Comments on: Those top ten beaches

By: soupcon

soupcon — Mon, 30 May 2011 14:55:33 +0000

Our family used to rent a summer home in Ogunquit way back in the early 70’s and each day was spent out on the eastern beaches,just doing what you’re supposed to do in summertime Maine.The water temps normally hovered between 55-65 degrees, with a rare day breaching over 65.It was wonderful swimming and body surfing weather, and the only fellow Canucks we saw were a few francophones from Quebec.This was in a time before Ogunquit became a foodie and gay mecca,when the Viking House reigned supreme for it’s ice cream smorgasbord, Barnicle Billy’s and Hojo’s served great clams and more ice cream, and no one missed not having a TV the entire month of July.Now who could possibly complain about cold waters when compared to all that bliss? It was nirvana.

By: waltj

waltj — Sun, 29 May 2011 06:55:27 +0000

If I had to pick a beach just to have fun at, it would be Patong Beach in Phuket, Thailand. If you like having a beach to yourself, go elsewhere. This is Tourist Central for Phuket. But it does have its good points. The Andaman Sea is warm most of the year, the waves range from almost flat (southern end) to surfable (northern end), and the Thais do a reasonably good job of keeping the place clean. The western side of Phuket tends to have high salinity that keeps out most seaborne pests like jellyfish (the eastern mangrove swamps can get the deadly box jellyfish, although why anyone would want to swim there is beyond me), and there’s enough infrastructure along the water so that if you get bored with swimming, surfing, or wave-jumping, you can rent a jet ski , get a (legitimate) massage for around the equivalent of $10, or head off to a nearby golf course. Of course, if you want the “other” kind of massage, that’s available, too, as is every other vice known to man as well. There’s literally something for everyone in Patong, good and bad.

By: Danny Lemieux

Danny Lemieux — Sun, 29 May 2011 02:50:32 +0000

Western Michigan’s Lake Michigan beaches. Only in July-Sept, however. Beautiful dunes, charming harbor communities, warm temperatures, clear water and very few people.

By: J.J. formerly Jimmy J.

J.J. formerly Jimmy J. — Sat, 28 May 2011 17:27:46 +0000

The selection of beaches seemed to emphasize safety and swimmability, which are important issues, especially for families. In March my wife and I spent a week on Ft DeRussy Beach just next to Waimanolo Beach that was listed. The DeRussy Beach is really just an extension of Waimanolo. It is quite safe for the keikis (children) and the water temps are just right all year round.

For most of my adult life I have preferred good body surfing and snorkeling beaches. I love Ke’e and Tunnels Beaches on Kauai for snorkeling. My favorite beach for body surfing is Makapu Point on Oahu. However, they can all be quite dangerous for even experienced ocean swimmers in the winter, so I can see why they would not have been in consideration for this list.

By: Jimbo

Jimbo — Sat, 28 May 2011 15:05:02 +0000

Neo, Your story of Maine remined me of back in 1989 when I took my wife and oldest son to a beach in Maine North of Kennebunkport. It was in the 90s and so I ran into the ocean before realizing why only children and Canadians (and very few of those) were the only ones in the water. The one good thing about going into very cold water is that once you get out, high air temperatures don’t seem so bad. Most of the Canadians were French-speaking and even the restaraunt menus had parts of them in French. The beaches in Maine are beautiful, just don’t jump in the water too fast!

By: Bob From Virginia

Bob From Virginia — Sat, 28 May 2011 07:21:53 +0000

Bev, I heard swimming in rock quarries is extremely dangerous because of a dramatic change in thermocline. You jump in, hit cold water after a few feet and sink like a rock.

By: Beverly

Beverly — Sat, 28 May 2011 06:51:45 +0000

I went sailing in Maine with the Windjammer fleet, two summers in a row, out of Camden. Divine!

We did go swimming, but we had to wait to do it in the old rock quarries, which were cool but not icy.

By: Bob From Virginia

Bob From Virginia — Fri, 27 May 2011 23:54:04 +0000

My favorite beach, Gunnison on Sandy Hook, NJ. Big problem is that the water right up to June is cold. Warning, the beach is so popular the huge parking lot fills up by 0900 on weekends. Good facilities and a coastal artillery museum add to the pleasure of being there.

Alas here in west Nebraska the number of beaches is very limited. Having the Platte River flood into the Sand Hills just isn’t the same.

By: I R A Darth Aggie

I R A Darth Aggie — Fri, 27 May 2011 23:03:50 +0000

It’s actually heavy on Florida beaches. And it’s good to see St. George Island mentioned, as that is an excellent beach and just down the road a piece from me…not that I’m biased or anything.

By: SteveH

SteveH — Fri, 27 May 2011 22:34:05 +0000

I’ll second Dr Beach’s choice of the Florida panhandle. The Atlantic has nice beauty but the skiined knees and elbows from its pebbles tends to take away from it.