8 Best Beach Resorts for Teens

beach vacation Usually a good choice teenager Together, even those who are hardest to please. The water offers days of built-in entertainment, from swimming and surfing to snorkeling, and it's easy to balance family activities with the solo downtime teens crave. But not all beaches are the same – and for anyone of any age, choosing the right destination can make a big difference.

The ideal beach vacation depends on your teen's personality and preferences. Some people are happiest lounging by the beach with a good book and zero agenda, while others are on a mission to capture the perfect sunset photo for their Instagram and TikTok feeds. Others want non-stop activities, from snorkeling and paragliding to water sports and beach clubs. To keep your inspiration flowing, here are eight of the best beach destinations for teens around the world, each with its own unique appeal.

Huge, smooth granite boulders with unique circular structures create a dramatic landscape around small white sand beaches and light turquoise waters. Two people can be seen on the beach, while tropical vegetation, including palm trees, grows among the rocks under partly cloudy skies. — Huge boulders loom over Silver Bay, giving it a lunar appearance. Photo by seytales on Unsplash

8 Best Beach Resorts for Teens

silver bay seychelles

Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, so it's no surprise that you'll find some of the most beautiful beaches on earth here. Take your kids to La Digue's Anse Source d'Argent and watch them dazzle – the coastline is hugged by huge granite boulders that have been carved into smooth mounds by wind and waves. Combined with the tranquil shallow waters protected by a coral reef and the tropical region's signature white sand beaches and palm trees, teens can take all the selfies they want against this spectacular backdrop while enjoying a lazy day in the sun.

A sea turtle swims on a bed of green seagrass in clear turquoise water, the outlines of its patterned shell and flippers clearly visible. Small fish and snorkelers can be seen in the background of a sunlit shallow water underwater scene. — Turtles thrive in the waters of Grace Bay. Photo by Derek Oyen on Unsplash

Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos Islands

The entire Caribbean is famous for its variety of stunning beaches, but Grace Bay Turks and Caicos Islands With its dazzling white sand beaches and clear waters that range in shades of aquamarine and sapphire, it is truly unique. Teens who like to keep busy will enjoy parasailing, kayaking along the coast, live music and ice-cold fruit at beachfront restaurants. For those who want to dive beneath the waves, snorkeling at the Bay Reef (aka Coral Gardens) is one of the best ways to explore—the water is so calm that marine life thrives all around. Filled with brightly colored fish and abundant coral, it is widely regarded as one of the best coral reefs in the world. Plus, many of the top luxury properties in Turks and Caicos are located in Grace Bay, so you'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to finding the right property. The perfect home base.

Three young men stood in the shallow turquoise water with their arms around each other's shoulders, wearing casual beachwear and sunglasses. Towering limestone cliffs covered with lush green vegetation surround the bay on both sides behind them, and several boats are moored in the water under blue skies and white clouds. — Playa Maya was a fun visit (and photo opportunity). Photos courtesy of the Wieneke family

Phi Phi Island, Thailand

The six islands of Koh Phi Phi, located between Phuket and Krabi ThailandThe West Coast's picture-postcard scenery is famous for its towering karst cliffs that soar into the sky from deep turquoise water. For teenagers, head to Phi Phi Don where they can mix and match adventure, leisure time and nightlife. During the day, kayak among the cliffs, hike to Phi Phi Koh viewpoint for panoramic views of the island, or visit stunning Maya Bay, made famous by the 2000 Leonardo DiCaprio film beach. Other stunning beaches include Ao Ton Sai, Loh Dalum Bay and Laem Tong. In the evening, Phi Phi Island's beachside fireworks show, in which performers perform flaming sticks and torches in choreographed moves, will wow everyone in the family (and probably take teenagers' eyes off the screen).

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A colony of African penguins gathers on a beach, and the shore is dotted with moss-covered boulders. The turquoise water is rolling, white waves are beating against the rocks, and penguins are standing, resting and walking on the beach in groups. — Adorable penguins play on Cape Town's boulder beach. Photo by Casey Allen on Unsplash

Boulders Beach, South Africa

cape town, South AfricaKnown for its dramatic coastline and sea views, one beach in particular attracts animal-loving teenagers. You'll know you've arrived at Boulders Beach, tucked away on the Cape Peninsula, when you see dozens of African penguins roaming freely along the shore. Children will have fun snapping photos of these adorable, flightless birds as they lie on the rocks and watching them waddle on the sand – the only place you can see them up close. The beach is named for its huge granite boulders and minimizes the waves, making it a great place to sunbathe and splash around while visiting from the city centre.

The crescent-shaped bay has olive green sandy beaches surrounded by dark volcanic rock cliffs and formations, with turquoise waters and white waves crashing along the shore. There are a few people scattered on the beach, the rocky shoreline stretches out, and grassy terrain is visible on the highlands under clear blue skies. — Papakolia Beach will most likely be the first green beach your family has ever seen. Photo by xiSerge on Pixabay

Papakolia Beach, Hawaii

Papakōlea Beach on the south coast Big Island of Hawaii One of the few places in the world where the sand leading to the water is not black, beige, white, gray or any other typical shade…but green. The beach takes on an unusual color due to olivine crystals produced by nearby volcanic activity, and the sheer novelty makes it the best beach vacation spot for teenagers. Getting to Papakolia Beach takes some effort—it requires a 2.5-mile hike to get there—but the reward is worth it. Although swimming here is not always recommended due to the strong waves, it is a great place to shell yourself and admire this geological phenomenon.

The beach has unique pink sand, and along the shoreline, clear, shallow water meets the shore, creating wave patterns and ripples. Several blocks of dark, rough-textured volcanic rock protrude from the turquoise water, contrasting with the translucent sea and unusually colored sand. — The sand at Elafonissi Beach is a delicate pink color. Photo by Alexandra Tran on Unsplash

Elafonisi beach, Crete

If green beaches aren't your kid's cup of tea, maybe pink will suit them better. While pastel-colored sand is not uncommon, one of the most beautiful pink beaches you will ever visit is Elafonissi Beach on the southwest coast. Crete. The warm waters are perfect for a leisurely swim, and sunbeds and umbrellas are available for rent on the main beach; it's also great for picnics as food options are limited here. It takes some time to get here from base camps near popular towns like Chania and Heraklion, so make sure you start early or plan an evening visit so you can explore and enjoy Elafonissi without the rush crowds.

A lone tree grows on the white sand beach. The gray trunk is violently twisted and knotty, the branches extend horizontally, and the dense green leaves are blown by the wind. The tree stands against a backdrop of calm turquoise water under a clear blue sky, and several people can be seen swimming in the distance. — The gnarled trunks of the foforti trees on Eagle Beach stretch down to the sea. Photo by Vera Wijermars | Feathering on Unsplash

eagle beach aruba

If your family's idea of the perfect beach day involves a long list of sand and sea activities, Eagle Beach Aruba supply. It's laid back but energetic enough to keep teenagers happy, making it a great place to hit the open water on a jet ski, ride an ATV in the area, kayak in the waves or paddle board in the shallows. Curious teenagers will be drawn to the curved Divi-Divi (Fofoti) trees that slope toward the sea along the coastline – a fun shade spot when the sun is high overhead. It is also a prime location for sea turtle nesting, and during high season (March to September) you may be lucky enough to witness hatchlings.

hint: Eagle Beach faces west, so you can stay here long enough to enjoy the spectacular Caribbean sunset!

An aerial view reveals a curving stretch of white sandy beach surrounded by densely forested hills with a protected inlet showing swirling patterns of turquoise and light blue water formed by shallow sand bars and tidal movements. Several small islands can be seen in the deeper blue waters beyond the bay, and the pristine white sandy beaches contrast with the varying shades of blue water. — Aerial view of Hill Bay and Whitehaven Beach. Photo by Lochlainn Riordan on Unsplash

whitehaven beach australia

Part of Whitsunday Islands National Park, Queensland AustraliaWhitehaven Beach is only accessible by boat, seaplane or helicopter, and its remoteness and sparse facilities make it more suitable for older kids than little ones. As the name suggests, it has pale, powdery sand that stays cool underfoot even on the hottest days. At nearby Hill Inlet, the sand swirls with turquoise water in an absolutely jaw-dropping effect (hike to Tongue Bay’s lookout for an overhead view). Snorkeling and diving are also popular in Whitehaven as it is located in the center of the Great Barrier Reef and has an abundance of marine life in the shallows.

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