The best beaches to escape the cold this December

 

Velvety-soft sands, mild island breezes, and serene, crystalline surf greet visitors at Trunk Bay in tropical St. John. Even in December, you'll find agreeable weather at the Virgin Islands National Park shoreline – with average land and sea temps in the 80s. While sunbathing is one of the main draws, you can always snorkel the Trunk Bay Underwater Reef Trail, a 225-yard-long family-friendly path dotted with colorful fan coral and exotic marine life.

Scoot on over to the Northeast coast of Providenciales (Provo, if you want to fit in) and you'll find the 12-mile-long, barrier reef-protected Grace Bay Beach. The postcard-perfect stretch of white and pink sand consistently lands international 'best of' lists for its impossibly turquoise waters, calm surf and nearly year-round sunshine. Winter in Provo – get a load of this – means air temps in the mid 80s while the ocean remains tepid as well, in the mid 70s.

Late November and certainly December may spell out descending temps and snow flurries for most regions of the US, but on the West Coast, Cali still clings to a sliver of sun. Drive yourself down the state's rugged coast on the scenic Pacific Coast Highway and make a pit stop in Laguna Beach. Though the luxe Orange County town was sprung to reality TV fame in 2004 thanks to a high school-age Lauren Conrad (and co.), it's an indisputable destination in its own right with mild temps and eight miles of rambling coves and beaches, including downtown Main Beach – Laguna's "Window to the Sea."

If you’ve never heard of Virgin Gorda, let us properly introduce you. The 8.5-mile mountainous island – the third largest in the British Virgin Islands, is home to one of the Caribbean's most visited natural wonders: the Baths. On the southern end of the isle lies a maze of eroded, volcanic granite boulders, tidal pools, natural cave tunnels, and rocky grottoes that attract holiday-makers in search of primo snorkeling spots.
 

Though most dedicate the bulk of their Bahamian trips to Nassau or Paradise Island – AKA mega-resort central – those in the know hop a ferry to Harbour Island to spend a lazy day on Pink Sands Beach. The three-mile expanse of coral reef-protected shore is laid-back in all the ways that its resort-town siblings never could be. Serene Atlantic waves meet a crowd of friendly locals and few visitors, and bet you didn’t guess it: pale pink sand. An added bonus? The sand is always delightfully cool to the touch, so you can walk barefoot without worrying about burning your toes.

The 21-mile-long island of Bermuda isn't aching for beautiful beaches, that's for sure; so topping our list takes quite a lot. One of our highest regarded is the fine, white and pink-sand Horseshoe Bay. The Atlantic shoreline, rimmed with limestone rocks and dotted with intimate coves, is named for its curved shape. While the beach can be overrun by overzealous sun-seekers, you can easily jaunt to nearby vacant inlets – like Rocky Port Royal Cove (AKA Baby Beach) to the west, and Peel Rock Cove to the east – to avoid the masses. If you’re down for some time in the water, don’t miss out on killer snorkeling; parrot fish, angel fish and snappers are just some of the colorful aquatic species you may encounter.

Source Businessinsider