Top Water Vacations

Did you know that a day at the beach can have a positive effect on one's emotions? Or that even looking at a relaxing beach scene can have a calming effect? Maybe that's why many people choose to spend their vacations at the water's edge, either at the ocean, lake or river.

Where might you want to spend your next "water vacation?"

On an Island

There are so many island destinations around the world with fantastic beaches upon which to relax, as well as great diving, snorkeling and swimming opportunities.

Most people instantly think of the Hawaiian Islands of Hawaii, Maui, Oahu and Kauai. But if you've been to Hawaii and want to try something new, how about St. John, the smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands? St. John was voted one of the "Top 5 Islands in The Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas," by Travel + Leisure in 2006, voted one of the "Top 10 Caribbean/Atlantic Islands" by readers of Conde' Nast Traveler in 2006, and voted "All-Around Destination" by readers of Caribbean Travel & Life in 2005.

The climate on St. John is nothing short of fantastic, ranging from the low 80s during the winter to the low- to mid-nineties in the summer. Lodging options range from pricey resorts on the beach (Caneel Bay Resort) to quite reasonable modest inns with shuttles that take you to the beach. One such modestly-priced inn is The Inn at Tamarind Court. With 20 units, 14 with bathroom, The Inn at Tarmarind Court starts at $110 - $120 for a double room in the off-season, $148 in the winter. You can reach them at 800/221-1637.

Camping on a Beach

Want a great view but don't want to spend big bucks to get it? Consider camping on the beach, either with a tent or in your RV. As with islands, there are an abundance of great beach campgrounds from which to choose. Here are three you might like:

Henderson Beach State Park, Destin, Florida: Henderson Beach State Park was named one of the "Top 15 Scenic Views" by ReserveAmerica, and is located just east of Destin, Florida on U.S. 98. Tent and RV Campers here will enjoy more than 6,000 feet of natural scenic shoreline, with sugar-white sand beaches and emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Living Forest Oceanside RV & Campground - Vancouver Island, Canada: RV West Magazine readers have voted Living Forest Oceanside RV & Campground their favorite privately run RV park and campground. Located in Nanaimo, The Living Forest consists of 53 acres of pristine forested land on a peninsula where the Nanaimo River joins the Ocean. Campers here will enjoy water on three sides of this park, and have their choice of sunny sites, river sites, ocean sites or secluded forest sites.

New Brighton State Beach - Capitola, California: New Brighton State Beach is one of the most popular state beaches in California, and chosen as one of the "Most Beautiful Campgrounds" by Frommer's. Located in the town of Capitola, just south of Santa Cruz, this 93-acre park along the coast of Santa Cruz offers spectacular views of the Monterey Bay. New Brighton State Beach is also popular for its family-oriented campground which sits on the towering bluffs high above the Pacific Ocean.

River Rafting

Whether it's rafting lazily down a river or an exhilarating whitewater rafting trip, a rafting vacation can be anything you want it to be. If whitewater rafting's your passion, why not try the Youghiogheny River Gorge which passes through Ohiopyle State Park in Pennsylvania? Not only will you experience some intense whitewater rafting, but you'll also experience Ohiopyle State Park, which Woodall's Camping Life includes on their "Top 10 State Parks" list.

Whichever river you choose, do make sure your rafting experience matches the class of the river. If you've never engaged in whitewater rafting before, you may want to start out with a lower class, and go in a group with experienced guides.

Lakeside

The great thing about a lake is that there's usually one within a couple hours where you live, so a great weekend getaway isn't far away. But, if you're planning on a longer lakeside vacation with spectacular views why not consider Lake Michigan?

Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America, and has the distinction of being the only one of the group of Great Lakes to be located entirely in the United States. Lake Michigan is bounded by the U.S. states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, but it is the beaches in Michigan where most consider the lake to be at its most beautiful. The off-white sand of its beaches are often referred to as "singing sands" because of the distinctive squeaking noise made when someone walks across it. That is due to the sand's high quartz content.

Whichever water vacation you choose, the point is to go relax and rejuvenate. That means leave your laptop at home and your cell phone off. The world can wait while you enjoy the water and the view.

Shari Hearn is a writer and creator of a boating vacations website, where you can learn about such things as Alaska charter fishing and Lake Michigan vacation.