Why limit summer to beach towels, suntan oil, and boogie boards? The solstice can also shine on one-of-a-kind seaside adventures, from tracking bears in Alaska to cooking lessons in the Azores. To put more splash into the season, the new Spring/Summer 2004 issue of Specialty Travel Index (STI) whets watery appetites by highlighting unusual travel opportunities from more than 300 tour operators in over 300 destinations around the globe. STI can also be accessed online at www.specialtytravel.com.

�That old phrase about �life�s a beach� holds true in the real world, where travelers can explore coastlines edged by jungle or glaciers,� says C. Steen Hansen, co-publisher of Specialty Travel Index. �Going to the beach has always been a favorite summer pastime�only now, adventurous travelers can also enjoy close encounters with wildlife or step back in time on archeological digs.�

Here�s a round-up of trips that promise to be �a shore thing� for this coming season.

G'Days in Australia: Kayaking in the Coral Sea. Lying off the coast of Queensland, Hinchinbrook is Australia�s largest island National Park. Its landscapes encompass tropical forests and granite peaks that rise 3,000 feet above turquoise bays ideal for sea kayaking. On this seven-day adventure, participants paddle across the Coral Sea to the Family Islands, with a chance of encountering turtles, dolphins, and mantra rays. [World Expeditions; www.WEadventures.com]

Getting Your Bearings in Alaska. Your footprints in the sand may mingle with the ten-inch-long tracks of Ursus arctos horribilis--grizzly bears--at this fly-in camp adjoining Lake Clark National Park. In early summer, delectable grasses and sedges draw bears to this coastal plain where visitors can eye breeding pairs and mothers with cubs. Overnights feature accommodations in comfortable tent cabins plus fresh-cooked meals of fresh seafood and meat [Great Alaska Adventure Lodge; www.greatalaska.com]

Hanging Loose in St. Lucia. While summertime sizzles in the U.S., temperatures in the Caribbean average in the low 80s during July and August. Overlooking the 2,000-foot-high peaks of the Pitons, Anse Chastanet Resort offers top-notch scuba diving, mountain biking, and kayaking, with luxury accommodations that might feature a tree growing right through the roof. [Anse Chastanet; www.ansechastanet.com] Channeling Your Energies: Guided Walks in the Channel Islands. Blending traditions of Britain and France, the island of Jersey draws visitors to its medieval churches, castles, and rocky headlands. On this eight-day guided walk, participants can select easier or harder routes, with accommodations at the Highfield Country Hotel in the rural parish of Trinity. [Classic Walking Tours; www.classicwalking.co.uk]

The Moor, the Merrier for 2004 Athens Olympics. Ship to shore has become a reality for the upcoming Games, with accommodations for spectators offered on luxury yachts anchored just five minutes from the Parthenon. Although staying aboard these "floating hotels" costs about the same as lodging on land, it offers pampering perks such as a 24/7 crew to indulge guests' needs--plus the opportunity to cruise the Greek isles when not attending events. [Valef Yachts; www.ValefYachts.com]

Scuba Do in China. Sanya, an island located off the Hainan Islands at the southernmost point of China, offers the world's largest soft coral groups along with abundant hard corals and tropical fish. The 15-day itinerary also includes dives in Dalian plus time in Beijing to visit the Ming Tombs and the Great Wall. [China Professional Tours; www.chinaprofessional.com]

Surf's Up in Mexico. "Surfer's heaven." That's what aficionados call the stretch of Mexican coastline that stretches north from Puerto Vallarta to San Blas--with conditions especially prime in summer. Set in the quiet--and becoming quietly trendy village of San Pancho--this adventure resort features surfing trips and lessons, as well as jungle treks, mountain biking, sea kayaking, and horseback riding. [Costa Azul Adventure Resort; www.costaazul.com]

Spicing Up Life in Zanzibar. Once known for legends of sultans and slave traders, pirates and spice planters, Zanzibar today lures vacationers with smooth, white beaches and crystal-blue waters. Beach-side pursuits on "The Spice Island" include excellent snorkeling and scuba diving--a relaxing, aquatic coda for a safari in Africa. [Adventure Center; www.adventurecenter.com]

Adventuring in the Azores. Been there, done that? An archipelago of nine islands located 1,000 miles off the coast of Portugal, the Azores possess a rich history laced with tales of explorers, pirates, and whalers. Vacations might include guided hikes, swims with dolphins, horseback riding, or regional cooking lessons. [Azores Adventures; www.azoreswalks.com]

Clear Sailing: Unfurling Your Inner Captain. Participants learn to take the helm on these courses from Annapolis Sailing School, the first and largest sailing school in the nation. Programs cover everything from classroom work to hand's-on experience piloting specially designed sloops in locations that include the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland; St. Petersburg, Florida; and St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. [Annapolis Sailing School; www.annapolissailing.com]

STI is easy to use, indexing tours by both activity (cattle roping, chocolate tours) and destination (Colorado, Brazil). Subscriptions cost $10 per year (Canada $15, foreign $22) for two issues: January (Spring/Summer) and August (Fall/Winter). Send orders to: info@specialtytravel.com or order online at www.specialtytravel.com.

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Media Contact: Justine Durrell +1 (415) 455-1643 info@specialtytravel.com