Turtles

Brewers Bay is where St. Thomas residents and university students go, and it is free with no cruise excursion traffic at all. The water is shallow, calm and clean, with sea grape trees giving real shade along the back - a rare and valuable thing on a Caribbean beach. There is seagrass offshore that sometimes brings turtles in. Food vans park on the road behind selling pates and local plates. The unusual feature is the airport: the runway ends just along the shore, so aircraft come in low directly over the water, which most children find far more interesting than the swimming.

Canaveral is the longest stretch of undeveloped coast left in Florida, protected because it borders the Kennedy Space Center. Standing on the sand with nothing built in either direction is a rare thing on the Atlantic side of this state. Loggerhead, green and leatherback turtles all nest here, and the park runs guided night walks in June and July that are worth planning a trip around. Mosquito Lagoon behind the dunes is famous for paddling and fishing. Facilities are minimal, the beach can close entirely for launches, and the surf is real Atlantic surf rather than Gulf calm.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a rehabilitation facility that happens to admit visitors, and the difference from a conventional aquarium is the point: the animals are rescues, many are non-releasable because of their injuries, and the medical work happens in front of you. It became widely known as the home of Winter, the dolphin fitted with a prosthetic tail, whose story became the film Dolphin Tale. There are turtle and otter habitats, presentations through the day and a boat tour on the bay. It is the obvious answer to a rainy day or a red tide on this coast.

Coral World’s centrepiece is an observatory tower built down into the reef offshore, so you descend a spiral staircase and look out through windows at wild fish and coral in open water rather than a tank. Around it are touch pools with starfish and urchins, a sea turtle pool, a shark tank and a nature trail with lorikeets. Paid add-ons include a sea lion encounter and a Sea Trek helmet walk on the seabed for older children. It works well as a wet-weather or rough-sea alternative, and it sits directly beside Coki Beach so the two combine into a full day.

Delnor-Wiggins solves the problem that makes beach days with small children hard: five parking areas spread along the mile of beach mean you are always within a short carry of the car, with restrooms and showers at each. The Gulf here is typically flat and shallow. The pass at the north end has a strong current and is not for swimming, but it is a good spot to watch boats and fish, and the observation tower gives a view over the mangroves. Loggerheads nest along this beach in summer. The lot fills by mid-morning in season.

Maho is the turtle beach. Seagrass beds start almost immediately offshore and green turtles feed on them daily, often within twenty or thirty feet of the sand in water barely deep enough to swim. Spotted eagle rays cruise through regularly too. Because the bay is protected and the water is flat and shallow, this is the most accessible wildlife snorkel in the territory - a cautious child in a mask can see turtles without ever being out of their depth. The road runs right along the beach so access is trivial. Keep the required distance from turtles and never chase or touch them.

Red Reef put limestone boulders in shallow water close to shore, and the result is a reef you can swim to in under a minute with fish life that punches well above the depth - angelfish, parrotfish, snapper and often a green sea turtle grazing. Because it is only a few feet deep it suits swimmers who are competent but not strong, and you can stand between looks. There are two reef sections, north and south of the lifeguard stands. The Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is across the road and runs a sea turtle rehabilitation facility worth pairing with the swim.

Sapphire combines things that usually do not come together: a genuinely good reef within easy swimming distance at Pettyklip Point, and a broad shallow sandy stretch in the middle where small children can play safely. The snorkelling holds turtles, rays and reef fish. Trade winds funnel through here, which is why windsurfers and kiteboarders use it and why afternoons get choppy - mornings are noticeably calmer. There is a beach bar, watersports rentals and a marina alongside. Public access is via the resort, which is legal and normal in the USVI, where all beaches are public.

Sombrero is the middle Keys’ family beach and it is free, which in this stretch of Florida is worth saying twice. The sand is soft, the water stays shallow a long way out, and unlike most Keys beaches there are mature palms giving genuine shade over the picnic tables. There is a playground, clean restrooms and a volleyball court. Loggerhead turtles nest along here in summer, and marked nests appear on the sand. It is a good midpoint stop breaking up the drive between Key Largo and Key West.

Tamarindo is not much of a sunbathing beach - narrow, some rock, modest sand - and that is not why anyone comes. Just offshore the bottom is turtle grass, and green sea turtles graze it reliably enough that a morning snorkel here is close to a guaranteed encounter. They are unbothered by swimmers who keep their distance, and the water is shallow and generally calm. There is also decent reef towards Luis Peña Cay. There are no facilities at all, so bring water and gear. Regulations require keeping a respectful distance from turtles; do not touch or chase.

A genuine Hawaiian sailing outrigger canoe launched straight off Polo Beach in Wailea, with groups capped at eight people. The family helps push the canoe out through the shore break, which kids love, and then the sail goes up for a run along the Wailea coast. The crew teach traditional navigation and paddling along the way, and there is a snorkel stop where green sea turtles are common. It is the smallest and most hands-on sailing trip on Maui, and the closest thing to sailing the way Hawaiians actually did it.

A paved 1.5-mile coastal path connecting five beautiful beaches on Maui sunny south shore. The path passes through resort properties along dramatic lava rock coastline with excellent whale watching in winter. Kids can hop between beaches, explore rocky tide pools between them, and spot sea turtles resting on the sand. The path is flat, paved, and stroller-friendly making it one of the most accessible coastal walks in Hawaii. Each beach has a slightly different character and the views of Molokini and Kahoolawe offshore add to the scenery.

A protected natural area on Maui south shore with excellent snorkeling in calm, clear water over lava rock reef. The reserve sits on the last lava flow on Maui and the underwater landscape of lava formations covered in coral is fascinating. Fish, turtles, and eels are common. The entry is over lava rock so water shoes are essential. There are no facilities and no lifeguards so this is for families comfortable with independent ocean swimming. The marine life here is abundant because the area is well protected.

A private oceanfront campground on Maui west side with tent sites and permanent glamping tents right on the beach. The reef off Olowalu is one of the best snorkeling spots on Maui with a high chance of seeing sea turtles. Kids fall asleep to the sound of waves and wake up to snorkel right from camp. The glamping tents have real beds and electricity for families who want comfort without a hotel. The location between Lahaina and Kihei makes it a convenient base. This is as close to beach camping paradise as it gets.

A unique snorkeling spot where warm water discharged from a nearby power plant attracts an incredible diversity of marine life. Spinner dolphins, sea turtles, eagle rays, and dense schools of fish are regularly seen in the warm outflow channel. The visibility is good and the marine life density is higher than almost anywhere else on Oahu. The entry is over rocks and there are no lifeguards so this is best for experienced swimmer families. When conditions are calm, the snorkeling is genuinely world-class and free.

A gorgeous 3-mile stretch of golden sand on Maui west side that is consistently rated among the best beaches in the world. The water is calm and clear making it excellent for swimming and snorkeling. Black Rock at the north end is one of the best shore snorkeling spots on Maui with sea turtles and tropical fish. Every evening at sunset a cliff diving ceremony from Black Rock draws a crowd. The beachfront walk connects hotels, restaurants, and shops. Snorkel gear can be rented at multiple spots along the beach.

The best beginner snorkeling spot on the Kona Coast with a shallow reef protected by a natural breakwater. The water is calm and teeming with colorful tropical fish, sea turtles, and even the occasional octopus. Kids can stand up in most areas which makes nervous snorkelers feel safe. Lifeguards are on duty and the Kahalu u Bay Education Center provides free reef education and lends reef-safe sunscreen. The sandy beach area is good for younger kids who just want to play in the water. Restrooms, showers, and shade pavilions are available.

A stunning 3.5-mile coastal boardwalk and trail connecting several beautiful bays along Maui west shore. The trail is mostly flat and paved with sections of boardwalk over lava rock. Kids can spot sea turtles, whales in winter, and tide pool creatures along the way. Several beaches along the route offer swimming stops. Kapalua Bay at one end and DT Fleming Beach at the other are both excellent for families. This is one of the most scenic easy walks in all of Hawaii.

Four man-made crescent-shaped lagoons with calm, protected water that is the safest ocean swimming on Oahu for young kids. The lagoons have sandy bottoms, gentle slopes into the water, and are sheltered from waves and currents. Toddlers can splash in ankle-deep water while older kids snorkel along the rock walls. Each lagoon has restrooms, showers, and some shade. Sea turtles frequently visit the lagoons which is always a thrill. Lagoons 1 and 4 are the least crowded.

The most reliable spot on Oahu to see Hawaiian green sea turtles basking on the sand or swimming in the shallow water. Volunteers are often present to educate visitors and ensure people maintain the required 10-foot distance from the turtles. Kids are thrilled to see these gentle creatures up close on the sand. The beach itself is rocky and not ideal for swimming but the turtle viewing alone makes it worth the stop. Located on the scenic North Shore drive between Haleiwa and the Dole Plantation. The best viewing is usually in the afternoon.