Winter is the best time for interior painting...especially at the beach.  Many homeowners put their painting projects off until late spring when most reputable painting contractors are busy painting exterior projects.  With increased demand comes increased pricing.  You will save yourself a significant amount of money by contacting a painting contractor early as the exterior spring projects are the beach house painters' "bread and butter."  Most good painting contractors will let the homeowner know that they are too busy and suggest they should have called earlier when it could have worked out. Lesser painting contractors will "try to squeeze them in" and they will end up with a more inferior finished project, corners will be cut "to squeeze them in."  The truth is that no contractor can take all of this work at once. 
    Planning ahead is key to avoiding problems with your painting project.  If you have a painting project that needs to be completed before renters, guest, or family arrive for a vacation at the beach it is smart to contact a reputable painting contractor well in advance, if you are not familiar with a contractor get 3 estimates and compare.  Don't always go with the cheapest estimate, like the saying goes "You usually get what you pay for."  Check references, ask to look at jobs that they have completed recently, talk to other homeowners, and talk to your neighbors to find out who they used.  Word of mouth is the best recommendation.  And of course verify that they are licensed and insured.