I spent a lot of my childhood summers on the beaches of Cape Hatteras, NC. The ocean has always been a big part of my life and is still where I feel the most centered. This past weekend my family and I, along with some friends spent the weekend on Hatteras Island. While we were there we visited a local surf shop that was hosting an Endless Summer weekend featuring Robert August. It’s something they have done for several years now during Memorial Day weekend, kind of a kick off to the summer season and an ode to the dream of an Endless Summer. 

Seems that one of my favorite movies may be the brain child of a travel agent! Of course, I read this on Wikipedia, so take it with a grain of salt, but it works well for my story. Have you seen Endless Summer?  Per Wikipedia: “Its title comes from the idea, expressed at both the beginning and end of the film, that if one had enough time and money it would be possible to follow the summer up and down the world (northern to southern hemisphere and back), making it endless. The concept of the film was born through the suggestion of a travel agent to Bruce Brown during the planning stages of the film. The travel agent suggested that the flight from Los Angeles to Cape Town, South Africa and back would cost $50 more than a trip circumnavigating the world.^] After which, Bruce came up with the idea of following the summer season by traveling up and down the world.” 

I think one of the reasons I enjoy the film, even now, is that it sparks my love of seeing the world, whether on the beaches or in the air. There is so much of the world that I still want to see for the first time, or return to.

This week to kick of the beach season, and perhaps inspire you to chase you own Endless Summer here are 5 of the most beautiful spots that you can catch some waves, or just do a little relaxing as you listen to the sounds of the ocean.

Top 5 spots to create your own Endless Summer

Bermuda – known for it’s beautiful pink sand beaches, Bermuda is getting some TV airtime these days with the America’s Cup yacht racing currently taking place. It’s a quaint island, steeped in history and an easy hop from the East Coast of the US.

Fiji – I can’t think of a more idyllic spot to explore the ocean that alongside the resident marine biologist at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort.

Tahiti – The islands of French Polynesia offer and endless array of beaches as well as those iconic overwater bungalows you’ve been dreaming about. This truly is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. Tahiti gets as many visitors in a year as the islands of Hawaii do in a week, so you are less likely to be spending your Endless Summer alongside your neighbors from back home (unless of course you want to share your vacation with them.)

Hawaii – Does the pacific lure you in with it’s beauty but scare you away with the long flight? Hawaii might be the answer! If you aren’t ready for the 10 hour flight from the west coast to Fiji, or the 8 hour flight to Tahiti, perhaps the 6 hour flight from LA to Hawaii doesn’t sound so bad. There’s so much diversity from island to island that you can feel like you’re the only one on the secret beach you discover along the Kauai coast, or you can mix and mingle with the throngs of tourists on the beach in Waikiki, the choice is yours.

Costa Rica – Maybe you want to mix some beach time with some time exploring the rainforest or studying the habits of sloths and sea turtles. The diversity of Costa Rica has just the right mix of action and relaxation to fit any vacation style.

Where would your Endless Summer take you? Share your story on our Facebook page, or tag us in an Instagram post with #VacationForGood and @slaydonstravel

Maybe our chat about the quest for an Endless Summer has sparked a bit of wanderlust in you, click here and lets start planning your search.

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