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BY Nancy Mueller 4 Comments ON May 5, 2011

5 Ways to Enjoy a Seaside Vacation

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and sky,
And all I need is a tall ship and a star to steer her by . . .
– from the poem Sea Fever by John Masefield

When you feel the call of the ocean, you know what that means: it’s time to start planning your next seaside getaway. But you don’t have to be at sea to enjoy a vacation near the water. You can play at the beach, visit maritime museums, walk around a commercial boatyard, hang out at the hotel pool, or jump into a flurry of water sports on or near shore.

Here are 5 ways to enjoy your next seaside escape with or without the kids and grandkids:

1) Go fly a kite.
Sure you can sit and watch the waves roll in, but to kick the fun factor up a notch:

  • Bring your favorite beach toys.
  • Build a sandcastle.
  • Finally learn how to launch and land a kite. Oh – and keep it airborne, too!
  • Go beachcombing.
  • Join in a beach volleyball game.

Whatever you do, make sure you go barefoot and squish the sand between your toes.

2) Visit a maritime museum.

You can wander through the exhibits or join in the interactive activities. You might even get to:

  • Explore the inside of a pilothouse or the engine room of a tugboat.
  • Listen to mariners tell their tales of harrowing adventures at sea.
  • See ship models and artifacts.
  • Blow a ship’s whistle.
  • Try your hand at boat building.

3) Explore a working boatyard. If you don’t normally hang out in a boatyard, you’re in for a real treat when you wander among the works-in-progress. You might:

  • See search-and-rescue vessels docked nearby.
  • Watch a boat crew lower their yacht into the water to test its seaworthiness.
  • Ask a crew member how they came up with the name for their wooden classic.
  • Observe a boat crew rebuilding their salmon troller.
  • Order fish and chips at the mariner cafe.

4) Be a lounge lizard at the hotel pool.

Dip your toes in or dive deep when it’s time to cool off.

  • Swim.
  • Take a nap.
  • Catch up on your reading.
  • Have an appetizer and a frou-frou drink.
  • Join a water exercise class – although that sort of defeats the purpose of being a lounge lizard.

You are wearing sunscreen, aren’t you? Don’t forget your sunglasses and straw hat, too.

5) Plunge into water sports: Choose a sport to match your desired activity level. Scuba diving, anyone? Alternatively, you could:

  • Go horseback riding on the beach.
  • Hug the shore in a kayak.
  • Rent a beach cruiser bike or boogie board. (I didn’t say you have to use it.)
  • See how long you can stay upright on a stand up paddle surfing board.
  • Why not go for the gusto and try parasailing?

A seaside vacation has something for everyone. What’s your vision for the perfect seaside getaway, Wanderboomers?

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Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, By Land, By Ship & By Sea, Uncategorized Tagged With: Beachcombing, Couples Travel, Museums, Outdoor Adventures, Sports, Teen Travel, Traveling Solo, Traveling with Friends & Family

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Comments

  1. Kim Kircher says

    May 6, 2011 at 12:31 pm

    I found your site through She Writes, and I’m glad I did. I just started to dive in, can’t wait to read more.

    Reply
    • nancymueller says

      May 6, 2011 at 1:05 pm

      Thanks, Kim! Glad to have you here.

      Reply
  2. Elizabeth Young says

    May 7, 2011 at 7:38 pm

    I love the word ‘seaside’ and anyone who uses it rocks my world! Many thanks. I’m signing up for your blog. Elizabeth.

    Reply
    • nancymueller says

      May 7, 2011 at 9:17 pm

      Thanks for signing up, Elizabeth. I’ll have to see if I can use the word “seaside” more often in my blogs then!

      Reply

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Hello fellow wanderboomers! I’m a Seattle-based travel journalist, specializing in fun travel adventures for the young at heart. My articles have been featured in Hemispheres, AAA Highroads Magazine and Northwest Travel & Life Magazine where I'm a frequent contributor. When this Wanderboomer isn’t traveling, I help global executives polish their personal and professional brand for long-term results.
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