I’m sure you’ve read those lists of the world’s top this or that and asked yourself, like I have, “Who the heck picked that?”.  It’s like listening to a commercial that claims to have an award-winning product.  Don’t you ever wonder what award it actually won?

Well, I’m about to give you such a list of my favorite beaches.  Don’t worry, I’ll explain why.  You don’t have to agree with me but you may understand my sometimes off-the-wall thinking.

In no particular order, here goes:

Kukio Beach, Hawaii, USA

If you love seeing turtles in the wild, this is the beach for you. The beach sits just off the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on the Big Island.   It’s frequented by locals and is difficult to find but, once you do, you’ll be rewarded.  It’s a long sandy white beach with no lifeguards and the bottom is a bit rocky.  It’s an uncrowded piece of Heaven, which is why it’s on my list.

Mullet Bay, St. Maarten

On an island full of beautiful beaches, this is my favorite.  Maybe it’s because it was where I had my first SXM beach experience or, maybe, it’s because of Rosie’s Snack where the casual food is good and plentiful (as are the drinks).  The beach sits alongside the Mullet Bay Golf Course and you have to drive or walk through it to reach the beach.  The waters are warm, clear and mostly calm.  For those who stay in the Maho area, this beach is a short 15-minute walk.  Caution: you might encounter female humans with no bathing suit tops.

Perissa Beach, Santorini, Greece

When most people think of Santorini they think of cruise ships, shopping and stunning views.  Well, now you can add a beach to your thinking.  I like this beach because of the contrast between the beautiful blue waters and the soft black sand — as well as the beach bars and shops.  We visited in late June and we had the beach to ourselves.

Humor me for a moment… Sometimes a cloud or rock formation jumps out at us because of its familiarity.  I’ve seen Barney the Dinosaur in a cloud formation while in Florence.  I’ve seen Mr. Snuffleupagus in a rock while in St. Maarten.  On Perissa Beach my pride in being an American was rewarded by a vision of George Washington in a rock formation (see his profile at the end of the rocks?).

Wind and Surf Beach, Bonaire

Bonaire is the least-known of the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) all of which lie out of the hurricane belt.  Its claim to fame is not its beaches but its protected pristine reef, which beckons divers from all over the world.  Many of Bonaire’s beaches are coral, not sand, and entry into the crystal clear waters is somewhat hampered by rocks.  So, why include this beach?  I like that there is sand.  It’s much easier to walk on than coral!  Also, there is easy entry into the beautiful turquoise water and a very nice little beach bar.  On top of that, the beach is one of the world’s top windsurfing destinations.

Belmar, New Jersey, USA

The Jersey Shore.  For those of you outside NJ, that’s Exit 98 on the Parkway.  I’ve visited many beaches on my journeys and I always compare them to Belmar.  The top ten beach lists never include it but locals know all about it.  The beaches have soft white sand, the ocean is a haven for surfers and the nightlife is second to none in the area.  Oh yeah, the sunrises are fabulous, as well.  Yes, it’s the Atlantic and the water is not crystal blue and warm but it holds a special place in my heart. It’s home.