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Beach Travel Safety and Requirements

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Beach Vacations

Beach Vacations

Sand and surf never go out of style, but certain beach vacations are better suited to specific occasions, times of year and personalities. Our Beach Vacations Web Guide offers insight into many versions of paradise, including the best beach trips to remote islands and adventure beaches, as well as beach suggestions for different budgets. Look for links to tools for planning the perfect beach vacation, booking flights and hotels, and advice for managing pre-trip necessities, such as passports and vaccines.

Beach Travel Basics

There are roughly 220,000 miles of coastline in the world ... read more »

Beach Vacations

Whether you want to laze in the sand with an icy drink, scale craggy peaks with ocean views, or get ... read more »

Beach Travel Safety and Requirements

Before you hit the beach, take care of a few pesky but essential stipulations. This section includes sites to help you stay safe and healthy, renew or apply for required documents, and research the best time to pack your bags and go.

Dulcinea's Insight

  • A rip is a strong current heading away from shore. Rips appear darker in color, an indication of deeper water, and have a rippled look even when surrounding waters are calm. Most beach rescues occur as a result of swimmers becoming caught in rips, according to the organization Surf Life Saving Australia. Learn how to protect yourself from rip currents on the organization’s Web site.
  • When you’re going to the beach, you need to bring sun block. The American Melanoma Foundation recommends sun block with a minimum SPF of 15, to be used even on cloudy days. For more facts about SPF and protecting your skin from the sun, visit the foundation’s Web site.
  • Before you head out to the beach, find out what the UV rating is for that day. UV rays are calculated on a 1-15 scale. Higher numbers mean more intense rays and more rapid skin damage. Get the UV index for your city on the Weather Channel Web site.

Dulcinea's Picks

For official documents, exit and entry requirements, and safety …
The U.S. Department of State “Travel” section is a must for any American venturing abroad. Check here for passport and visa requirements, safety warnings, and country-specific information (formerly known as Consular Information Sheets) on crime, exit and entry requirements, and embassy registration.
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For beach safety and health …
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Travelers’ Health” section provides essential health information on specific destinations, as well as general advice on preventing infection and disease abroad, plus tips for traveling with pets and kids.
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The American Red Cross comprehensively covers water safety, including issues relevant to swimming in oceans, rivers, and lakes, as well as a section on beach safety, such as dealing with heat stroke and protecting your eyes from harmful rays. Traveling families should consult the section on keeping children safe near the water. 
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For sunburns and sunblock …
eMedicineHealth is the consumer version of a renowned physician-oriented Web site, emedicine.com. This section covers sunburn, including causes, treatment, and prevention. Learn what conditions indicate that you should call for professional medical attention.
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The University of California, San Francisco outlines the basics of sun block, including proper SPF, the best types of sun blocks to buy, active ingredients found in most sun blocks, and which types of UV radiation are blocked by each. The information was updated in May 2007.
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For currency conversion …
OANDA is a trusted source of currency conversion for travelers and businesses. Use the “Quick Converter” tool to convert any world currency into another.
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When to go …
Away.com , part of a travel network that includes Orbitz, GORP, and Outside Online, has a powerful search engine and a wide variety of content. Use the site’s “Beach Travel Guide” to learn which beaches to visit in each month of the year. In February, try out wind sports in Aruba, for example. Enter a beach destination from the monthly list into the search tool for a travel guide with hotels for each.
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Getting to the Beach

All you want to do is lay in the sand, but first you’ve got to get there. Online search tools ... read more »

Beach Hotels

After a long day of swimming, exploring ancient ruins, or sunbathing, you’ll want a place to ... read more »

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