Sunset at the Hale Koa Hotel. DoD Photo.
It’s time for a vacation and the beach is the prime destination. Military members and their families planning their beach vacation need look no further. The following list is comprised of five of the greatest military beaches in the United States where military members are the priority. Not only are the beaches pristine, but each location has many support facilities to provide a great vacation spot while on a budget.
Hale Koa Hotel, HI.
This hotel offers guest rooms facing the Pacific Ocean and Koolau mountains with beautifully landscaped gardens. The hotel is located on the pristine Waikiki Beach. Activities such as tennis, snorkeling, swimming pools, volleyball and racquetball are available on site. There are many food and beverage options available including the Beach Cart, poolside snack bar, Happy’s Snack Bar, Barefoot Bar, Warriors Lounge, Koko Cafe and Bibas’ Restaurant. Traditional luau’s and dinner shows are available each week at the resort. For more information visit: www.halekoa.com/index.cfm or call 1-800-367-6027.
The RV park at Del Mar Beach Resort, CA. DoD Photo.
Del Mar Beach Resort and San Onofre Beach at Camp Pendleton, CA.
Del Mar Beach Resort a luxury oceanfront resort with a mile long private beach offering a children’s cove, surfing, boating, bonfires and beach volleyball. Beach equipment, cabanas and palapas are also available for rent. The base marina offers a variety of boat rentals as well as sailing lessons and charters. There are also three types of fully equipped and furnished villas and RV sites with full hook ups available at the resort. San Onofre Beach is known as a wonderful surfing location and hosts surfing contests year-round. Known as the “World Famous Trestles surf spot,” San Onofre Beach also has one to three bedroom cottages and beach camping available for RVs and tents. For more information visit: www.mccscp.com/beaches or call Del Mar Beach Resort, 760-725-2134/2313 or San Onofre Beach, 760-763-SAND (7263), 760-763-SURF (7873).
The beach boardwalk and gazebos at Eglin AFB, FL. DoD Photo.
Beach Park, at Eglin AFB, Destin, FL.
Located on Okaloosa Island west of the Destin Bridge, Beach Park offers military members white sandy beaches and blue water. Amenities include a central deck area, gulf coast access, multiple restrooms, showers, and food and drink vendors. Destin is a growing city with a wide variety of activities and restaurants for visitors of all ages. The beaches are among the top in the gulf and the activity-driven atmosphere of nearby towns adds to the vacation experience. From May–October there is a $3 per vehicle fee on weekdays, $5 per vehicle on weekends or holidays. For more information visit: http://www.eglinforcesupport.com/activity/index.html?BCH_?refreshed20160824141831 or call 850-882-5058.
Breakers Beach at NAS North Island-Coronado NB, CA.
Breakers Beach is a hot spot for celebrations such as Independence Day where more than 4,000 military members and their families enjoy the beach while watching fireworks. Breakers Beach offers clear water, beautiful sand, bathrooms and showers, grills, volleyball nets, rentable cabanas and much more. A variety of water sports equipment is available at the outdoor recreation office to make the beach and ocean more enjoyable. For more information visit: http://navylifesw.com/sandiego/recreation/parkspicnicareas/#1 or call 619-545-2874.
Pacific Beach at the Pacific Beach Resort & Conference Center, WA.
This resort offers a wide variety of activities that provide fun for all ages. The resort is located between the Pacific Ocean and the Olympic National Forest, making this resort the perfect destination for the outdoor enthusiast. The beaches are perfect for beach-combing, clamming, shell collecting and simply enjoying the serene area and relaxing. There are two outdoor playgrounds, clam-cleaning station, volleyball court, whale-watching station, horseshoe pit and much more. In case of inclement weather, the resort also offers a bowling alley, recreation game room, theatre room and one indoor toddler playground. Food and drinks are available on site at the Beachcomber Bistro and the Windjammer Restaurant. For more information visit: http://www.navylifepnw.com/programs/c73f010c-1449-4c38-844f-57bb73ccfe3e or call 1-877-NAVY-BED ext. PAC or 360-276-4414.
Reprint from May–Jun 2013 • Volume 43, No. 3
