Cheap Beach Vacations

Cheap beach vacations can be amazingly fun and relaxing, but can they be affordable and budget friendly too? Sure it would be nice to book a 5-star hotel on the beach with all the amenities that come with it. By all means, do that if it's in your budget. But you don't have to spend that much to enjoy a terrific beach vacation.

The truth is that you can have a super vacation on the beach without spending LOTS of money. Make it a couple getaway or take the whole family. If you really need to make it affordable, invite several families or friends and share the costs.

Check out some of the beaches we've listed or find a beach that is fairly close to you to avoid airfare costs. It may have affordable cabins or beach rental houses that you can rent by the week, with plenty of room for friends or family to share in the cost.

There are so many ways you can make it a cheap beach vacation, like cookouts or grill on the beach. Save money on meals by not going out to eat. Have everyone chip in for groceries and choose a beach house rental that has a kitchen.

Inexpensive activities might be setting up volleyball nets on the beach, roasting marshmallows at a bonfire (if allowed), hunting for seashells, and of course these's always swimming and surfing.

Bring board games to play in the evenings or play poker with pennies, nickels or dimes. If everyone gets involved it can be a lot of fun.

So let's see how many cheap beach vacation destinations we can come up with. This isn't a totally comprehensive list, but these are less touristy and, therefore, less crowded (hopefully).

Stinson Beach, CA

If you live near San Francisco, California, Stinson beach is fairly close to you. This is a very small eclectic town with a few restaurants and a handful of hotel/motels. It may be crowded and popular at some time of the week or year, but it was quiet when we were there. We enjoyed our stay in the quaint cabins of the Stinson Beach Motel. The beach is a short walk from the motel. We stopped at the local grocery store and bought some crackers to feed the seagulls. Then we basked in the last of the evening sun and the cool relaxing breeze while the seagulls grappled over the crackers.

Isla Mujeras, Mexico

Isla Mujeres is just a ferry ride across the channel from the noisier, more expensive Cancun. It's a tiny island with plenty of excellent restaurants, shopping, and hotels. If you love fish, you will be in heaven as you dine on the daily catch. As for the shopping, there are all the same types of shops as in Cancun but less expensive.

Water conditions on the beaches on the south side and west side of the island (tourist zones) are usually excellent because the island blocks the currents and winds. The warm waters are crystal clear, and the white sand beaches are laid back and uncrowded.

Here is a short list of some facts about Isla Mujeres:

• Most stores have English speaking staff.
• All stores accept US dollars.
• You can buy Cuban cigars here.
• You can get a taxi anywhere on the island.
• There are a few Internet cafes in town.
• There are laundromats in town.
• The island utilizes a water purification system. Bottled water is available at stores, hotels and restaurants.

Great Salt Lake, Utah

Not all cheap beach vacations must take place near the ocean. There are many lakes and reservoirs that have great beaches — and there is most likely one or two near you. The Great Salt Lake is quite near where I live, but the south end of the lake is not great for a beach vacation. The beach is covered with brine flies.

The north end, near Willard Bay State Park, has pretty good beaches and, if you own a boat, there are several launching spots. There are also many different activities all around the lake, like dinner cruises and bird watching.

Or if you're not into boating, visit Antelope Island, where the best beaches are located. Picnic pavilions, tables, and showers are available, with long stretches of usually uncrowded beaches.

Lake Michigan Shores

Some of the most stunning beaches in the U.S. are along the shores of the Great Lakes. One is Lake Michigan with its 180 miles of shoreline. The Traverse City region has 149 deep, aqua-colored lakes that are 10 acres or larger. So there are plenty of beaches to suit any family or group wanting cheap beach vacations.

Along the sandy shoreline of Lake Michigan you can build castles, treasure hunt, or just be a beach bum.

If solitude is what you like, there are remote beaches - even during the height of the summer season where it's possible to be alone on a long Lake Michigan beach. If you are looking for a friendly family atmosphere or companionship for a sporting game of volleyball, choose one of the many beaches right in Traverse City.

Take your next vacation on the shores of Lake Michigan or the surrounding area. There are many accommodations available in every price range.

If a bed and breakfast is more to your liking, search here for a vacation on a budget with BedandBreakfast.com.

Check here for a more complete list and the locations of many Michigan beaches.

Bear Lake, Utah/Idaho Border

Bear Lake is one of my favorite places for boating, swimming and any other outdoor recreation you can think of. I acquired one of my worst-ever sunburns lounging on the beaches of that lake. So make sure you have your sunscreen handy.

Bear Lake spans the border of Utah and Idaho and is 70,000 acres of enticing turquoise-blue water. With over 500 campgrounds around the lake, bring your tent or trailer for a cheap beach vacation the whole family will enjoy.