There’s something about a beach that turns time syrupy and slow—the way the light plays on the water, the sound of waves filling in every silence. I’ve always found that romance feels different by the sea: lighter, freer, somehow more vivid. These are the places that made me stop mid-step and think, “So this is what it feels like to be completely away.”
From the sugar-soft shores of Anguilla to an undersea restaurant in the Maldives, each of these spots left a different kind of imprint. Some were quiet and barefoot; others glittered with candlelight and five-star sparkle. But all of them shared one thing: they reminded me that romance isn't about grand gestures—it’s about presence, softness, and choosing each other again and again, one sunset at a time.
Best Romantic Beach Getaways Around the World
Soak in Sunset Luxury at Ocean Key Resort and Spa, Key West
Key West pulled me in with its pastel colors and salt-sweet air, but Ocean Key made me stay. Nestled right at the edge of Mallory Square, Address: Ocean Key Resort and Spa felt like the sun-soaked heart of the island. I watched sailboats drift past my balcony like lazy thoughts, feeling completely untangled from my everyday mind. I remember thinking, "This is what it feels like to be completely present—just me, the ocean, and nothing else to do."
What I Loved Most: The private balcony whirlpool tub at sunset—golden light, a glass of wine, and the hum of island music below. Just perfection.
My highlights? Dinner at Hot Tin Roof, the resort’s dreamy oceanfront restaurant. I had the yellowtail snapper with coconut jasmine rice and mango salsa. The flavors were as bold as the view—and honestly, I lingered long after the last bite, not wanting the moment to end.
Plan your vacation:
- Flight Time from Miami: ~1 hour or 3.5-hour drive
- Vibe: Lush, tropical, celebratory
- Highlights: Sunset Pier, spa treatments, waterfront dining
- Best Time to Visit: November to April for breezy, dry days
- Cost: Luxury stay, dining, excursions
- Hours: Spa and dining operate daily
- Address: 0 Duval St, Key West, FL 33040
Unwind in Barefoot Bliss at Turtle Inn, Belize
Belize stirred something deeper. The waves here whispered secrets, and Turtle Inn —Francis Ford Coppola’s beach hideaway—felt like it had been waiting just for us. With thatch-roof villas, sea breezes, and no televisions in sight, I felt my pace shift into something softer. I remember thinking, "The rest of the world can wait—this is all I need."
What I Loved Most: Walking barefoot to the water at sunrise, the only footprints on the beach ours. The kind of moment that feels like it belongs to just the two of you.
My highlights? A romantic seafood dinner at Mare Restaurant, where I had the grilled spiny lobster with garlic butter and roasted plantains. With lanterns flickering and waves lapping in the background, it was like a scene out of a dream.
Plan your vacation:
- Flight Time from Belize City: ~30 minutes to Placencia
- Vibe: Rustic luxury, secluded, intimate
- Highlights: Private beach, dive trips, jungle excursions
- Best Time to Visit: December to May (dry season)
- Cost: Mid to high-end; lobster dinners and boat tours
- Hours: Open year-round
- Address: Placencia Village, Belize
Kick Off Your Sandals and Stay Steps from the Sea at Carimar Beach Club, Anguilla
Sometimes the best luxury is simplicity done right. At Carimar Beach Club , I woke each day to the sound of soft surf and the scent of salt and sea grapes. Meads Bay was right there—calm, uncrowded, and impossibly blue. I remember thinking, "This must be what peace feels like—in its purest, sun-drenched form."
What I Loved Most: Morning walks along the sand, followed by reading in a shaded lounge chair until the day simply disappeared.
My highlights? A beachfront dinner at Blanchards Restaurant, where I had the jerk mahi-mahi with coconut rice and plantain chips. The ocean breeze and candlelight made everything taste even more unforgettable.
Plan your vacation:
- Flight Time from Miami: ~3 hours to Anguilla (via St. Maarten)
- Vibe: Laid-back, barefoot elegance
- Highlights: Meads Bay sunsets, paddleboarding, local dining
- Best Time to Visit: November to April
- Cost: Moderate; villas with kitchenettes
- Hours: Daily check-in
- Address: Meads Bay, Anguilla
Escape into Jungle Chic at the Viceroy Riviera Maya, Mexico
There’s something about the Riviera Maya that makes you feel like the jungle and the sea are conspiring to romance you. At Viceroy, tucked into lush greenery just steps from the water, I felt like we were the only two people on earth. The ocean was a lullaby, the scent of copal drifted through the trees, and every moment felt suspended. I remember thinking, “This is the kind of quiet that knows how to listen.”
What I Loved Most: The outdoor shower in our villa surrounded by palms and the private plunge pool where we watched the stars come out one by one.
My highlights? Dinner at La Marea, where I had the fresh catch of the day—mahi-mahi in a tamarind glaze with grilled corn and coconut rice. The waves, the candlelight, the hush between courses... it was a memory made in slow motion.
Plan your vacation:
- Drive Time from Cancun Airport: ~45 minutes
- Vibe: Jungle-chic, private, indulgent
- Highlights: Secluded villas, spa rituals, beachfront dining
- Best Time to Visit: December to April (dry season)
- Cost: Luxury; spa and fine dining add-ons
- Hours: Open year-round
- Address: Playa Xcalacoco Frac 7, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Hurawalhi Island Resort
If magic had a zip code, it would be in the Maldives. At Hurawalhi Island Resort, the water shimmered in shades I didn’t know existed. Our overwater villa felt like it was floating between sky and sea, and time seemed to forget itself. I remember thinking, “This is the edge of the world—and I never want to leave.”
What I Loved Most: Early morning swims off the deck, and the hush of underwater silence when we snorkeled among the reef.
My highlights? A surreal dinner at 5.8 Undersea Restaurant, the world’s largest all-glass underwater dining experience. I had the sea bass with truffle risotto while reef fish drifted by, as if they were part of the performance. It was dreamy, disorienting, and utterly unforgettable.
Plan your vacation:
- Flight Time from Malé: ~40 minutes by seaplane
- Vibe: Ultra-luxury, surreal, intimate
- Highlights: Overwater villas, diving, undersea dining
- Best Time to Visit: November to April (dry season)
- Cost: High-end luxury; all-inclusive options
- Hours: Resort access by reservation
- Address: Laccadive Sea, Hurawalhi Island, Maldives
Conclusion: Why These Stays Stayed With Me
Long after I left, I kept thinking about the stillness. About the way Ocean Key gave me front-row seats to the sun setting over the Gulf… how Turtle Inn let us vanish into thatched-roof privacy and Caribbean calm… how Hurawalhi offered dinner with a side of drifting reef fish, all glass and wonder.
Each stay felt deeply personal—designed not just to impress, but to hold space for connection. I remember thinking, “This isn’t just about where we went—it’s how it made us feel while we were there.” And isn’t that the most romantic part of all?