Specific beach wanted
 

Looking for a summer Caribbean vacation with a very nice beach. The kind of beach I am looking for has soft sand, warm water and enough surf for body or boogie boarding. A similar beach would be like Orient or Dawn beach in St. Martin. (been there already) Many islands have only protected or quiet (no waves) sides or sides that are too rough. Sometimes Playa Del Carmen has these conditions as well. A plus would be reasonable prices, good restaurants, scuba diving, some night life and some cultural sites to visit. I've heard Barbados may have this? Doesn't have to be Caribbean...could be central america and/or pacific sides as well. Already been to St. Martin/Saba/Curacao/DR (boca chica)/Roatan/Playa del Carmen/Cozumel/Jam. Montego Bay and only St Martin had the kind of beach I like.

The South Coast of Barbados was what first came to mind. Haven't been yet, but we are planning to go in August.

The Bougainvillea Beach Resort in Barbados is located on Maxwell Beach, a lovely beach with clean, soft sand and the kind of waves you've described. Stayed there 2 yrs. ago, my husband was body surfing every day.

http://bougainvillearesort-px.trvlclick.com/index.cfm

It was our first & only trip to Barbados, hope to return and would stay at the Bougainvillea again for the beach as well as the resort itself. It seems many beaches further north had very calm waters, and like you, we like the surf.

Of the places you've named above, the only one we've visited is Playa del Carmen, and while we had a great time in Mexico, the beach itself was disappointing.

Would you go as far as Indonesia, Thailand, or the South Pacific?

briand.com
pinksandsresort.com
runawayhill.com

my fav valentinesdive.com for snorkel/dive

Happy Hunting!

Aruba is not the place you want. The nice beaches are on the sheltered side. The surf is on the wrong coast for your purposes.

Keith