Pick the right season
Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June through November, with the busiest stretch usually late summer into early fall. Shoulder seasons often bring lower prices and smaller crowds with weather that is still great.
Choose your kind of beach
Calm, shallow water is best for little kids. Surf beaches are great to watch but can have strong currents. Some islands are about nightlife, others about doing nothing at all, so be honest about which one you want.
Pick a home base
Staying walking distance from the sand saves hours of loading and unloading the car. A place with a kitchen makes longer stays much cheaper.