Equity Estates has 38 stunning homes on some of the best beaches in the world — from Cabo and the Caribbean to the Hawaiian Isles and coastal U.S. But if you’re looking for the five best beaches throughout all of the destinations in our portfolio, we’ve got you covered.
Our top picks are below, each one perfect for a fun-in-the-sun vacation — whether you’re planning a romantic getaway or family adventure.
Grace Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos
Regularly ranked among the best (and most beautiful) beaches in the world, Grace Bay, on the island of Providenciales, is Turks and Caicos’ crown jewel. Think calm, clear turquoise water, pristine sugar-soft sand, and miles and miles of picture-perfect views. Best of all, even though it’s lined with upscale resorts and vacation villas, the beach itself never feels overcrowded, even during peak season.
Things to see and do: The extensive barrier reef just offshore keeps the water at Grace Bay calm and clear. This makes for excellent snorkeling, diving, swimming and kayaking. Parasailing, boating, and windsurfing are also popular with thrill-seeking vacationers.
Of course, if you’re looking for more laid-back beach activities, Grace Bay is also the picture-perfect spot for long morning strolls, swimming, or just relaxing under an umbrella with a refreshing, beachy drink.
In the evening, don’t miss the pink and gold sunsets from shore; they are spectacular.
Where to eat: Hemingway’s on the Beach is a must-do for lunch or dinner. Located at The Sands, this longstanding, award-winning restaurant serves up fresh seafood, island favorites (such as a delicious conch trio), drinks, and other specialties in a chic, indoor/outdoor beach-club-type space next to the water.
How to get there: Grace Bay Beach is located on the northeast coast of Providenciales. But for Equity Estates investors, it’s right outside your door. Our spacious four-bedroom Grace Bay penthouse is just steps away from the soft sand and gentle waves, with private elevator access that leads you directly to the beach.
Wailea Beach, Maui
Considered one of the best beaches on Maui, Wailea is the ideal spot for an iconic Hawaiian vacation. Though it can be crowded at times, the wide, golden-sand beach beckons with a mix of blue skies, impressive views of Kaho’olawe, Molokini, and Lana’i, and generally calm water. Kick back and relax with a good book and a cold drink; get your feet wet with a walk along the shore; or head out into water for some fun.
Things to see and do: Boogie boarding is a popular pastime at Wailea, but snorkeling just off-shore and around the reefs and rocky outcroppings at the beach’s southern end is a must-do. The clear water makes for great viewing of the local marine life, and you may see butterfly fish, puffers, parrotfish, and even a few turtles during your swim.
In winter months, look (and listen) out for pods of whales who can often be spotted in deeper water.
Where to eat: For lunch on the beach, you can’t go wrong with the fresh catch and BBQ pulled pork sandwiches or poke bowls at the Mo’ Bettah food truck.
For dinner, try the fresh, seasonal dishes at Humble Market Kitchin at Wailea Resort. Led by James Beard award-winning chef, Roy Yamaguchi, the menu is full of creative Hawaiian specialties such as crispy ika-katsu (calamari) and braised boneless short ribs.
How to get there: Wailea Beach is a short five-minute drive from your gorgeous, three-bedroom Equity Estates home in the prestigious enclave of Ho’olei, and a public lot is available just past the Grand Wailea Resort. Look for the small sign indicating beach parking and access. If the main lot is full, overflow parking is available.
Playa Danta Beach, Las Catalinas, Costa Rica
Nestled within the northwest coast of Costa Rica, in the car-free beach town of Las Catalinas, you’ll find the stunning black-sand beach of Playa Danta. Medium-sized, with small waves and often very little undertow, it’s a fantastic family-friendly spot for exploring, sunning, and playing in the water. One of the beach’s main attractions is its natural beauty — it feels serene and untouched, bordered by blue-green ocean on one side and lush trees on the other.
Things to see and do: Surf lessons, snorkeling, kayaking, and boogie boarding are just a few of the activities to enjoy on Playa Danta. The beach is also a great spot for swimming and stand-up paddleboarding, as the waves are gentle and the water calm. On shore, set up a picnic under one of the shade trees or go for a walk along the water’s edge at low tide to get to the rocky areas on either end.
Where to eat: Papagayo Brew House, located beachside at Playa Danta, is a fun open-air bar and restaurant, serving up ice cold craft beer, tropical cocktails, and tasty casual bites.
For a more upscale experience, Celeste, located in front of the Santarena Hotel, gives the same beachside vibe, but with a full menu of fresh seafood and creative seasonal dishes served in an open-air contemporary space.
How to get there: Playa Danta is just a few minutes’ walk from Equity Estate’s beautiful five-bedroom Las Catalinas home.
If you drive in from other parts of the country, you’ll want to look for the public dirt lot at the edge of Las Catalinas, where parking is available. There, you’ll find wooden signs directing you to Playa Danta and nearby Playa Dantita. The trail to Danta takes you from parking lot to beach in about two minutes.
Plum Bay Beach, St. Martin
Secluded Plum Bay Beach is one of the quieter stretches of shoreline in St. Martin. It’s also one of the prettiest, with calm, clear blue water, a few shady spots under swaying palm trees, and views for miles. It’s the ideal spot for low-key fun and blissful, beachy serenity. The lack of crowds means there’s room to spread out towels on the warm, golden sand and maybe even have the beach to yourself for a while if you get there early enough.
Things to see and do: Sunning, swimming, and taking long walks along shore are the main attractions at Plum Bay Beach. When the water is calm, it’s also a great place to snorkel, especially around the rocky outcroppings.
Where to eat: Baie Longue Bar, just south of Plum Bay Beach, is a great spot to enjoy fresh seafood, Creole dishes, bar snacks, and cocktails after a day out in the sun.
For a sophisticated dinner, the romantic La Cigale, is a quick ten-minute drive away. From goat cheese puff pastries to duck with mushrooms and fresh sea bass, every dish is perfectly prepared, making for an inspired and unforgettable meal.
How to get there: Plum Bay Beach is a short, eight-minute walk from your four-bedroom St. Martin villa in the upscale, gated community of Terres Basses. If you prefer to drive, there’s a free public parking lot at the beach entrance, which will take about three to four minutes to get to by car.
Lido Key Beach, Sarasota, Florida
Lovely Lido Key Beach is known for its white, powder-soft sand, turquoise water, and family-friendly vibe. The waves are calm, the water is shallow, and the sandy shore is wide and relatively uncrowded, making it a great place to spend the day hunting for shells and shark’s teeth, building sandcastles, or playing in the water.
Things to see and do: Lido Key Beach offers a ton of activities and amenities to enjoy. From shaded picnic areas and a playground to off-shore snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding, there’s fun to be had in the water and on land. Plus, being on the Gulf Coast, it’s an excellent spot for dolphin watching.
On the southern end of the beach, you’ll also find the 100-acre Ted Sperling Nature Park, where you can fish, go boating, or kayak through lush mangrove tunnels.
Where to eat: The beach’s proximity to St. Armands Circle means you’re just minutes from dozens of great restaurants. The elegant Crab and Fin offers excellent appetizers and entrees made with the freshest seafood and locally sourced ingredients. The Café on St. Armands features an all-day menu of Mediterranean-inspired favorites. And Le Macaron is the place to go for French pastries and gelato.
How to get there: Located on Lido Key, a barrier island off the coast of Florida, Lido Beach is just west of Sarasota. From your spacious, five-bedroom canal-side Equity Estates home, it’s an easy stroll, taking just a few minutes to get to the white sand and clear, turquoise water.
If you would like more information about Equity Estates, please call 404.445.8501 or click to schedule a call.
