Not so fast, summer: Late-season bargain beaches

Before summer ends, make one last beach trip. Our bargain pick: Wilmington, N.C. Credit: teresamorgan.

By Jeanenne Tornatore

Back-to-school shopping may be in full swing, but don’t despair, summer’s not over yet! And there are great late-season deals to give you the nudge you need for one last trip to the beach.  Orbitz took a look at beach destinations offering some of the best value for the month of August.   From family-friendly beaches on the East Coast to a snorkeler’s paradise in the Caribbean, for under $150/night* you can ride the tide into these beautiful beaches:

And while surf and sand may be the main attractions, many of these locales boast a lineup of events and activities that will please everyone in the family.

Myrtle Beach, S.C.
With 425 hotels and 102 golf courses along the Grand Strand, 300 outlet stores and 9 live entertainment theaters, this beach town has come along way since my first visit some 20 years ago.  Check out the Oceana Resorts with properties ranging from budget to luxury.  Through Labor Day, guests receive free water park and adventure park tickets, including transportation, for the entire family every day.

Clearwater Beach, Fla.
There’s still 5 weeks to take advantage of St Pete/Clearwater’s 100 Days of Summer events.  From the Vans Warped Tour music festival at St. Pete’s waterfront Vinoy Park to Dine Tampa Bay, a week of affordable prix fixe meals at some of the area’s top restaurants, these seaside communities will not disappoint late-summer visitors.

St. Lucia
This tropical paradise may be in its off-season, but you’ll find no shortage of things to do.  Scuba diving, kiteboarding and ziplining are just a few of the adventure activities that will inspire your inner athlete.  For those who prefer a slower pace, turtle watching, a scenic helicopter tour or a day at the spa Umay be just the right speed.

Related resources

• Beach vacations
• Clearwater hotels
• St. Lucia hotels
• Wilmington hotels

* The Orbitz Best Late-Summer Beach Bargains were ranked based on the lowest average daily hotel rates (ADRs) available on Orbitz.com between July 12-13, 2011 for arrivals during the month of August 2011.

Jeanenne Tornatore is a senior travel editor at Orbitz Worldwide. A long-time traveler and avid deal seeker, she regularly shares her industry knowledge, practical advice and savvy tips with national print and broadcast media around the country.

Insider tip: Don’t let summer pass you by. For the entire month of August, score 30 percent off hotels worldwide  during our summer sale.If you book a hotel or cruise, you’ll also receive 2 coupons with no blackout dates:

• $100 off flight + hotel vacation package of 4 or more nights
• $20 off a 2-night hotel stay

Tagged: Family time