10 Beach Destinations for Your Next Girls Trip

Posted on by Amanda G. Dean

These beach destinations in the United States and around the world are perfect for your next girls getaway.

<p>Ross Blake/Getty Images</p>

Starting to toss out ideas for your next girls getaway? A beach trip is a no-brainer for fun in the sun, but then comes the question of which coastal community to visit. It’s hard to beat the tropical charisma of Maui or Ko Phi Phi Lee. Then again, Comporta oozes off-the-beaten-path charm that’s so enticing for been-there-done-that types. Just want to steal away for the weekend? Consider a seaside idyll that’s a direct flight from many major U.S. airports (ahem, the Bahamas). Or, maybe it’s time to try something new and go somewhere unexpected like Bocas del Toro Town.

Here are our top picks for a sun-splashed escape with your pals.

1. Bermuda

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The mid-Atlantic archipelago of Bermuda, 640 miles off the coast of North Carolina, is endowed with photogenic pink-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and golf courses. Its culture blends British and American influences, and its proximity to the United States makes for an easy girls weekend, especially for East Coasters. Book a room at the luxurious Rosewood Bermuda to sip rum swizzles and watch the sailboats gliding past.

2. Maui, Hawaii

<p>Matt Anderson Photography/Getty Images</p>

Matt Anderson Photography/Getty Images

Active friend groups will love the myriad adventures that await in Maui. Warm, crystalline waters are perfect for snorkeling, kayaking, and swimming. For hiking, there’s no better spot than Haleakalā National Park with its lush forests, streams, terraced pools, cascades, and a 10,023-foot dormant volcano. Of course, you could spend the entire trip sipping mai tais at the pool at the Montage Kapalua Bay and be very happy with that decision.

3. Comporta, Portugal

<p>Mabel Cristiana Silva/Getty Images</p>

Mabel Cristiana Silva/Getty Images

Drive about an hour south of Lisbon and you’ll reach Comporta, an idyllic coastal village with pristine beaches, windswept dunes, and expansive rice fields. Unassuming in a hypnotic way, its relaxed vibe seems to induce a sense of calm in everyone who visits — groups of gal pals included. Perched on the sands of Praia Comporta, Ilha do Arroz is a laid-back spot to share octopus rice and a bottle of vinho verde with your besties.

4. Manhattan Beach, California

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Located just 20 miles from downtown Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach is the ideal destination to kick back with your squad. Whether you’re into sunning, surfing, selfies, or shopping, this low-key Southern California community delivers. Enjoy a stroll along the Strand, hang ten (or just watch from the sand), snap a few photos with the ladies on the Manhattan Beach Pier, and buy matching bracelets at one of the souvenir shops.

5. Ko Phi Phi Lee, Thailand

<p>Carol_Anne/Getty Images</p>

A girls trip to one of the prettiest spots in Thailand? Absolutely! Uninhabited — save daytrippers and overnight resort guests — Ko Phi Phi Lee is a cinematic island in Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi Marine National Park that you might recognize as the setting from a Leonardo DiCaprio film. Of course, the natural beauty of its limestone cliffs, turquoise water, and world-famous beaches speaks for itself.

6. Grand Cayman

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As far as beach destinations go, few hold a candle to Grand Cayman, the Caribbean island that counts crescent-shaped Seven Mile Beach among its draws. You’ll have lots of quality time while laying out on the sun loungers at Palm Heights. The oh-so-chic hotel is also the perfect excuse to bust out a stylish new vacation outfit (who better to bring the fashion for than your friends, right?) for sunset cocktails and fresh-caught seafood.

7. Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica

<p>Gonzalo Azumendi/Getty Images</p>

Gonzalo Azumendi/Getty Images

Perched on the north Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Peninsula Papagayo is a hub of ecotourism that’s also home to stunning beaches and the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo. All this allows pals to customize their itineraries to include a little bit of everything — bird watching, horseback riding, spa sessions, mixology classes, hitting the links, paddle boarding in the bay, and catching rays by the pool.

8. Bocas del Toro Town, Panama

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Situated at the southern tip of Isla Colón, Bocas del Toro Town offers just the right mix of adventure and relaxation for a girls getaway that won’t be boring (but will have plenty of leisure time). Allocate the morning hours to surf lessons or peeping rare red-billed tropicbirds and the afternoon to chilling on the sand with a fruity cocktail.  Wondering what to do in the evening? Go dancing or hit one of the breezy beach bars.

9. St. Augustine, Florida

<p>Michael Warren/Getty Images</p>

Michael Warren/Getty Images

If your crew digs beautiful Atlantic Ocean beaches, delicious food, and history, St. Augustine, on the northeast coast of Florida, is the perfect place to hang out for a few days. Because frame-worthy photos are the most memorable souvenirs, the oldest city in the continental United States also has centuries-old foundations, grand homes, and the 17th-century Castillo de San Marcos for Instagrammable backdrops.

10. Paradise Island, Bahamas

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Connected by two bridges to the bustling Bahamian capital, the aptly named Paradise Island is the ultimate stress-free escape for friends who like to relax at a resort where blue skies, sunshine, and average temps in the high 70s are all but guaranteed. More geared towards grown-up vacationers, The Cove at Atlantis features 600 luxury suites with ocean views and an adults-only pool with private cabanas. Guests also have access to the water park, casino, and tons of different restaurants.

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