Beach of the Week: Hanalei Bay, Kauai

Hanalei Bay Pier

Two miles of dreamy Hawaiian beach, backed by verdant island mountains: do we have your attention?  Hanalei Bay is a favorite spot for many.  For families, the water is often shallow and gentle, making it a good swimming spot for children.  A long pier stretches into the water, the perfect place to daydream about the Pacific and snap some (postcard worthy) pictures.  Hanalei is favored by surfers too, which are so fun to watch, even if you choose not to join them!  Popular food trucks frequent the parking lot; sounds like all we need to do is grab a bite to eat, a patch of sand, and relax!
 
What’s your favorite beach in Hawaii?



Prepare for your Hawaii beach vacation: SolEscapes has sun hats, swimwear, resort wear, and all your sunny essentials!

Packing Smart: Top 10 Reasons to Pack a Travel Beach Towel for your Vacation

1. SPACE in your beach bag.  SolEscapes Travel Towels are so teeny-tiny when folded up that four travel towels take up the same space as one typical beach towel.
2. Everyone gets their own!  Since they’re lightweight, and pack so compactly, you can bring one for each member of the family.  
3. No skimping on size.  When opened up, these puppies are 40” by 70”, that’s generous even by beach towel standards (and, ahem, larger than most loaner towels). 

   

   4 Travel Beach Towels vs. 4 Typical Beach Towels

4. Planes are cold.  Plane blankets are… weird.  And possibly not super hygienic.  A travel beach towel, tucked in a carry-on, makes a cozy, clean and roomy blanket for your plane ride.
5. Picnic, anyone?  Travel towels are great portable picnic blankets!  Throw one or two down, preferably in sight of a gorgeous view – and voila! – a lovely place to enjoy your romantic cheese & wine spread. 
6. Style - don’t leave it at home!  Bring gorgeous colors, whimsical sea-lifeprints and soft, supple fabric with you on your dream vacation!
7. No more soggy towels!  Microfiber dries quickly, so you won’t have to pack heavy, wet towels around.
8. Great in-a-pinch blanket.  When kiddo gets chilly at the enthusiastically air-conditioned restaurant, whip a travel towel/blankie out of your bag before the shivering gets too dramatic.
9. Instant clean surface.  Ya know when you want to sit on the bench, but the bench looks a little … iffy?  Travel towel to the rescue! 
10. Zip-zap-dry.  The microfiber fabric is a quick-drying champ!  It will have you dried off and ready for your poolside lunch in moments.

For in-depth information about travel towels and other essential warm weather travel products, see the Pick & Pack Advice section.

Beach of the Week: South Water Caye, Belize

Like a dream: Southwater Caye, Belize

Sometimes you just need to commune with nature.  Why not do it in a spot as beautiful as South Water Caye, an island off the coast of Belize?  Situated atop the Belize Barrier Reef, the snorkeling and diving here are supreme.  You can snorkel right off the beach, finding a rich array of colorful fish and sea life.  Arrange a dive trip, and further explore the reef and deep blue sea.  
 
After your aquatic adventures, head to the beach.  The beaches on South Water Caye are, quite simply, heaven.  The fine white sand, the Caribbean blue water, and the tropical tranquility will lull you into a nap in Paradise.

What’s your favorite place to snorkel?

 
Get your summer vacation supplies!  Sun protection, swimwear, sun hats, and sun protective clothing are must haves for fun in the summer sun.