By: Becca Bergman and Jennifer Bernstein

We’ve picked 10 choice beach spots that are serviced by short, direct flights from the east or west coasts, so you can be on the sand by lunchtime. Hurricanes threaten some of these locations this time of year, but some hotels offer drastic discounts to those willing to take the risk. Regardless of the destination, these are the perfect spots for one last quick beach getaway before the fall routine sets in. 

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, packages, and more travel deals.

Aruba

Everyone knows that Aruba’s beaches are among the best in the world, which explains the high rate of repeat visitors. The long, broad, white sand beaches are great for walking, while the almost constant breeze complements an always-sunny, hurricane-free island.

SPLURGE The all-inclusive Occidental Grand Aruba resort has more activities than the island has Divi-divi trees, including sailing, snorkeling, and kayaking. Besides the casino and Las Vegas-style shows, there’s a ton of ethnic food options, from Caribbean fusion to classic Italian to pan-Asian. From $233 per person, per night; occidentalhotels.com/grandaruba

VALUE If you’re looking for a quiet beach, no kids, and an environmentally friendly resort, the Bucuti Beach Resort Aruba is the place to stay. Ask for a room in the Tara Beach Suites, a wing of oceanfront suites that open right onto the beach. From $308/night, including breakfast; bucuti.com

GETTING THERE Direct flights from Atlanta (3.5 hours); Chicago (5 hours); Miami (2.5 hours); New York (4.5 hours)

For general trip-planning information, see our Aruba destination guide, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, packages, and more travel deals.

Barbados

This Caribbean island has a little bit of everything: hopping nightlife, top-notch restaurants, and fine white beaches that extend along a coral shore. The best beaches are on the calmer west and action-packed south coasts.

SPLURGE Just five miles from Grantley Adams airport, the Almond Casuarina Beach Resort is a kid-friendly all-inclusive retreat with plenty of room to luxuriate in its 10 tropical acres. From $437.50/night; almondresorts.com

VALUE For more than 120 years, guests have flocked to Barbados’s first resort, the historic Crane Resort & Residences. Perched on a cliff, the mansion has kept its old timber ceilings, marble bathrooms, and old-world charm even as it has modernized its amenities. From $220/night; thecrane.com

GETTING THERE Direct flights from Charlotte (4 hours); Miami (3.5 hours); New York (5 hours)

For general trip-planning information, see our Barbados destination guide, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, packages, and more travel deals.

Key West

Vacationers flock to this tropical island city for its easy attitude and laid-back lifestyle. Despite the crowds, the Conch Republic maintains its appeal with a colorful cast of local characters, 19th-century architecture, and full-service resorts.

SPLURGE Once inside the Pier House Resort and Caribbean Spa, it’s hard to leave the private, powder-soft beach that overlooks the Gulf of Mexico. Located on the corner of Duval Street, right in Old Town Key West, Pier House combines a quiet beach escape with access to carnivalesque nightlife. Grab a room on the second floor and you’ll be treated to magnificent ocean views. From $200/night; pierhouse.com

VALUE Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, a national landmark hotel built in the 1920s, has Key West’s largest private beach, is two miles from the airport, and is a 15-minute walk from the center of town. Fresh from a $43 million restoration in 2008, the 311 rooms have been upgraded with flat-screen TVs and iHome docking stations, while the iconic architecture and breathtaking views remain. From $159/night; casamarinaresort.com

GETTING THERE Direct flights from Atlanta (2 hours); Fort Lauderdale (50 minutes); Fort Myers (1 hour); Miami (1 hour); Orlando (70 minutes); Tampa (75 minutes)

For general trip-planning information, see our Key West destination guide, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, packages, and more travel deals.

Oahu

The most cosmopolitan of the Hawaiian islands, Oahu is quickly becoming a cultural and culinary hot spot. Of course, its prime appeal still lies in the 100-plus miles of beaches, including the perennially cool Waikiki (only 10 miles from the airport) and the more secluded, surf-heavy North Shore.
 
SPLURGE The Waikiki Parc Hotel is the trendy little sister to the opulent Halekulani across the street. The fact that this property is not directly on the water knocks more than a few dollars off the price. Spare funds can be put toward the Nobu outpost, the superlative spa at the Halekulani, and an upgrade to an ocean-view room. From $285/night; waikikiparc.com

VALUE Set one block from the beach, the Aqua Waikiki Wave underwent a total renovation in 2007, and airy rooms with flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi put this hotel a few notches above the competition. Reserve a room on one of the upper floors to avoid the street din. From $130/night; aquaresorts.com

GETTING THERE Direct flights from Portland (5.5 hours); Los Angeles (5.5 hours); San Francisco (5.5 hours); Seattle (5.5 hours)

For general trip-planning information, see our Oahu destination guide, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, packages, and more travel deals. 

Providenciales

Despite its growing popularity over the past several years, the Turks & Caicos remain relatively unspoiled. The main island, Providenciales (known as “Provo”), is home to Grace Bay – one of the best beaches in the world – and is surrounded by a natural barrier reef that affords it clear turquoise waters for miles.

SPLURGE As a three-time World Travel Award’s pick for the Caribbean’s Leading Boutique Hotel, the Point Grace is clearly doing something right. Its perfect beach location helps, as does the stellar restaurant, a Thalassotherapy spa, palatial suites, and sumptuous service that includes a daily cocktail hour by the pool. From $544.50/night; pointgrace.com

VALUE The smallest hotel on Grace Bay, the Sibonne Beach Hotel boasts a beachfront address, a quaint atmosphere, and comfortable rooms – truly a knockout deal for its location. Paying a bit more for an upstairs room is worth it. From $110/night after April 15; sibonne.com

GETTING THERE Direct flights from Atlanta (3 hours); Boston (4 hours); Miami (1.5 hours); New York (3.5 hours); Philadelphia (3.5 hours)

For general trip-planning information, see our Turks and Caicos destination guide, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, packages, and more travel deals.

Puerto Vallarta

With its cobblestone streets and small-town affability, Vallarta has distinguished itself among Mexico’s other resort locales by retaining authentic charm amid major development. Wedged between a verdant mountainside and the blue Pacific, activities abound – and, of course, there are 26 miles of sand. After sunset, the city jumps to life (in recent years, it’s gained popularity as a gay-friendly destination).

SPLURGE Though not directly on the beach (the shore is a 5- to 10-minute walk away), the 20-suite Hacienda San Angel is swathed in lush foliage and boasts three separate pools and a star-studded history. From the hotel’s chapel, there’s a stunning view of the city’s famous Guadalupe church (which is particularly striking at sunset). From $225/night; haciendasanangel.com

VALUE The rooms at the charming Playa Los Arcos are small but sufficient for a weekend visit. The prime location – directly on the beach and near the Zona Romántica restaurants, bars, and shops – cannot be beat for this price. From $70/night; playalosarcos.com

GETTING THERE Direct flights from Houston (2.5 hours); Los Angeles (3 hours); Phoenix (2.5 hours); San Francisco (3.5 hours)

For general trip-planning information, see our Puerto Vallarta destination guide, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, packages, and more travel deals.

Rincon

A former fishing village on the westernmost point of Puerto Rico, laid-back Rincon boasts what many claim to be the best waves in the Caribbean. Nonsurfers will find world-class snorkeling and golf. It feels off the beaten path, but the roads are paved, cell phones get reception, and it’s a 20-minute drive from the Aguadilla airport.
 
SPLURGE One of the most exquisite small properties in the Caribbean, the Horned Dorset Primavera is made up of 39 perfect two-story villas scattered over a tranquil, green hillside. From $360/night; horneddorset.com

VALUE Tres Sirenas Beachfront Inn is a cozy, beachfront boutique hotel decorated in classic West Indies style. From $180/night, breakfast included; tressirenas.com

GETTING THERE Direct flights to Aguadilla from Fort Lauderdale (2.5 hours); New York (4 hours); Orlando (2.5 hours)

For general trip-planning information, see our Puerto Rico destination guide, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, packages, and more travel deals.

San Jose del Cabo

This quiet, picture-perfect village is as easily reached as nearby Cabo, yet it’s worlds away from that town’s harried scene. An historical air hangs over the tree-lined streets and old adobe homes, while a slew of sophisticated galleries and excellent shops reveal its cultured spirit.

SPLURGE The elegant, easygoing Casa Natalia is home to one of the best restaurants in the area. Full breakfast served on the terrace is included. From $145/night; casanatalia.com

VALUE Set on a quiet street dotted with galleries, El Encanto Inn is a serene hideaway. Guests stay in one of 28 rooms in either the Garden or Pool sections; room service is available from several nearby restaurants. From $62/night; elencantoinn.com

GETTING THERE Direct flights from Houston (3 hours); Los Angeles (2.5 hours); Phoenix (3 hours); San Francisco (4 hours)

For general trip-planning information, see our Cabo San Lucas destination guide, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, packages, and more travel deals.

St. Lucia

The greenest of all the Caribbean islands, much of St. Lucia’s interior is covered in lush tropical rain forests, while the coastline offers serene bay beaches. Remnants of both the French and British colonial regimes are present in everything from street names to afternoon tea traditions.

SPLURGE The most elegant of St. Lucia’s all-inclusive properties, East Winds Inn has just 30 island-inspired rooms scattered across its green gardens and manicured grounds. Watch for the daily visit by local fisherman, who deliver dinner right from their boats. From $525/night; eastwinds.com

VALUE Located in Rodney Bay Village, the low-key Coco Palm has 89 rooms and 12 suites, some with swim-up pool access. Coco Palm’s restaurant, Koko Cabana Bistro, offers al fresco Caribbean cuisine. From $145/night; coco-resorts.com

GETTING THERE Direct flights from Atlanta (4.5 hours); Charlotte (4.5 hours); New York (5 hours); Philadelphia (5 hours)

For general trip-planning information, see our St. Lucia destination guide, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, packages, and more travel deals.

St. Martin

Though it’s one of the Caribbean’s smallest, this half-Dutch and half-French island has a lot to offer beyond its 35 picture-perfect beaches. It’s home to a busy nightlife of casinos and dance clubs, a slew of water sports, and even naturists who sunbathe sans bikini tops. Properties on the French side are secluded and intimate, while larger resorts are on the Dutch half.

SPLURGE Right next door to the fabulous restaurant row on Grand Case Bay is Le Petit Hotel, which eschews the usual Caribbean decor for classic modern architecture. There are only 10 beach-chic suites, and all are within steps to the beach. From $265/night; lepetithotel.com

VALUE Each room at Hotel L’Esplanade, on a steep slope above Grand Case Bay, has a Juliet-style balcony overlooking the water, and the roomy top-floor lofts are worth the extra cost. The bougainvillea-covered hotel is a short walk from Petit Plage beach. From $245/night; www.lesplanade.com

GETTING THERE Direct flights from Charlotte (4 hours); Miami (3 hours); New York (4 hours)

For general trip-planning information, see our St. Martin destination guide, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, packages, and more travel deals.