What Makes For A Great Beach?

There are many factors to consider, such as: 1) sand quality and color, 2) water temperature, color and clarity, 3) the abundance of fish, corals and other sea creatures, 4) wave height and frequency, 5) type and number of shells, 6) presence of rocks and/or tidepools, 7) presence of birds and other wildlife, 8) number of visitors, and 9) average age of visitors, to name several among a very broad range of possibilities.

For each of these factors, different individuals will have their own unique preferences. For example, adults looking to relax may prefer a relatively quiet beach, with fine white sand, gentle blue-green waves, warm water, and an abundance of colorful shells. Conversely, a group of teenagers would likely prefer a crowded beach, with waves ideal for surfing and splashing, and children are happiest when the sand is just right for building castles, or when there are tidepools in which to hunt and catch small creatures.

So, the answer to the question "What makes for a truly great beach?" is unique to each person, or group of people, making that decision. It is, therefore, important to consider your vacation/relaxation/entertainment objectives before selecting the "right" beach to visit. Do a little research. If you like to snorkel, make sure that your selected destination has a few nice reefs with abundant and colorful fish. If you want to search for buried treasure, grab your metal detector and visit a Gulf coast beach after a major storm. If you just want to get away from it all, don't visit Miami's South Beach, rather find someplace quiet, along a secluded coast. But, in my mind, and whatever your choice, what makes for a truly great beach is simply being there!