Starting at $80. Gregory Street North, Matthewstown, Inagua. 242-339-1004, bahamas.com/hotels/brensville-suites.
Credit: Eddie Robinson
Credit: Eddie Robinson
Biloxi, Mississippi
Biloxi’s coast is packed with fun adventures, from sunbathing and swimming along the extensive Gulf of Mexico coastline to watching dolphin shows at Ocean Adventures Marine Park and getting soaked at Buccaneer Bay Waterpark. For something a little different, try the 70-minute Biloxi Shrimp Trip adventure for a glimpse into the harvesting of tasty fish from the ocean floor.
$30. 693 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, Mississippi. 228-392-8645, Biloxi Lining Trip.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Dollywood Splash Country, Dollywood’s soaked sister venue sits in the deep shade of the Great Smoky Mountains adjacent to the theme park. But this 35-acre venue puts the emphasis on cooling off, with plenty of splash zones, wave pools, rapids and slick, twisty water slides. The tallest and fastest is Fire Tower Falls, which drops 70 feet and isn’t for the faint of heart. Last year, the park won an International Safety Award for its lifeguards, who keep a close eye on visitors of all ages.
Starting at $54.95. 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd., Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 800-365-5996, Dollywood.
Credit: Jeremiah Johnson
Credit: Jeremiah Johnson
Homosassa, Florida
Considered the manatee capital of the planet, Crystal River has consistently cool 72-degree waters that the large mammals love to visit. At the entrance to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, visitors can kayak, paddleboard or jump in to swim with the sluggish creatures, and numerous local tour companies offer up-close snorkeling adventures. The park also offers $3 boat tours to explore the river, and paved hiking trails are perfect for bird watching.
Admission $13. 4150 Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa, FL. 352-423-5600, about this website.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Columbia, South Carolina
Lake Murray is a 48,000-acre body of water, but it’s actually a reservoir and doubles as a watering destination. Its 650 miles of shoreline includes a swimmable sandy beach at Lake Murray Dam Public Park, and its 41-mile length is perfect for boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing (especially for largemouth bass and striped bass). The area also has 11 boat ramps, six marinas, and two lakefront campgrounds with 97 sites that can accommodate RVs.
April through Labor Day, $5 per vehicle, Lake Murray Dam Public Park. 2184 North Lake Drive, Columbia, SC. 803-781-5940, Lake Nature.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Fort Myers Beach, Florida
If you’ve ever dreamed of learning how to sail a boat, now’s your chance: step aboard one of 26 yachts piloted by an instructor from Steve & Doris Colgate Offshore Sailing School at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina. With 60 years of sailing experience, the company has experts on hand to guide you through basic lessons and certification courses, and you’ll be gliding along in the cool Gulf of Mexico breeze aboard their 26- to 44-foot boats in no time.
Lessons range from $125 to $250. Pink Shell Resort & Marina, 275 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, Fla. 888-454-7015, Offshore Sailing.
Credit: Hanodet
Credit: Hanodet
Jackson
Located northwest of Macon, High Falls State Park is known for its waterfalls on the Towaliga River, a tributary of the Ocmulgee River. Visitors can enjoy the falls in their own boats, kayaks, or paddleboards, or rent them from a nearby rental shop. A ramp provides easy access to the 650-acre lake, which is great for fishing for hybrid and white bass. The park also offers paddle-in campsites and yurts, where visitors can relax in the shade of the 1,050-acre park’s vast forests.
Admission is $5 per vehicle. 76 High Falls Park Drive, Jackson. 478-993-3053, gastateparks.org/HighFalls.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Antigua
Opened in April, the beachfront Royalton Chic Antigua sits at the crossroads of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. This adults-only resort has 235 rooms, each with a balcony or terrace. Some rooms have ocean views, access to a pool and direct access to the beach. By day, you can lounge under the palm trees, enjoy spa treatments, swim in the pool or cool off in the blue waters. Afterwards, try a variety of dishes on offer at seven restaurants, including seafood dishes at the overwater restaurant, Pescari.
$491 to $1,485. Halcyon Road, St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda. 855-744-8371, royaltonresorts.com/resorts/chic-antigua.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Tampa, Florida
Aboard Margaritaville at Sea’s Islander cruise ship, take a Jimmy Buffet-themed cruise from Tampa to Key West to Cozumel, Mexico. Four- and five-night cruises come with onboard amenities such as waterslides, adult pools and deck areas, kids’ clubs, casinos and a 14-story atrium with an entertainment stage opposite a giant flip-flop. A variety of themed restaurants and bars, including one that serves only champagne and sushi, and constant entertainment options are also part of the fun between ports. First responders, teachers and active or retired military can cruise for free when traveling with paying passengers.
$359-$649 per person. Port Tampa Bay, 1101 Channelside Drive, Tampa, Fla. 800-814-7100, .margaritavilleatsea.com.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Virginia Beach, Virginia
You don’t have to go to California or Hawaii to catch a wave. Virginia Beach, known as one of the East Coast’s top surfing destinations, has a number of companies that can teach you how to surf the 10. Seth Broudy School of Surf offers private lessons for students ages 6 and up, as well as one- and two-day sessions and camps. In the Atlantic Ocean, you can waterski, paddle board or just laze on the white-sand beaches. The area is also rich in wildlife, which you can see by joining a dolphin- and whale-watching cruise or exploring the nature trails of three state parks: First Landing, False Cape and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Surfing lessons from $70 to $299. 99 Vanderbilt Ave., Virginia Beach, VA. 757-286-7384, about this website.
Credit: VRX Studios
Credit: VRX Studios
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa is spread across 400 acres and offers plenty of fun activities for all ages. Water sports, dining and entertainment are available for kids and grandparents alike. In addition to eight restaurants, you’ll also find a lounge, swim-up bar, kids’ club, fitness center, unlimited use of non-motorized water sports equipment, an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, poolside cabanas, spa and private beach. Work up a sweat playing volleyball, pickleball, dance lessons or ping pong, then cool off in the water park with a 280-foot slide, lazy river, three pools, lagoon and waterfalls.
$325 to $882. Rose Hall, Main Road, Montego Bay, Jamaica. 876-953-2650, hiltonbyplaya.com/rose-hall.
