When you begin to round the bend at Brant point,  you notice your shoulders drop, your breathing slows down and your thoughts of meetings and chores are replaced of thoughts of sitting by the water and strolling down the cobblestone streets with your favorite person next to you. 

Once you disembark the ferry and grab your bags, its time to disappear from the crowds and head to one the many beaches.  For such a small island, there is a beach for every mood and activity level.  

BRANT POINT

The one in the picture above is Brant point, its the tip where all boats come and leave from.  There are no restrooms, concession stands which makes it perfect to just sit and watch the boating traffic.  Its a great place to bring some cheese and crackers and some drinks and settle in as the sun sets.  

Jetties Beach

If you are with family in tow or just want some more amenities, then jetties beach is the place for you.  It has the pavilion that houses a full restaurant and bar, gift shop, restrooms and changing areas.  They have picnic tables and beach chairs in the sand where you can have a cocktail and listen to live music while waiting for a table at dinner. 

It has lifeguards during the day for the families that pack the white sandy, calm water beach and a great place to go at sunset when all the families have moved into town for dinner. 

Surfside Beach


For those who want more activity and a more youthful vibe, then grab a shuttle bus for 50 cents to 1 dollar and head out to Surfside beach.  It is aptly named because of the crashing waves and boogies boards can be seen covering the waves. It has a parking lot and its at the end of a bike trail for those who want to pedal there.  There is a seafood shack and porta johns, so you can spend the day playing in the waves with no worries. 

Madaket Beach

Madaket is on the other side of the island, about 7 miles from town center. A hearty bike, cab or 2 dollars on the shuttle will get you to an entire different feel on the island.  There is one little market/sandwich shop before the beach and several porta johns next to the entrance to the beach.
It is a great little series of dirt/shell roads that can be wandered. The roads take you over little bridges where you can see people catching crabs with chicken legs tied on string.  Once you reach the beach, it feels as though you have reached the end of the world.  It is a expansion beach that has a pond on one side and the Atlantic on the other,  Sometimes if the tides and time is right, you might be able to find the elusive sand dollar to bring home as a memory of your time away.  It is also known for some of the best sunsets on the island, so plan ahead and be sure to bring a blanket and a bottle of wine and toast to coming back next year. 

This is certainly a view many of us dream of when we are stuck in traffic or on yet another conference call about something that lost us after the first five minutes.  This treasure island gem was discovered thru my travel trifecta, TRAVELOCITY, TRIPADVISOR and YOUTUBE.  

Pulling back the curtains as the sun peaks thru only to find miles of golden sugar sand and sparkling waters at your new home at the Bilmar. All rooms are oceanfront and the balconies in the tower give unobstructed views and endless breezes.  Since all the rooms have kitchens, its a great place to start the day with some coffee or a mimosa.  

After breakfast on the balcony, its time to lace up the shoes for the 2 mile walk on the boardwalk.  You can enjoy the view of the ocean, smells of breakfasts cooking at the other hotels along the strip or pick out your spot on the beach for after your morning walk. 

The resort fee covers your 2 chairs and umbrella so you can pick those up at the front desk on your way back from your walk.  If you need some food and or beverages, there is a publix supermarket 2 blocks down the street. If you just want some beverages of the adult kind, there is a 24 hour walgreens across the street that has its own liquor store attached. A full ABC liquor store is in the next parking lot behind the walgreens. 

Now that you are packed up and have been sitting on the beach all afternoon and enjoying the paddleboards and kayaks that are available for rent on the beach,and amazing shelling at low tide its time for food. 

The bilmar has bazzies beach bar which is right on the beach for a drink and a good sandwich. Or they also have Sloppy joes which is shown in the picture above. It has indoor/outdoor seating and live music most evenings before sunset.  It has an array of cold drinks and good seafood and their famous key lime pie. 

When you feel like wandering off property, there is a good place across the street called ricky T's that has live music, great happy hour selections and the best jumbo wings around.  If you go during sporting events, they have the sports package so any event can be watched. If you cant go a vacation without some really good coal fired pizza, Britts is 2 blocks to the left, they can an even deliver to you while you sit in the Adirondack chairs behind bazzies beach bar.  

When is your next vacation?  It’s a question I have received from friends, family and co- workers for the better part of the past twenty years.  

What is it about the open road, 35,000 feet, the back of a ship or just in a hammock by the ocean that keeps me yearning for more.  I feel most at ease when my feet are bare and have a warm breeze on my face. 

Travel to me is what watching football, playing an instrument or a good book is to someone else.  It’s a hobby or an addiction, in that I enjoy the planning of a vacation as much as the trip itself.  Traveling to me is not only a chance to renew, refresh but a time in which to reinvent myself.  I find vacations a great time to explore new ideas, challenges and experiences in an environment that I am otherwise invisible to those around me. 

I am starting this blog as a way to share some of my stories, thoughts, and reviews. Its an outlet to discuss the great benefits of traveling to places and the people you meet, and the impact of those experiences and the enrichment it can bring to ones life.