Top 15 Beach Destinations For Winter Escapes

Tourists flock to beaches year-round, but when the closest beach to you is deserted, and the ocean water feels like ice, you may want to consider booking a trip to somewhere with a warmer climate.

Whether you want to relax under the sun with a piña colada in your hand, go snorkeling in clear waters, kayak for scenic views, or experience the thrill of surfing on some of the world's best beaches for big waves, the beach destinations on this list have something to offer everyone. ​

Whether you are looking to relax on the beach or take up a new watersport, the Cayman Islands are the perfect destination to escape the cold. Visit Seven Mile Beach, one of the most gorgeous beaches in the Caribbean and the most popular beach on Grand Cayman Island. It's public, pet-friendly, and offers tons of water activities. Visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and parasailing.

This is a well-known honeymoon destination. Newlyweds enjoy staying at Jade Mountain, a 600-acre beachfront resort. St. Lucia offers gorgeous year-round weather and beautiful beaches. Walk on the fine golden sand of Reduit Beach, go snorkeling in the clear waters at Anse des Pitons beach, and visit one of the most spectacular black sand beaches in the world: Anse Chastanet Beach.

Travel 550 miles southeast of Miami to the islands of Turks and Caicos. The beaches on this island are gorgeous. Grace Bay Beach is one of the most well-known beaches; it stretches 12 miles from the island town of Leeward to Thompson Cove. Other beautiful beaches to visit include Long Bay Beach and Malcolm Beach.

This warm, colorful, tropical destination is the perfect winter escape. The Florida Keys have high temperatures and sunny weather year-round. Take your family to Sandspur Beach and splash around in the shallow, calm waters. Head to Smathers Beach to go kayaking, jet skiing, and windsurfing, then make your way over to Rest Beach in the evening to watch the beautiful sunset.

Los Angeles is known for its amazing weather, sandy beaches, and picturesque piers. Thousands of visitors each day are drawn to its beaches. Visit Catalina Island, home to some of the most beautiful beaches in all of California. Visit Descanso Beach for incredible snorkeling opportunities, South Beach for the ultimate relaxation, and Middle Beach for scenic views. Other beaches to visit include Step Beach and Two Harbors Beaches.

If you're an avid surfer looking to escape the cold and take on the waves, look no further than Maui. It is home to some of the most incredible surf spots, and is known for awesome breaks and great waves. Some of the best beaches for surfing are Kaanapali, Lahaina, and Kihei. If you're not much of a surfer, watch surfer pros take on the waves at Honolua Bay.

Visit Barbados for warm temperatures year-round. It gets more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year! This island offers a variety of beaches to choose from — powdery sand, calm waters, and incredible surf. Go body surfing at Crane Beach, windsurfing at Silver Sands Beach, swimming at Bath Beach, and surfing at Bathsheba Beach.

Escape the cold and take your pick from the 10 different beaches in Punta Cana. Famous for its 62 miles of breezy oceanfront cost and clear, turquoise, warm water, this is the perfect winter destination. Punta Cana is also home to some of the most beautiful tropical golf courses in the world. While you are there, go zip lining and check out the lagoons of the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park.

Gold Bluffs Beach is one of the national parks with the best beaches. It is home to some of the tallest and oldest Redwoods in the world, and is a 10-mile coastal stretch that is commonly used by hikers and campers. Hike to Fern Canyon and experience walking through 50-foot-tall canyon walls. Explore grasslands, oak forests, wild rivers, and dozens of beaches.

There is just no way around it, the Maldives are absolutely stunning. Explore spectacular beaches, swim in their gorgeous ocean, and make you sure book your stay at Hilton's Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Resort. It's an underwater hotel, situated 16 feet below the surface. It's usually used for dining, but it can also be transformed into a place for sleep.

Famous for its white sand and crystal-clear water, Koh Samui beaches are exactly what you picture when you think of paradise. Enjoy the night life along the streets of Chaweng Beach, sunbathe on the laid-back Lamai Beach, view the gorgeous sunset at Lipa Noi Beach, and go fishing at Bophut Beach.

Escape the cold and spend your time island-hopping throughout Seychelles' 115 islands. Enjoy the rich marine life and nature reserves, as well as luxuriously lounging on the white-sand beaches of the Seychelles' North Island. If you're up for it, enjoy some adventure activities. Embark on an eight-day North Island Escape Tour and spend time kayaking, hiking, fishing, cycling, and diving.

Anytime is a great time to visit Jamaica, but winter specifically brings incredible weather and seasonal attractions. Jamaica delivers average temperatures between 71 and 88 degrees. It is home to miles of coastline. Some of its famous beaches include Doctor's Cave Beach, Boston Bay Beach, and Treasure Beach.

From Playa del Carmen, to Cancun, Tulum, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is full of stunning beaches and a vast amount of coastline to explore. While you are there, make sure that you study its rich history; visit the Chichen Itza, the National Museum of Anthropology (Museo Nacional de Antropologia), the Palenque Ruinas, and Ruinas Mayas de Tulum.

Kauai is full of spectacular sightseeing opportunities. Visit the Kalalau Lookout for beautiful views of the Kalalau Valley, Polihale Beach for miles of white sand beaches, and Hanalei for gorgeous photos of cliff faces and green valleys. Kauai is also home to Honopu Beach, a secluded and remote beach — the only way to access it is to swim to it. Before you go make sure that you check out some of Hawaii's Most Over-the-Top Resorts.