Your colors are actually closer to the reference than Jeremy's. =P

Anyway, see how limiting the highlight makes the sea much more shiny and wet? Emphasize contrast and reflection more. Also, look at the photoreference, and see how the wet sand is almost like a mirror, but the waves are dark? This is because of the strong backlighting.

Your sun still needs to be a bunch brighter, with a very slight glow. Heck, even the reflection on the beach has a bit of bloom in the photoref.

also, notice how there are only really two birds in the photo? =P

Edited by snader - 01 February 2012 at 7:29pm

I changed the sand:

One thing I see, is that it looks like you have 3 very distinct layers. Just the sand looks quite different then the water, and the water contracts the sky a bit. It seems a little unnatural.