Beach setting for Nikon D60?

Please help!

I'm shooting with a Nikon D60. Right now, I don't have a reflector or external flash. I'm solely using the camera. What settings should I use to get great beach photos? Also, should I use my 18-55 or 55-200? I have shot beach photos before, and they look good… But they are just missing that something special. It is usually because of the lighting. Lighting is my biggest problems.

You are using a DSLR, and there are no best settings for DSLR: D Frankly you need to experiment and let you imagination flow. Try the following may be -
1. Change your white balance according to the lighting. This always turns good into great with correct white balance
2. Switch from Auto to complete manual adjustments for your exposure and aperture.
3. You can use a small aperture, such as 16 or something to great DOF
4. Try focusing at hyperfocal distance to get infinite focus.
5. If you want a larger landscape to be covered obviously 18-55,
6. Post process your photo for enhancing it.

What are you shooting?

there's a difference between structures, people, "the sea"…

what time of day? Golden hour, during sunny day, etc…

are you using any filters?

what is your experience of using a DSLR?

there are no magic settings, each shot requires preparation that you get from knowing what you are doing with a camera… If you aren't learning anything, perhaps you should have gotten a point and shoot with a "beach setting"…

Open the manual and find the section on the Light Meter. Read it. Practice wit the camera until you are familiar with its use. It will tell you the "best" settings.

Depends on the time of day obviously, but if it's sunny I would probably overexpose by at least 2 stops or use the built-in flash (assuming your subject is close enough)