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You’re on your way to your dream wedding and marriage, but you’re not quite there yet. First, you need to propose. You may have been considering various ways to do this, and perhaps even contemplating locations. If you’re a lover of the sea, a romantic beach proposal might have come to mind. With that thought, another big question arises: how do you even propose on the beach?

We totally get why you’re considering the beach for your engagement. With the transfixing blues of the ocean, the delicate feel of the sand, and the mesmerizing scenery afforded on nearly every coast — what is the beach not the perfect backdrop for? Zeroing in on a beach proposal, there are many ways to go about it and we’ve compiled our top 16 beach proposal ideas to help get you started!

1. Written in the sand

There’s something magical about the beach that allows you to leave your cares behind and tune in completely to the beauty of life itself. For this, and many more reasons, the beach can be the perfect location for a proposal. If you’re planning to propose to your partner and want to do something simple that will capture their attention, consider writing your request in the sand. Spell it out with seashells or flower petals for extra flourish, or simply write it out during low tide in an area where your words won’t quickly be washed away, either way, your partner will be in for an exciting surprise as you two take a romantic beachside stroll. Don’t forget to get down on one knee for the full effect!

Expert tip: Looking for an amazing beach with great ambiance to pop the question? Consider Seven Mile Beach in Jamaica or Grace Bay Beach in the Turks & Caicos Islands. You’ll find some incredible honeymoon packages on these islands too!

2. At sunset

There’s a certain romance that fills the air around sunset, and this can be amplified 10-fold if you and your significant other find yourselves on a breathtaking beach in the Caribbean (or even one close to home). As the Caribbean region is known for its spectacular sunsets, what better place to pop the question than on a beautiful island shore? This idea becomes even better if you add an all-inclusive resort with lots of amazing amenities to the mix, where you two will be able to celebrate later. Take a stroll with your partner along the beach and soak in the colors of the sunset. Try to arrange to have a photographer nearby and brief them on when exactly they should start taking photos. Just when your partner least expects it, get down on one knee, and profess your love!

Good to know: If you’re looking for spectacular proposal photos, a sunset shoot can be a good way to go. Nature in this case definitely provides the most amazing backdrop for love!

3. At sunrise

Is your sweetheart an early bird who loves to be up at the crack of dawn? If so, then a sunrise beach proposal can be just what it takes to create unforgettable memories. It won’t be hard to plan this one out — simply get your significant other on board for an early morning beach walk or even a stretching session. If this might seem a bit out of the norm to them, tell your honey you want to introduce more self-care into your routine! Head to the beach, enjoy a quiet and intimate moment watching a new day begin, and say the words that will also be the start of your new beginning together.

4. At a beachside meal

Beachside proposals have a way of feeling super intimate, and if you throw a great meal into the mix, things can get even more exciting. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner - no matter your preference, you can arrange to have a meal prepared and packed that will knock your partner’s socks off. Throw in their favorite dessert for you both to enjoy picnic-style at the seaside, and you’ll be set to present the ring and top off a truly amazing experience.

Expert tip: A luxurious candlelight dinner on the beach can be the perfect romantic option for your proposal. Don’t forget the champagne!

5. Go seashell or sand dollar hunting

Want your proposal to be against the backdrop of a spectacular beach? First, you’ll need an incredible beach location! You can opt for popular beach vacation destinations in the U.S. like Miami Beach, Outer Banks, Myrtle Beach, and others, or you can skip over to the Caribbean for a tropical adventure. After you arrive, arrange a casual beach stroll to collect seashells or sand dollars, and plan in advance to have the ring hidden in a large shell. For this proposal idea, you’ll want to be very sure about which shell the ring is in. If a friend hides it for you, have them stick around to make sure everything goes smoothly. You can also wait until your partner is busy finding shells and sand dollars to hide the ring yourself into a shell of your choice!

6. In the middle of the ocean

You can execute this proposal option effortlessly during a water sports adventure, or even ahead of a surf session if you guys are avid surfers. Simply make the arrangements to get out in the middle of the ocean with your sweetheart, and make your proposal. Ahead of time, you should figure out whether you can safely exchange rings during your excursion (without losing the ring!), or if it’s better to wait until you’re back on solid ground. Either way, this proposal will be memorable!

7. Take a boat trip

Get away from it all for a perfectly adventurous proposal! For this one, you and your love will be setting sail in a beautiful location with all the markings of love. You can either hire a boat, book a trip for two on a catamaran (a sunset cruise or even whale watching!), or plan another kind of casual boat cruise. While out on the waves enjoying the scenery, pop the question when the time is right and the ambiance is at its most magical. Don’t forget to detail all the reasons you’re lucky to have found your special person, and why you want to spend the rest of your life with them.

8. Under the sea

It’s a whole new world beneath the ocean, and you and your significant other can explore it together. As you prepare to take your relationship to the next level, plan a scuba or snorkeling trip and head to the beach. This is an especially great option if diving is already something you love to do together. There’s hardly anything more private, memorable, and fun than this!

Find yourself a good guide or instructor (you’ll want to fill them in ahead of time), a cool dive spot, and a laminated sign or waterproof whiteboard with the words, ‘Will you marry me?’. The best part of this proposal is that you don’t even need to be a pro-diver to make it happen. You can simply suggest to your significant other that you both take a dive course for fun. Amid the beauty of the underseas, you two will make some pretty awesome memories together.

Expert tip: Do you want to try a dive proposal, but you’re not sure about locations? Coral Gardens in the Turks & Caicos is one of the most beautiful dive spots in the world, and might just improve your chances of getting a resounding ‘yes’!

9. At the top of a lighthouse

Lighthouses are both historical and romantic. Visit one with your sweetheart just in time to take in a sunset or later on in the evening for an unexpected adventure. You’ll have amazing views of the ocean from the top, and if the lighthouse is functional, you’ll even have a little spotlight of your own. Plan this out by suggesting a sightseeing trip — one of your stops, of course, will be the quaint, little lighthouse that will serve as the most unique and beautiful backdrop for your surprise proposal.

10. Romantic beach setup

A beach proposal is one thing, but going all out to make it absolutely unforgettable, is something else entirely. You can arrange to have a customized proposal set up at a local beach and even hire a designer to help you out. Your beach proposal setup can include pathways of tea lights or lanterns, flower petals, customized signs to share your love, a candlelight picnic, and even a musician on hand for a serenade.

Don’t be afraid to get out of the way entirely and leave all the work to the professionals as part of a romantic all-inclusive beach vacation! There are some amazing resorts in Turks & Caicos, resorts in Negril, and resorts in Ocho Rios that can be perfect for this.

Expert tip: Check the rules of the beach you have in mind before setting up, as regulations can vary in different territories. Include resort staff in your planning as well, so you can be guided on the best way to move forward with your intricate beach proposal setup.

11. Buried treasure

A spur-of-the-moment treasure hunt can be the perfect way to surprise your partner with the ultimate bounty — a special ring to mark the start of your lives together. You’ll need to set this up in advance, so it’ll help to have someone assist you with getting everything together (not to mention keeping an eye on the ring!). As part of this proposal, include romantic clues that will fill your partner in on just how much you love them, and how much you’re looking forward to spending forever together.

12. Sandcastle

When was the last time you built a sandcastle? If this is something you enjoy doing and haven’t done in a while, you’re likely to have a grand time building a proposal sandcastle that your partner is sure to appreciate. This is a proposal idea that works best if you’re near a sugary white sand beach like those in the Caribbean. You can get creative with the type of sandcastle you build to surprise your loved one.

Once your sandcastle is complete, you can take your lover on a stroll down the beach for a ‘chance encounter’ with your beautiful creation, which hopefully includes a neatly scripted ‘Will you marry me?’. If you’re not exactly great with sandcastle building, you can make a large, traditional castle (use sandcastle mold buckets if needed) with a flag on top with your proposal message. The gesture will be appreciated just the same!

Expert tip: Try not to build your sandcastle too close to the shoreline as it can get washed away or otherwise ruined by the tide!

13. Message in a bottle

Up the romance factor with an old-school proposal tactic that involves a handwritten letter professing your love and all the reasons why you want to spend the rest of your life with your partner. Tuck your letter into a bottle and settle down beachside for a romantic day out. Bury the bottle halfway in the sand if you wish, but be sure to place a marker so it's easier to find. You can also have someone else place the bottle in the sand for you, or just magically “find it” when your partner is not looking!

Once your partner retrieves the bottle, give them some time to read the letter, and then pop the question. If you’re staying at a resort, you can also set up a beachside cabana for this occasion. That way you can both have somewhere comfortable to celebrate once you’ve made your proposal.

Expert tip: Be sure to choose an appropriately sized bottle, so you can easily fish out your letter without having to break the bottle!

14. Beach bonfire

If your partner loves the outdoors and a good bonfire, a beach bonfire proposal can be a great idea. This option can really come to life once the sun goes down, and the flames dance around against the dark of the night. As you two sit together (possibly with family and friends) laughing and enjoying the moment, you can call a moment of silence just to pop the question.

For beach bonfire proposals, you could also arrange a small bonfire for just the two of you, which can be a more romantic and intimate setting. If you choose the latter, you’ll still be able to celebrate with family and friends at a later date!

15. At a special beach destination

Is there a special beach destination you both can’t get enough of? Well, why not plan a trip to go back there for the sake of your surprise proposal? Whether it's the place where you took your first beach walk as a couple or the destination of your first beach holiday, you can lean on your past experiences together when selecting a destination. Have a blast recreating whatever amazing memories you both enjoyed the first time around, and add a new one by proposing in the most magical way possible. After your engagement, you might even want to start planning your wedding or honeymoon at the same (or another) great beach destination.

16. Helicopter or airplane banner

Nothing says ‘I love you’ louder than a proposal banner flying high in the sky for all to see. This is one of the more extravagant beach proposal ideas, but it’s sure to leave a lasting impression. Your partner will have no idea what’s coming until the moment you’re both strolling along the coast, settled comfortably in the shade of some palm trees, or looking out onto the ocean from a beachside restaurant. All at once, you’ll both look up to the most unexpected surprise.

Or, you can write out your proposal message big and bold in the sand and then plan a spontaneous helicopter ride to check it out from an aerial perspective. Either one of these methods could create memories you both won’t be able to stop talking about any time soon!

With the right idea, the beach could be the perfect place for your proposal!

The beauty of the beach adds a little magic to every encounter, especially proposals! There are many ways to go about a beach proposal, including vacation proposals and candlelight dinner proposals. There are many places to plan out beach proposals as well, like some of the best beaches in Jamaica.

Ultimately, when it comes to planning that memorable moment with your partner that will forever change your life, the decision is up to you. Once you’ve decided on a location and a method, the only thing left to think about will be enjoying the moment (and getting lots of photos!) with the one you love.

Insider tip: Planning a beach wedding? Here are some amazing wedding venues in Jamaica you’re sure to fall in love with!

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