Who said that you can hang out by the beach in summer only? There are a lot of positives of going on a winter beach vacation too! From fewer crowds to cheaper prices, you can experience a completely different world when you visit a beach area in the cooler months. Here are 10 reasons why should visit the beach in winter!
1. See The Real Side Of The Beach Community
In the summer you see the beach’s touristy side. Boardwalk stores that sell t-shirts, candy, and other sundries. On the sand itself, enterprising individuals rent out chairs and beach umbrellas. You don’t see this in the winter. Instead, you get familiar with local establishments open year-round as well as the people that own them. Overall, there’s a greater sense of authenticity.
2. Be Treated Like A Local
When you take a winter beach vacation, something changes in your status. You’re not considered a tourist. On the contrary, since you’ve decided to brave the colder temperatures, you’re considered a local. Even if they find out you’re a tourist they still treat you like one of their own hearty citizens.
3. You’ve Never Done It Before
Life is short, so you want to experience a lot of it. If you haven’t taken a winter beach vacation before, now is the time to make it happen and make sure to book your stay in advance. If you need some tips on where to go, visit SeaSpiration for inspiration!
4. Serenity
The beach is one of those places where you connect directly with nature. However, it’s harder in the summer months. The crowds and their atmosphere drowned out the environment. That disappears in the winter. Sure, there may be others who visit during this time, but they’re fewer in number. So, you absorb a quiet that’s only interrupted by the lapping of waves.
5. A Different Look At Nature
Since so many people visit the beach during the warmer months there’s little space for the area’s fauna to explore and gather food. It’s different during the winter. Without people to disturb them, winter birds and sea creatures take care of their normal tasks. As a result, you see what the beach was like before it became a summer destination.
6. No Reservations Needed
At the peak of tourist season, it’s nearly impossible to get a reservation at one of the local restaurants. If reservations aren’t taken, you either wait for a table to open or eat incredibly early or late. This rarely happens in the winter. In fact, area restaurants encourage visits from out-of-towners. It allows you to dine at a normal and relaxed pace without a wait.
7. Deals Abound
Though they may not have as many amenities available as in the summer, area resorts remain open during the winter. To draw in off-season visitors they provide deep discounts for their stays. Also, instead of limiting the number of nights someone can stay, they open the calendar up. Thus, you can stay for as long as a week at a time.
8. Unique Camping Experiences
Not only are more campsites open for tent and RV stays but they offer a unique experience. Animals that aren’t normally seen during in the summer appear in the winter. You may actually see some of them examine your space out of curiosity.
9. It’s Incredibly Romantic
Walking hand-in-hand along the boardwalk or on the beach while the surf crashes on the shoreline is a romantic experience (especially at sunset). So is a stroll among the little shops that make up the resort town’s economy. The quiet makes you feel like the beach is your own.
10. Wacky Events
Fireworks and live entertainment on the boardwalk are normal occurrences during the summer. When the tourist season ends, locals partake in some wacky events. For instance, costumed runs along the beach or an annual Polar Bear Swim. A beach vacation in winter allows you to see the quirky side of a shore town.
