Do hire a pedalo. You'll burn as many calories as you would if you were cycling slowly - around 420 calories an hour. Or try kayaking, which is one of the best ways to tone your midriff.

Don't vegetate on your sun lounger. Getting up to walk even short distances on soft sand - the type found higher up on beaches - will do you good as it requires more energy than usual. As your feet sink into the loose sand, your calf muscles must work harder to push off with every step.

Do go beach running. Stick to the firm, wet, firm-packed sand near the shoreline at low tide where the surface is flatter and less punishing on the body. Avoid the shore's slopes, which can cause imbalances and strain in the knees, calves and ankles.

Don't stick to swimming in the pool. Try a mini-aqua-aerobics session. Warm up with a swim. Then, in the shallow end, do 90 seconds each of walking lunges, squats, and leg lifts to the front side and back, holding on to the edge. For muscle endurance go to the deep end and tread water as long as you can for the finale. Tread just with your arms, then just with your legs, then with both together.

Do build a sandcastle. Scooping up armfuls of sand will work the biceps and triceps muscles in your arms.

Don't get dehydrated. If you plan to stay active, make sure you sip 500ml of water an hour in the heat. A fluid loss of 2% of your total body mass will lead to a 20% drop in physical performance and leave you feeling faint.

Do walk in the sea. Some Florida gyms offer sea-walking as a fitness class. Even at ankle depth, the water provides resistance which will test your muscles far more than on land. Wade in at waist level and you could burn 270 calories in half an hour.