Aquatic fragrances invoke images of wide stretches of sand against turquoise waters, the sounds of crashing waves and gulls overhead. Also known as “oceanic” scents, they are the cleanest, freshest-smelling scents of all the olfactory families, used primarily in summer fragrances and men’s colognes.

The Davidoff house popularized aquatic colognes in the 1990s with their ever-growing assortment of fresh fragrances for men and women; among them, the now classic COOL WATER scents which have come to define the aquatic fragrance family.

In oceanic fragrance blends, fresh notes like seawater, mint, marine or ozone accords are layered with lighter floral or citrus to further divide aquatic scents into groups like floral or amber-aquatics. Most oceanic “marine” or “ozone” accords are chemical compounds meant to mimic natural elements of ocean settings, such as the ingredient “calone,” which is designed to duplicate the slightly floral scent of a tropical ocean breeze.

Aquatic scents are fresh, youthful and energetic, used primarily in summer fragrances and men’s colognes. You won’t need to wear much else on the beach.

One of the most scenic beaches in the world is the Anse Du Grand Colombier on the Caribbean island of ST. BART’S. A peaceful escape of calm aqua waters and pristine white sand beaches mixed with modern and luxurious accommodations and gourmet restaurants, St. Bart’s has a distinctly French flavour of a refined yet easy sophistication. Try the sophisticated ISLAND scent, featuring notes like Kauai waterfalls, honeysuckle and driftwood, by designer MICHAEL KORS.

One of the most colourful beaches in the world is the Copacabana Beach in sunny RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL, where the brave of the world bare the best of their beach bods. Copacabana stretches across almost 5km of Rio de Janeiro’s coastline and is the perfect place to soak up the sun and do some serious people watching. To get noticed in the crowd, sport a stronger, more ambery aquatic scent like SICILY BY DOLCE & GABBANA.

If you’re looking for something a little more casual, try Bondi Beach in AUSTRALIA, a great metropolitan beach where you can chill out and watch surfers catch waves or grab a cold one on a nearby patio. Later, dip into nearby Sydney for the chicest restaurant venues in the cosmopolitan capital of New South Wales. Match Bondi’s easygoing attitude with laidback designer Calvin Klein’s ETERNITY SUMMER FOR MEN AND WOMEN.

For something a little closer to home, go no further than the HAWAIIAN island of KAUAI, where Hanalei Beach, unlike most short beaches in Hawaii, stretches white sand across two long miles of the coast. Located in the mouth of a valley filled with lush tropical vegetation and lined with cute cafes, the hip Hanalei Beach is a perfect match for classic aquatic fragrances for him and her: COOL WATER BY DAVIDOFF, fresh fragrances laced with floral undertones and an accord of “pure ocean air” to encapsulate the freshness of sea breeze.

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