USA beach destinations can be an excellent choice for families that want a fun-filled and relaxing vacation. Beaches offer a wide range of activities to insure the entire family will find something enjoyable during their stay.

Beach Activities

A day at the beach can include, swimming, jogging, walking, volleyball, flying kites, building sand castles, shell collecting, sunbathing, napping, picnics and best of all, relaxing. Bring a beach umbrella, beach chair, towels, sunblock, eyewear, camera, water, snacks, binoculars, a novel and don't forget your bathing suit!

Boating and Fishing

Beach destinations often have a nice variety of boat cruises, including, nature cruises, scenic cruises, sunset cruises, , site-seeing, eco-tourism trips, kayaking adventures and fishing charters. The array of guided trips gives families a good choice of events, and there is something for everyone. For the more independent and experienced vacationer, boat and other watercraft rentals are another option.

When chartering a boat, it may be a good idea to consider the weather, traffic, and other factors, and plan ahead. Some boats can be chartered on short notice, while others may be booked up to a year in advance. Depending on the trip, season and vessel you might need sunblock, camera, insect repellent, water, snacks, a light jacket or even rain gear. Information on what to bring is typically available by contacting the captain beforehand.

On nature cruises you might encounter are any number of wildlife and waterfowl including deer, ducks, geese, herons, egrets, plovers and other shorebirds, whales, porpoises, otters, seals and more. Local guides know the best spots and are eager to guide visitors on trips that just cannot be viewed from land.

Fishing guides might fish for flounder, trout, bluefish, croakers, spot, drum, striped bass, shark, sea bass, tautog, tuna, billfish, mahi-mahi, wahoo or other fish, depending on the season, boat and destination. Other trips will feature crabbing, shrimping, clamming, or just exploring.

Crabbing

Crabbing is an enjoyable family vacation activity. Catching blue crabs does not require much in the way of equipment or skill. Crabbing can be done from a boat, pier, near bridges or along the shoreline. Crabbers need only a line, weight, bait and dip net for the traditional rig, or an inexpensive crab trap, which eliminates the need for a dipping crabs up. A more basic rig is just twine, a sinker and whatever bait you can obtain, tied on the line. The line is then lowered into the water, and gently raised once a tug is felt.

Serious crabbing baits include fresh fish, eels, bull lips and other baits but the most basic bait, chicken necks, work just as well on a hand line. The traps are used in a similar fashion, except that the trap is lifted sharply to close the doors suddenly and capture any crabs that are inside.

Crabs should be kept damp and cool and steamed as soon as possible. They are simple to cook, and can be steamed whole or chilled, then the backs removed and rinsed out before steaming. In either case, the crabs are sprinkled with crab seasoning and steamed until they are bright orange. Serve with melted butter and a cold refreshment! Crabmeat is also excellent in a variety of dishes and even freezes well for short periods.

Clamming

Clamming is a family activity everyone can enjoy on a beach vacation. Clams are easy to find, cook and handle. Locals catch clams by raking, wading, and signing. Some clamming areas can be reached on foot. Boaters can explore even more possibilities. You can also use a local guide to assist you on an enjoyable clamming trip.

Dining Out

After a day at the beach you can stop for a cool ice cream cone, have a nice dinner while watching the sunset, or visit a local niteclub.

Beach destinations are known for fresh seafood! You might find fish, lobsters, crabs, oysters, clams, mussels, scallops as the fresh catch, depending on your location. Local cuisine varies but almost every beach destination will have something for everyone.

Accommodations

Beach resorts usually offer a wide range of accommodations. Vacationers will find vacation rentals, condos, cottages, hotels, motels, inns, bed and breakfasts, camping facilities or other options.

Vacationers can sometimes get excellent
rates and availability in the off season. During the peak seasons, rates are higher and accommodations are much harder to book. Visitors are advised to check for availability well in advance in most cases.

Festivals

Festivals are often an enjoyable activity during a beach vacation. Festivals usually combine, food, shopping and entertainment in one safe and easy to find location.

The Chincoteague Island Virginia Oyster Festival is a good example of a popular Festival. The event features Chincoteague Island's famous oysters. The festival promotes the oyster season, which includes the cooler months of fall, winter and spring. Food served includes oysters prepared in a variety of ways, clam fritters, steamed crabs, and other items. The Oyster Festival is held at Maddox Family Campground, on Maddox Blvd in Chincoteague Island, Virginia.