Hawaii’s Best Swimming and Snorkeling Beaches

(PHOTO Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Kirk Lee Aeder

Hawaii has some of the best and most famous beaches in the world, including Oahu’s iconic Waikïkï Beach. Some are only accessible by helicopter or watercraft, while others literally disappear under the high winter surf on the islands’ north shores. But which beaches are the best for swimming and snorkeling?

Kauai – Hanalei Bay Beach, with a nearly perfect semi-circle of white sand and breath-taking backdrop of waterfalls and mountain peaks, is one of Kauai’s most scenic swimming beach. Këë Beach Park, with an offshore reef lagoon teeming with colorful fish, is a favorite snorkeling site. www.KauaiDiscovery.com

Oahu – Lanikai Beach, with a clean, wide white sand beach and crystal clear water, is considered by many among the top swimming beaches in Hawaii. Hanauma Bay is the most famous of Hawaii’s snorkeling beaches and one of the best in the world, due to its high fish population. www.Visit-Oahu.com

Länai – Hulopo‘e Beach, with an expanse of golden sand and deep blue waters, has earned the title as one of America’s best beaches. Clear waters and a variety of marine life make it ideal for swimming and snorkeling. www.GoHawaii.com/Lanai

Molokai – Päpöhaku Beach is billed as Hawaii’s largest white sand beach, and with very little foot traffic there’s plenty of space to spread out, as well as enjoy the excellent swimming and snorkeling conditions. www.GoHawaii.com/Molokai

Maui – Käanapali Beach, Maui’s signature beach, is a swimmer’s paradise with miles of white sand and easy access to beachfront hotels, shopping and dining. Black Rock Beach at the northern end of Käanapali Beach, with an abundance of coral and tropical fish, is an excellent spot for snorkeling. www.VisitMaui.com

Hawaii’s Big Island – Häpuna Beach State Park, with white sands and clean, clear water has earned the reputation as one of Hawaii’s finest swimming beaches. Kahaluu Beach Park, a tiny sheltered cove with a large tame fish population and shallow, calm water, is renowned for its excellent snorkeling. www.BigIsland.org

For more information visit www.gohawaii.com

Ruidoso, New Mexico

Ski Apache and Alto Hombre Gordito Hideout

The Ski Package Experts

Valid February 2009 Weekends and Weekdays

Ski Equipment and lift tickets ready when you check in.
No waiting in line at a ski shop.

Still need to learn how to get down the mountain? Watch a Ski or Snowboard instruction video tape available with your equipment rental.

Cozy Cabin Ski Package
$70 per person per day

Ski Package Features:

• 2 nights lodging for 2 persons in Cozy Cabin with wood burning fireplace

• 1 day ski or snowboard rental for 2 persons - including skis with boots and poles, or snowboard with boots

• 1 day ski lift tickets for 2 persons

• Complimentary ski/snowboard instruction tape, indoor pool, hot tub, sauna

www.hombregordito.com

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah Garden, courtesy Savannah Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Even with the nation's largest registered Urban Historic Landmark District, Savannah's 21 green squares and 1,600-plus historically and architecturally significant structures are all within a 2.5 square mile area. Wear your walking shoes and stroll the Historic District. Guide services can personalize your walk to a specific interest including ghost walks. With a recorded history dating back to colonial days, Savannah has many famous residents of a "spiritual nature” and is said by many to be one of America's most haunted cities.

The Arts Are Alive and culture flourishes in Savannah, home of one of the largest art schools in the country. The faculty, students and graduates of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) exhibit in numerous galleries city-wide, energizing the local art scene. Artists invite you into their studios in the old City Market. Theater, film and music scenes are also vibrant.

Garden's fill the city, Savannah's squares are actually magnificent public gardens. And a stroll down a Savannah street can yield a peek through private garden gates to scenes of breathtaking beauty.

www.savannahvisit.com

Sebastopol, California

Full House Farm - Harmony With Horses Retreat

Stay the weekend in a beautiful 3/bdr, 2/ba vacation rental on a 23-acre estate and join a 3-hour workshop introducing you to the harmonious language and rhythms of horses. Discover a pathway to harmony with yourself through demonstration, group exercises and individual hands-on guidance.

Learn about functional existence within diverse groups, intrinsic to healthy living. Experience rhythm physically in order to recognize it spiritually. Here is your chance to be with horses on a healing level. Most of the work is done on the ground instead of riding. Whether you have never worked with horses or have spent your life with them, this information is progressive and inspirational.

www.fullhousefarm.com