWAII: Get there before it happens Time is on your side! You gain two precious daylight hours winging it to beautiful Hawaii. Poipu Beach ,on Kauai’s southern coast, is composed of a series of natural golden sand crescents. You’ll find a natural keiki (kiddie) wading pool, marine life from monk seals to green sea turtles, and calm, clear waters for swimming, snorkeling, stand up paddle boarding and more. Enjoy the small town vibe of Old Kaloa Town and accommodations ranging from budget to luxury.
More bird tracks than footprints welcome you to secluded Papohaku Beach on Molokai’s western shore. Get a “Lost” vibe (sans smoke monster) sunning on its three miles of soft white sands, at times more than 100 yards wide, with views of Oahu floating on the horizon. It’s about 20 minutes from the island’s only hotel, Hotel Molokai. Speaking of Oahu, the Ko
Olina Lagoons, four manmade sandy beach coves on the southwestern tip, are one of the island’s new beach time favorites. The calm, shallow swimming areas are perfect for family fun. The area’s growing number of resorts, including Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, and Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club hotel, offer après beach activities without the crowds. Locals say Ko Olina’s sunsets are some of the best on the islands.
FIJI AND PACIFIC ASIA: Closer than you think
From Honolulu, fly direct to Fiji (seven hours on Fiji Airways) and breathtaking beaches on more than 333 islands. Natadola Beach, on Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu, is consistently ranked one of the world’s most beautiful. Travel by horseback or surfboard on this beach, a picture-perfect mile of white sand framed by turquoise seas and lush emerald foliage. Lavish in luxury at the beachfront Inter-Continental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa, or the exclusive 36-room Yatule Resort & Spa.
Surround yourself with beach beauty on a single resort island, like 13-squaremile Yasawa Island. Enjoy 11 pristine, white sand beaches at the luxe 18-bure (cottage) Yasawa Island Resort & Spa, Fiji. It’s a 30-minute flight or scenic four-hour catamaran sail from Viti Levu. Picnic together in seclusion on a different beach every day. Dive, snorkel, kayak or explore nearby islets. There’s a kids’ club for families and delightful entertainment by local village residents.
Farther across the Pacific, Taiwan boasts an uncommon beach experience. On Green
Island, dip into the unique natural saltwater hot springs bubbling up from the white sandy beach. The island also has Taiwan’s best scuba diving. Bed and breakfast inns offer cozy accommodations.
The wide, sunny sands of Waiao Beach, an hour from Taipei, are great for surfing, paragliding and other adventurous watersports.
SAN DIEGO: Paradise in your own backyard
When you only have a weekend, zip down to San Diego’s beaches for a South Seas-style fix. Snorkel with cute, harmless leopard sharks at La Jolla
Shores beach. Make like Robinson Crusoe and camp or day trip on the serene sands of seven-mile Silver Strand State Beach on Coronado. Sunbathe, kite surf, bird watch (some 370 rental shops from biking and boarding to kayaking and even jet-packing. Pacific
Beach is tops for surfers at Tourmaline Surf Park. You’ll even find a dreamy, South Pacific-style single resort island, the newly-refurbished Paradise Point. species make this their home) or take to two wheels along the Bayshore Bikeway, featuring views of the Pacific and San Diego Bay.
Join the subtropical action on Mission Bay’s nearly two miles of beaches, with the roaring Pacific on one side and calm Mission Bay waters on the other. You’ll find