Escape to Paradise: 5 Stunning Beach Vacations with a Wellness Twist

Who doesn’t enjoy escaping the stresses and strains of everyday life?

If this sounds like you, stop what you’re doing and join us as we explore the best ‘R & R’ beach vacations around, as we reveal our top 5 North American coastal getaways designed to enhance your wellness state of mind.

Big Sur, California

Where better to start a shortlist of the best beach vacations in North America with a wellness focus than Big Sur’s spectacular Californian coastline? Whether you’re traveling solo or on an adventure with your friends to recharge your batteries, Big Sur’s countless tranquil beaches and beautiful Pacific coastline provide a fantastic chance to immerse yourself in nature.

For those who love long beach walks and hikes with spectacular views, head first to Garrapata State Park and Andrew Molera State Park for a morning of beachcombing. Here, you can stroll along the shore or go tide pooling for hours while breathing in the refreshing sea air rolling in off the Pacific. Afterward, take advantage of Big Sur’s inland attractions by visiting the amazing Ventana Wildlife Society Discovery Center. This center is dedicated to observing and preserving the region’s native condors, offering a unique opportunity to learn about these magnificent birds and their habitat.

Capture the perfect Pacific Ocean sunset every night with the sand between your toes on this serene Big Sur coastline beach getaway when you book your relaxing stay at the Best Western Carmel’s Town House Lodge in Carmel-By-The-Sea, California.

Tofino, British Columbia, Canada

We head north across the border to Canada for our next health and wellness-inspired beach vacation to the gorgeous Tofino district on Vancouver Island. Like so much of British Columbia, Tofino is an ideal haven for those seeking a digital detox and restoring their mind-body balance.

Kick-start your relaxing beach escape to Tofino with a leisurely coastal walk along the rugged coastline to spot the beach wildlife, including sea otters, seals, and bald eagles. However, if you’d prefer to get up close and personal with the area’s largest residents, you can join the crew at Jamie’s Whaling Station & Adventure Centres for a morning of whale watching. Later, you should board a Tofino Hot Springs Tour with Tofino Whale Centre for the ultimate holistic warm spring soak at the outstanding Maquinna Marine Provincial Park.

Maximize your relaxing wellness vacation away to Tofino, British Columbia, when you book your accommodation at the remarkable Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort.

Rockport Beach, Texas

Next, on our tour of the best self-care beach vacation retreats, we head south to the Lone Star State to enjoy some sun, sea, and sand under the Texan sun. Rockport Beach, Texas, is the perfect refuge to replenish your physical and mental health levels with the seemingly endless beach strolls along the glorious Gulf of Mexico coastline.

As the saying goes, ‘a healthy body leads to a healthy mind’, so as Rockport Beach’s mantra, there are plenty of coastal activities to help both of these to thrive. Whether you take advantage of Rockport’s beach volleyball nets or join Mermaid Magen for a beach yoga session, you’ll feel completely energized at the end of each day. Yet, Rockport Beach has yet another treat for those looking to unwind in the evenings by joining the team at Glow Row for a fascinating night tour of the Texan Gulf Coast in their incredible glowing transparent kayaks.

Enhance your wellness beach vacation and lose yourself under the warm Texan sunshine by booking your stay at the amazing Best Western Port Aransas in Port Aransas, Texas.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

As beach vacations go, there is something truly special about Cape Cod, Massachusetts. It could be the miles and miles of sandy Atlantic shoreline that allow you to forget all your worries on a stress-free wellness retreat, but no matter the reason, once you visit, you’ll soon see why it’s such a beloved beach escape for New Englanders.

Here, you can walk for hours without seeing a soul, lose yourself shell fishing, or enjoy endless tide pool exploration adventures. With 14 historical lighthouses dotted along the coast of Cape Cod, you should take yourself away on a self-guided tour to discover this small peninsula’s intimate relationship with the sea. However, for those keen to explore more, we recommend heading to Ridge Valley Stables for an inspirational horseback ride along Cape Cod’s famous dunes and beaches.

Make the most of your New England beach vacation when you book your room at the luxurious Aiden by Best Western Cape Point in West Yarmouth, Massachusetts.

Sanibel Island, Florida

Our final holistic mecca beach getaway finds us heading to the Sunshine State and the extraordinary Sanibel Island, Florida. Famed for its sensational tropical waters, picturesque sandy beaches, and year-round sunshine, Sanibel Island is the perfect beachside retreat to restore your mind and body’s natural balance and rejuvenate your spirits.

Start your morning on the island with an incredible dolphin-watching tour with the Sanibel Dolphin Tours staff before heading to the beach for an afternoon snorkel in the crystal-clear Gulf of Mexico waters. Finally, to complete your therapeutic recovery, take a revitalizing trip to Sanibel Day Spa for a calming facial, massage, or manicure, before catching the mesmerizing sunset from your Sanibel Island sandy beach vistas.

Wellness beach vacations don’t get much better than Sanibel Island, so be sure to get a delightful night’s sleep every night at the Best Western Fort Myers Inn & Suites in Fort Myers, Florida.