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1. Honduras: Anthony's Key Resort, Roatan
Explore coral reefs teeming with tropical fish and get nose to nose with dolphins at Anthony's Key Resort, located on one of Honduras' Bay Islands. Dive and snorkel boats take mask-and-fin enthusiasts to the many rich reefs located minutes from the property. Dolphins star at the on-site Roatan Institute for Marine Science, a conservation and education center. During summer's dolphin camp, ages five to nine and 10 to 14 learn about the resident pod and their ocean habitat, as well as swim and snorkel. SCUBA-certified teens discover the underwater wonders on their own dives. On Fridays families join in a dolphin encounter and the children end their Sunday to Friday camp by snorkeling with the friendly critters. Canoes and kayaks are also available. The laidback resort lacks a sandy beach, but with the ocean beckoning, you won't miss it.
2. Vermont: Basin Harbor Club, Vergennes
The Beach family has been offering water-oriented vacations at the Basin Harbor Club on the shores of Lake Champlain for more than 120 years. Sail, canoe, kayak, fish and waterski at this 700-acre property that rests on the 120-mile-long Lake Champlain. From late June through Labor Day, the resort runs morning and evening programs for ages three to five, six to eight, nine to 12 and 13 to 17. Fishing is huge on this lake, which offers abundant trout, salmon, bass, northern pike and perch (the Harbormaster can assist you in obtaining fishing licenses and private charters). Ride on the Escape, a 48-foot boat for a guided cruise of the lake, or just enjoy the resort's canoes, kayaks, paddleboats, outboards and powerboats. The floating water trampoline will keep the kids entertained while you relax splash safe on the beach.
3. Florida: Casa Marina Resort, Key West
A Key West landmark since the 1920s, Casa Marina holds honors as the Florida Keys' largest resort with the longest private beach and the biggest swimming pool (1,100 feet!). Along with snorkeling and diving outings to ogle the nearby reefs' rainbow-colored fish and coral, the resort offers parasailing, kayaking, fishing excursions, dolphin encounters, Hobie Cats, and the classic Key West experience: a sunset cruise. Waverunners, kayaks, fun boats, windsurfers and more are available to rent in this resort built with water enthusiasts in mind.
4. Mexico: Club Med Yucatan, Cancun
This resort's mile-long stretch of sand, among Cancun's nicest beaches, offers plenty of opportunities for swimming and boogie boarding. The resort, because of its all-inclusive price, is a great place for you and your kids to perfect skills in sailing, windsurfing, kite surfing, snorkeling, kayaking and waterskiing. Since waterskiers glide through the property's shallow lagoon, neither newbies nor experts practicing tricks fear falling. Club Med offers daylong activities for ages four to seven, eight to ten, 11 to 13 and 14 to 17.
5. Minnesota: Gunflint Lodge, Grand Marais
In summer, this lakeside property in Northern Minnesota's Boundary Waters focuses on canoeing and fishing. You and your kids can follow the watery trails of the French Canadian voyageurs that once paddled and portaged the region's lakes to trade fur pelts. On a naturalist-guided day tour to a shoreside picnic, help navigate a 20-foot replica of a voyageur canoe while singing French songs, just like the early traders. You can also opt for an overnight canoe and camping expedition, as well as scenic canoe or pontoon outings in search of loons, beavers and eagles. The kids-only adventures for ages five and older include fishing outings, bug safaris and hikes.
6. Hawaii: Outrigger Reef on the Beach, Honolulu
Get some thrills island-style with outrigger canoe surfing, the sport of Hawaiian royalty. This beachfront Waikiki resort, which recently completed its $110-million makeover, features guided sessions in which you and your kids learn the rhythmic strokes and teamwork required to position your six-person, 29.5-foot canoe so that it slides down a wave. For solo paddling, try lessons in two other Hawaiian specialties: paddle boarding and surfing, where kids learn by going tandem with an instructor on a wide board. For more "hang loose Hawaii" watersports, join one of the resort's Beachboy Valets, skilled water enthusiasts who accompany you on surfing, paddle boarding, outrigger canoeing, snorkeling or sailing outings (four-and-a-half hours).
7. U.S. Virgin Islands: Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas
At this luxury resort kids five to 12 discover two time-honored island staples: sailing and windsurfing. Taught by Paul Stoeken, a Virgin Islands Olympian who participated as a windsurfer in the 1996 and 2000 games, kids learn to master the winds during morning sailing classes and afternoon windsurfing lessons. Kayaking, snorkeling and diving are also available at this resort situated on two sandy coves. The resort's 53-catamaran, the Lady Lynsey, can take you and yours on excursions around the islands, including educational, volunteer sails where kids can help collect date and species for study, as well as snorkel the Virgin Islands' pristine waters.
8. Virginia: The Tides Inn, Irvington
Virginia's Northern Neck, bordered by the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers and the Chesapeake Bay, features 1,200 miles of coastline. The Tides Inn, fronting Carters Creek, a Rappahannock River tributary, features its Premier Sailing School. Even if you and your kids don't know an aft from a rudder, you can learn to master the winds together at the family sailing course. Each participant, even kids as young as six, learns the ropes in his or her own vessel. Adults and teens man Sunfish and young kids sail Optimists. For more water fun, go crabbing and fishing as well as canoeing and kayaking, or tour the creek in a duffy, a canvas-roofed boat with an electric motor. At the Crab Net Kids program, available summer and holidays, ages four to 12, swim, bicycle, play croquet and more.
9. Jamaica: Half Moon Bay, Rose Hall
Have your water sports and some Caribbean luxury, too, at the Half Moon, a four-diamond property sprawled on 400 lushly landscaped acres. The resort offers complimentary snorkeling, kayaking and pedal boats for use in the turquoise sea off the property's main beach, a picture postcard cove of white sand shaded by sea grape trees. For extra fees, try windsurfing, parasailing and SCUBA diving, as well as swimming with the resort's dolphins, an experience you and your kids won't soon forget. Afterwards, kids three to 12 can enjoy nature hunts and craft making at the Anancy Children's village, while teens play video games and air hockey at the Hype Zoom.
10. California: Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa, Huntington Beach
Hang 10 -- or learn how to -- at this beachfront "Surf City" property in Orange County, about 30 minutes from Disneyland. Sign-on with the resort's on-property outfitter, Toes on the Nose, for lessons in surfing, kayaking and the hot new sport of paddle boarding (standing on the board and paddling). You can also rent boogie boards and skim boards plus take part in eco-tour adventures where the kids can explore tidepools and wetlands and search for seals and sea lions. At the Camp Hyatt Beach Club, for ages three to seven, and SophistiKids, for ages eight to 12, kids play on the beach and splash in the pool.
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